December 03, 2025
By Staff Report
Major League Fishing announced Tuesday it has reinstated Bass Fishing League competitor Aspen Martin, allowing him to compete in the 2026 BFL All-American. Martin, who hails from White, Ga., had been disqualified from the Lake Murray BFL Regional in October after a protest alleged he and another competitor communicated with each other during tournament hours about locating or catching fish, a violation of BFL Rule 10. As part of its announcement, MLF indicated new information and evidence had been made available which led to Martin's reinstatement.
Read the full statement from MLF below:
BENTON, Ky. – Boater Aspen Martin of White, Georgia, has been reinstated for the 2026 Bass Fishing League (BFL) All-American championship following new disclosures after he was disqualified from the Lake Murray Regional held Oct. 10-11.
Martin and boater Matt O’Connell of Brooks, Georgia, were disqualified from the tournament following a protest alleging the anglers violated BFL Rule No. 10, which states, in part, that contestants may not use mobile communication devices to communicate with anyone about locating or catching fish on tournament waters during tournament hours.
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As part of MLF’s investigation of the protest, both anglers were asked to take a polygraph, at MLF’s expense, as prescribed by tournament rules. Martin cooperated with the investigation and took the polygraph as requested. The results of the polygraph indicated deception (untruthful) responses to the relevant questions asked during the exam, resulting in Martin’s disqualification.
After failing the initial polygraph, Martin turned over text messages from O’Connell showing that O’Connell had requested information about catching fish on tournament waters during tournament hours at the Lake Murray Regional. The messages also show that Martin did not provide the requested information. Based on the disclosure, Martin was granted a second polygraph, at his expense, that considered the text exchange in which information was requested, but none was provided. No deception was indicated in the second polygraph that was administered by an independent examiner mutually agreed upon by MLF and Martin. As such, Martin will be allowed to compete in the 2026 All-American and his $8,530 in winnings from the regional will be restored. He will, however, receive a fine of $500 for failing to report O’Connell’s violation.
O’Connell declined to take a polygraph as requested following the protest and withdrew from the 2025 Toyota Series Championship after being informed that refusal to take the exam would result in disqualification from the Lake Murray Regional and ineligibility to participate in the event. Following his refusal to take a polygraph, O’Connell was suspended from MLF competition through the 2026 season, with eligibility to reapply in 2027. Based on Martin’s subsequent disclosures, however, O’Connell’s suspension has been extended through 2027, with eligibility to reapply in 2028.
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“This is an unfortunate situation that could have been avoided had Aspen immediately informed the tournament director of the rule violation by a fellow competitor, which he had direct knowledge of, as required by BFL rule number one,” said Boyd Duckett, MLF President and CEO. “Had he done so, the polygraphs would have been unnecessary. If you are aware of a rule violation, it is your duty to report it to the tournament director.”
As a result of the initial disqualifications, boaters William Bates of Alpharetta, Georgia, and Chad Sims of Lancaster, South Carolina, moved up to second and third place, respectively, in the regional and will advance to the 2026 All-American. Both anglers will keep their All-American spots as well as the adjusted payouts they received along with the remainder of the Lake Murray Regional boaters. Martin’s reinstatement means the 2026 All-American will include an extra boater and co-angler for a field of 47 boats. The extra co-angler spot, to balance the field, goes to Wayne Smelser of Wytheville, Virginia, who finished fourth in the Lake Murray Regional.
