Lying About Fishing Exploits Could Land You in Jail
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A very important bill landed on Texas Governor Rick Perry's desk yesterday — one that would make it a a crime to lie about the size of a fish caught in a freshwater or saltwater tournament. Apparently this is a widespread problem in the Semiautonomous Region of Texas, and one that has lately rocked the world of high-stakes professional angling.
Violating this proposed law — which passed unanimously in the State Senate — would be considered a misdemeanor, unless prize money of $10,000 or more is involved, whereby the crime becomes a felony punishable by up to 10 years in jail. The Times spoke with several fishermen, like Tommy Hagler, a fishing guide who claims he's never once lied about the size of a fish he's caught: "In this business, you've got to tell the truth the whole time and all the time tell the truth."