BPT. Shuffield DQed for Cheating on Cayuga.

[Champ188]

One more comment about this ... I spent quite a few days in the boat (and golf carts) back in the 80s and 90s with Ron Shuffield, the now-retired pro fisherman and father of Spencer Shuffield ... and I'd bet my left crown jewel that there's more to this story than he pulled a fast one on his boat official with an illegally hooked bass caught while sight fishing. Spencer just about dominates statewide circuits in Arkansas and is smart enough to know that his livelihood depends in part on his reputation. Besides, his dad (and mom) are stand-up folks who raised their children right, including that cheating isn't an option. 
I'm not saying nothing happened ... obviously it did because apparently the polygraph tripped Spencer up on questions about fish being legally hooked. But we all know there's always more to every story than the first report. I'd just like to hear the rest of the story.

[Bill Babler]

Met Ron several times. Really nice guy. I’m pretty sure from the visual evidence that Spencer cheated. Durn shame.  

Spencer has refused to pay the fine and hired a lawyer so we’ll see how this goes.  There were at least a 1/2 dozen other guys that broke the rules catching the same fish twice in a single day. 

Spencer was the only one that moved the hook from outside the mouth to inside the mouth so they say. 

 

[tjm]

The polygraph probably won't be allowed in Court as evidence and I'd be surprised if they don't have to restore his winnings. From all that I've read those things are less accurate than Almanac weather predictions. 

[aarchdale@coresleep.com]

5 hours ago, tjm said:

The polygraph probably won't be allowed in Court as evidence and I'd be surprised if they don't have to restore his winnings. From all that I've read those things are less accurate than Almanac weather predictions. 

They dont even need the polygraph it clear as day on video he didnt show is boat official the fish was hooked in the mouth before he released it

[Bill Babler]

Yep, anyone that saw it live it was pretty clear some shenanigans were going on. 

[aarchdale@coresleep.com]

Heres the link to the audio of when Spencer didnt know his mic was hot, he doesnt admit to cheating but it is obviously things were sketchy in that whole tournament

https://drive.google.com/file/d/19eAghxkeohRCYnHkRM_XDH8Yer0Re0PS/view

[Bill Babler]

Total Black eye for MLF. they need to burn the house down and start all over. 

This is far from the first bug-a-boo.  I’m now hearing disputes between fishermen and officials and extremely poor behavior by some of your favorites. 

Threatening statements to MLF to let their celebrity fishermen do as they wish or they pull advertising from major sponsors  

Lots and lots of fishermen getting pre-tournament information. 

It can’t go on this way. Going to have to have a day of reckoning. 



 

[fishinwrench]

2 hours ago, Bill Babler said:

 

It can’t go on this way. Going to have to have a day of reckoning. 

It kinda seems to me that big-time competitive fishing is on its way out.  

It's like it grew in popularity rapidly for a decade or so........but now is kinda crashing suddenly.   

The most interesting thing to me is the number of guys that have quit fishing tournaments........so now they don't hardly fish at all.    It's as if that was the only reason that they loved fishing.    🤔     I run into them now occasionally, driving a cheesy little SUV without a trailer hitch, and they are all into golf, pickleball, or have buried themselves into their business, or real estate. And some even have gotten heavily interested in politics and are running for some political office.   

Lots of nice bassboats out there just sitting covered in cobwebs and bird crap, with 2 year old fuel in the tanks.   

[Flysmallie]

13 hours ago, Bill Babler said:

Threatening statements to MLF to let their celebrity fishermen do as they wish or they pull advertising from major sponsors  

 

 

It's all about the money. 

[Quillback]

Couple of allegations surfacing on the BASS event going on St. Clair right now that a couple of guys kept bass hooked outside the mouth.  It is against the regs to do so in Michigan, and Ontario.