Noted Tournament Angler & Pro-Staffer Paul Turner suspected of cheating at the Crappie USA Classic

     Noted tournament angler Paul Turner was allegedly caught fishing a different lake other than Old Hickory at the Crappie USA Classic this past weekend. Although Crappie USA has yet to confirm or deny the reports, the statement from B'nM Poles Facebook page, posted below, seems to confirm the rumors. Apparently B'nM Poles had suspicions about Paul's ethics after an incident that led to his dismissal from them back in August.
  

---

    I guess it's true what they say, what goes up must come down. Just as the Crappie Industry was making some headway and tournaments gaining popularity and backing, someone has to come along and try to knock it all back to square one again. This is why Bass Tournaments do a consolidated launch similar to the one we had on Lake Hamilton at the Mr. Crappie Classic & Expo. 
 ​

---

---

---

   From what I gathered from various social media posts is that he was caught fishing on a different lake than he was supposed to be on at the Crappie USA Classic this past weekend, and was given the options of weighing his fish and getting arrested, or taking his fish and leaving,.... ( Of course he packed it up and split).  I am still waiting to hear from Crappie USA why he was first off,... given the option to take his fish and leave instead of having to answer for his actions, and secondly, who covered for him and gave him the cop-out option anyway.  In my opinion the officials should have let him go thru with the deed and then drop the hammer on him with no mercy, hopefully they release a statement  soon clearing that up. As details come out we will update this story.
​

---