I am a firm believer in the extra penalty.
Our club (club tournament) had a problem in the past with Short fish being brought to the scales... not 1/8 inch short but 12 inch fish... that is unacceptable. It does not look good when these fish are thrown back at the ramp. We now insist that all culling/measuring/counting be done before you run to the ramp. We have discussed disqualification being put into the rules if this practice continues.. as our rules state.. you have broken a State law by having the short fish (or more that your legal limit) in the livewell- Don't have a measuring board... Get one! Can't count- use your partners fingers.. ONE TWO ...Take the time to know what is going on in the boat, then the red face you have will only be sunburn.
I know I don't get the chance to fish many OPENS, but the fishermen need to be more aware of what they are doing and how they are perceived by the public attending these events.
I commend the Honest guys for your admirable actions! Guys like you make this sport great!
AS for being LATE- we have discussed several reasons (in club tournaments) --- One is that you MUST stop to help a boater in distress.. I know this may not EVER happen .. but it may one day- on your run back in...especially the way some of these tuna boaters drive... I for one, will take the DQ if necessary if someones life is in danger. (I remember a boat being run over at the clinton river.. and have one boat run close enough to us that the wake was thrown on the front deck)
Also- off the subject --as we all get older
... there is a greater chance of Heart attacks etc... each of us should take the time to take a CPR course-
Larry just had a real mild one and I wish you guys would keep your eye on him out there
Sharon