Aspen Martin Reinstated After New Evidence

Major League Fishing has officially reinstated Georgia boater Aspen Martin for the 2026 BFL All American. This decision came after new information showed his original DQ from the 2024 Lake Murray Regional wasn’t accurate.

Back in October, both Martin and fellow Georgia angler Matt O’Connell were disqualified after a protest claimed they used their phones during tournament hours to talk about finding fish. Both anglers were asked to take polygraphs as part of the investigation.

Martin took the first test and failed, which cost him his finish and over eight thousand dollars in winnings. O’Connell refused to take the test at all and was immediately ruled ineligible for future events.

After that, Martin turned in text messages showing that O’Connell was the one asking for info during tournament hours. The texts also showed that Martin never gave him anything. With that new proof, Martin paid for a second polygraph from an independent examiner agreed on by both sides. This time he passed with no deception.

MLF reviewed everything again and reversed the DQ.

What MLF Decided

• Martin is reinstated for the 2026 BFL All American

• His eight thousand five hundred thirty dollars in winnings will be restored

• He still gets a five hundred dollar fine for not reporting O’Connell’s rule violation

MLF said the whole situation could have been avoided if Martin had reported O’Connell’s actions right away.

O’Connell’s Situation

After the new evidence came out, MLF extended O’Connell’s suspension through 2027. He cannot reapply until the 2028 season.

Field Changes

Because the original DQs moved other anglers into qualifying spots, MLF will keep those anglers in place and expand the All American field to forty seven boats. To balance the co angler side, Wayne Smelser has been added as the extra co angler.