Not defending , bashing or judging anyone. I'm aware that most tournaments rules are virtually identical. However that's why we all need to read the rules, because occasionally there will be differences. a good example of this would be, the rule about 1 rod in use at a time. I almost protested a 1st. place team once. For having a rod rigged with a fluke dragging behind the boat, while they were spinnerbaiting a grass edge. I re read the rules, and found that the tournament didn't have it in their rules, that you could only use 1 rod at a time.

I watched a tournament show from way up north yesterday on tv. one team had a fish die they put it in a bag & on ice. replaced it with a live fish. I don't think you can do that in most tournaments. you better read the rules real good or ask td. before doing it.

if it is in the livewell and dies then you replace it with another live fish, you have broken the rules in all the tournaments I have fished. if there is a 5 fish limit then you also break that rule if you weigh in 5 with one on ice.

up north may be different, they have bass season, literally.

"Cannot" cull a dead fish means that fish must count toward your weight. not be set aside to make room for a live one or a bigger one. You can and will be DQ'd for that.

Some pretty harsh comments here. I do agree it is breaking a rule and should not be done. Once on Fork in a tourney I had our biggest fish die due to being tongue hooked. I wanted badly to cull that fish but it was DEAD when I opened the box 2 hours after we started.