They were fishing down at the dam and they threw over the bouys. They thougt that it would be o.k. since they're boat didn't go across the buoys but apparently the rules say that you can't cast anywhere that your boat can't go so they were DQ'ed. It was an honest mistake.

What is it that sounds so "fishy" ???

WOW sounds extra "fishy" to me. Seems almost like someone was out to get them. if it wasn't specifically posted in the rules then I would have been rather upset. And last time I checked "No boats" means "no boats" not "no fishing." I would like to here a clarification on the tourney director on this one.

The tourney director should be making the call. It shouldn't be a poll from a bunch of different people... this is why it sounds fishy to me. An a non biassed everstart guy???? WTH? I didnt know it was up to a board to make a decision. Again this is not my business but If i was these guys i would be pissed.

If i was these guys i would be pissed.

Because I have fished a lot of tournaments in my time, and never ran into this issue....As the rule states that you just quoted, does that mean I can't skip my bait under a dock, or into a culvert, hence my boat can't go there....hmmmmmm

Because I have fished a lot of tournaments in my time, and never ran into this issue....As the rule states that you just quoted, does that mean I can't skip my bait under a dock, or into a culvert, hence my boat can't go there....hmmmmmm

Teams may fish anywhere on tournament waters within the boundaries defined on CollegeFishing.com that is available to the public and accessible by boat, except areas designated as �off-limits,� �no boats� or �no fishing� by FLW Outdoors, local, state or federal officials, or within 50 yards of a contestant�s boat that was first anchored.


Here is exactly what the rules state. It says you cannot fish within boundaries defined. It�s rather vague but it can easily be interpreted that you cannot cast into a off-limits area. I feel for the OU guys, this is the second time that the possibly best team that day got DQed for minimal offences but rules are rules and there was a lot of water to fish outside the area around the spillway. I don't think that anyone was "out to get them." Kevin, despite our occasional arguments, is a fair guy in my opinion. It wouldn't matter who the team was, I believe that he would have made the same decision.

Teams may fish anywhere on tournament waters within the boundaries defined on CollegeFishing.com that is available to the public and accessible by boat, except areas designated as �off-limits,� �no boats� or �no fishing� by FLW Outdoors, local, state or federal officials, or within 50 yards of a contestant�s boat that was first anchored.


Here is exactly what the rules state. It says you cannot fish within boundaries defined. It�s rather vague but it can easily be interpreted that you cannot cast into a off-limits area. I feel for the OU guys, this is the second time that the possibly best team that day got DQed for minimal offences but rules are rules and there was a lot of water to fish outside the area around the spillway. I don't think that anyone was "out to get them." Kevin, despite our occasional arguments, is a fair guy in my opinion. It wouldn't matter who the team was, I believe that he would have made the same decision.

You would think that since the rule is so "vague" and it is the way you interpret it that determines if the team was actually in violation.... something like this wouldn't happen. Instead of rob the team of 10 grand since it really wasn't stated... maybe award them what the earned and CLARIFY the rule and move on. Just seems if the TD was calling all these people and running around, talking to GW etc he really didn't know what to do. After not knowing what to do he sure did take an interesting route.