BIG ROCK TOURNAMENT DECISION

[Top Notch]

MOREHEAD CITY, N.C. (AP) — A superior court judge has dismissed a lawsuit brought by the owners of the fishing vessel "Citation" challenging the team's disqualification from the 2010 Big Rock Tournament.

WNCT-TV reports the judge concluded that tournament officials were right to disqualify the boat after discovering one of the crew members did not have a state fishing license. Officials had initially credited the Citation with a record-setting blue marlin catch during the tournament.

The court says the Citation violated tournament rules and was properly disqualified.

The order also declares the boat "Carnivore" as the winner of the tournament, with "Wet-N-Wild" taking second place.

[wahoojack]

it's over, but I believe they still have the right to appeal. I hope, however, for everyone's benefit, this is the end.

[N2theBlue]

I could be wrong, but they could have appealed if he had ruled against them. Dismissal is different. Depends on the actual ruling.

[jaws]

Rules are rules, hope it sticks.

[reel1321]

I hate they got disqualified, that was a nice fish. But we had to abide by the same rules they did.

[Innovator]

I think they made the right call as much as it sucks for the citation, rules are rules and there is no excuse for not having the proper permits. My dad once told me "You don't have to be smart, you just can't be stupid"

[wahoojack]

has been filed by the attorney for the Citation, according to the Sun Journal this morning, a local paper.

[islandhouse]

Does anyone know if the Citation's angler had chartered them?

[Playnhooky]

It was my understanding that they were not in operation as a charter vessel but a private vessel.

[Captain Jay Kavanagh]

The judge that heard the case is a former partner in the firm representing The Tournament.

I would have bet money that he would find for the Big Rock.

An appeal has been filed.