The family of a man who died in a boating accident is suing Major League Fishing (MLF) for what they say were negligent decisions made during the day of an April fishing tournament.
On April 16, 2025, a competitive angler from Georgia named Flint Davis struck a fishing boat helmed by guide Gary Holcombe, the owner of Smith Lake Striper Guide Service. The accident occurred during the Lewis Smith Lake Tournament, which runs for three days and offers a $115,000 cash prize.
Three of Holcombe’s clients–58-year-old Joey Broom, 41-year-old John Clark, and 62-year-old Jeffrey Little–were killed. Flint and Holcombe sustained injuries but survived the accident.
Now, Broom’s family is suing Major League Fishing, Davis, and Holcombe for what they say was “negligent and wanton conduct” that resulted in Broom’s death.
“By organizing and incentivizing high-speed boat operation in foggy, congested conditions on a public waterway shared with recreational and guided fishing vessels, MLF created a foreseeable risk of serious injury or death,” the lawsuit reads.
The suit argues that by failing to properly train the anglers participating in the tournament, impose speed restrictions, or institute traffic separation protocols, the MLF is liable for Broom’s death.
“These omissions breached MLF’s duty to protect both tournament participants and members of the public from preventable collisions, particularly where MLF derived financial benefit from the event and had exclusive authority to mitigate the risks it created,” it reads.
The suit also alleges that Davis acted negligently by operating his boat at “an excessive and unsafe speed, failing to maintain a proper lookout, and otherwise navigating in a reckless and dangerous manner under the circumstances.”
Broom’s lawyers contend that Holcombe, whose boat was struck, was also partially responsible for the accident. Holcombe had set up his clients near what the lawsuit says is a “high-traffic area” known as Miller Flats. The suit alleges that Holcombe should have known this was a dangerous place to park his boat in what it describes as “low-visibility conditions.”
Major League Fishing has since responded in a counterclaim filed in Cullman County, calling the allegations “blatantly false, inaccurate, and misleading.”
“The weather was sunny and clear and was not the least bit foggy or cloudy when the accident occurred,” the league writes. “In addition, the accident occurred in open water with ample sight distance and visibility, and the area where the accident occurred was not crowded or congested in any way.”
Even if conditions were foggy, the filing continues, Broom’s family fails to cite an Alabama statute that would hold tournament organizers liable for the actions of its participants.
“The complaint fails to identify any legal duty or obligation under Alabama law to somehow prevent a boating accident between two licensed and experienced boaters who were involved in a tragic boating accident in open water while fishing on a public lake on a clear and sunny day,” it reads.
Broom’s suit does argue that since Davis was “acting within the scope of his role as a tournament angler under MLF’s control and authority,” he and MLF had a “principal-agent relationship.”
“Under the doctrine of respondeat superior, MLF is vicariously liable for the negligent and wanton acts committed by Davis during the course and scope of his participation in the tournament,” Broom’s suit reads.
MLF counters that because Davis signed a release of liability form, the fishing lead cannot be held liable for his actions.
Officials haven’t released many details about the accident. Davis was driving a Nitro Z21 fishing boat while Holcombe was operating out of a center console vessel. Clark and Little were thrown overboard and drowned, according to local media, while Broom was struck and pronounced dead at the scene. Despite the claims of Broom’s family, it is unclear how fast Davis was driving or precisely what caused the accident.
Conditions were fair on the day of the incident, but the suit alleges that “dense fog, mist, or clouds” covered “parts” of Lewis Smith Lake that morning.
Davis did not respond to a MeatEater request for comment, but he did release a brief statement on Instagram following the accident.
“I want to thank everyone for the thoughts and prayers,” the angler said. “I ask that you keep me and all the other affected people and families in your prayers. I’ll let you guys know more when I can.”
He has not posted on the social media site since the first day of the Smith Lake tournament.
Images via WHNT News 19 Facebook.
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