BFL Bass Pro disqualifed

Check this out. This would suck. I say give it back to him with a major apology.

http://bassfan.com/news_article.asp?id=1158

Yep, give it all back to him. It’s not his fault.

I cant see any reason not to give it back to him. What are these guys suppose to do pry a rating plate off another boat and glue it to theres. Major law suit coming and flw will lose.

The worst part is they won’t admit the rule is flawed.

Amen Newt! Just like with the Tony Christian controversey FLW looses more credibility.

Sadly it does tarnish the FLW more. Just be a big boy, admit you were wrong and move on. You’ll gain a lot more respect admitting your flaws vs hiding them under the rug.

GIVE IT BACK! I don’t have a plate on my boat, and it’s 20′ 2″. I also fish all the BFL’s as a boater. To avoid any future hassle, should I contact my boat manufacturer, and see if I can get a plate?

At the very least, they need to delete the phrase “plate attached to the boat by the manufacturer”. It’s a good idea to have a plate because it allows passengers to make informed judgements on whether or not the vessel is over loaded.

While they recommend getting a replacement plate from the manufacturer, apparently the USCG doesnt prohibit making your own plates. If you go here:

Safety Standards for Backyard Boatbuilders

you can find the formula used for maximum capacity and a template for making your own USCG capacity plate.

Dave

The way I read the article, he probably has a plate put there by the NMMA that lists capacity and rating. It does not meet the rule because it does not say, “US Coast Guard” on it, nor could it possibly since there is no such thing as a CG plate for boats over 20′.

Has nobody ever won an FLW tourney in a boat bigger than 20′? I think this happened to be the case where it got noticed, and the guy got the shaft. I think they should admit their wrongdoing, do whatever they can to make right, change the rule, and most of all, fire Mr “The rewlz are the rewlz” Evans’ butt.

By the sounds of the article, they know they are in for legal action. I would be looking for a reversal within a week or better. To much open interpretation of the rule.

Chris

So what would have happened if one of irwins “rangerets” would have removed the plate on a 521? I bet we wouldnt even be talking about it. He won it.

BS

JHall

Have you guys seen there latest disclaimer/clarification on their site?

Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League
05.Nov.2004

For 25 years, FLW Outdoors has operated on the principles of integrity, fair play and wholesome, family-oriented competition. These principles, applied equally to all competitors, under all circumstances, without regard to background or industry affiliation, have allowed FLW Outdoors to grow competitive fishing from its southern roots into a truly national pastime enjoyed by thousands of men and women every year.

Recently FLW Outdoors disqualified an angler for violating a rule titled “Boat and Horsepower Regulation” that requires all boats in FLW Outdoors competition to have a plate attached by the manufacturer that displays capacity information. The boat used by the competitor who was disqualified had no plate.

The intent of this rule is to ensure that all boats used during competition are safe and will not endanger competitors or the boating public. In the case of boats that have no capacity information displayed, FLW Outdoors’ ability to ensure safe competition is diminished. Therefore, no boat may be used that does not clearly indicate the maximum horsepower and weight limits set by the manufacturer and/or the U.S. Coast Guard.

FLW Outdoors has an obligation to its competitors and the sport to enforce its rules, in letter and intent, without exception. These rules are readily available to all competitors and the general public. Furthermore, competitors sign a release indicating that they have read and fully understand the rules and that they willingly agree to comply with the terms and conditions for participation. The competitor who was disqualified signed this release.

It is our strongly held belief that the intent of this rule is noble and its enforcement is necessary to ensure safety.

thats just exactly something on the trail I would avoid stepping in.

Wow, look at them dance!!!! What a bunch of losers!!

Before we call them all losers, does anyone own a Skeeter, Ranger, Nitro, Triton over 20 feet? Do THEY have this label? (I would assume Ranger does, as it is an FLW rule… that would be a REEL mistake.) Anyone?

You are right, I probably got a little harsh. I’m not a bass fisherman so why do I care?? Because I planned on investing some money into the FLW this next summer. Kind of makes you leary. There are a lot of walley tournies to fish out there, so why put my money into an organization that doesn’t enforce the rules they have written.

Here is the devils advocate side of me thinking. I enter a tourney next summer, but don’t do well. I see the winner is doing something unethical, say culling when not allowed. I file a complaint with the tourney director. He chooses to ignore my complaint and let the guy take all the winnings. I know there are a million holes in my theory, but I’m trying to keep it simple to make a point.

I’ll spend my hard earned money elsewhere. I’m interested to see if they respond to an email I sent them.

my 20’3″ procraft has a manufacturers label on it

Waterfowler… I wasn’t trying to call “fowl” on you… I was trying more to see what manufacturers of bass “main-steam” boats are doing. Is this a Basscat thing? I see that a ProCraft has the appropriate signage. I also noted that Ranger has this signage (see the website). So, do Triton and Skeeter, the other 2 main stays on the tourney trail? How about you d-nort, and your big rig?

After reading the articles, I don’t understand why FLW will not mention “coast guard rating plate” when questioned. The FLW rule 9 clearly states, “Each boat must have a U.S. Coast Guard horsepower rating plate attached to the boat by the manufacturer.” However, they NOW know the Coast Guard does not rate boats over 20 ft, but does not mention that. Every time they have been questioned, their reply is either, “no boat may be used that does not clearly indicate the maximum horsepower and weight limits set by the manufacturer and/or the U.S. Coast Guard”, or “Our rule is black and white. You must have a horsepower rating plate attached to the boat. (Anyone) can try to twist or turn it and try to say we have a bad rule, but that’s your opinion. The rule is there for a purpose, and each contestant must agree that they’ve read the rules, they understand them and will comply.”

It seems that FLW is saying that ANY plate would have been sufficient. But that is not what the rule says. I think FLW is going to lose this one because because the boat was over 20ft. According to the rule, Ranger’s, Triton’s, Skeeter’s, etc… over 20 ft. should be DQ’ed even with a Manufactures plate. My 21 ft. Blazer does have a horsepower and weight limit plate, but it does not say, “coast guard approved” on it. It is a manufactures recommendation.

It sure would’ve blew if I had won one of these things and had it taken away. It’s a good thing that, “I SUCK”!

– d-nort

I understood what you were saying Reel. I did jump to conclusions. It’s just that I’m frustrated when I see big companies that are such prime examples of not having character, just make a buck. Like I said, it will be interesting to see what comes of this.

I’ve personally lost a lot of respect for the FLW from this. When I enter a tourney, I plan to follow all the rules. What scares me about the FLW, it’s their job to make sure everyone is abiding by the rules. How can I be sure the field of play is fair when they don’t even know their own rules.

I’m done venting on the FLW!!

It is simple, boats must have a USCG plate, NOT just a manufacturer plate. It is now WELL KNOWN USCG DOES NOT rate boats 20′ or bigger. FLW has 2 choices, take back the DQ and award the guy…….if they don’t, they must go back and DQ every boat that has won that is over 20′ long. Makes them look real stupid! I would sue them for winnings, plus interest and anything else that is possible.

I got a message on my cell phone tonight from a gentleman from the FLW. I sent them an email asking for clarification about this issue. I’ll call him back tomorrow to see what he says. I’m sure with litigation going on, I won’t be told anything more than what the press releases have said.

I called the FLW back yesterday just to hear what they had to say. The gentleman I talked to said the rule is in place to protect the anglers and co-anglers from injury. I said I agreed, it is a good rule. I said the problem is in the wording and Mr Evans stating “we follow the rules to the letter”. I said if that is the case, how can anyone with a bass boat over 20 feet get USCGS stamp on their boat. A manufacturer stamp, sure, but that is not what the rule states.

This nice gentleman stated on several occasions when I ask some tough questions that the rule is in place to protect the anglers, and the rule would likely be re-worded. I then asked what about this poor guy who went from his highest moment in fishing to the lowest. He didn’t say it directly, but I sensed they know they are in a losing battle. He kept saying our biggest concern is safety. I don’t think anyone has a problem with that. That’s not what is in question here.

I suggested for the FLW to save face, they not let this go to litigation and they reinstate the true winner. Again I sensed this was not going to happen, rather they would be forced by a court of law.

So to sum this up, the FLW knows the rule was interpreted by the tourney director to mean any safety/capacity tag. The director of the FLW states we follow the rules to the letter, which didn’t happen. It sounds to me like they will be on the losing end of this situation. I felt like we never did get to truely discuss the issue. Either way, I’m not comfortable spending any money with the FLW.

Thanks for the update Waterfowler.

John,
thanks for making the call. would you mind keeping us posted on any outcomes. Kevin Snider earned and deserves the win. that rules says in fact, if your boat is 20 feet and over in length, you will NEVER win. (but you can get second place money as they only check the winner for plates). none of that makes sense. Jack..

If you go to the bfl site the article they have up says a coast guard approved or manufacture’s tag on the boat. The word “or” makes them right. Is this the original rule or are they changing the wording in the article? If so I think this is pretty tricky. If most people have not followed this they get the wrong impression from the site.

I also noticed that the statements by tourney officials all indicate that the NMMA plate “or” the CG plate, but from the original article:

Quote:

---

The applicable rule (FLW rule No. 9) states: “Maximum horsepower for all outboards used in tournament competition will be 250 HP, not to exceed the horsepower limitations as set by the U.S. Coast Guard. Each boat must have a U.S. Coast Guard horsepower rating plate attached to the boat by the manufacturer.” (The same rule applies to EverStart and FLW Tour events.)

---

(emphasis added)
There is no ambiguity, and I suspect that since they bothered to put it in quotes it’s verbatim from the rule book.

This is the FLW rule #9 for the BFL events, directly from their website:

Quote:

---

All boats must be a minimum of 17 feet in length and have a rear deck. All boats must be equipped with wheel steering; no other steering devices will be permitted. No barges or similar cumbersome crafts will be permitted. Each boat must have all required U.S. Coast Guard safety equipment. Boats must contain a properly aerated livewell space to maintain alive a limit catch of bass by both contestants. Maximum horsepower for all outboards used in tournament competition will be 250 HP, not to exceed the horsepower limitations as set by the U.S. Coast Guard. Each boat must have a U.S. Coast Guard horsepower rating plate attached to the boat by the manufacturer. The horsepower of the outboard engine must not exceed the rating specified on this rating plate or the 250 HP maximum set by FLW Outdoors. By signing the entry form, each boater agrees to submit their boat and/or motor to an inspection by factory-trained personnel. Falsifying information on entry forms or altering the horsepower numbers on the motor or rating plate will be cause for disqualification from the tournament and may result in future ineligibility to enter FLW Outdoors tournaments. Fuel may be carried only in factory-installed (built-in) fuel tanks. Any additional fuel used during the tournament day must be purchased from a retail facility open to the public.

---

This is just my opinion, but when I hear/read quotes from the FLW stating they follow the rules to the letter, well then you better read your rule again. Rule #9 clearly states that a US Coast Guard plate must be attached by the manufacturer. I’m not sure how the manufacturer can attach them to 20+ foot bass boats since they don’t exist. I fall back to the statement, we follow the rules to the letter. If they do, did they inspect the other winners who had 20+ foot boats in previous tournaments?? If so, tell me where to find the USCG plate, again, they don’t exist.

For an organization as big as the FLW, this is a huge black eye in my opinion. It’s the main reason I’m not sure I will fish any of their events this coming summer, sure they were only going to get $650.00 worth of entry fees from me, but isn’t my money worth it to them??? This is an assumption on my part, but I figured an organization like this is probably made up of a bunch of fisherman who love the sport and want to run a top notch tourney circuit. Apparently their pride just won’t let them do the right thing…..

Agreed about the black eye. When the news broke, they should have settled up with everyone involved, changed the rule, and move on. Instead now they’re involved in a huge urinary olympics with one participant. I don’t fish bass tourneys, but I’m watching this thinking, “Gee, would I pay money to fish when the tourney directors might turn around, nitpick out a way to DQ me, and then come after me for winning?” Metallica fans feeling a little deja-vu here?

As far as being run by people who love the sport, my cynicism far exceeds yours. I see this strictly as a corporate-run tool for generating more interest in fishing and putting a certain retailer’s name out there who happens to also be the #1 tackle retailer in the US. Normally that’s a good thing – they make money, we have fun, everyone wins. Another reason why this DQ has me scratching my head.

Just got my ’05 BFL brochures in the mail yesterday…just thought i’d list what the rules still states for ’05

“Maximum horsepower for all outboards used in tournament competition will be 250 horespower, not to exceed the horsepower capacity set forth on the “Maximum Capacities” placard described below:

Each boat must have a clearly legible “Maximum Capacities” (or comparably titled) placard that includes a maximum horespower rating affixed to the boat by the manufacturer.”