Why would you call him a punk?

Get rid of the no information rule , I can deal with the off limits.

FTZ

The no information role is vital to a level playing field. When they put that rule in place in 2016 a lot changed, and I bet if you polled the anglers, they would all vote to keep it. When MLF broke away they took it 10 steps further because it's an important issue. Too many guys were buying weigh points, hiring networks of guides, and even hiring guides before off limits to take them fishing. Palaniuk used to hire Crappie guides. Wheeler had been accused of hiring biologist. Alton Jones hired a pilot to fly him around the Arkansas river.
The best sports have a level playing field. And it's only a tough rule to enforce because hardcore tournament anglers tend to have little to no integrity.

I agree that it's best to have a no info rule, but it's pretty obvious it can't be enforced. Self policing just doesn't work. If people aren't following it, and there's not a 100% way to enforce it then I think you need to just get rid of it. By not having it everyone is truly on a level playing field with regards to being able to do whatever you want. The best option would be how they did the old classic and put everyone on a plane and drop them off not knowing where they are fishing. lol

Everybody is turning into whiny little Bs.
1)Catch fish on a rod and reel during tournament hours
2)Don’t add weight to your fish

That’s it. Show up and go fishing

Innocent until proven guilty.

Until he fails a polygraph on the no info rules, I’m gonna assume
He is just that good.

Trait is making lots of assumptions. Chris has already admitted on his podcast he doesn’t work nearly as hard with the prefishing as he used to.

The Drama in pro fishing is unbelievable. Sprigsss is exactly right. I feel certain he will get a polygraph on this. That is the only tool available. If the standard for suspicion is someone we know fished a tournament recently in Alabama then 3/4 of the field should probably be polygraphed. Lots of guys on the Elites are from Alabama. My guess is many if not most have a friend that fished in that tournament. If there is evidence past this, then hopefully it will come out. I'm all for catching cheaters but there is still a burden of proof.


It sure seems like pretty much the entire older generation of anglers at the BASS Elite level are really frustrated. I've had the opinion for a while now that they just can't compete with the new technology and that has them pissed at the world. Maybe there is something more going on. BASS had some big moves a few years ago with Trip Weldon leaving and the remainder of the BASS staff basically stepping up to the next level. Makes you wonder if they are lacking some veteran leadership there. When you hear guys saying it's worse than before the split, that's pretty concerning to anyone who enjoys following professional fishing.

As far as the Zaldain's go. Their act is getting old. Trait does nothing but complain constantly. Chris smiles and tries to play both sides of the fence. His wife's mouth is going to get him in a bind at some point. I'm not sure if there is a rule against immediate family members of BASS anglers bashing the organization. If not, it wouldn't surprise me if there is one next year. I know for a fact that Trait has cost Chris some sponsors. More of that may be on the way to. I'm not against a podcast exposing problems in the industry, but when near 100% of your content is negative complaining, you may need to take a look in the mirror.

Do you?…

Name them

If what Trait posted is actually true then it does seem really sketchy. If I was competing in that league I would be concerned. Maybe it's totally normal like Tx Tree said. A lot of these guys have buddies all over the US...are they doing the same thing. Just get rid of the no info and go fishing.

My thoughts exactly. These guys are great but they show up on these lakes and from day one, hammer them. I bet there is more info sharing going on throughout the elite roster than people want to believe. All these guys have connections.

She’s been abrasive but she’s been right about everything she has posted so far.

[quote=Tx Tree Grower] I'm not sure if there is a rule against immediate family members of BASS anglers bashing the organization. If not, it wouldn't surprise me if there is one next year.

If so, this would be the lowest of low's as far as I'm concerned. Is BASS going to sue for slander and defamation?

I'm all for people speaking their mind and I'm not for BASS punishing Chris at all. However, tournament organizations are NOTORIOUS for finding creative ways of shutting down people who make negative public comments (see Zack Birge about this). This holds true for tournament organizations from the local Wednesday nighter all the way up to BASS and MLF. I want to be clear. I'm not saying BASS should create this rule. Just saying it wouldn't surprise me.

All you have to do is click on You Tube, you can pretty much find all the information you would need for a tournament.
Heck, I can be at the ramp and some other angler tell me what and where they were catching fish...(and be truthful), I still would have a hard time getting my limit of 5. I for one do not want to hear nay dock talk, no buddy, buddy talk. That corners me into what I was going to fish. You may have caught them on a top water lure, I wore them out on a squarebill crankbait. One hour can make a difference in a boat load of fish or zero in the boat.