Never said it was a good idea but there's some ole boys up in that area that don't mess around.

This took guts. The people who want to curbstomp this guy will need compasion and forgiveness sometime. Jesus said to forgive. Who amongst us knows better than he does?

What a fKn joke. No sympathy here. You know good and dang well that it was against the rules, and you saying otherwise pisses me off. Folks are saying oh well good for you in taking a step in the right direction. But your not, Its either the whole truth or nothing. And 24$, c'mon man thats a fKn lie to, I dont usually get riled up, but you have got me there, fK off you thief!!!!!!

I realize that I deserve that from you... I broke the rules... I cheated my fellowman... I cheated the system... I was very wrong.... I am sorry... I know that some of you will never forgive... I understand that I deserve your wrath.. but at this point all I can do is come clean, and try to do better.. I promise that I will do better, with everything in my life...

If he repays everyone involved only because he was caught...is he forgiven?

If someone steals your four wheeler and only returns it because they were caught...are they forgiven?


Are the two comparable?....In either case...Would both continue to keep doing it until they were caught...most likely.... Would they change their ways? Only time can tell... Change or not...I wouldn't trust either and would disassociate myself with both... You can forgive...but forgetting...never...

1. $24 doesn't sound right. Was it the crackerjack tournament?
2. How could there be an ego with a tournament you didnt legitimately win
3. Does there need to be a rule not to weigh in illegal fish?

I think your joke of a lawyer told you to make public apologies.

If you are sincere, then I'm sorry. We werent born yesterday though

ok fair enough.... entry was 30 dollars we won 78 for second place.. half of 48 was my winnings..

the point is not about the money or the rules... I CHEATED my fellowman... It was so stupid and I will pay for it the rest of my life....

I just want to be able to say to God that I am sincere in my apology... and I am... I am sorry...

It didn't affect me in the least, so he don't need my forgiveness, but to all the high and mighties on this thread, I hope ya'll get caught for the schitt you are doing that is wrong, and as far as I'm concerned, you can go fugg off.

Guys, I personally think most people that are doing wrong have found ways to justify it in their mind and it takes getting caught and being exposed for them to hit rock bottom, and that's where they "see the light" and turn things around.
I wouldn't dare ask for a "show of hands", but how many of you have, or have friends or family that have cheated on their wife or husband? Or even a card game? Or walked to the plate with a "loaded" bat at a softball tournament? Did you even "bat an eye" at it? Did you forgive them?? This is along the same lines as some of those. Its cheating! It's very forgivable! Some of you should try letting it go and see how good it makes you feel.

IF his lawyer told him to do this, then that's on him. If he's not sorry, he will do something else stupid and get caught again, and he'll pay for it. Sounds like he's not far from losing everything as it is, he sure will with another strike, but it's nothing we can control.
Would I fish a tournament with him in it, if I fished tournaments?? No
Would I talk to him in passing, and try to be helpful with his troubles, especially as far as spiritual help? Most definitely.
I'm glad to know some people on here sling money and prayers for someone dog that's ill or been shot, but when a man is truly down because of a stupid decision, we kick him.

And for the record, this is much different than someone coming on my property or breaking in my truck and stealing something. To me, it's apples and oranges.

Just to clear up things, the $24 was for the one you guys got caught in. They also won/ placed in 2-3 more, with one larger tournament that Gary won during the same time frame. When yall came boasting that night before the tourney that it would take over 30 lbs to beat yall, you knew exactly what you had in the boat house. All it took was a guy with a camera and the DCNR to catch yall. I know much more about this topic than I really care to know, so If you're truly remorsefull, then come 100% clean, or it really doesn't matter what you say to the ones with knowledge of the events.

Seriously lets be honest most of us cheat all the time. Like Johnal said it can be anything. Anyone ever not clock out at lunch, or take an unscheduled break, or call in sick for PTO even if your not actually sick. I know I have and I'm "cheating" the company every time. Or anyone ever use a boat or hunting lease as a tax right off and not actually use it exclusively to entertain clients???

I admire your post. Every one of us has or will have something in our lives creating the same circumstances you are going through now. I like reading Charles Stanley and he had a great message on something I did not see you mention. Forgiving yourself. May your life be forever changed and bring glory to God through your circumstances.

In the words of Charles Stanley:

How do I forgive myself?

Hopefully, by now we all realize that struggling under self-condemnation is not the way God wants us to live. But how can we change this habit?

1. Acknowledge: The first step is to recognize that you have not forgiven yourself. Face up to this fact, and begin to deal with the issue.

2. Repent: Tell the Lord that you realize your self-condemnation is a sin. Then accept and thank Him for His forgiveness.

3. Believe God: Reaffirm your trust in the truth of Scripture. God says He has removed your transgressions as far as the east is from the west.

4. Choose Forgiveness: On the basis of the Bible, by an act of your will, in faith, choose to forgive yourself.

Please notice that feelings aren’t mentioned anywhere in these steps. Each one is a choice based on truth, not emotions. Stop replaying in your mind the old recording of your sin, which stirs up guilt, but instead replay the truths of God’s Word. Freedom from the prison of guilt and regret is only a choice away. Jesus came to set the captives free (Luke 4:18). As you take hold of His forgiveness and release your guilt, you’ll walk out of that jail of self-condemnation into the joy of abundant life.

Rackaddict, I saved that post in my "notes" on my phone to look over. I tend to be really hard on myself for things I'VE DONE in my past. Thanks

Me too.

Apples to Oranges if you say, but to me it's no different then someone breaking into my truck and taking cash money out of the glove box while its parked at a boat ramp. I'm sure most of us on here have done things we aren't proud of.( This seams to be the justification factor) Some of us have come clean about those things, some have brushed them away in a closet, but does that make what this guy did right? No.

This likely wasn't the first time they cheated in a tourney, just the first time they got caught.

I hope he is sincere. I hope that if he is sincere that he seeks the help that he's gonna need. It's not gonna be an easy ride, that's for sure.

Stealing is stealing, isn't it? Whether it's from your friends in a wildcat tourney or from a glove box in the truck? Yep.

Usually those that pass out the most condemnation need the most condemning . . . . . . . . . . . . . just my observations throughout life. . . . . . . . . . . . . .Years ago I had a very succesful business man tell me that "he'd rather do business with sinners" . . . . . . . he went on to explain to me that almost every bad deal he had gotten screwed on were by the most self righteous people he knew.

And to think the entry fee is the only thing people were robbed of is ridiculous... I would imagine fuel in boats and trucks were used, lures were lost, line worn out, time spent away from family... To my understanding "Most" people do not fish these small tournaments for the money but for the bragging rights. I doubt anyone would have registered if they were told at the ramp a team already had it in the box... Literally!

All these problems in your life over a damn fish. Doesn't make any sense now does it. Good luck in getting your life back on track.