I agree with the decision of the BOD, and their press release states they read every rule at the captain's meeting, so I don't see how anyone could accuse them of not being upfront with the rules. It makes perfect sense to me that you have to abide by the licensing laws of the homeport of the fishing tournament and waters you fish in for all permits, etc. Not "liking" the fact that NC instituted this saltwater license a few years ago is a separate matter from complying with it IMHO.

None of us like the explosion of different licenses and different fees for all sorts of species and areas, I would prefer they come up with some sort of consolidated license so we have fewer chances to screw up on expiration dates and variations in bag and minimum length limits fishing in multiple states, but that too is another topic for a different discussion.

Bottom line to me is if you are going to fish with the big boys for big money, and you know the committees have to be strict about the rules and enforce them all (and they have to in order to maintain their integrity as a legit tournament), then YOUR team captain and team members ALL have to dot the i's and cross the t's when it comes to complying with the rules which incudes having the correct permits and licenses. I too feel really bad for this captain and crew having a fish and a payoff of a lifetime come crashing to an end in a DQ, but it comes with the territory with so much on the line in $$.

LO