Big Time Podcast Summary: "Dead Fish Tell No Tales: Part 2 | 3"

Introduction

In the third episode of Big Time, titled "Dead Fish Tell No Tales: Part 2," host Steve Buscemi delves deeper into the notorious cheating scandal that rocked the Lake Erie walleye fishing tournaments. Produced by Campside Media and Piece of Work Entertainment, this episode unpacks the elaborate scheme orchestrated by duo Chase Kaminski and Jacob Runyon, exploring the ramifications of their actions on the competitive fishing community.

The Cheating Scandal Unfolds

The episode begins with a vivid recounting of the events from September 30, 2022, when Chase Kaminski and Jacob Runyon were declared winners of the Lake Erie walleye trail championship. Suspicion arose when tournament director Jason Fisher noticed anomalies in the winning catch—five walleye that appeared unusually heavy.

Jason Fisher expresses his initial confusion:

"[00:11] Jason Fisher: I knew that there was something wrong."
"[01:13] Jason Fisher: I'm like, oh, my God. There's typically not hard objects in the belly of a fish."

Upon closer inspection, Fisher discovers lead weights concealed within the fish, orchestrated to falsify their weights and secure victory. The presence of nearly 34 pounds of fish, disemboweled to reveal 7 pounds of lead, left the crowd in utter disbelief.

Mike Miller, a tournament veteran, elaborates on the discovery:

"[02:39] Mike Miller: Everybody's recording the outrage and zooming in on the weights and the sad autopsied fish and zooming out to capture the bedlam."

Immediate Reactions and Public Outcry

The revelation triggered immediate chaos among participants and spectators. Chase fled the scene, evading the wrath of the angry crowd. Unlike his counterpart Jake, who faced the crowd stoically, Chase's attempt to escape only fueled the outrage.

Chase Kaminski reflects on the aftermath:

"[03:35] Mike Miller: There was so much wrath."
"[03:15] Chase Kaminski: Obviously, there was an angry mob. He let Jake ride the whole thing out."

Legal Proceedings and Charges

The episode provides a detailed account of the legal consequences faced by Chase and Jake. Two weeks post-scandal, a Cuyahoga County grand jury indicted them on four charges, including misdemeanors like unlawful ownership of wild animals and felonies such as cheating, attempted grand theft, and possessing criminal tools.

Prosecutor Andrew Rogolski explains the gravity of their actions:

"[14:38] Andrew Rogolski: It wasn't just that that was a boat that was won improperly or fraudulently... a secret compartment that would have enabled these defendants to conceal... fish that they caught the day before or the lead weights."

During their court appearance in Spring 2023, both pleaded guilty to cheating and illegal possession of wildlife, leading to sentences of 10 days in jail, $2,500 fines, 18 months probation, and a three-year suspension of their fishing licenses. Additionally, Chase faced prior convictions, including trespassing, theft, and tattooing a minor.

Impact on the Fishing Community

The scandal had a profound impact on the Lake Erie walleye tournaments. Mayor Neal of Rossford expressed his disheartenment, highlighting the personal and professional toll the cheating duo took on the community's integrity and aspirations.

Mayor Neal shares his perspective:

"[16:38] Chase Kaminski: ...they're stealing people's hopes and dreams and fantasies and lifelong memories that you have with somebody. Where's the value on that?"

As a result, the 2023 Walleye Roundup was canceled, and major sponsors like Bass Pro Shop withdrew their support. Mayor Neal emphasized the community's resilience and commitment to restoring credibility:

"[20:44] Mayor Neal: We want credibility, whatever that looks like, you know, so if we need to put more things in place, then we'll do that."

Restoration and Moving Forward

Despite the setback, tournament director Jason Fisher remains optimistic about the future of the Lake Erie walleye trail. His fourth tournament of 2023 in Ashtabula, Ohio, signifies a determined effort to rebuild trust and re-engage the community.

Chase Kaminski, despite his conviction, notes a positive shift in tournament dynamics:

"[19:20] Chase Kaminski: The atmosphere is the way it should be... there's a lot of people congratulating... it's just a much more positive atmosphere."

Conclusion

"Dead Fish Tell No Tales: Part 2 | 3" serves as a compelling exploration of how ambition and deceit can disrupt a tightly-knit community. Through meticulous storytelling, the episode highlights not only the intricacies of the cheating scheme but also the broader implications for personal integrity and communal trust. As the Lake Erie walleye tournaments strive to recover, the episode underscores the enduring human spirit to overcome adversity and uphold fairness.

Notable Quotes:

• Jason Fisher:

  "[01:13] I'm like, oh, my God. There's typically not hard objects in the belly of a fish."

• Mike Miller:

  "[02:39] ...the sad autopsied fish and zooming out to capture the bedlam."

• Andrew Rogolski:

  "[15:20] ...Chase Kaminsky and Jacob Runyon can only be prosecuted when we have evidence that we can bring in a court of law."

• Mayor Neal:

  "[20:44] We want credibility, whatever that looks like..."

Stay Tuned

Next week on Big Time, Steve Buscemi promises another enthralling tale of audacious schemes and criminal ingenuity. Make sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts and follow Big Time for more captivating stories about criminals who dared to dream differently.