A Texas fisherman is now facing up to 10 years in prison after tournament officials discovered something unusual about the bass he submitted during a competitive fishing event on Lake Fork earlier this month.
According to sources, Curtis Lee Daniels was arrested on March 8 during the Lake Fork Lure Company Tournament after organizers grew suspicious of a bass he presented at the weigh-in. The North Texas event attracts competitive anglers hoping to land the heaviest bass and walk away with a substantial cash prize.
Tournament staff initially flagged Daniels’ catch after running a metal detector over the fish, which indicated the presence of foreign objects inside. Texas Game Wardens were called to the scene to investigate further.
When officials examined the fish, they discovered three lead weights lodged in its stomach. Authorities later determined the weights had been intentionally placed inside the bass. Investigators also reported finding similar weights aboard Daniels’ boat, further strengthening the case against him.
The scheme itself was relatively simple. In bass tournaments, anglers compete by presenting the heaviest fish at weigh-ins throughout the event. By inserting additional weight into a fish, a competitor could artificially boost the final number on the scale and move higher up the leaderboard, potentially securing prize money.
Before the alleged incident was uncovered, Daniels had already won two hourly prizes during the tournament, collecting a total of $2,500. However, the discovery during the weigh-in quickly brought his run to an end.
Daniels was arrested and charged with violating Texas fishing tournament law.
Because the prize money for the competition exceeded $10,000, the offense is classified as a third-degree felony under Texas law. If convicted, Daniels could face a prison sentence of up to 10 years.
Tournament organizers later thanked Texas Game Wardens for their quick response and assistance in maintaining the integrity of the competition. In a statement shared on Facebook, the organizers wrote: “Maintaining fairness and integrity in competitive fishing is incredibly important to us, and we greatly appreciate the diligence and attention you gave to this matter. Your efforts help protect the reputation of the sport and ensure that honest anglers can compete on a level playing field.”
Following the incident, the tournament’s grand prize ultimately went to William McDaniel of Festus, Missouri, who secured the victory with a bass weighing 10.22 pounds (4.63 kg).
