2nd Annual Blacktip Challenge Conflict

[Blacktip Hunter]

During the 2009 Blacktip Challenge, a conflict arose. Mike Croke recently brought this to my attention. The Blacktip Challenge Committee and I have made our decisions.


Here is Mike’s statement:

While fishing the 2009 Blacktip Challenge several things happened that I regret. This is a short summary of what happened. The first few days me and Elly were fishing by ourselves with no cheating going on. I was catching the sharks and Elly was my helper. She would bring me the tape, tags, take the picture, and fill out the tag cards. On the third or forth day Mike Palmer, Tim Quick, and Jeff Olson came to the beach. Mike was like the leader of this whole thing. Tim, Jeff, and Mike would catch a shark and Mike would force me to take a picture with it. Mike would yell and curse at me to run down the beach and take a picture with their shark witch I did not want to do. I felt intimidated by Mike and I reluctantly went down and took pictures with their fish even tho I diddent want to. Jeff hooked the largest shark and Mike helped fighting it.On the last night of the tournement Mike made me go out in the kayak at night when it was rough by intimidating me with yelling at me, Jeff had to grab Mike by the shoulder and talk to him to get him to stop forcing me to go out in the kayak. On the day of the awards Jeff called me and said " Michael im not asking you but this is what I demand". He wanted me, himself, Mike, and Tim to get more money than Elly and we should each give Elly $10. Each person got $250. I got a blackfin rod and a dehooker. Tim got a blackfin rod. Jeff got all the power Pro and a dehooker. I sincerly regret what happened during the blacktip challenge. It has been very hard to come foward with this(because these people who cheated and recieved prizes and money know where I live and might retaliate). I felt I had to tell the truth, so that this would not happen to anyone else,and i felt it was the right thing to do because I know a lot of people that fished very hard fair and square during this tournement. In the end all I want to do is fish fairly win or lose.

Michael Croke


This is my statement following Mike Croke’s:

To whomever it may concern,

Michael Jonathon Croke brought certain information to my attention regarding his participation in the 2nd Annual Blacktip Challenge land-based shark fishing tournament, of which I am the founder & director. Based on what Michael Croke told me, I feel that he should not be held responsible for the acts of Mike Palmer, Jeff Olson, and Tim Quick. I appreciate him having the courage to bring these serious allegations to my attention. I also understand that Michael Croke is fearful of retaliation from the three individuals mentioned. Despite that fact he wants the truth to be known. So once again I do not feel that Michael Croke or his mother, Karen Croke, who was his legal guardian for the tournament registration entry form, or his father, John Croke, should be held responsible for what he says took place during the tournament. Mike Croke has agreed to return all prizes and money to the rightful winner of the 2nd Annual Blacktip Challenge.

Sincerely,
Josh Jorgensen


I would like to announce that in all future Blacktip Challenge events, a mandatory polygraph will be instituted for all prize categories!