Which is why bass tournaments require live catches at weigh in....makes cheating that much more difficult.
There was a similar cheating attempt at the Destin Fishing Rodeo several years back.
The cheaters tried to bring in a previously frozen fish that they had caught months before.......
Now officials use a special meter that tests the fish flesh for firmness.
Previously froze fish is not as firm as fresh.................
Still happens. I know of instances where competitors fished the lake the entire week before the tournament and put their biggest fish in a fish pen at some remote place on the lake. On tournament day they went back to retrieve those fish. They were small local tournaments though. But you’re right, it is harder when you have to bring in live fish.
A metal detector scan at weigh in might prove insightful.