Here is the link to read the story that was aired
http://www.kltv.com/global/story.asp?s=11454739

Wouldn't the tournament trail that put on the event be the one to press charges? After all they are the one's he targeted! Sounds BLT is week in the knee's.

Are you serious? It is because of the BLT staff that this crook was finally caught. It states clearly in their Press Release that they are fully prepared and willing cooperate with authorities.
http://www.budlighttrail.com/BLT/newsrelease.html

Well bassboy why have they not filled charges yet? Im in houston so we don't get all the coverage other than what is posted on here. Clearly he intended to defraud BLT and they are they one's who should press charges! TPWD is just an inforcer to stae fishing regulations, im sure they have some say to the treatment of the fish. Bottom line is he targeted the trail and they are the one who should pursue legal action! You know what that means right, hire a lawyer and pay outta their pockett!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If they find out the fish was caught at Lake Fork, it's possible that it was a slot fish. Wouldn't they be able to press some charges on that basis? If it was over the slot, he could have legally kept it, but a lot of 9 pounders are in the 16-24" slot there. Also, it is possible to biologically find out if a fish is from Fork, and also determine if a fish is descended from a Lake Fork fish and born in Hubbard, etc. Genetic/DNA testing is amazingly accurate.

Ill bet taking a slot fish ticket from lake fork is alot less than cheating a tournament for a Legend boat!

I agree, but it sure looks bad as far as premeditation goes

Bottom line is BLT should go all the way with this, or it will look bad on the whole tournament industry! Do not leave it up to the state (TPWD) to have the final say. The (TOURNAMENT TRAIL) that put on the event had rules in place! (ENFORCE THEM TO THE MAXIMUN EXTENT)!

I have know idea what the directors at BLT will do or have already done with this situation, but to talk down about the organization as a whole is uncalled for IMHO. I must agree with you on one thing, I hope they do throw the book at him! Lets wait until all the facts come out.

Z21 its all fun until somethig like this happens, but in the end who is responssible for enforcing the rules when something like this happens. Its not TPWD its the tournament trail that had the event and caught the alleged cheater. TPWD is not he tournament director! Yes they will cite you for short or slot fish on a given lake. Bottom line is BLT needs to make a bold statement and not let it sluff off on the TPWD!

All the BLT can do is ban him for life, which I am sure they have done. Then they turn the evidence over to TPWD for further action. They are not "sluffing: it off on them. If someone robs a bank, do you say the bank is "sluffing: it off on the Police for calling the cops? The bank doesn't track down the robber and serve him justice. BLT did EXACTLY what a well ran organization is supposed to do. They caught the infraction, handled it on their level and felt that it was important enough to alert the authorities. By doing that, they confirmed that they want any legal action that can occur to happen. Just as they said in their official statement that they will cooperate with the authorities in every way. BLT, great job in rules, enforcement, and damage control. Hats off to youQ

and enforcing the rules of the tournament to the maximum extent is a lifetime ban, they don't have a special BLT Prison they can put him in... Come on man.

No, the BLT doesn't have a prison, but if they have not pressed charges then all he is going to get from the TWP is minor. I don't know if the D.A. will persue charges on their own. Domesetic situation may be different. I know if someone beats up someone and that person doesn't file a complaint the police and D.A. won't persue it. The BLT needs to file a criminal report (if they haven't already) of Intent of Grand Theft by Deceipt. The TWP can probably get him on inhumane type charges but it would be very difficult to try and get him on the transplant charges. As someone stated above they have heard of people transplanting fish in there. I would be P.O'd if they started taking scale samples now and if someone placed a fish in a different lake say three years ago and I caught it and they DQ'd me because of it. If they don't throw every page of the book at this guy, it's not going to set an example for all the imoral people out there. If BLT doesn't have the financial resorces for this, then the whole tournamnet industry (B.A.S.S., F.L.W., etc.)needs to get in their pockets and help. If they don't take it to the fullest, all the trails will end up with egg on their face. I don't know, maybe it's the D.A.'s financial responsibility not the BLT.

I stopped tournament fishing five years ago after being cheated in a team tournament held on Canyon Lake. I even caught folks cheating in tournaments and witnessed them lie right to the directors face--sick scumbags.

ANYTHING worth winning is worth cheating. W.C. Fields.

I don't have anything to prove anymore and make enough money to fund my habit.

This guy is one of many cheating his fellow fishermen. Who's next to get caught?

Does a news link with video exist for this East Texas report?

I would like to watch it