B.A.S.S. officials announced today that Jaden Parrish has been disqualified from the 2025 NITRO Bassmaster Elite Qualifier event at Lake Okeechobee presented by Bass Pro Shops. Parrish was selected for a routine, randomly administered credibility assessment on Wednesday prior to the final EQ event. As outlined in the Bassmaster Credibility Policy, all assessments are reviewed by an independent examiner before final results are confirmed.
During the review of the initial test, inconsistencies were identified that required additional testing. Subsequent assessments produced results that did not pass the standards necessary to clear the No Information Rule.
Per B.A.S.S. rules, Parrish exercised his right to appeal and continued to compete under appeal. Following full review by multiple independent examiners — none of whom were involved in the initial assessment — the recommendation was that a retest was not warranted based on the totality of the testing irregularities and the number of assessments already conducted. In accordance with the Bassmaster Credibility Policy, Parrish has been disqualified from the event.
Separately, Tai Au was also randomly selected for a routine credibility assessment. After the initial test indicated an issue related to clear the No Information Rule, Au disclosed a conversation with another angler that he believed affected his response. Tournament officials reviewed the disclosure and determined it did not constitute a rules violation. The test question was re-worded to remove that concern, and additional assessments were conducted. These assessments produced results that did not pass the standards necessary to clear the No Information Rule.
Au was informed that he could continue competing under appeal, as allowed by B.A.S.S. rules. While Au initiated an appeal request, he chose to withdraw from the tournament. Because Au voluntarily withdrew, the appeals process concluded without the need for further action, and no disqualification was issued.
B.A.S.S. remains committed to a fair and transparent competitive process. Random credibility assessments are a longstanding part of that commitment and are administered consistently and in accordance with established policy to ensure the integrity of competition.
