The OP said he informed the TD.
Apparantly nothing was done about it if he really did.

We are ok only getting part of story, if the other team didn't place there isn't a whole lot that can be done for the op. Lets be realistic, what is the remedy?

Disqualification would impact the anglers ability to enter another TXTT tournament or other tournaments. I am not saying the team should have or should not have been disqualified. The applicable TXTT rule is below. Apparently in this case the TD did not disqualify the protested team and the OP is not satisfied with the TD's decision so he posted here to let everyone know.

11. Sportsmanship and Conduct: All contestants are required to follow high standards of sportsmanship, courtesy, safety and conservation. Any infraction of these fundamental sporting principles may be deemed cause for disqualification. Maximum courtesy must be practiced at all times, especially with regard to boating and angling in the vicinity of non-competitors who may be on tournament waters. Any act of a competitor, which reflects unfavorably upon the TXTT's effort to promote fisheries conservation, clean waters, and courtesy, shall be reason for disqualification. Other examples of conduct not complying with these standards include, but are not limited to, the following:
Disqualification from TXTT or other fishing organizations that resulted from rule violations that result in a Contestant�s honesty, integrity, character, and qualifications for entry into a TXTT event being questionable in the Tournament Director�s sole and absolute discretion.

One more question for op,did you follow the rules to file official protest, including the $100 bucks. That's pretty clear also.

whatsaweighin - Make up your mind...Are you sure this time?

What are you talking about Neal? You are quoting a section of the rules, I'm just asking if the op followed them. They are pretty black and white also. And it doesn't say the td must disqualify in the rules you quoted either.

Do we know if nothing was done? I have been the guy that got to the ramp at 3:00 am before and its payed off it in big ways. Im really interested to here the entire story..... I still would like to know if an official protest was done. What the TD did about it, etc etc. It seems we only have bits and pieces and I don't want to assume. A check from winning was a difference of 6 pounds. 1 fish if it was a good one could have made a really big difference.


Do we know the other team didnt place?

Barrett, that's the point I'm making, we don't know if they placed, we don't know where they launched from, we don't know if official protest was filed. It sounds like the op ditched his fish so we don't know what else he had. If it happened it's a bad deal but at same time there are no guarantees that that fish would have even been caught by op.

I just want to know the story. Thats all. Hopefully the OP will share the entire thing with us since he posted about a negative experience.

I totally agree. If rules were broken then DQ should be automatic and maybe be suspended from entering next tournament if proven intentional. Nothing that is done will help the OP but a message should be sent. The problem with sports today is that cheating is almost encouraged until you get caught a few times then they lower the boom but by then a precedent has been set. The downside though would be that they lose entrants due to strict ruling but that within itself would show character of the tournaments participants.

I wonder if the accused cheaters even know they broke the rules ? Had I fished this event I would probably of been DQ ed because I would have most likely used a private ramp near my home, I never heard of that rule before, but I have not fished too many large trailering events, I do remember the one the TTT had at Roberts, a shotgun start at Buck Creek ramp was a zoo, miracle somebody did not have an accident going under the bridges.

Ignorance is not a valid excuse to break the rules. It's your responsibility to know the rules, you signed the agreement saying so. I don't see OP could blame this on TXTT and forego and future tourneys with them. It's unfortunate that you guys found your "winning fish", which no one knows whether it were there on tourney day or not, and didn't have a chance to catch it. Sounds like a normal day tourney fishing to me really.

We zeroed after finding some big smallies Friday and watched the boat behind us start culling at 830... Fish move, things happen, just deal with it.

He is saying anything about finding fish and them moving he is saying they used a ramp that was not public and should have not been used that is the problem. That's why trailering events are not right.

Did the other boater admit to using a private ramp, or are you assuming the other boater "must have used a private ramp, because we got up soooo early"

Never underestimate the other persons desire to win and planning. Maybe the other boater used a public ramp and left at 2:30.

To throw a hissy fit about the tournament is kinda childish. Sounds like someone just beat you to your spot. Hell, you weren't guaranteed to catch the fish anyways. Lol. Sounds like poor plan "a" and no plan "b".