If you were fishing in a competition and if there was competitor that was not
there when every one left to fish. Should that person be disqualified ?

? Not sure I understand the question

Did they show up late? Explain a little more for some advice.

Guess it's up to the clubs rules.

Are you saying that this competitor was shown leniency? If so, are other competitors shown the same leniency when incidents arise?

Is this a single event or series competition? Its kind of vague what you are asking or the circumstances but I can say this, if this is a common practice then there are going to be issues down the line that may have a serious impact on the competitors' images and the group as a whole.

In other words you wouldnt want to be associated with a group of individuals that may be shady or may appear to do shady things. Whether or not an infraction has occured is not as important as its image that is perceived by the audience or other competitors. Im sure there are rules that your group must follow if its an organized competition and you all must have someone in charge or group of individauls that should vote on such an occurence. Perhaps you should have a group leader that doesnt favor any one competitor a neutral member persae.

Like I said if you can elaborate more then there's a chance some other members may plug in comments more in accordance with the specific situation.

Good luck with your situation and if its a group with shady practices I would advise you to leave it and find other honest individuals that fish for the true meaning of the sport and not to bend rules as seen fit.

Good luck and welcome to the forum

Are all competitors required to start at the same time. I know that no one could start fishing before the tournament start time BUT are they allowed to start later if they choose?

if you go out and there are they in a hole set up and you KNOW they were on the water BEFORE the meeting, thats a problem. That would clearly violate the rules.

If you just see someone on the water that was not at the meeting , as long as he checked in, they would likely take his entry and give him a meeting and boat check just like the other anglers had erlier and release him to fish. I dont see any problem with that. Its actually a dissadvantage to him because he has less fishing time than the rest of the field.

I agree with jason, as long as he checked in and had his meeting I see no problem. He is at the disadvantage.

When i did some tourneys in alabama you had to leave together and report at weigh before time limit.

Yeah its kind of difficult to know what is happening or has happened without the details. I would say in any of the cases don't do things that may appear unethical or questionable. "Things that make you go hmmm." If there is a coordinator or leader involved then maybe there should be some checks and balances on that individual.

Friendships can cloud judgement calls at times.

to TFF! if you want some , give us a little more to work with and some

I believe you, or the individual that has this issue should bring it up with the tournament director or the organization managing the tournament. I know we give leadway to our members at times because 'stuff" happens. As long as the same treatment would be extended to each angler it should not be a problem. For example, the Cabela's King Kat tournament held on T-wok (a national Level event) has not morning meeting, just a rule that the contestants can not start fishing until a certain time.

Depends on if he wins it or not........