Tail Trimming ?

Was just reading in the outdoor news an article in regards to the tail trimming incidents that may have or did go on during the Wave Wacker tourney last year. The issue at hand was “is somebody trying to cheat”? The guys who were tagged for their limit of fish being in question I feel there’s little doubt they were trying to cheat.
Having fished against a couple of the other guys involved in this in many tournaments around the state over the years, it places a little doubt in the back of my mind as to their fishing ethics.
But having seen no proof, or reason presented that they did really intend to try to cheat(they only had 2 fish for the tourney), it again brings up a good point that all tourney fisherman have to deal with now, on waters with slot limits. “When do I not take a legally caught fish to the scale”?
A couple years ago my son and I were fishing on the flats during a tourney and we boated a fish that when netted obviously had something wrong with its tail. The tail had been hacked off by something, somehow. We legally caught this fish. It just made it under the 18 inch slot limit, but there was no doubt in our minds that this fish would of DQ ed us on the spot at weigh-in. We threw it back.
What about the issue of “the meniscus being intact”? The meniscus, the way I understand it, is the fine thin material on the ends of the fins covered with slime. I’m still educating myself about this one.
How many of your average fishermen know about this? Much less tourney anglers?
Just a heads up to you tourney guys, this is something to learn more about and study up on. I feel most already do, but just a reminder. Measure them all again before putting them in the bag to take to the scale. I’ve seen it to many times, they’ll stretch after relaxing in the live well for a couple hours.
Those of you, who may cheat by trimming tails, Shame on you! Those that were victims of circumstances, well I hope you can redeem your good standing.

Another question? What is your opinion of the ethics of the person who boats lets say a 27 15/16 inch fish, that you know in 15 minutes will probably exceed 28 inches. Are they cheating?
Last year I witnessed a top touring pro bring a fish to the scale that was not going to make the 28 inch line if it lived for another month in the lake. They were not going to get this fish beyond 27 ¾ inches no matter how hard they tried.
What should have been the out come for this individual?

I think it’s pretty obvious that the two examples you have at the bottom of your post are cheating. If, when you catch a fish, it’s not within the slot, it’s not legal. Trimming the tail of a fish to get it into the slot is not just illegal, it’s stupid. The type of person who would try and do something like that can give all tournament fishermen a black eye. It’s about sportsmanship, and honesty. These go hand in hand, and are one and the same. You do something like this, and you deserve to be named, and prevented from fishing. Period. Not just tournaments, but fishing in general.

Steve

Link to story…

Tail Trimming Story from Mille Lacs Messenger – Click here.

Jon J.

Thanks Jon!

I knew if anyone could come up with a link, it’d be you. It did say in the article I read, it was from the messenger.
Way to go bud.

Well I guess if theres evidence from a biologist that shows the tails were trimmed, then you got to ban these guys. They should also enforce everyone to use the Judge when measuring fish. I had many fish that probably would have made the slot but we like to be 110% sure. I would rather not have the embarrassment. Now if a guy brings in a 27 3/4 thats just ridiculous.

Thanks for posting this. I’ve been wondering what the ever happened to these guys. I’ve heard lots of rumors and accusations about these guys over the last 9 months. I don’t know any of them personally, but I do know it’s a sad day all around. I believe one fish could slide by me, but not 6….. What are the odds of that?? Not my position to judge this incident though since I didn’t witness the evidence first hand.

As for your questions hooks, 1. I’m not going to take the chance on a 27 15/16 walleye. Not worth the reputation of a cheater. It is unethical, even if I know the fish will relax and measure for me. I kept it when it wasn’t a legal fish to be in the box. The individual who brought in the short fish should be treated just like the other guys in the article. If a DNR officer is present, he should have written a ticket. If not, then the guy should have to forfeit the weight for that day or be dq’ed all together for that tourney.

I love tourney fishing, the competitive bones just shake, but I pray if the day ever comes I feel the need to start cheating, I get caught red handed and banned from tournaments everywhere. I trust my fellow anglers are competing by the rules, so will I!!