I have been tourney fishin for 17+ yrs, I too have had suspicions of guys cheating, I have fished 10 boat club tournies and 500 boat tournaments regionals, classics etc. 2 yrs ago my suspicions came to reality when I witnessed cheating by a team whom I was waxing in points in another club (one that did polygraph - unannounced/randomly) yet they were tearing me up in another club that didn't polygraph and was leading points and won 3 of 5 events and placed in the money in the other 2.

Well I witnessed the fish transfer from one guy not in the tourney to the guys in my club, well I quietly waited till this guest boat left and I eased up around the corner with trolling motor on high and went for 'em "we need to talk" I said, they clammered and spoke with broken voices and I told them I had seen the whole thing and they may as well throw them back 'cause they weren't weighing them in because I would protest. I was MAD fellas, furious and was ready to fight and they knew it.

What can be done? Well, talk to a polygraph tech in your area, they're around everywhere if you look, talk to the tournament director let him know of the polygraph guy/girls name and number let them make an announcement that everyone is subject to polygraph. How to pay for it is up to discussion charge someone or take from the winnings, from the club funds - be inventive. In closing, help promote your club to be upstanding and honest group of fish catching machines not cheaters taking your hard earned dollar, because sometimes small clubs just don't think about it or have people willing to help set it up.

Mike