WAVE WACKERS

does anyone know if it was a pro or amature how was cheating? and what will happen?

Cheating? I will not comment on that. But Gary Parsons (Pro) was D.Q.’d on Thursday for bringing a short fish to the scales. It was about 27.750″. There was also a lot of accusations on Friday of trimmed tails. The game warden was right there inspecting each fish. If he thought they were, the weights were tossed. We had a fish that was just barely, BARELY 14″, and Bob and I decided not to weigh it on Thursday. If we had, and it would have passed, we would have made our money back most likely!! It is a tough choice!
Tuck

The Wacker results are posted on the tournament forum.

I talked with, what I consider a most reliable source last night at Gander. He said there were DQ’s for trimmed fish. My feelings, that’s out-right cheating and should be handled with severe reprimands, both state and private. As far as measuring a fish that’s too short, we all know fish will do weird things in a live well and a fish will vary 1/8 of an inch depending what side you measure it on. I don’t consider this cheating, I consider it a calculated risk. This is assuming the fish was touching the line when in the boat of course. Which I don’t doubt Mr. Parson’s fish was. He’s got way too much riding on the fishing world to take the chance of being labeled and banned from the tournament circuit. Just my opinion though……

Tail trimming ?? Who are thier sponsors? Great Clips.
That is grounds for banned for life for tourneys and should be a suspension of license too. What will happen with these stylist?

There was plenty of hub bub at the scales by a lot of people. Mostly on day two, when the whole shootin’ match was on the line. The game warden that I talked to was a very nice guy, and I think he knew what was going on! You see fish every day while working on the lake, and then a bunch of fish coming in looking like they have been to the manicurist, something will be said. And it was.
Tuck

I’m sure this is a real dumb question, but why would you want to “trim” a tail? Would that not make the fish shorter, and less legal?

If the fish was 16 1/100″ it would be too big to measure and keep. Therefore it would be an illegal fish.
One thing I would like to mention about the Wave Wacker tournament, it was probably the best run tournament I have ever fished. The officials were very approachable, and helpful. The weigh in was orderly and efficient. The only thing they did not control was the weather! Overall, it was a very pleasant experience.
Tuck

So the tournament was on a lake with a slot limit I take it?

The tournament was a team format. No pro, no am. Just two guys who teamed up and paid the entry fee. The tourney is an invitational, so you would also need an invite.

The tourney was on lake Mille Lacs. This lake has a keeper slot of 14-16 inches, with one fish over 28 inches and a 4 fish limit. (so 2 guys can posses 8 fish)

J.

It sounded like Bill handled things as well as could be expected. Supposedly the fish trimmers are going to fight it in court…..I highly doubt they will, but it will interesting to see the court news for that county the next few weeks.

It was seven fish each day to weigh, two of which could be greater than 28″. The balance had to be between 14&16″. You could however, have 8 fish in the livewell.

Again, I don’t know if anyone was tagged, but John Law was right there. I have seen them do it at other tournaments.