$1 Million fish that got away.

[Douglas]

883 lb Blue Marlin at the Big Rock Blue Marlin tournament. Winning team disqualified because a hired hand did not have a $15 fishing license. They give the winning crew lie detector tests
See here:

http://www.wralsportsfan.com/fishing/story/7821028/

Saturday it appeared that the boat Citation had won the 52nd Big Rock Marlin Tournament for pulling in a record 883-pound blue marlin.

However, the tournament announced Sunday it is withholding more than $900,000 in prize money because of an apparent rules violation.

Andy Thommassen, who caught the fish, told a Jacksonville newspaper that a member of the boat's crew did not have the required fishing license.

As Thommasen said, "No record, no money, no fish, no nothing."

 

[cfpinz]

I'd hate to be that guy!

 

[Ryder]

883 lb Blue Marlin at the Big Rock Blue Marlin tournament. Winning team disqualified because a hired hand did not have a $15 fishing license. They give the winning crew lie detector tests
See here:

http://www.wralsportsfan.com/fishing/story/7821028/

Saturday it appeared that the boat Citation had won the 52nd Big Rock Marlin Tournament for pulling in a record 883-pound blue marlin.

However, the tournament announced Sunday it is withholding more than $900,000 in prize money because of an apparent rules violation.

Andy Thommassen, who caught the fish, told a Jacksonville newspaper that a member of the boat's crew did not have the required fishing license.

As Thommasen said, "No record, no money, no fish, no nothing."

There are rules, then there are rules.
Maybe Thommasen should have kept his mouth shut. Seems to me that catching the fish was the major thing and a $15 license was really not very significant.

 

[Douglas]

Problem is, that the second place crew will get the money and would probably sue if they didn't at this point.

 

[ga.prime]

883 lb Blue Marlin at the Big Rock Blue Marlin tournament. Winning team disqualified because a hired hand did not have a $15 fishing license.

Worse, he could've had a ten day temporary licence for $5.

 

[novaman]

So couldn't the guy be fined for fishing without a license?

 

[Douglas]

Press Release:

After interviewing members of the crew of the fishing vessel "Citation", review of the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament rules, consulting the division of Marine Fisheries as well as the North Carolina Attorney General's office, it is apparent that there has been a substantial violation of Tournament rules. The Board of Directors has unanimously determined that they have no choice but to disqualify the 883 pound blue marlin caught on June 14, 2010. The rule violation did not involve "dishonesty" or "cheating" on the part of the owners or angler of the "Citation".

The rule violation involves the "mate" not having a Coastal Recreational Fishing License. This license is required by North Carolina law. It is required by the Tournament as written in our rules. Participants and crew were reminded of the license requirement at the Captains meeting prior to the Tournament. The mate engaged in fishing activities without a valid license and later obtained a license at 5:51 pm while heading to the weigh station. The fish was boated at 3:16 pm.

This is an unfortunate situation for the crew of "Citation" as well as the Tournament itself. For the integrity of the Tournament, Big Rock has no choice but to enforce the rules and disqualify the fish.

Because of this disqualification, The Big Rock Board of Directors declare Carnivore in 1st Place with their 528.3 pound blue marlin and in 2nd Place Wet-N-Wild with their 460 pound blue marlin.

 

[jfont]

How can someone be stupid enough to enter a tournament like that, with that much money in the pot, and not buy a license ? I just don't have the words........