I have some questions pertaining to this rule...based on a few scenarios...

Lets say Mark Perry is fishing a pro level event at lake X in two days and is in the local tackle store buying some lures. As he puts the lures on the counter, he says to the clerk, "Hey what do the fish like to bite this time of year?" The two of them then have a 3 - 4 minute conversation discussing in full lures, water depths, locations etc.
#1 Mark goes on to fish the event in every location they discussed using every lure they discussed in the exact water depth they discussed.
#2 Mark goes on to fish the event, however, he never used a single lure, never fished the water depth, nor any of the locations that he discussed with the clerk.

#1 is the very definition of the rule - easy
#2 some say still easy and he violated the rule, others say "did he have the conversation to gain some sort of competitive advantage" because if it was just small talk and he didn't use the info then not so easy

Okay, this time as Mark puts the lures on the counter and says nothing. The clerk however says to Mark "those are really good lures you are getting, especially around the 147 bridge pilings and FM113 overpass rip rap fished on a texas rig", before Mark has a chance to say "hey I'm not allowed to receive any information. They have no further conversation.

#1 Mark goes on to fish the event and catches them on texas rig on the 147 bridge pilings (because that was always Mark's game plan even before the tackle shop)

Last one, this time while Mark is looking at the lure selection, he overhears me buying some lures and having a conversation with the clerk about how well the lures were working and the key areas that are productive. Neither the clerk or I have any conversation with Mark. Can he buy and use the lures? If so, can he fish them in those key areas?

All this boils down to my question...Just how easy is it to "set up" one of these guys or make certain aspects off limits to the pro?

(To be clear, I don't believe Mark Perry has or would violate that rule or any other for that matter. Only thing he is guilty of is not sending me a Christmas card or even a thank you note after all the money he won from me over the years!)

I think it all depends on the circumstances and how it was communicated to the field.

I think it all depends on the circumstances and how it was communicated to the field.