Podcast Summary
Art and Music Tour, Fishing Tournament: Artists and musicians embark on tours to share new stories, while fishermen compete in tournaments for significant winnings, showcasing the importance of dedication, talent, and luck in their respective fields
Phoebe and her criminal co-creator Lauren Spore are embarking on a tour for their 10th anniversary show, bringing new stories to cities like Austin, Tucson, Boulder, Portland, Oregon, Detroit, Madison, Northampton, and Atlanta. Meanwhile, in a different sphere, Charlie Harding from Switched on Pop encourages listeners to truly listen to Charlie XCX's music and persona beyond the hype. In the world of walleye fishing, Jason Fisher runs tournaments with significant winnings, attracting around 100 teams to Lake Erie, the best place for walleye due to its warm water and plentiful plankton. The winners can take home an average of $5,000 to $8,000, with additional bonuses potentially adding up to $15,000 to $18,000. Fishing success isn't just about talent, but also luck. Jake Runyon and Chase Kaminsky, well-known competitors, demonstrate this, having won multiple tournaments but still relying on a bit of luck.
Fishing tournament cheating scandal: Suspicion and mistrust can quickly surface in fishing tournaments when significant discrepancies arise, and deceitful actions can lead to severe consequences.
In fishing, even the best anglers can't control the outcome entirely, and suspicion and mistrust can quickly surface when significant discrepancies arise. In this tournament, Jake and Jason's team had an impressive catch, but their victory was met with suspicion and disbelief from the crowd. When Phoebe Judge, the MC, inspected their fish, she discovered lead weights and walleye fillets inside, indicating cheating. The reaction was swift and chaotic, with accusations and emotions running high. The team members, Chase and Jake, were left to face the consequences of their actions. This incident highlights the importance of honesty and fairness in competition and the potential consequences of deceit.
Fishing Tournaments Cheating: In the 1970s and 80s, fishing tournaments were riddled with cheating due to large prize money, leading to extreme measures like murder. Texas was the first state to criminalize cheating in these contests.
The world of fishing tournaments in the 1970s and 80s became a breeding ground for cheating due to the large prize money on offer. This led to some extreme measures, including the murder of a man named Danny Ray Davis who was set to testify against several individuals involved in the cheating ring. The incident resulted in Texas becoming the first state to criminalize cheating in fishing contests. While some argue that cheating is not widespread, there have been instances of rule violations. Greenlight, a debit card and money app for families, can help kids learn about spending and saving money, preparing them for financial responsibilities. Quince, on the other hand, offers high-quality and affordable clothing essentials for all seasons.
Polygraph testing in fishing tournaments: Polygraph testing, used since the 1970s in fishing tournaments for cheating deterrence, remains controversial due to reliability concerns and legal limitations, but some believe it maintains honor, while others argue it may not catch all instances of cheating. A failed test can lead to serious consequences.
While polygraph testing is a common deterrent for cheating in fishing tournaments, its reliability is a subject of controversy. The practice dates back to the 1970s and was first used in a major fishing tournament in Florida. Despite the lack of consensus on its reliability and the fact that many states do not allow polygraph evidence in court, it continues to be used in fishing competitions. Some believe it helps maintain the honor system, while others argue that it may not catch all instances of cheating. A notable incident involving Jake Runyon and Chase Kaminsky in 2022 highlighted the potential consequences of failing a polygraph test, leading to felony and misdemeanor charges for cheating in a fishing tournament. Ultimately, the use of polygraph testing in fishing tournaments raises questions about the balance between deterrence and fairness, and the role of technology in upholding the rules of a competition.
Fishing tournament cheating: Cheating in fishing tournaments can lead to criminal charges, loss of fishing licenses, fines, and jail time, affecting not only the anglers but also the local economies
Cheating in fishing tournaments, although it may seem like a minor infraction, can have serious consequences. Two men in different tournaments, one in Cleveland and the other in Utah, were caught cheating and faced criminal charges, lost their fishing licenses, and were fined and sentenced to jail time. These incidents not only affected the anglers but also impacted the local economies where the tournaments took place. The importance of upholding fairness and integrity in these events was emphasized by the court system and tournament organizers. Despite the use of metal detectors and other measures to prevent cheating, it remains a challenge to ensure a level playing field for all participants. The incidents serve as a reminder that the consequences of cheating can be significant and far-reaching.
Stable isotope analysis, fish transportation: Stable isotope analysis can be used to determine if fish were transported between bodies of water by examining their otoliths for unique carbon and nitrogen signatures.
Stable isotope analysis, a scientific technique used in various fields, could potentially be used to determine if fish were transported from one body of water to another. During a fishing tournament at Lake Powell, unusual fish with fat bodies and little heads, as well as bright red fins, were caught. The theory was that these fish had been held in captivity and then released into Lake Powell. Although the fisherman denied this, the use of stable isotope analysis was suggested to prove it. Stable isotope analysis involves measuring the types of carbon or nitrogen atoms in an animal's bones, hair, or teeth to learn about their migratory patterns or diet. This technique has been used in forensic science to identify unknown remains and in food fraud detection. Hal Stout, who had learned about stable isotopes during his master's degree in forensic science, proposed using it to test the otoliths (ear rocks) of the fish to determine if they came from a different body of water than Lake Powell. Although the fisherman was uncooperative, further investigation using stable isotope analysis could potentially provide evidence to support or refute the theory that the fish had been transported from another body of water.
Fishing tournament cheating: Cheating in fishing tournaments isn't only about the money, but also about ego and status. Individuals risk significant consequences, including legal action, for a 'one in so many billion chance' occurrence.
Key takeaway from this episode of Criminal is that cheating in fishing tournaments is not just about the money, but rather about ego and status for some individuals. In the discussed case, two suspects were charged with tampering to influence a contest, unlawful release of wildlife, and captivity of protected wildlife after their illegally transported fish were identified using isotopic ratio analysis. The discovery of the same isotopic ratio in the evidence fish and those from Quelchric Reservoir made it clear that the fish came from that source, making their actions a "one in so many billion chance" occurrence. Despite the potential financial reward, the individuals had a history of success in the tournaments, leading investigators to suspect prior instances of cheating. The case marked the first time such actions were prosecuted in Utah. While some may view cheating as a minor offense, it is comparable to theft and can result in significant consequences.