Texas' Most Wanted Angler Finally Hunted Down

[Avenger]

Is this for real?

Breaking: YouTube Angler and Bassmaster Elite Pro, Ben Milliken, Arrested for Fishing Related Fraud

Breaking news: Bassmaster Elite Pro and YouTube star Ben Milliken arrested for fishing fraud in Texas. Learn about the scandal and his response.

www.si.com

I mean, I know it's the media, but mugshots and an arrest for a fishing license?

Are they taking lessons from our DEC, sending a hit squad to arrest a squirrel?

 

[Roccus7]

I think it's GREAT!! These tournaments are big bucks so why should he be stupid enough to be fishing without a valid license?? I'm sure the charges will include submitting fraudulent info.

AND being a YouTube celebrity, he's a role model for some anglers. Good to show to his followers that he's a bit of a fraud too and cheating in tournaments will get you in trouble...

 

[Avenger]

I don't disagree, but he wasn't fishing a tournament without a license. Probably be should know the local rules, but it's not like none of us has ever misread the guidebook. I do have a problem with people being "made an example of" because of that whole equity under the law thing. Send six agents to arrest a squirrel. OSHA's chief engaging in public shaming of companies with X number of violations.

Honestly, I'm not following any of this.I just saw the article. And as George Poveromo stated at a fishing seminar, "I wouldn't buy a used car from one of those guys." referring to the bass fishermen in the NASCAR shirts.

 

[Roccus7]

And as George Poveromo stated at a fishing seminar, "I wouldn't buy a used car from one of those guys." referring to the bass fishermen in the NASCAR shirts.

Amen to that. NASCAR Shirts and YouTube Fishing "Influencers"...

Peanut was a cluster beyond belief, but that didn't involve fraud...

Favorite Saturday Morning Laugh Riot: Bass tournament on Lake Erie probably 40 years ago, and the wind kicked up. All those low freeboard, unseaworthy Ranger Bass boats were immediately awash from the waves. I never laughed so hard in my life while the announcers were wailing and gnashing their teeth...

There's no way anyone should take a boat like that out on one of the Great Lakes, especially Erie which gets a wicked chop when the wind blows...

 

[george]

Hey, I may not wear one of those shirts but I am all in on professional bass fishing. As far as Poveromo goes . . .

Anyhow, this guy is a great fisherman and well liked in the circuit. If anything here is criminal it's the arrest.

 

[Avenger]

Hey, I may not wear one of those shirts but I am all in on professional bass fishing. As far as Poveromo goes . . .

Anyhow, this guy is a great fisherman and well liked in the circuit. If anything here is criminal it's the arrest.

I always seem to channel the freshwater/saltwater rivalry in my observations about these things. But fishing is fishing, and we're all part of the same fraternity.

However, I certainly agree with you that this was overkill.

Which parallels the national conversation about empowering government. Every time there's a post about poachers we hear how little power and funding the Enviro police have, but in the next breath they're sending five agents to arrest a squirrel.

At any point in both of these events did anyone involved look around and ask if this was a bit much?

 

[OVERBORED]

All this for fishing without a license? Nonsense. And it wasn't even a tournament.