Bud Light Trail News Release (Apr 12, 2010)

RE: 1st Annual Lake Ray Hubbard Big Bass Tournament Investigation

The Bud Light Trail officials were informed this morning that the angler disqualified in the 2009 BLT Ray Hubbard Big Bass tournament has pleaded guilty to a felony theft charge while participating in the tournament. The angler was given 15 days in jail, five years probation, a $3,000 fine and a five year fishing license revocation.

The BLT staff would like to express our appreciation to all the hard work put into resolving this matter by Mr. Tom Carbone with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the other Game Wardens who assisted in the investigation, and the Rockwall District Attorney’s office.

As tournament providers we are pleased that this matter has been resolved. This was a very difficult time for all involved. The T. P. & W. regulations did not provide an avenue to pursue the case and the determination to pass the information on to the Rockwall District Attorney was the best decision.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as to why the BLT Staff could offer no comment during the course of the investigation.

Thank you,
USA Bass Trails/Bud Light Trail Officials

Bud Light Trail News Release (Feb 5, 2010)

The Bud Light Trail (BLT) tournament fishing program is very proud to announce that Gander Mountain/BASS Elite Pro Dean Rojas will be attending the February 28th Richland Chambers tournament weigh in held at Gander Mountain in Corsicana, TX. Honey Hole All Outdoors TV show will be filming the tournament and the weigh in. The BLT will hold drawings at the weigh in for all early entries. The prizes for early entries will include four Navionics $150 Hot Map premium chips and two American Rodsmith rods. In addition, BLT t-shirts will be given out to all anglers who enter the tournament. Navionics will be demonstrating their Hot Map premium chips at the event.

Mr. Rojas will also be visiting the Gander Mountain Tyler, TX store February 27th for a meet and greet appearance, so come out and meet one of the true professionals in the sport of competitive bass fishing.

Thank you,
USA Bass Trails/Bud Light Trail Officials

Bud Light Trail News Release (Jan 29, 2010)

USA Bass Trails officials, who manage and own the Bud Light Trail (BLT) bass fishing tournament program, are proud to announce Honey Hole All Outdoors TV as the official television home for the Bud Light Trail. The BLT and Honey Hole All Outdoors TV will be working together to provide television coverage for selected BLT events. More details will be announced in the near future. BLT Staff

Thank you,
USA Bass Trails/Bud Light Trail Officials

Bud Light Trail News Release (Jan 17, 2010)

USA Bass Trails officials, who manage and own the Bud Light Trail (BLT) bass fishing tournament program, would like to release an updated statement regarding the disqualification of one of the contestants from the Lake Ray Hubbard Big Bass Tournament held on October 24, 2009. Statements by the BLT Officials have been withheld until now in order to ensure all the facts were obtained, an investigation was conducted and the information was given to the proper law enforcement authorities to determine what action should be taken.

BLT Officials provided statements to the Texas Game Wardens on the day of the Ray Hubbard Big Bass Tournament and have met with them throughout their investigation. BLT Officials have been advised the information contained in their statements, along with other information contained in the Texas Game Warden's investigation, has recently been turned over to the Rockwall District Attorney's office. It is now our understanding that the Rockwall District Attorney's office will determine the disposition of the evidence provided to them.

The BLT officials will continue to cooperate with all legal authorities.

Thank you,
USA Bass Trails/Bud Light Trail Officials

Bud Light Trail News Release (Oct 25, 2009)

USA Bass Trails officials, who manage and own the Bud Light Trail (BLT) bass fishing tournament program, would like to release a statement regarding the disqualification of one of the contestants from the Lake Ray Hubbard Big Bass Tournament held on October 24, 2009. Statements have been withheld until now in order to ensure all the facts were obtained and the information was given to the proper law enforcement authorities.

During an hourly weigh in at the BLT Ray Hubbard Big Bass Tournament an angler brought a large fish to the weigh in check point. The fish was transferred from the weigh bag containing the fish to the official weigh bag. The BLT Tournament Director, after weighing the fish, asked that the fish be put in a holding tank behind the weigh in stage. This fish would have been the largest fish of the hour. After the hourly weigh in was completed the angler was asked to take a polygraph. This is required for all participants who catch the biggest bass of the hour. During inspection of the fish, by the fish handler and the tournament director, irregularities were discovered. A decision was made by tournament officials to interrupt the polygraph and have the angler and polygraph examiner witness an inspection of the bass. The angler was asked to remove the contents in the stomach of the bass or the contents would be inspected by BLT officials by whatever means possible. The angler chose to remove the contents and a lead weight was removed from inside the fish and handed to a tournament official. The angler then apologized to all who witnessed the removal of the lead weight.  He was notified by the tournament director that he was disqualified. No objection or explanation was given by the angler as he left the weigh in location. The fish and lead weight were then reweighed separately and pictures were taken.  The Texas Game Wardens were immediately notified.  Statements were given by tournament officials and all evidence was given to the Texas Game Wardens.

All of us involved with the BLT program are saddened by this situation and the impact it may have on the angler, his family and friends. The BLT officials will cooperate with the legal authorities as they proceed with the evidence provided to the Game Wardens. The BLT officials, speaking both as anglers and tournament providers, want our anglers and sponsors to know that we will do our best to provide a fair and honest tournament event. We wish to thank all the anglers who have fished with us this year and hope that you will continue to do so.

Thank you,
USA Bass Trails/Bud Light Trail Officials