Somebody said it was a 186 mag, but that's a pad hull, not the right hull type for a jet drive.

I can see no reason why it is "unfair" for people to have jetboats. It is just another tool.

Here is what I think was unfair about the incident.

The anglers who fished the event were told prior to the tournament that they could not cast beyond the bouys.

Biffle "got permission" from the tournament director to cast beyond the bouys.

In my opinion, at that point, the rest of the field should have been advised that if there was no signage, they could cast beyond the bouy line.

The fact that no other anglers knew this until after the fact gives the appearance of B.A.S.S. showing favoritism to one angler over all others.

I don't care what the rules state regarding each angler obtaining the information from tournament officals. They all obtained the same info at the pre-tourney meeting. Only Biffle was aware that he could deviate from that.

Right is right and this was NOT right.

Ya'll already know how passionately I feel about the Wellman incident.

B.A.S.S. doesn't seem to be consistent in the enforcement of their rules this year.

I agree with Fouzman. Biffle knew there were was no signage and instead of asking the tournament director during the meeting (when it would have been announced to everyone) he chose to wait until takeoff when the tournament director had plenty of other things to worry about. Biffle caught him at a weak moment therefore allowing him and him alone pertinent information. I agree the TD should have told him no, but I also believe Biffle played the TD like a fiddle.

I fished the event so I have a dog in this fight! Here is the things that has made a lot of guys that fished the event mad. (A) Biffle was given permission but it was not addressed about the boundaries of the buoys (so does that mean I could have fished in the swimming areas of Kerr Lake?) (B) Rule 13 states: Permitted Fishing Locations: Any waters within these boundaries posted "Off Limits" or "No Fishing" by State or Federal agencies. So the question at the event was "is a cable barrier with buoys on it not a stay out of or "off limits" area.
(C) He cherry picked or jack potted the event (which DOESNT bother me) Biffle is a great guy, but he did take a Classic spot away from someone!

Anyways congrats to Tommy he is a heck of a guy and one heck of stick!

I've been involved in motorsports all my life. There's never been any question about the magnitude of the advantage that a contender has whenever he/she has big-money sponsors, and/or rich team owners.
The more-succesful associations are ALWAYS in search of "leveling the playing field", and also lowering the cost of having access to competitive equipment.
We the fans prefer to see the talent of the contestant, more so than the size of his pocketbook.

Oklahoma Law state that it is illegal to� enter, swim, wade, operate a boat or a float or floating device in any safety zone (the water area below any dam for a distance of 50 yards from base of the dam).
I can not recall any instance where a misinformed and manipulated tournament directors decision trumped State Law. I wonder why if as he states "fished this place his whole life" that he waited until the "morning of the tournament" to ask. Hmmm. Fishy (no pun).

This is 2 Opens in a row that the rules were bent for the eventual winner.

Also, the question of fishing behind buoys was brought up at the Lewisville Open as well, because I and another angler knew where there were some good fish in 2 spots that had buoys marking them off. It was clearly stated in the pre tournament meeting that there was "no fishing" in areas that were "no boating". The buoys at the Ft. Gibson spillway may not have said "no fishing/boating", but they weren't there for decoration, I clarified that with the Wagoner County Game Warden on Saturday. Those buoys mean keep out.

I wonder what bent rule can we expect to see on Table Rock?

I'm going to design a remote control crankbait that will dive to 60'! It will be the winning bait!

I think they should go back to 150horse max in all tournys and then listen to the crying.

In or Outside the buoys???

Point is he,s outside the buoys. back of boat has a buoy in the center. He,s been fishing too long to be stupid,BASS knew where he was and that area is well known for bank fishing behind the buoys.

Yeah. That's the same thing Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder posted on a different forum.(Im referring to the "boat is outside" statement) Parts of his boat are inside the buoys. Again, brick wall means brick wall and BASS did not know where and what he was fishing other than what was described to them. Also, what state agency answers the phone at 6am and gives an ok that is completely in contradiction to the law.

I guess the Biffle bug is a bad a$$ lure. Only lure on the market to go through brickwalls.

Do you think maybe a BASS photographer took that photo and they know where he,s at.