Maybe we can get some ideas going that would make it more difficult to cheat in tournaments. Here�s one I have to get the ball rolling.

Random fish checks might help. If you were to choose two or three sacks per tournament and put them aside for closer inspection, it should throw another fear factor in for potential cheaters.

I think you would choose two or three of the larger sacks that you estimate to be near the winning weight. Tournament anglers generally have an idea of the weight it is going to take to win � just take the weight people are discussing and set aside two or three sacks closest to that weight for inspection. An extra 100 gallon plastic tank isn�t going to break anyone and the inspections don�t have to be much more than visual and possibly a gentle squeeze of the belly.

You inspect the fish for alterations, look for signs that it may have spent time elsewhere before hitting the livewell and that they match the general characteristics of bass that populate the body of water where the tournament is held. You DQ for obvious alterations like tail clipping and keep records if you spot less obvious signs. Once there is suspicion of an angler, it has been proven that requiring an observer will stop them from fishing a particular trail if you can not come up with conclusive proof.

This process is even easier with big bass tournaments since you are only dealing with one fish per angler at a time.

People are always in a hurry to get the fish to a holding tank or back in the lake. The lees time a bass needs to hold its breath the better. Conversely, the rushed process makes it easier to weigh an altered bass. From weigh sack, to scales, and back to transport sack, there is really no opportunity to spot an inconsistency.

I�m not suggesting that polygraph test are discontinued, but that there might be a few simple procedures added to tournament to make it more difficult to cheat.

Keep in mind that these plans need to be something that any tournament director can afford and that do not take a great deal of time. We need one or two additional, simple, easy to implement procedures.

Drug testing and background checks should clear out a few

I like the idea of instead of live well checks, just open all the rod lockers and storage as well as the lvie wells.

With the way boats are made, it wouldn't take much to convert a compartment to a temporary livewell/wet storage area.

Just flip them all open like you do you livewell as you drive past the checkpoint.