Since the college team DQ and the chain saw question here is a gray area that I have taken advantage of. I’ve always kept it a secret, decided to see what people think. I have also played “defense” before in practice plenty. Especially if I know I have a late draw or won’t be able to fish a certain area, I won’t shake them off in practice on those particular areas. Any way here is where I’ve walked the “gray area” before. In all tournaments they have a rule you can not cull a dead fish. So if a fish dies it’s usually a 1/2 lb penalty or what ever that particular trail decides it is. How ever if I’ve had a fish die, and caught a bigger one I have taken the dead one out of my Live well, put it in the ice chest of my boat, and replaced with the live one. I’m not throwing away a dead fish, and waisting it. You are allowed up to 10 fish in the boat legally (5 per angler), and this does not break the rule of no more than 5 fish kept in the live well, which is a rule most trails have also. So your basically obeying all local, state, and federal laws, and technically not breaking any rules in the tournament. Usually I clear it with a tournament director before hand if I think I’ll need to do it, and so far they just listen and look surprised and say your right. Your not breaking any rules so I guess I can’t tell you that you can’t do it. I thought it was pretty innovative. Lol

If it was one of your fish that you were "keeping" for the intent of the tourney(which it was or you wouldn't have entered anyways) and it died and you replaced it (by whatever means you want to call it) then that to me is "illegal". I'm sure BASS Opens/FLW Costas/Elites/Cup tourney directors wouldn't be so "accepting". Not sure what trails you fish but darned if some people aren't bound to be upset they could have lost to you because of this.

I'm not sure if you're devious or an absolute genius!

Lol. You're not in a gray area. You've been cheating.

I would think that would be a violation (just my opinion). Seems like the intent of the "no culling of dead fish" rule is to promote fish care, not to keep you from breaking the law. That being said, I see your point, and maybe that rule should be clarified.

You cannot cull a dead fish in a tournament! The dead fish has to go to the scales. Not put on ice and replaced by a heavier fish.

Cull doesnt necessarily mean released. You culled a smaller fish from your stringer and is a clear violation of the rule.

Really doesn't seem like a gray area to me. I guess you could argue over the definition of the word cull, but that argument seems horribly weak to me. I do, however, give you lots of credit for getting the cheating approved by the tournament director ahead of time. I would suggest to the tournament directors that have approved this that they need to let the others that fish their tournaments know they have made this decision. That way everyone else can cheat with no consequences as well. I agree with bassmanrudy. I don't think the larger tournament trails would be so open to this move.


Are you by any chance kinned to Bill Clinton?

17. SCORING: Will be determined by the pounds and ounces of each angler's catch during the tournament. Only Largemouth, Spotted, Red Eye or Smallmouth Bass (collectively, “Bass”) are accepted species.[u] The limit will be FIVE (5) Bass per team.[/u] Any Contestant who possesses more than the tournament limit at any time will have their catch for that day disqualified. The minimum official length limit for all species for the 2020 Bass Champs Qualifying Team Event will be provided at each event. Bass presented for weigh-in, which fail to measure the prescribed length limit, will result in loss of that particular fish and a one pound penalty to the weight of the remaining fish. No regurgitated forage or other foreign matter may be placed in bass. Any artificially weighed, preserved, or altered bass will be disqualified and that contestant will be subject to prosecution under federal and state laws. The Pro-Rule Measuring Board is the official measuring board of Bass Champs. Bass will be measured with mouth closed, tail compressed and swiped to achieve overall greatest length.

From Bass Champs rules..

Highly illegal

I would say that that is a little too gray of an area to venture into. If I have one die I weigh it. However if I have one that I think may die I may release it ( while it is still very much alive) and hope like hell, I catch one to replace it with. You can what if, and technically, almost anything to death. But most all tournament rules are pretty black and white.

I hope I haven't fished against you. Also hope I haven't fished any trails where the TD approves your cheating.

https://www.tto-tx.com/rules/

Length requirements and scoring
Only black bass, smallmouth and Kentucky spotted bass will be allowed to weigh. Team Trail Outdoors LLC will utilize length requirements set forth by the governing officials at each event and will be announced during registration of all tournaments. The official measuring board will be the PRO RULE. Only five fish are allowed in the live well at anytime during tournament hours. No culling of dead fish. A dead fish cannot be weighed in for big fish competition. There is a 1 pound penalty and loss of fish for any fish not meeting size requirements. There is a .50 pound penalty for any dead fish brought to the weigh in. All live bass become property of Team Trail Outdoors LLC after they are weighed and will be released back into tournament waters immediately after weigh-in has concluded. Any dead fish remain the property of the Angler and must be disposed in accordance with State and/or local regulations.

You fish TTO? Your TD must be an idiot.