Here's Why They Use Lie-Detector Tests At Lake Of The Ozarks' Biggest Fishing Tournament

It's one of the biggest fishing events of the year: the Big Bass Bash. And with $100,000 on the line, some folks might be tempted to cheat.

There are plenty of ways a person could theoretically cheat:

...drop some lead weights down the gullet of a nice-sized fish to pack on a few more ounces

...catch a big fish before the tournament and keep it in the live well

...fish after-hours

...bring a big bass from another lake

...catch a whopper through a method other than hooking it in the mouth

...or even just step off the boat

That's why the winner — along with random Big Bass Bash participants all weekend — has to take a lie-detector test, to get the money.

Organizer Charlie Terrell's family has been running the Bash for more than a decade, watching thousands of anglers arrive every spring and fall for the chance to catch a life-changing fish.

Using lie-detector tests is not an unheard-of practice at professional fishing tournaments, but Terrell said with the Big Bass Bash being an amateur-only tournament, sometimes anglers get a little nervous.

It's understandable, he said, but that's kind of the point. "It's why we hit them randomly," he said. They want fair-play, and when $100,000 is on the line, some folks would surely be tempted to cheat.

The lie-detection tests used by the Big Bass Bash are CVSA — Computer Voice Stress Analysis — tests: not a full polygraph, but enough of an analysis to keep you honest.

The tests are administered by police officers, detectives, or retired law enforcement officers who run these kinds of tests on the side. "I have them at certain weigh-in stations. They'll sit there all day, and we'll sort of pop random people throughout the day," he said.

In addition to the random tests through the weekend, the top four overall weigh-ins are required to pass a lie-detector test in order to receive prize money.

They also implemented another accountability measure at this fall's bash: there will be metal detector wands at every weigh-in station. Officials will wand the belly of the fish when it's being weighed, to make sure an angler didn't stuff it full of lead.

The final decision rests with the tournament organizers, as to whether a participant receives their prize money, but Terrell said they've never had to withhold the prize money because someone didn't pass the test.

For anglers planning to fish at the Bash, he stressed: they should carefully read the tournament rules first. (Find the official rules here. Register for this weekend's bass here, or in-person from 12p – 7p on Friday or 6a – 8a each day of the two-day tournament.)

He emphasized a few important items:

• The first cast is 7 a.m. "Make sure you go by your cellphone time on that," he added.

• Anglers are allowed one weigh-in per time slot.

• Life jackets and kill switches must be on and used at all times when the motor is running.

Follow the rules, catch a lunker, and win a small-fortune. Terrell added, "It would suck to fail a polygraph test over something stupid, and lose a hundred grand."