We didn't plant the baskets, they did... They did this... We didn't help... Dan

I could fish for weeks and not catch enough to win a tournament!

That will teach them… NOBODY dares to fish without a license.

So you'd fish against them in a few years???... What if they won the first 2 or 3 tournaments... Would you congratulate them for their unbelievable string of good luck or mumble under your breath about once a cheater, always a cheater???... Asking for a friend.. Dan

We have a bunch of top rated youth hitting our Friday night tournament. I want to believe everyone is on the up and up. May need to check IDs, but I guess the other kids will know who these cheaters are. I bet these kids are playing other pots..

said no illegals ever

No need to drag THSBA into this. I have seen with my own eyes kids be disqualified. If something like this happened in one of their events, it would be handled swiftly (and quietly). This incident occurred in a NON-THSBA event and THSBA is not letting them fish this coming year. That should tell you something. We don’t know the kids cheated in past THSBA events, but they sure won’t get the chance in the future.

I captained in THSBA for 5 years for three different schools. We got our butts handed to us by Gainesville and Lovejoy most of the time. I told my boys, it is a loser’s mentality to assume the other teams were cheating to win - work harder.

Some kids are on the water every weekend, they know where the brush piles are, their boat captain has a ton of experience and spent big money on the latest electronics, the kids watch every YouTube video they can find about fishing, and so on. Sometimes, you can do all that and still not find the right sized fish.

Let's not even go there. Each school/club in the THSBA is comprised of multiple teams within that school/club, and Byron Nelson is no exception. Suggesting such nonsense towards a school team because of the actions of a couple of students, who by the way have been banned from the THSBA, is absolutely insane. Would you want some moron to do something stupid like what you are suggesting if your kid fished for Byron Nelson, but had absolutely nothing to do with what happened? No you wouldn't, so just stop being "that guy". Additionally, the THSBA will not stand for any behavior such as this from any one person or group at any of our events, and will dealt with it appropriately if needed.

I have been in contact with Byron Nelson and they are absolutely appalled and shocked at what has happened and in no way condone the actions that took place at Eagle Mountain and fully stand by the ban levied by the THSBA. Byron Nelson runs a straight up program and in no way does the THSBA hold their school/team responsible for anything pertaining to this matter.

This explains the laundry basket shortages in stores. Man can’t even find a basket for his soiled clothes!

That’s TV.

Ok, I admit I was a bit out of line. Fishing is based upon ethics as far as my son and I are concerned. We go out of our way to follow the rules and get a bit upset when a couple do not and merely get slapped on the wrist with little accountability.

Oh we get our butts handed to us all the time and that is a big all. I get it, lots live for fishing. My son does as well, we just aren't able to spend all our time at every lake since my son is in advanced classes and needs to concentrate on academics. I have no ill will toward THSBA or the people that run it and my intention was not to drag them into the mess. I simply find it despicable that all the kids got was a simple ticket when in fact state law codifies their actions as misdemeanors and a possible felony. I overreacted and I apologize.

A message from the BNHS Bass Fishing Team

The Byron Nelson High School Fishing Team wants it to be known that we do not condone this type of sportsmanship. These anglers made a decision that unfortunately tarnished our team and ultimately hurts the fishing community. The two student anglers are no longer a part of our team and are permanently banned from THSBA. Please know that this does not reflect our team and the student anglers. We understand everyone's frustration and have done everything we can to have their actions held accountable. We just ask you to please be considerate of other teammates that do not participate in the act of cheating and know what was done was not acceptable. We have been following this closely and have been in contact with THSBA and the EM trail but the situation is in TPWD`s hands moving forward.

Agreed --- to me , one of the biggest issues some on this forum are ignoring is intent VS mistake . I made a ton of mistakes as a teenager --most of them involved alcohol which would lead to problems . But I never intended to cheat or steal someone's money or property . One of these boy's , possibly both of them did all this with intent to cheat and steal money --- should be a big difference when dealing out consequences .
The harder the consequences , the longer the lesson will stay learned and much less chance of repeating the behavior .

No reason to punish the remaining kids for this isolated incident. The 2 boys in question are no longer a part of the BNHS team. The event they were caught in they were not even wearing their fishing jerseys. So to start boycotting businesses because of 2 kids actions that were on a team is ridiculous.