Capt. Joe think what you intended to say is "finally someone with an alternate opinion" since I assume you wouldn't antagonize the board by implying other posters are brainless......would you? Like others I appreciate the ability to have a open discussion on the topic. Boats name wasn't mentioned, an experience was shared. BB wasn't trying to defame anyone, he was trying to prevent others from having a similar experience. If you've followed Bob's posts he certainly sounds like a solid citizen so don't think he's trying to stir the pot, that's my opinion doesn't have to be yours or anyone else's. No one knows what happened but Bob, his son and the mate. RC's opinion is no more or less valid than anyone else's on the thread unless he was there......it's simply his opinion which he has the right to share but it doesn't mean it outweighs anyone else's.

Just an FYI, I've witnessed the exact thing Bob described years ago (boat will also remain unnamed). Guy who appeared to have the larger fish "lost" until he asked the mate to switch the fish on the scale after which he won, it wasn't close. Does that mean it was intentional, draw your own conclusions. Does it mean all mates are sketchy or the industry is, absolutely not. What it means is it can happen and if you want to make sure it doesn't to you there's three things I'd recommend. Follow the mate around the boat when fish are being weighed. If you believe you're fish is larger for whatever reason, as already mentioned ask to have them switched on the scale in front of you. If you're still concerned something may have been placed inside the fish, you can pretty much tell from feeling the stomach cavity if there's foreign objects like lead. It might only happen once in a lifetime or not at all, but you have the right to ask and if you're uncomfortable dealing with the mate you have every right to approach the Captain and get him involved. Mates are his employees and I'd think he'd appreciate being in the loop if anything questionable was taking place aboard his boat.

Good thread, good interaction, let's help Gerry by respecting one another's opinions whether they mirror our own or not, that's what makes for good discussion.