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A Louisiana man was arrested Thursday after game wardens determined he had placed 2.59 pounds of lead weights in a bass during a May 17 fishing tournament on Toledo Bend. It\u2019s the latest \u2014 though by no means novel<\/a> \u2014 cheating attempt in a string of high-profile fishing tournament scandals<\/a> in recent years.<\/p>\n Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agents took Aaron Moreau, 38, of Pollock into custody for \u201calleged bass fishing contest violations\u201d in Sabine Parish, according to a statement by the agency<\/a>. Officials were first contacted when Moreau reportedly submitted a bass to weigh-in.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026A fish was weighed in by an individual that indeed was recognized [as suspicious] by my bump man immediately,\u201d said Big Bass Splash<\/a> spokesman Chris Bennett in a video statement posted<\/a> to the tournament\u2019s Facebook page, where it has received more than 42,000 views in 24 hours. (A bump man is the tournament official who \u201cbumps\u201d a fish\u2019s nose against the end of a tape to measure its length and ensure the fish is legal before weigh-in.) Bennett did not identify Moureau by name, nor give any details about the fish\u2019s measurements. <\/p>\n \u201cAt that time we took proper protocol, sent signal to the weighmaster, and held that fish until authorities arrived,\u201d Bennett continued. \u201cWhen the authorities arrived they, along with a state biologist, determined that that fish indeed had been manipulated by lead weights. Since then they have asked us to cooperate with them for a few days while they did their thorough investigation.\u201d<\/p>\n According to LDFW, agents found \u201cthat Moreau placed 2.59 pounds of lead weights in a fish he used for weigh in and then fled the scene.\u201d After several days of investigation that involved at least eight LDFW agents, Moreau turned himself in Thursday and was transported to the Sabine Parish Detention Center.<\/p>\n \u201cFor the individual who did this, we have no idea what possessed him,\u201d said Bob Sealy, the founder of Sealy Outdoors and host of the annual Big Bass Splash tourney. \u201cBut he\u2019ll never be able to fish another Sealy Outdoor event.\u201d<\/p>\n The temptation to cheat in fishing tournaments is likely driven by large cash prizes and gear that are awarded to top finishers, with $500,000 up for grabs<\/a> at the Big Bass Splash this year. The fisherman who ultimately finished in first place at the Toledo Bend tournament<\/a> took home a total payout worth more than $100,000, which included $10,000 in cash, a new boat, trolling motor, and other equipment.<\/p>\n Just a handful of tournament anglers typically walk away with cash and prizes. Final tournament results indicate 2,247 anglers from across the country participated in the Toledo Bend tournament, weighing in 710 fish for a total of 3,134.66 pounds.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll be praying for him and his family,\u201d Sealy adds at the end of his video statement. \u201cAnd hopefully things that transpire with law enforcement, hopefully this will turn him around and put a different perspective to his life.\u201d<\/p>\n