Polygraph testing protects bass tournament integrity. Time off the water questions professional fishing credibility.
Whistle blowers and polygraphs are judge, jury, and executioner. Polygraphs disqualify pros, end careers, and ruin reputations in minutes. Tournament anglers agree to testing.
Polygraphs aren’t admissible in court. They measure breathing rate, pulse, blood pressure, perspiration, and other physiological phenomena. The elephant in the room is scrutiny of obtaining information prior to an event.
Tournament organizations place anglers in positions of being falsely accused or by failing the biggest polygraph question, did you solicit information from a non-public source to gain a competitive advantage? Some say this is an unfair question, likely leading to false positives as some overthink it, hesitate, or stumble.
Some anglers have been reinstated as more evidence has come forward. However, there isn’t an official appeal process on results or how polygraphs are conducted. Anglers are calling for access to their tests and retesting by disinterested 3rd parties. Also in question are examiner credentials and session lengths. Anglers experiencing major stress prior to testing feel they were in no condition to take such an impactful exam.
Polygraphs focus on anglers getting or soliciting fishing information. B.A.S.S., at the request of anglers, is modifying information rules, to maintain fairness while giving anglers freedom to fish and discuss the sport. Once the schedule is announced, there can be no purchase of fishing information. A 28 day off-limits with no time on tournament waters, soliciting or intentionally receiving information from anyone except registered competitors in that event. The tricky part is how to avoid or walk away from inadvertent information.
Elite Series pro and Angler Board of Professionals president John Crews says, “During the 2025 season, the sentiment of the anglers was that we needed a shorter window for the full scope No-Info rule.”
While rules are tighter, inadvertent information is projected at anglers. Emails that go unread could be used against otherwise compliant anglers. Information hitmen can report anglers for violations with no opportunity to confront accusers. Nor is there a realistic time limit. Once accused, anglers must face a polygraph firing squad.
The 2025 Bassmaster Elite season saw random polygraph disqualifications of high-profile anglers. Organizations revealed few details like which rules were broken, evidence presented, and exam questions. Onlookers assume the worst.
In some cases, anglers opted out of circuits. Once polygraph failure questions angler integrity, other anglers, sponsors, and fans lose confidence. Anglers leave not because they broke rules, but they don’t trust the system that judged them.
Polygraphs are lie detectors, not honesty detectors. As anglers run the gauntlet of information thrown in their paths, no-information rules will be difficult to enforce. The dishonest will continue to rely on illicit information, pushing their luck of the polygraph draw or ability to weather an examiner. Pros say the real danger isn’t just cheating, but how polygraphs, wrought with flaws, lack of transparency, and limited appeals process, could cause the sport to eat its own. No-information rules set anglers up to fail.
Author Capt. Steve Chaconas is Potomac bass fishing guide & freelance writer. Potomac River reports: nationalbass.com. YouTube video channel NationalBassGuide
