Swindle on the water

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Gerald Swindle went into the Bassmaster Elite at Potomac River presented by Econo Lodge with a 40-point lead in the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year race.
Gerald Swindle went into the Bassmaster Elite at Potomac River presented by Econo Lodge with a 40-point lead in the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year race.
But Swindle was open about how tough his practice had been, garnering only one keeper bite in three days.
But Swindle was open about how tough his practice had been, garnering only one keeper bite in three days.
By the time Bassmaster.com caught up with him, just minutes after take off, Swindle had caught two bass, both in the 3-pound range. The bites came quick and shut off just as quickly.
By the time Bassmaster.com caught up with him, just minutes after take off, Swindle had caught two bass, both in the 3-pound range. The bites came quick and shut off just as quickly.
He shared water with Ken Iyobe, who hooked this snakehead under the watchful eyes of a Great Blue Heron.
He shared water with Ken Iyobe, who hooked this snakehead under the watchful eyes of a Great Blue Heron.
Swindle, on the other hand, was getting few sniffs from any sort of fish.
Swindle, on the other hand, was getting few sniffs from any sort of fish.
Randall Tharp, who took an early-morning lead in BassTrakk, would buzz through the area.
Randall Tharp, who took an early-morning lead in BassTrakk, would buzz through the area.
And Kelly Jordon would be working in the background.
And Kelly Jordon would be working in the background.
It was obvious early on that Swindle was intent on getting a bite. The AOY title was on his mind.
It was obvious early on that Swindle was intent on getting a bite. The AOY title was on his mind.
With each fishless cast, the concern and intensity grew.
With each fishless cast, the concern and intensity grew.
He and Jordon would exchange notes and move past each other.
He and Jordon would exchange notes and move past each other.
And soon after Jordon would catch one.
And soon after Jordon would catch one.
The decent largemouth would quickly go the livewell.
The decent largemouth would quickly go the livewell.
And Swindle would move on to greener pastures.
And Swindle would move on to greener pastures.
But he wouldn’t stick there long.
But he wouldn’t stick there long.
By mid-morning he had made three or four stops and the lack of bites seemed to be working on him.
By mid-morning he had made three or four stops and the lack of bites seemed to be working on him.
It didn’t help that he had fluid drained from his knee twice in the last couple of weeks and was wearing a knee brace.
It didn’t help that he had fluid drained from his knee twice in the last couple of weeks and was wearing a knee brace.
Through it all he worked to stay focused.
Through it all he worked to stay focused.
And keep a smile on his face.
And keep a smile on his face.
Every once in a while he would get bit.
Every once in a while he would get bit.
But it would be too small to keep, or he would lose it.
But it would be too small to keep, or he would lose it.
Some were close enough to measure, but to short to go in the box.
Some were close enough to measure, but to short to go in the box.
For more than three hours the only keeper sized fish was in the clutches of a bald eagle.
For more than three hours the only keeper sized fish was in the clutches of a bald eagle.
The eagle reminded us that we were fishing within the shadows of the Washington Memorial.
The eagle reminded us that we were fishing within the shadows of the Washington Memorial.
And near George Washington’s residence, Mount Vernon.
And near George Washington’s residence, Mount Vernon.
By the mid way point of the day, Swindle was scrambling.
By the mid way point of the day, Swindle was scrambling.
Digging into places looking for that extra keeper bite.
Digging into places looking for that extra keeper bite.
The normally jovial angler stayed intense, running and gunning and looking.
The normally jovial angler stayed intense, running and gunning and looking.
By 1 p.m., we had lost him as he worked from spot to spot. But after that point, he was able to catch four more keepers and salvage his AOY run with a solid limit that would keep him in the lead of the race.
By 1 p.m., we had lost him as he worked from spot to spot. But after that point, he was able to catch four more keepers and salvage his AOY run with a solid limit that would keep him in the lead of the race.