Response to cheating at Midwest Walleye Series Tournament

[Jim Coon]

There was a posting on this board about cheating at last Sundays Midwest Walleye Series tournament. I did not see the posting before it was dusted. I would like to address this posting with some facts. First of all these fish were checked and in good condition. There was no evidence that the team in question cheated. There was no protest filed. No one contacted us either angler or non-angler with any proof questioning the team weight. We strive to have honesty and good sportsmanship in our tournaments. Any comments please e-mail me at tfm@vbe.com or call 920-731-3474.

Thank You

Jim Coon

[Jim Coon]

bump

[Not Trying To Start Anything]

I read the original posts that were dusted, but did not comment at the time and hesitate to do so now, but I do have one question. I did not fish the tournament in question, do not know any of the people involved nor do I really care about what happened. You could say I am the quintescential un-bias observer.

The original poster alluded to cheating. Although they didn't say how the alleged cheating occured, they did make a comment about Zip lures that may hint at what they had in mind. Snap jigging a Zip lure, like any other blade bait, will unquestionably result in an occasionally snagged fish (i.e., hooks implanted in the fish outside the mouth). Perhaps the original poster was suggesting the parties involved kept snagged fish in their tournament bag. Keeping a snagged fish is illegal in Wisconsin. Keeping a snagged fish in a tournament is unethical. Perhaps the original poster can verify this line of thought.

Now, my question. Were the fish carefully examined for hook marks on their 'chins', gill plates and elsewhere on their bodies? If questionable marks were observed, what would the tournament staff do? Nothing (unless a protest was filed)?

Sorry, I guess that was three questions.

[Jim Coon]

Yes these fish were checked for extra hook marks. If something were found it would have been addressed with or without a protest. As I stated in my original post we want promote honest and good sportsmanship in our tournaments. Again if someone wants to discuss any activities of the tournament participants or TFM Promotions please contact me at tfm@vbe.com or call 920-731-3474

Hope this answers your questions.

Thanks

Jim Coon

[MOUNTAIN MAN]

Just for the record, and It has nothing to do with this tourney. Chin and gill and even side hook marks have little or nothing to do with whether a fish is legally or illegelly caught. In 200 plus days on the water each year, I or guide customers hardly go two or three days with out bringing in a fish that appears to have been previously hooked. Secondly, unless someone out there is from a different universe, the majority of the fish I catch on stickbaits and as far as that goes, blade baits the front hook is in the mouth and rear one in the gills or back. On longer baits with three hooks , you guessed it. In three years of running tourneys I can't remember a foul hooked controversy, and frankly if there had been one the only one or two people that would have been able to confirm it would have been the two in the boat, unless the boat right next to them saw a fish come out of the water physically hooked and lifted out with a hook in the belly or a tail. In practical everyday fishing almost daily a fish comes up to the surface and right in front of you and spits the front hook only to come to the boat dangling on the second. How many times have we netted a fish with a hook in the mouth only to have it come out foul hooked somewhere else, when the net is lifted up. I commend Jim Coon for answering questions as soon as he was aware of one. Did everyone notice who bumped it back to the top. Lawrence Ecklor

[rangerpat]

Jim, Anyone who fishes your tourneys know there legit, myself nor anyone I know have ever had reason to worry, because we know you guys do your best & thats all that can be asked. Thanks Pat Cavins

[Dave]

I thought the only cheating going on was up the river where I was. Made the run to New London from Oshkosh. When I got there, there was 4 other tourney boats there. All of us were catching fish but when the action slowed a little at least 2 of these boats went up the river further. I stuck it out in the first spot and we got our fish. Unfortunately we did not have the enough gas/time to get back on time. I watched every boat that came down river to gauge when others were going back but they never came back down. When we did get back (late) with our 10+ lbs. of walleye the lady on the dock told me we were the last ones back.

Unfortunately I did not know who the people were or remember their exact boats. I would have still finished in the same place. Last. Because of my own mistake. At least I didn't cheat though. I don't think Hwy. 41 is part of the Winnebago system.

The tournament itself was very professionally run by Jim and everyone else on his staff. I talked with Jim about the situation and he agreed that there is really nothing we can do because I dont know the people or the exact boats.

"Winners never cheat and cheaters never win."

[Huhhh?]

If you do not remember who these guys were, then how do you know they cheated. Mabee they had boat trouble and called for the trailer or maybee they had no fish and called for the trailer or mabee they relaunched from Menasha with a limit just to win this thing. Either way you don't know, so why even bring this up. Sounds like muck raking to me.