I don't know the whole stituation, but they unwritten rules that they go by period. Here we go with it is free water to everyone that is true, but have some respect for people. Most of us don't fish for that much and don't have that much on the line.

I can tell you hav`nt fished too many tournaments. Alton was beat to the spot but crowded Rojas anyway. Alton should have respected that. All of the anglers should get the same courtesy

Dirty move by Alton!

Alton just posted this on Facebook;

"TV only gave one side of the story. Can't believe how they never asked me about it on camera and just let others slander".

Not sure how Alton got slandered... he was quoted and shown plenty. He was seven pounds back and got more press than anyone else 7 pounds back would have gotten. He should have backed off on the final day seeing how far back he was. He admitted "I would need a miracle to win now" (because he was 7lbs back) and then contradicted himself by saying "but 6lbs is one bite". They were not fishing Lake Fork or Falcon... six pound bites (and limits) were few and far between.

I can assure you guys that Alton will have a statement come out soon. I'm very disappointed in BASS for only showing "one side" of the story. That's seems like some CNN type stuff. Alton Jones cares more about his reputation than many. Remember guys there's ALWAYS two sides to a story and things are NEVER as they appear.

After watching the BASS coverage, here are just a couple observations and opinions:

1) Not much of this specifically relates to how many of us normally fish because the unwritten rule and question of whether to give the leader space mostly applies to multi day tournaments.

2) But for a long time, it has been a well published unwritten rule that if you are leading the tournament on the final day, the other pro's go out of their way to stay off the water that got them that lead; UNLESS the other pro has fished that same water AND IS WITHIN STRIKING DISTANCE to compete for the win.

3) From the coverage, it appears Alton fished that water on DAY THREE (which we can assume he found on his own and it's not like he followed Dean there). In my opinion, Alton had every right to be there to fish on day 3. He likely practiced there and may have even fished there on day 1 or 2. There were still TWO FULL DAYS of fishing left when he (at a minimum) started sharing water with Dean on day 3.

4) However, after completion of day 3, I believe Alton was 7lbs + out of the lead? Even Alton said he would "need a miracle to win at that point" and then he went on to contradict himself by saying "however, 6-7 lbs is only one bite away" as a way to rationalize fishing next to Dean on the final day. THAT DOES NOT FLY WITH MOST PRO's and I agree. Especially because on those tough conditions, 6lb fish were not jumping in the boat or very realistic. Alton was realistically out of contention on the final day and Dean was leading. He should have followed the unwritten rule and left the area to Dean in my opinion or at least given Dean space.

5) I think Dean created alot of his own problems because he STARTED complaining after day 3. Had he not made an early issue out of it, it's very possible Alton would have followed the unwritten rule and given Dean the space on the final day once Alton was so far out of it? Guys act differently when backed into a corner and I think Dean jumped the gun backing Alton in a corner after day 3.

6) Both Dean and Alton acted a bit like children but I can see how it happens because we are all compete at a high level in the heat of the moment; but I honestly see why both of them would be upset at DIFFERENT POINTS of the event.

Don't beat me up for my opinions. I certainly don't claim to know any more than anyone else but that was my take on it.

I know Alton personally and I can assure you he is a man of the highest integrity. I am quite sure there is a lot more to the story than we know.

oh I thought that maybe he had eased over the border for some cocktails and dancing

If I were in Alton's situation I would meet Rojas at the ramp on the next practice day and see if he wanted to run his mouth face to face.

Alton fished that water on day 1 and 2 .........

In the end Rojas lost because he had no back up water and several others had found the water he was fishing. He could have both his and Altons fish the final day and he still loses. Faircloth found exculsive water and that is what won it for him. If there had been several boats where Todd was then he probably has a similar situation.

These guys are going to fish on top of each other when there is $100K plus AOY and a Classic Berth at stake. We have seen that time and again. They better get used to it.

I guarantee you when Rojas, Kriet and Jones all found this water separately they had to be concerned on whether anyone else was planning to fish there and if it was going to hold up even in one one else found it. I would bet they all searched hard for backup water and really didn't find much or they would have went there sometime at least during the last day.

That's were Rojas lost the tournament. No back up water and those fishing close also made the 12 cut.

I still stand by me statement. If you have earned access to an area (ie: found it in practice, fished it during day 1, 2 and/or 3, etc) then why give it up just because the leader is there? Alton could've place 2nd, 3rd, 4th, etc. Thats real money, boys. That's what I'm after.

Very good point made about Rojas combining his and Alton's weight...still wouldn't have won it.

I think the 100 Elite pro's have to get together on a yearly basis and determine if the "unwritten rule" of giving the leader space still applies. At least everyone would be on the same page. Because it seems clear that normally, someone 7 pounds behind, would have given Dean space on the last day. Not on day 3, but yes on the last day seeing he was so far behind.

Thats been the standard in the past, so seeing that Alton was that far behind, I can't imagine "his side" of the story that would change what the pro's normally do in that situation. Again, I think Dean was wrong for making an issue out of it as early as day 3.

I bet Skeeter is really proud of two of their top staff personnel hashing out their petty differences in the public eye.