Polygraph tests Tournaments?

[brownies]

Let me start by saying that I've never taken a polygraph test (hence my concern and the questions to follow).

Some tournament rules are "clear".
OFF LIMITS is an easy one (I have control over that and just stay off the water)
ANGLER CANNOT SOLICIT, RECEIVE, ANY INFORMATION DURING "X" TIME PERIOD FROM A GUIDE, PROFESSIONAL, OR "OTHER" for the purpose of locating or catching fish.

Some of that 2nd rule I have control over.
I don't SOLICIT information.
I don't hire or talk to guides or professionals intentionally.
BUT..... During the course of a day, A friend or customer may say "Hey, you fishing the upcoming tournament?" I say "Yeah, end of this month"
Next thing I know they have just blurted out......"Ya know where ya should go is "here or there".
DANGIT!! Did I just break a rule OR did I just THINK I could have possibly broken a rule.

IF I even think I might have possibly broken a rule, even just typical friendly day to day conversation, would'nt I fail a polygraph?


Same thing on the lake during an official practice period.
Bob motors his boat over beside mine and asks why I'm fishing this bank. "Well, Bob, I'm practicing for the tourny this weekend". Before I know it Bob's told me the other bank is where the fish are, or, they are in Dugan's cove around his boat dock.

This has got me worried to no extent. I've gone out of my way to follow the rules. Done everything I can in my power to abide by what I should. BUT, I just can't seem to keep people from blurting out stuff.

Am I being too concerned? I figure it's mostly just common sense and have been told I'm taking this to an extreme. BUT, never taken a polygraph before and not sure what I'll be asked?

 

[gonefishie]

Re: Polygraph tests Tournaments?

You shouldn't have to worry about that Brownies. Polygraph can tell whether you're telling the truth or not base on your heart rate and several other physiological factors. Those factors change when you're nervous like when you're lying. The machine pick up the differences. You can still beat the polygraph test if you remains cool and calm while lying out of your teeth. You can confidently says that you didn't SOLICIT information, which you did not, everything would be fine.

 

[brownies]

Re: Polygraph tests Tournaments?

I don't want to "beat" the test. I want to know for sure I'm not breaking any rules.
I know I didn't solicit, but, I "received" info (didn't want it, didn't need it, doubt if I'd even use it)
Ever noticed that? You can tell any fisherman to hit the other bank, fishing hot there....but, they will beat their brains out continuing what they are already doing. I think I'm no different..lol.

But, If I ever take a polygraph, no way will I be cool and calm...I'll be wound up tighter than a banjo string and sweating bullets before during and after.
I can't imagine anybody being any other way if they'de never taken one before.

 

[JB]

Re: Polygraph tests Tournaments?

Well, I disapprove of organized fishing competitions for money. I think they are bad for the purity of a recreational pastime.

On the positive side, fishing pros have advanced the technology of catching fish and promoted selective harvest and CPR (Catch, Photograph, Release). I think that has improved success in recreational fishing.

On the negative side, the tournaments have turned almost every fishing expedition into a high adrenalin, high stress battle. Not what recreational fishing should (and used to) be.

Traditionally, fishermen are expected to lie and are forgiven for it. Even CPR can lie. The musky in my avatar is closer to the camera than JB is, for example. Everyone knows that and nobody cares.

Cheez!! Next thing we will have is tournaments to see who is best at lying in a hammock sipping fine brew and munching brats.:'(

Now, that said, what about using polygraphs to verify that a gentleman's pastime is being conducted by some rules?

IMO, if you have to ask that you need to answer some other questions first.

 

[brownies]

Re: Polygraph tests Tournaments?

It's what people do. Fish tournaments. Fish as a pastime. Climb trees. Get jobs. Anything fun. Anything fun turned into a sport.
Next thing ya know we won't be sitting around smoking cigars and drinking beer tuesday nights playing texas holdum. I bet before ya know it, THAT will be sport and probably have rules.

The question remains.
If a rule states that you cannot Solicit or Receive information regarding the location or catching of bass during the 7 days prior to the event.
And during a normal days conversations somebody just "blurts out"..."Hey, you oughta go fish Billy's boat dock".
AND...A polygraph test is administered.

Wouldn't the fact that you are "sort of unsure" keep you from passing a yes or no question?

 

[Rancherlee]

Re: Polygraph tests Tournaments?

there not suppose to ask for info? there was a small (20 boat) bass tourney on a local lake I fish all the time and I had more than one ask me "having any luck" during the 1 day tourney.I just smiled and held up a 5# and 3.5# from my live well. which is pretty good size for bass in minnesota.

 

[CN Spots]

Re: Polygraph tests Tournaments?

We can speculate over this all we want but the only person who can truly answer that is the tourney officials. There should be contact info on the entry form. Call 'em, don't give them your name, explain the situation and ask them opinion. I think you'll get an answer like "As long as you did not actively search out an answer, you're ok" You can't be responsible for other people's actions and they know that, they're just trying to cover a bazillion possible scenarios with a boiler-plate rule.


spots

Good luck btw.

 

[gonefishie]

Re: Polygraph tests Tournaments?

Cheez!! Next thing we will have is tournaments to see who is best at lying in a hammock sipping fine brew and munching brats.:'(

No thanks! I already have one pastime that I am terrible at-- tournament fishing-- I would be terrible at brats munching tournaments too...8)8)

 

[Ron G]

Re: Polygraph tests Tournaments?

I would'nt worry about it,imo your not breaking any rules.and i dont think they get that tecnical about so and so said this and that.if they ask anything it'll be did you cheat?did you hire a guide so on.and if those a flag up then they'll go into depth questions i think.
On some tournys they also say no cell phones.i've broken that one when my wife calls cause if she calls while im fishing its an emergency and i'll fight that one any day.

 

[gonefishie]

Re: Polygraph tests Tournaments?

Doggone Ron....where have you been? I thought the Taliban done kidnapped you or somethin...How's the new fishing season down there in Tenn? Y'all fish oughtta be close to spawning aren't they? if not started already. Our are getting pretty close, unseasonably warm spring so we have water in the upper 50's and low 60's already. I fished my first tourn. of the year last Sunday with my shirt off. Normally, I would be freezing my butt off on the first tourn.

 

[Bass-A-Holic]

Re: Polygraph tests Tournaments?

Hey gonefishie-
What tourneys you fishin?
NBAA?

 

[Bass-A-Holic]

Re: Polygraph tests Tournaments?

Hey Gonefishie-
What tournies are you fishing?
Nbaa?

 

[gonefishie]

Re: Polygraph tests Tournaments?

Hey Gonefishie-
What tournies are you fishing?
Nbaa?

BFL Hoosier division and Indiana Bass Federation.

 

[Ron G]

Re: Polygraph tests Tournaments?

My motor is still down,yea the fish have moved on up and are ready the full moon will put them on this week but we got a cold front coming in this weekend.i've been catching alot of largemouths the past 2 weeks.cant get non any size for our wenesday nighters/went saturday to a nearby lake and we caught smallys all day long i lost one around 5 at the boat.and caught non keepers in the 15"-17" range all day.if this lake keeps on in the next 4 years it'll be better than dale hollow or any other smally lake!!!so have i missed much??i been lurking in the prop section thats been about it.alot going on right now.good to chat with ya'll.i want stay gone for longd

 

[goingagain]

Re: Polygraph tests Tournaments?


lake ontario had derbys that the winner has to take a poly test, it s derby are normally good (lake wide) and the most important thing to remember is dont break any rules or ny fishing laws during the derby even if your not derby fishing at the time. several times in the last years we have moved up in the standings due to disqualifications. with that said if u dont think u are breaking any rules or are trying to fudge a bit then dont be too deep of a thinker, dont try and convict yourself. john:/