Do you applaud or Criticize The Big Rock?

[Squidnation]

The Big Rock BOD decided unanamously to DQ the catch of the Citation. We all know the scenario and have read the press releases and chat forums. The question is do you applaud the Big Rock BOD for sticking to their rules or do you criticize them for DQ'ing the fish on a technicality?

I have read many of the threads and it amazes me that some of the same people that have criticized our agencies and buearucrats for all the legal mumbo jumbo have themselves become helmside attorney's to split the hairs and find a way to justify the catch.

On the other hand why are only some of the rules questioned here. Were the crews of all the winning teams drug tested? Why not? Were the vessels inspected and completely in compliance? Nobody knows.

I for one applaud their decision to DQ the fish. The rule if not 100% stated is 100% clearly intended to say you must have a license. Not only did the mate not have one, he tried to cover it up by getting one after the fact.

I know one thing. While we were fishing yesterday we went over every single thing we would need to tournament fish in Ocean City this summer. I imagine every team will do the same prior to the tournament season kicking off.

[bobdu11]

Thumbs up for sticking to the rules...unfortunate but part of the game....

[pitch bait]

As a mate I couldnt imagine being in his shoes. Most mates leave it up to the captain to know the rules. I have and will continue to read the rules before every tournament, even though I have fished each one a dozen times you just never know. I think the fish should have been disqualified, they didnt abide by the rules plain and simple. It sucks and I hate to agree but rules are put in place for a reason.

[bigfish4me]

They did the right thing....sucks for the rest of the crew if in fact the mate did indeed lie about having the license but rules are rules and if your going to play for the big bucks you have to expect it to be run by the book 100%.

[scattered_grass]

applaud

In no way am I happy, I would have loved to see a Hatteras boat win, but the integrity of the tournament was kept with this decision.

[yachtsnc]

I would agree the tournament committe did the right thing, but I am willing to bet there is a lawyer who will disagree on behalf of the Citation.

[Anthony of the ARK]

I dont Applaud the decision but if the rules stated that everyone on the boat need a fishing license then thats the rule, and I respect the fact that the BOD stood buy the rules of the tournament and made a quick decisive ruling

I dont like the NC state law, but they probably had to put that rule in so they could get a certain permit or something like that to have the tournament

[hotrodmarlin]

They made the right decision. I don't see how anyone can criticize them for it. Very unfortunate situation for the Citation crew and I feel for them.

[TunaTeaser1]

Ponder this, I'm more curious of the answer as I'm really not sure-

What if you have flown in a mate from a foreign country?

Last I checked you have to have a driver's license number and an address in the US to obtain a non resident NC fishing license. Is this accurate? I've just renewed mine using my last name over the phone the past few years so I forget what information you are required to give and what is voluntary...

[canyongear]

The state fishing license rule does not belong in tournament rules.

Is my opinon, after reading and fact finding about this for days.

If the state wants to enforce the rule, then a DMF officer should independently check each boat, crewmember, owner, angler upon landing of a fish for a license and deal with compliance or non-compliance, issue tickets, fines etc..at that time and on a per case basis.

Why the two, were co-mingled, seems odd to me, as the two entities are completely separate and have entirely different agenda's. Apart, from state tournament licensing or selling of fish caught in a tournament.

If in fact you cannot put a hook in the water without a license, fine, state that fact and deal with the non-compliance, mixing the rule into tournament rules just doesn't really seem to make sense.

If there was a reason to do this......fine, MAKE IT KNOWN AND PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE AND MAKE IT KNOWN THAT IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A FISHING LICENSE YOU CANNOT PARTICIPATE IN THE TOURNAMENT. PERIOD. GET THE LICENSE OR YOU CANNOT REGISTER TO FISH IN THE TOURNAMENT. WHY? BECAUSE IT'S ILLEGAL TO "ENGAGE IN THE ACT OF FISHING" WITHOUT A LICENSE. OR IS IT?

If not, take it out of the rules and let the state deal with the compliance or non-compliance on it's own accord.

I highly doubt I would be allowed to enter/register for a sanctioned car race without having to provide proof that I have a valid license to drive in any state whether it was an out of state or in-state license giving me that right.

I imagine the two options on the BOD table were:

1. What occured

2. Award the Citation the win and all monies and DQ' the licensing rule since it was ambiguous and unrelated to the actual tournament rules of how to actually "FISH" in the tournament (if I can put it that way).

These are thoughts...just thoughts..not judgements.