Most anglers can relate to a story about the one that got away, but this tale has a twist—it’s not about a fish, but about a $100,000 boat! Two Lake Erie walleye tournament anglers, who were eyeing a big payday, ended up losing much more than they bargained for when they were caught red-handed in a cheating scandal.
During the September 2022 tournament in Cleveland, Chase Cominsky of Hermitage, Pennsylvania, and Jacob Runyan of Ashtabula, Ohio, were on track to reel in the grand prize. But their luck ran out when tournament officials discovered they had stuffed their fish with lead weights and fillets to tip the scales in their favor. The moment of truth was captured on video and quickly went viral, attracting global attention and a tidal wave of outrage.
These two had been on a winning streak in Lake Erie tournaments that spring and summer, but their final attempt at glory backfired spectacularly. With bonus prize money on the line, the stakes were high—and so was the drama.
As the scandal unfolded, it became clear that the consequences would be severe. The Cuyahoga County prosecutor took the pair to court, where they initially pleaded not guilty. However, by May 2023, they admitted to their misdeeds. The result? A $2,500 fine, 10 days in jail, and a three-year suspension of their fishing licenses.
But the real kicker? The forfeiture of that prized $100,000 boat, complete with trailer and motors. After holding onto the boat for over a year, the Ohio Division of Wildlife auctioned it off, fetching $82,000 before taxes and fees pushed the total cost to over $96,000.
So, while most fishing stories are about the big one that got away, this one is about a big loss of a different kind—a cautionary tale for any angler tempted to fish on the wrong side of the law.
Image/Source: Dispatch
