CLARENDON COUNTY, S.C. — National Professional Fishing League pro Skeeter Crosby has been disqualified from Day 3 of the Strike King NPFL Stop One at Santee Cooper Lakes following a violation of the league’s no information rule, which provides as follows:
“The purchasing of, solicitation of, or bartering for, information about locating or catching fish on tournament waters…is not permitted. This includes receiving information from any person that is a non-contestant.”
Crosby entered the final day of competition in third place, about four pounds behind the leader and just five ounces behind Crosby’s friend Buck Mallory. Shortly before noon, Crosby was fishing near a camera boat and asked the cameraman and/or boat operator about Mallory.
“Is he catching them?” he asked. The incident was captured on the livestream coverage of competition and brought to the attention of NPFL Tournament Director Shaun Mulhall.
“I do not believe that Skeeter was trying to gain an advantage from the exchange,” Mulhall said, “but soliciting information like that is a clear violation of our rules, and he’s been disqualified from today’s competition. His catches from the first two days are not impacted, and he remains eligible to earn prize money and Progressive Angler of the Year points for this event.
NPFL President Brad Fuller added, “We appreciate that Skeeter has handled this matter very professionally and explained the situation on our tournament coverage.”
“It was an innocent mistake,” said Crosby. “I was checking on my buddy and just making conversation. I was not trying to gain a competitive advantage, but I certainly agree that it was a violation of the rule, and I agree with the league’s decision.”
The final weigh-in begins today at 4:00 p.m. ET at the John C. Land Boat Ramp in Summerton, South Carolina and can be viewed online at the NPFL website (TheNationalProfessionalFishingLeague.com) and on YouTube. A live band and food trucks are scheduled to be on site where fans can meet and talk with the pros.
