What does Roland Martin's impressive tournament record have to do with the reason for the BASS "no info" rule?

Apparently they are trying to say he isn't a very good angler, he just had the best info. People always have to knock people down a peg.

When he was fishing he would hire local guides to show him where and how to fish. Not many rules back then hell only flashers as depth finders and maps LMAO almost nonexistant. It was a different time competitive bass fishing was in it's infantcy. On his show he used to tell tournament anglers to hire guides before tournaments. Would you like to go back to that in competitive fishing?

Some people want PEDs to be legal in MLB, because chicks dig the long ball. I'm sure some people want to see the best bass angler's in the world catch the biggest bags possible, so they feel the no info rule is unnecessary.

Maybe some historical perspective is needed. Many, if not most of the BASS tournament rules that are associated with "fairness" and leveling the playing field were written to address angler innovations. Roland is/was one of the most innovative anglers. Some specific rules are closely associated with a specific angler(s). The TFF members that have paid close attention to competitive bass fishing for a very long time will know this (and of course be OLD).

From what I heard and observed at a meet the pros and autograph event at the Classic years ago in Birmingham Roland Martin is one of the snottiest stuck up one of the pros where kids are involved there is.

Exactly what I was thinking. This guy exhibited certain behavior or said something wrong.

maybe he doesn't like kids

I would bet guides are still hired prior to off limits

I'm sure you are right that said back in the beginning the guides would give info to the contestant the night before the tournament. To simply state it he who paid the most money finished very well. By today standards Roland and others that did this would be considered cheaters that said it was all legal back then his records stand. Just a different time different rules buying info was common.

The Texas Team Trail events always have "off-limits/no-info" from the prior Sunday at dusk, 'til Official Practice day/s before Tournament day. Also on Practice day, if not entered by designated time, already.

Statement from Clausen on FB

"I�m ready to get things started here at Toledo Bend, but before I do, I�d like to get a few things off my chest.

First, to say that I�m disappointed in the outcome of things that have transpired in the past two weeks is a major understatement. I�m shocked, confused, embarrassed, and more than a little ticked off. I�m sure everyone has read about what happened at Wheeler Lake, and about the ensuing appeal and judgement to enforce my disqualification from that Elite Series event, so I won�t rehash any of that here. What I do want to accomplish, however, is to share my thoughts about this whole thing, so I can start to move on and focus on this tournament, and the rest of the Elite season.

First, to the heart of the matter: I did not, would not, and have NEVER solicited information during a tournament that would benefit me in that tournament in all the years I�ve been fishing as a pro. Never. Period.

That�s just a simple rule that every one of us abides by, and it was most certainly the case at Wheeler. I�ve fished Wheeler several times, know the lake very, very well, and have made good friends in the area. As has been documented, I had dinner with one of those friends during the tournament, and he made in innocuous comment about something he had read on the Bassmaster blog (about where two of the anglers might�ve been fishing). I responded simply �Nah, I don�t think that�s the case� (or something of that nature), and the conversation moved on. That was the entire extent of it.

That was deemed to be �receiving information�, and the basis upon which my disqualification was upheld. In my opinion, that�s unfair, and completely inaccurate. I didn�t receive anything. I responded to a 20-second comment made by a buddy over dinner.

This all came about because the administrator of the polygraph test I took after Day 3 at Wheeler felt I was being evasive in response to a question. Just to clear the air on that, I submitted to a second polygraph test (independent of B.A.S.S.), and passed with flying colors. And that second test included the specific questions that Rule C3 is based around: �Did you intentionally solicit or receive any information that would benefit you in this tournament?�

The answer has always been �No�. The second polygraph came back with the absolute truth: I was not lying.

I�ve been doing this for a living since I graduated from college. It�s my livelihood, and I take it (and the rules) very darn seriously. The Wheeler disqualification dropped me from within range of qualifying for the 2017 Bassmaster Classic to 94th going into Toledo Bend. It�ll be next to impossible to make up the AOY points that DQ cost me.

But I�m going to put my head down and work hard. I�m extremely fortunate to do what I do for a living, and if I�ve learned nothing else over the past two weeks, it�s that I can only control what I can control.

Thanks for listening, and for all the support over the past couple of weeks, it's been awesome! Wish me luck this week, there are some giants swimming around down here at Toledo Bend!"

I haven't looked into it but it's been mentioned that he has been caught on the info rule before. If that's the case his statement isnt worth anything. I will also say this again. If he didn't think what he did was wrong he would have passed the first polygraph. The rule says ANY info, not just certain info. How do we know that little tidal bits did or did not help him to get the fish to put him in the top 10 to begin with. We don't. BASS does and they make the final call. Getting online and posting that will probably put him on somebody's $#!+ list with the BASS.

Looks like the polygraph shines again. One of these days some guy is going to take his own life over one. Nothing like telling the truth and droves of people think you are dishonest. That is a sad thing. If they worked they would use them in court. And it is funny how the Bass poly stands but a independent means squat.