Practice with Swindle

Spend time with Gerald Swindle as he prepares for competition on Sturgeon Bay.

The sun rises on the final day of practice for the Toyota Angler of the Year Championship, as 50 anglers head out in hopes of mastering Sturgeon Bay.
The sun rises on the final day of practice for the Toyota Angler of the Year Championship, as 50 anglers head out in hopes of mastering Sturgeon Bay.
A lot is at stake in this event, even with Aaron Martens wrapping up the Toyota AOY Title. Bassmaster Classic spots are up for grabs, as well as payouts that depend on the final AOY standings.
A lot is at stake in this event, even with Aaron Martens wrapping up the Toyota AOY Title. Bassmaster Classic spots are up for grabs, as well as payouts that depend on the final AOY standings.
Bassmaster.com heads out with one of those anglers fighting for an oh-so valuable Classic spot.
Bassmaster.com heads out with one of those anglers fighting for an oh-so valuable Classic spot.
Gerald Swindle currently sits 41st in the AOY standings and is right in the thick of the battle. Unofficially, 39 anglers will get to the Classic, but with James Elam's win at the Open on Fort Gibson, that number may push to 40 if Elam remains double-qualified. He currently holds the 29th spot in the standings.
Gerald Swindle currently sits 41st in the AOY standings and is right in the thick of the battle. Unofficially, 39 anglers will get to the Classic, but with James Elam’s win at the Open on Fort Gibson, that number may push to 40 if Elam remains double-qualified. He currently holds the 29th spot in the standings.
Swindle makes a few last-second adjustments.
Swindle makes a few last-second adjustments.
Then we set out on Sturgeon Bay.
Then we set out on Sturgeon Bay.
Wind predictions were in the teens for most of the day, which Swindle says is
Wind predictions were in the teens for most of the day, which Swindle says is “probably low-20’s, then.”
Swindle grabs his arsenal for the day.
Swindle grabs his arsenal for the day.
The Alabama pro says that he likes to try any and everything on practice days, so he knows what to rule out and so he doesn’t find himself trying the wrong things during the days that count.
The Alabama pro says that he likes to try any and everything on practice days, so he knows what to rule out and so he doesn’t find himself trying the wrong things during the days that count.
He idles out of the no-wake zone to attack the final day of practice.
He idles out of the no-wake zone to attack the final day of practice.
Swindle stops after a couple minutes of driving and makes his first cast of the morning. Although it is “calm” at the moment, calm is a relative term because the waves are already bombarding other anglers.
Swindle stops after a couple minutes of driving and makes his first cast of the morning. Although it is “calm” at the moment, calm is a relative term because the waves are already bombarding other anglers.
You can see the grass growing on the bottom of Sturgeon Bay. Even though the growing season isn’t long up north, the grass is plentiful in some areas.
You can see the grass growing on the bottom of Sturgeon Bay. Even though the growing season isn’t long up north, the grass is plentiful in some areas.
Kevin VanDam fishes nearby.
Kevin VanDam fishes nearby.
Swindle decides to pack up and make a move.
Swindle decides to pack up and make a move.
He makes a couple casts before deciding to try out another bait.
He makes a couple casts before deciding to try out another bait.
A lot of choices and so many good options for Swindle.
A lot of choices and so many good options for Swindle.
Soon after, he hooks up.
Soon after, he hooks up.
But after fighting the fish for a few moments, he realizes this probably isn’t a bass.
But after fighting the fish for a few moments, he realizes this probably isn’t a bass.
Nope, that’s not a quality smallmouth, but rather a toothy critter.
Nope, that’s not a quality smallmouth, but rather a toothy critter.
That is one of the first ones Swindle says he has caught this week.
That is one of the first ones Swindle says he has caught this week.
Time to retie.
Time to retie.
He is on the move again.
He is on the move again.
He picks up a spinning rod and uses his Humminbird electronics at his next spot. “There are a couple worm snatchers down there,” Swindle said.
He picks up a spinning rod and uses his Humminbird electronics at his next spot. “There are a couple worm snatchers down there,” Swindle said.
Swindle would rather catch them now than mark them and keep going. He doesn’t want any surprises during the tournament. Every move needs to be calculated here, because once you make a move it may be hard to change your mind if the wind gets in the way.
Swindle would rather catch them now than mark them and keep going. He doesn’t want any surprises during the tournament. Every move needs to be calculated here, because once you make a move it may be hard to change your mind if the wind gets in the way.
Back to a baitcaster for now.
Back to a baitcaster for now.
Time to reevaluate some of his baits.
Time to reevaluate some of his baits.
One swipes at his bait, but doesn’t connect.
One swipes at his bait, but doesn’t connect.
Time to take off the hoodie and get down to business.
Time to take off the hoodie and get down to business.
Next cast he connects with one and the fight is on.
Next cast he connects with one and the fight is on.
He thinks this is either a big one or it’s hooked funny.
He thinks this is either a big one or it’s hooked funny.
Swindle will soon find out, as he gets ready to swing it.
Swindle will soon find out, as he gets ready to swing it.
Nope, just hooked in the back. In the tournament, Swindle would have to release this one even though he didn’t purposely foul-hook this fish.
Nope, just hooked in the back. In the tournament, Swindle would have to release this one even though he didn’t purposely foul-hook this fish.
Swindle knows he is right in the thick for the Classic, but says he hasn’t really thought about it because he was just on a multi-day hunting expedition in Colorado. Swindle is an avid hunter as well as a stellar fisherman.
Swindle knows he is right in the thick for the Classic, but says he hasn’t really thought about it because he was just on a multi-day hunting expedition in Colorado. Swindle is an avid hunter as well as a stellar fisherman.
He hooks up.
He hooks up.
He fights this one to the boat and is thrilled about getting a bite in this area.
He fights this one to the boat and is thrilled about getting a bite in this area.
It’s barely hooked, so Swindle lets the fish gingerly fight.
It’s barely hooked, so Swindle lets the fish gingerly fight.
He lets the feisty smallmouth do what it wants for a moment.
He lets the feisty smallmouth do what it wants for a moment.
This one is hooked in the mouth so Swindle reaches to get it.
This one is hooked in the mouth so Swindle reaches to get it.
Solid keeper in the boat.
Solid keeper in the boat.
Smallmouth haven’t been stacked up together like they normally are, according to Swindle, and it has been difficult to catch a bunch of fish without running around to a lot of areas.
Smallmouth haven’t been stacked up together like they normally are, according to Swindle, and it has been difficult to catch a bunch of fish without running around to a lot of areas.
He is back at it and is taking advantage of a calm area on Sturgeon Bay. He moves to another spot while he has time.
He is back at it and is taking advantage of a calm area on Sturgeon Bay. He moves to another spot while he has time.
With a spinning rod in hand, Swindle hooks up.
With a spinning rod in hand, Swindle hooks up.
You would think that the pressure would be high for an angler on the bubble for the Classic, but Swindle is calm about it and knows at the end of the day it’s fishing and he’s going to figure something out. Whether it’s a successful pattern compared to the rest of the field is something he will find out once they hit the water on Day 1.
You would think that the pressure would be high for an angler on the bubble for the Classic, but Swindle is calm about it and knows at the end of the day it’s fishing and he’s going to figure something out. Whether it’s a successful pattern compared to the rest of the field is something he will find out once they hit the water on Day 1.
Swindle scoops up another smallmouth before heading out.
Swindle scoops up another smallmouth before heading out.
He is on the move again. The waves may be perfectly fine going one way, but that just means on the way back they could be worse.
He is on the move again. The waves may be perfectly fine going one way, but that just means on the way back they could be worse.
G-Man hooks up quickly in his new spot.
G-Man hooks up quickly in his new spot.
He swings aboard a Sturgeon Bay smallie.
He swings aboard a Sturgeon Bay smallie.
Back you go, little guy.
Back you go, little guy.
Thanks to GoPro we are able to capture some pretty cool underwater moments in these clear northern fisheries.
Thanks to GoPro we are able to capture some pretty cool underwater moments in these clear northern fisheries.
Chunking and winding again for Swindle.
Chunking and winding again for Swindle.
Swindle takes a moment to tie on a different bait and as he does I think about his Classic resume. He has been to 15 Classics and is trying to get his 16th berth this week. He has three top 12’s and hasn’t missed one since 2009. He has actually made 12 of the last 13, going back to 2003.
Swindle takes a moment to tie on a different bait and as he does I think about his Classic resume. He has been to 15 Classics and is trying to get his 16th berth this week. He has three top 12’s and hasn’t missed one since 2009. He has actually made 12 of the last 13, going back to 2003.
Swindle is back at it and so is Sturgeon Bay. The Bay is producing some decent waves and is threatening to cover Swindle’s front deck of his Triton with cold Wisconsin water.
Swindle is back at it and so is Sturgeon Bay. The Bay is producing some decent waves and is threatening to cover Swindle’s front deck of his Triton with cold Wisconsin water.
But Swindle keeps at it through it all.
But Swindle keeps at it through it all.
You can tell that Swindle doesn’t rule anything out in practice because his front deck is loaded with multiple setups and different techniques to try out.
You can tell that Swindle doesn’t rule anything out in practice because his front deck is loaded with multiple setups and different techniques to try out.
He hooks up again.
He hooks up again.
But this is just a small one. Every piece adds knowledge that may pay off later.
But this is just a small one. Every piece adds knowledge that may pay off later.
He almost goes back-to-back as he hooks up again.
He almost goes back-to-back as he hooks up again.
This one is the same size as the last one.
This one is the same size as the last one.
“Grow, grow, grow,” Swindle said.
See ya, dude.
See ya, dude.
No matter the size and shape of these smallmouth, all are feisty.
No matter the size and shape of these smallmouth, all are feisty.
Time to adjust areas and tackle.
Time to adjust areas and tackle.
Swindle reflects about the country and other topics as we pass the American flag on a random point.
Swindle reflects about the country and other topics as we pass the American flag on a random point.
“You wouldn’t catch me out here sailing around,” Swindle said. “In this wind, nuh uh.”
“You wouldn’t catch me out here sailing around,” Swindle said. “In this wind, nuh uh.”
Gerald Swindle’s goal this week: To get back to the Classic.
Gerald Swindle’s goal this week: To get back to the Classic.
Getting back to the Classic is the priority, but having fun and going through the journey are pluses for him as well.
Getting back to the Classic is the priority, but having fun and going through the journey are pluses for him as well.