At the very least, that was disrespectful. At the most, it may have bordered on the potential to have that couple disqualified from the tournament. But, unfortunately, most tournament rules state that you cannot infringe on another boat that's actively fishing, within a 50ft distance, IF that boat is "anchored". That leaves it open to no infringement distance for a boat that's actively fishing and not anchored ... something I'd like to see changed, and wouldn't even consider fishing a tournament unless it was changed. As it is, both major Crappie tournament organizations have the 50ft/anchored rule (trolling motor must be stowed to = "anchored") ... but state that a "safe & courteous distance should be maintained when trolling motors are deployed". That doesn't define a specific distance, nor does it take into account any non-competitor boat ... which results in it being a fairly toothless rule.
... cp