Cheating at Texas Fishing Tournament

(South Padre Island, Texas) Earlier this month, the Ladies Kingfish Tournament was held in the waters around South Padre Island with over 200 female participants.

The women competed in a variety of categories for cash prizes, trophies and a boat worth $18,000.

Sadly, it's alleged that seven participants were cheating, a felony crime under a new law governing salt water fishing tournaments.




(Cameron County, Texas)

The tourney contestants are in hot water with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department game wardens and fellow contestants. The incident happened during the Lady Kingfish Tournament.

Fellow contestants said some will try stuffing ice and lead weights into the fish in an effort to win the tournament.

"I've heard of (people) keeping fishing tanks out in the bay somewhere ... (they) put fish in there and hold them," said fishing guide Corey Mock. "(Some) pay other people to go fish for them."

Seven people are behind bars accused of taking part in the scheme. Police said they attempted to use a fish they didn't catch to win the tournament.

Fishing guide Johnny Watts said the incident bothers him.

"I am (sun) burnt, and come to the weigh station (with) a decent stringer and place second or third. Then they are not burnt and they have a winning stringer ... that frustrates me," Watts said.

If convicted of fraud, the seven could face possible 10-year prison terms.