Photo: Getty Images
WINTHROP, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — A viral story from Ohio is wracking the fishing community nationwide, including New England, where seafarers are weighing in on an alleged cheating scandal.
Two professional anglers in the Lake Erie Walleye Trail Tournament were taken out of the running after they were allegedly snagged filling their catches with lead weights and frozen fish fillets right around the competition's weigh-in.
When it comes to cheating, Captain of the C.J. Victoria Rob Savino told WBZ's James Rojas in Winthrop that it will always be a problem if someone's pride and money are on the line.
"It didn't surprise me— finally somebody got caught. What is your reputation as a fisherman worth? These guy[s] are ruined now for their lives, was it worth the money? Is it worth your ego to say 'I'm the biggest, baddest fisherman and everybody knows it,' but in the back of your mind you know you cheated to get there?" Savino said.
Read More: Hundreds Of Sysco Boston Employees Go On Strike After Management Offer
LEWT Tournament Director Jason Fischer announced he will make a statement via Facebook Live on Monday night concerning these allegations.
The LEWT Tournament was founded by the Western Basin Sportfishing Association, after which Big Water Walleye Championships took over in 2020. The tournament aims to be Ohio's premier series, with cash prizes awarded to teams who pull in the biggest haul.
WBZ's James Rojas (@JamesRojasNews) reports.
Follow WBZ NewsRadio: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | iHeartmedia App