Party Boat pool "irregularity"?

[Skolmann]

Originally Posted by hartattack

Party boat pool integrity was taken to a new extreme this past August in Hyannis when the Captain resorted to a digital scale back at the dock, rather than the balance. Son Brian was pleased

Many party boats here determine a close pool via a digital scale

This past spring I lost a pool by less than an ounce.

[Capt Joe]

Originally Posted by RC.

The problem with the internet is that anyone can post anything, and if they spin it right, others will pile on and before you know it, someone's opinion becomes fact.

I've followed this thread for days before posting and from what I read, you believe your fish was bigger than another, but the other fish beat yours in the pool. There are no FACTS, other than your opinion, to support this. Instead of addressing it immediately, you wait weeks and post your gripes here, which causes others to pile on and speculate and wonder what boat would do such a horrible thing, even though there is NO PROOF that anything inappropriate occurred. You are also now boycotting a boat that you were otherwise happy with, because you lost a pool where you think your fish looked bigger than another (again, no proof that your fish actually weighed more).

I have probably weighed a thousand or more pools in my days working deck and countless times the fish that looked bigger did not weigh more and lost. It happens. I'm not so naive to think that shenanigans never happen, but you have provided no evidence other than "my fish looked bigger" to show that you were cheated. I do respect your decision to not name the boat because there are some sheep here who would follow blindly in your boycott, hurting someone's business when they probably did nothing wrong.

RC

Finally! Someone with a brain! Thankyou!

[bulletbob]

Originally Posted by RC.

The problem with the internet is that anyone can post anything, and if they spin it right, others will pile on and before you know it, someone's opinion becomes fact.

I've followed this thread for days before posting and from what I read, you believe your fish was bigger than another, but the other fish beat yours in the pool. There are no FACTS, other than your opinion, to support this. Instead of addressing it immediately, you wait weeks and post your gripes here, which causes others to pile on and speculate and wonder what boat would do such a horrible thing, even though there is NO PROOF that anything inappropriate occurred. You are also now boycotting a boat that you were otherwise happy with, because you lost a pool where you think your fish looked bigger than another (again, no proof that your fish actually weighed more).

I have probably weighed a thousand or more pools in my days working deck and countless times the fish that looked bigger did not weigh more and lost. It happens. I'm not so naive to think that shenanigans never happen, but you have provided no evidence other than "my fish looked bigger" to show that you were cheated. I do respect your decision to not name the boat because there are some sheep here who would follow blindly in your boycott, hurting someone's business when they probably did nothing wrong.

RC

OK, so its OK for the mate to be rummaging through his buddies bucket for the largest fish in it .. Got it

Its ok that he never centered the scale.. understood.

NO problem that that scale never budged.. It was locked angled up.. fine..

I have never seen that before.. the scale always moves a little if fish are close..
Add to that the fact he took my fish off the scale in two seconds, never saying a word or looking at me. Lot of red flags.

I don't know how long you have been fishing my friend, but I have been at it for close to 60 years, and have caught a lot of fish, and over the years participated in a lot of pools, and won my share..
I know shady when I see it, and this event was by far the worst.
When you get a "racer" looking sea bass and a heavy bodied knot head with thick shoulders that are the same length, the heavy bodied sea bass is always heavier.. this isn't my first rodeo...
Lots of years doing this, and I know what I witnessed, your thoughts not withstanding.

I have seen a pool fraud one other time, as stated, when a fish was brought from a downstairs cooler, looked partially frozen, and was placed in the "winners" bucket, who happened to be the woman who ran the galley's son.. Many years ago, but I watched it happen...

This is the only time its happened to me. Others have stated similar things have happened to them.. It DOES happen.. Not all the time, not even often perhaps.. So you think I am lying fine, i have been called worse.. Eveyone else that related similar stories.. Liars as well?..
I'll say it again.. I am not "bitching".. Its happened many months ago, and I should have done something right there on the spot, but I am a pretty timid type when it comes to this sort of thing... In case you haven't read all of this thread, it was an interesting topic I felt, at a time when there is not a lot of fishing "stuff" to discuss.. Lots of good replies as well don't you think?.. If you don't like the topic, great- simply stay out it the way I stay out of topics I don't like..
There are many good topics about salt water angling that might be enjoyed by the knowledgeable members here. Post one. I am sure it would be appreciated.

meanwhile, this one is still active, still civil, and judging by most of the responses both here and on my PM, is still being enjoyed.. my apologies for the fact that you are not enjoying it..

there are those in this world that take advantage and manipulate monetary situations for their own benefit my friend, I hope you realize that.... bob

[Capt Joe]

The horse has expired may it r.i.p.

[bulletbob]

Originally Posted by Capt Joe

The horse has expired may it r.i.p.

No need to post if you feel that way capt, simply let it pass by.. Others have enjoyed it... bob

[TogRipper]

Originally Posted by bulletbob

No need to post if you feel that way capt, simply let it pass by.. Others have enjoyed it... bob

Enjoyed it on the first page. Now it's just idiotic

[TogRipper]

Originally Posted by Capt Joe

The horse has expired may it r.i.p.

Could not agree more.

[bulletbob]

starting to get that way, agreed. Gerry, you might want to ditch this one... bob

[reason162]

Originally Posted by bunker dunker

dose no good to speculate period.you will never know now what happened.learn from it and move on.pot stirring just breeds bad things.

There's a weird north korean vibe to some of these responses, lmao.

Bob, unless Gerry pulls the thread, you can post whatever the f*** you want. This is a discussion board, and judging by 6 pages of posts, your topic is of interest. People should argue the merits of w/e position they hold, but no one should tell you to quit posting because you're "stirring the pot."

Originally Posted by Capt Joe

Finally! Someone with a brain! Thankyou!

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.