“Bassmaster Elite Series angler Nate Wellman has been fined and placed on a one-year probation due to violation of B.A.S.S. tournament rule 3(vii), which prohibits ‘suggesting to another competitor that he violate these (B.A.S.S.) rules.’
For the story at Bassmaster.com go here...
Apparently Nate offered to buy a big fish off of his Co-angler a few times. Nate says he was joking, but apparently the Co didn't see it that way and reported the solicitation to tournament officials. Nate has offered an apology, which can be seen at the link.
Honestly, I think Nate probably got off easy on this one. He didn't deny the allegations, just gave them a different interpretation. Naturally some people are kvetching that Nate didn't get a DQ for this. In my Solomonic wisdom I do not think a DQ was called for because he won the tournament fair and square. The fine should have been at least 5 Grand IMO. I also think the Classic berth should have been stripped and vacated because I don't think probation is much of a punishment.
Update: Big Bass Specialist and Bass Blogger Jason Holmer left a comment wondering why a polygraph test wasn't given? I think that is a very valid question. I think that is in the interest B.A.S.S., the integrity of the sport, and Nate provided he really wasn't trying to cheat.
Update: Jason Holmer wrote a well thought out blog post about what he thinks should be done.
Update: BassFan now has an article that gives fuller info from Wellman, the Co-Angler, and Jerry McKinnis.
Update: BassEast has an audio interview with Joe the Co, who is at the center of this. Worth a listen.
9 comments:
I agree that he should have been stripped from the Classic. I don't probation means very much and based on the allegations, the money is not really an issue either I would guess.
I can understand joking around, but not what he proposed, when he proposed it. Very unprofessional and I am glad his co-angler stepped up and did the right thing.
I think Nate should have been DQ and he should be a 5 year ban from fishing B.A.S.S. tournaments.He tried to cheat in order to win a event.He has put a black eye on our sport and he should be held accountable for it.There is no way he should be allowed to fish the Classic or the Elites.It is guys like him that make me sick to think he is in our sport.How many times has he done this before he didn't just think of it at Erie.I hope all his sponsors drop him faster then Micheal Vicks did.He is a disgrace of a tournament angler!!g
ryno where is your evidence that Nate has done this before or that his suggestion to cheat was totally serious?
These two suggestions are only your opinions and interpretation of events. I don't think your or anyone else's opinion is a basis upon which to totally blacklist the guy from bass fishing.
Dave, in defense of Ryno, there is no evidence that he hasn'r cheated before, or hadn't cheated earlier in this event. In most tournament circuits you are guilty until proven innocent. Usually this is settled with a polygraph. I'm shocked, and as a former Open competitor with friends still competing, appauled that BASS hasn't subjected Wellman to a polygraph. There is a lot at stake for these guys, and this sort of thing, true or not, is terrible for BASS. The slap on the wrist would be fine if he passed a polygraph. Otherwise, it's not nearly enough.
Also, the co-angler reported that Wellman offered him money multiple times, going to far as to outline how they could go somewhere where other anglers would not see them, and that his dad would have the money for him when they got to the docks. That's taking a joke a bit far...don't you think?
Living on the edge of the rules was a part of why one of the biggest circuits in MN lost competitors. When reports of anglers, who had teamed up, started sharing info on the water was shrugged off, myself as well as others simply decided that we wanted nothing to do with the circuit. I'd be tempted to make that same decision if I were fishing the Opens.
Jason- I think your prescription of the use of polygraph in this situation is right on the money. Totally Agree!
Basspastor,I am basing my views on tne fact the Trip Wheldon issued a fine and a probation,they didn't just fine him $2500 because the guy in the back of his boat said he said something to him.him They fined $2500 because they were 100% sure he did something wrong.They didn't say he cheated because the swap never took place,good thing the co angler was a straight up guy and cared about this sport some of us live and breathe every day.Bottom line that know one wants to say is the guy was trying to cheat,throw him out of fishing and be done with him,he is no Elite in my book and has given us all a undeserved black eye.ti
This action reminds me of a Tourney where they found lead being put into bellies of Bass.
"They fined $2500 because they were 100% sure he did something wrong."
I think they know 100% he did something wrong, because Wellmen confirmed all of the Co-Anglers statements about the things Wellmen said. From what has been put out there it is clear that Wellman was out of bounds, but that doesn't prove he indeed was trying to cheat. From all the things I've read there are some things that don't add up in terms of him being guilty of really being serious about trying to cheat. Holmers suggestion of a polygraph I think is a fair way to decide the issue.
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