Well, here we go again! Only a month and a half into the new year and controversy prevails in the bass tournament world. After a 2025 season full of controversy and one disqualification after another, in the first tournament of the year on Sam Rayburn, once again we have another disqualified winner. As a tournament angler myself, I’m not even sure I can put this into words. 

Are you kidding me? Why and how does the BFL (Cowboy Division) season start off with someone breaking the rules? I would say I’m surprised, but with so many disqualifications this past season, I’m not. 

I’m beyond the shock value of someone getting caught cheating or failing a polygraph. This was something that basically never happened from when I started tournament fishing (1990) till 2020. But over the last six years, it’s becoming the norm, especially in 2025. 

So many anglers today either can’t read or they’re just plain dumb. Tournament bass fishing is not a difficult sport to understand. It’s really quite simple; as an angler all you have to do is READ THE RULES! 

I have been a part of the tournament bass fishing world for over 30 years and never have I seen so many rule breakers and cheaters! Anglers who are willing to do whatever it takes to get into the winner’s circle or cash a check.

The sport has acquired a “win at all costs” mentality. But what’s making me nervous is there seems to be a trend that’s taking place in ALL bass tournament circuits nationwide. Is this a reflection on our society or just the fact that so many anglers feel the odds are in their favor when it comes to NOT getting caught?

Some bass fishing trails offer random polygraphs to a handful of anglers in the tournament no matter what their place of finish. It’s normal for the first-place angler to take a polygraph while other anglers are selected at random by computer. 

There are some organizations that don’t offer polygraph testing due to the cost involved with paying an examiner. These are events that I tend to shy away from, as I’ve seen first-hand that there are anglers out there that will cheat even on a local weeknight three-hour tournament for a $200 first place prize. 

On a sadder note, one angler this past year got caught cheating in a Fisher’s of Men tournament! An organization that is basically an outreach program to bring anglers closer to Christ. 

If you asked those who have cheated why they did it, if they’re honest, I’ll bet it wasn’t just about the money, but more about being recognized as one of the best anglers in their region. Like so many other athletes in sports, it’s all about their ego!

Now understand this, there is a difference between a cheater and rule breaker. Not all violations fall under the category of cheaters. For example, all anglers are required to wear a lifejacket when the big engine is running or the boat is on plane so, if an angler forgets to put on his lifejacket while running from point A to point B, he’s not cheating, but rather he has broken a rule. 

Webster defines a “cheater” as someone who violates rules dishonestly. Bass tournament organizations define it as someone who knowingly decided to break a rule on purpose with the intent of gaining a competitive advantage.  

So, where are we in terms of getting rid of the cheaters in a bass tournament?  First, there must be severe consequences for those that choose to cheat instead of playing by the rules. 

Second, tournament organizations and judges must make examples out of these low-lifes by prosecuting them to the fullest extent of the law. After all, once they walk across that stage and receive a check, they’ve just committed fraud.   

It’s also up the anglers themselves to help police these bass tournaments by reporting anything they see that would be considered breaking a rule or cheating during the tournament. 

If you see suspicious activity like an angler putting fish in a basket under a dock or you find bass that have been tied to a stump on a shallow flat, make sure to report all suspicious activity to the tournament director immediately. 

We can only hope that one day anglers will show more integrity and honesty by following the rules. After all, it’s only a bass tournament, not a matter of life and death.