This angler’s catch was indeed fishy, wildlife officials say.
A fisherman in Texas has been indicted by a grand jury in Wood County after allegedly trimming a bass’s tail to meet weigh-in requirements in September’s McDonald Big Bass Splash at Lake Fork, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
Terry Keith Long, of Bridgeport, allegedly altered the animal to meet fishing regulations at the lake east of Dallas, which allows fishermen to keep only largemouth bass 16 inches and smaller or those 24 inches or longer, according to the department’s website.
Long was later charged with fraud at a freshwater fishing tournament, which is a third-degree felony in Texas, according to the department. He was then arrested on Friday before being released from custody after posting $25,000 bond, jail records show.
Long, who could not be reached for comment Thursday, was disqualified from the tournament due to his actions, a spokeswoman for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department told The Post.