Wow. That's quite a run. How do these guys find places like that? I think one thing this proves is how mental fishing is. There still had to be fish in there, but they were both so much in the other's head that they couldn't fish.

Used to love the guy until he pulled that carp on KJ. And I was there, FACT!

I remember that on the Red River. Sucks that happened and they both are Skeeter guys. Where is the love?

Maybe ole Alton needs to just find out how big an ole boy Rojas is next time they lay eyes on one another. I bet Rojas didn't even say anything to him at weigh in, after weigh in, in the parking lot... Idk. My dvr stopped recording so I didn't get to see it on tv. I bet he didn't even say anything to him while they were fishing. I've never seen Alton act anything but professional. He's very fan friendly and respectful or was to me anyways in 08 when I met him and Rojas both. Fished with Rojas also. To see Alton stand up for himself on FB about all of this tells me he's pretty upset about what he saw on tv and it was prolly because it was the first he'd heard about it.

Definitely not the first he heard about it. There was lots of talk on here about it before it aired

Unwritten rules mean nothing. 20 years ago the "unwritten rule" was that one competitor never pulled up within about 300 yards of another. 10 years ago that had changed to 75 yards but you still didn't pull ahead and cut them off. Now it seems the "unwritten rule" is get as close as possible without bumping into the other boat. These guys can whine all they want but they have done this to themselves. The bad part is how many weekend anglers think it is OK to do the same since the "pros" do it.

In private conversation Steve Bowman seemed to dismiss the claim that the water north of the first bridge belonged to Rojas. To those of us spectating, it seemed like Rojas had claim to the water, but a lot of that was "dock talk" as someone called it.

I give a lot of weight to what Bowman says even if it wasn't the way I saw it.

Really? I didn't see anything on here about it.

Here is a thought.....you have two decisions

the first gets about 50% of the people upset with you.

the second has about 100% of the people talking about what a class act you are.

which is the obvious, correct one?

I believe this thread is a very good example why those of us that are respectful of other fishermen, tournament or not, are so disapointeded in those that have no respect for their competitors or the angler that is just out for fun. Half of the responses see it as the way it should be, Rojas is in first....he has a shot at the win.....give him room and expect him to do the same for you. The other half see it as Alton should watch out for himself and what is best for him and do whatever he wants. To say I am surprised would be a lie.....it's sad that I have come to expect this type of behavior even from outdoorsman.

Do you guys who say "the unwritten rule means nothing" must not tourney fish or follow it? How do you not understand this? It's something that for years and years guys do (and still do). And a leader should be able to rely on it because it's something everyone has done (and in the rare cases they don't, it's a major fight). It's not an official rule because it's a little too subjective but it's easy enough to follow for fisherman and Alton should have backed off being 7 pounds back on a tough fishery.

For instance, after a third day on the water, the field is cut and you should be able to plan the night before and think to yourself "well, I'll be able to utilize that water to myself for sure because no one else is in contention who fished there".

To then have someone show up, or tell you they plan to show up, puts unfair stress on an already stressful leading day. Thats a lot to handle when you know in your heart 99% of the other pro's would have given you space and you have given space to others over the years. I still say Rojas is a jerk, but in tourney fishing Alton was wrong. Sounds like it's not the first time he's made this decision.

I'm still wondering what folks missed about this. From Rojas' own Marshal. Rojas had the lead after the first day. Game over. His water. Not the entire Bayou, but the stretch Rojas fished on day one. And we know that AJ was not on that stretch the first day, per Traybird.

If I am Alton there is no way I believe I do not have a chance to win. He had a reasonble chance. He was 7.3# back. Very easy to catch 14# while others catch 7#. If I have been in there for three days and do not have a decent alternative I fish that water.

This thread, for example, started before it aired

How do you figure, other than none of them ever think they're out of it?

Jones avgd. about 9.3 pounds the first three days. Rojas avgd. ~12.5. Alton was 7 pounds back on the final day of an event where many said they didn't even know if they could catch a fish. 2nd toughest tournament in Elite Series history.

I'm sorry, but I just don't see that as a safe, or "reasonable" bet. Not even close.