11 1/2-lb. Bass Bought By Tournament Anglers

10 Years Ago: Tim Hutto of DNR Law Enforcement with an 11 1/2-lb. bass that had been purchased by a pair of tournament anglers on Banks Lake.

Don’t mess with fishermen—especially the bass tournament crowd.

A pair of anglers in a July 12, 2014 bass club tournament at Banks Lake bought an 11 1/2-lb. bass and presented it for the weigh-in. They might have even gotten away with it, but apparently the agreed-upon price for the fish changed when the pair didn’t win as much money as they thought they would.

Law Enforcement Division’s Tim Hutto, Ranger First Class (RFC) at the time, investigated the case. He charged four people, two involved in selling the bass and the two tournament anglers who bought the bass.

“They all admitted to the act,” officer Hutto said. “All four were relatively cooperative, and the statements were consistent from all four.”

The price for the fish was $250.

“They were to take the bass, and once they won the tournament, they would give the anglers the $250. They ended up winning the tournament, but it only paid $305 for the winning team.”

The two who bought the fish only gave the sellers $105. From there, things headed south and word got out.

“It’s a big deal to sell fish,” said Hutto.

Yep, especially when it’s bought to cheat in a tournament.