Swindle finishes AOY strong

Posted on
Gerald Swindle took a detour from his plans on Championship Sunday, and hit a few spots on the way to his primary locations.
Gerald Swindle took a detour from his plans on Championship Sunday, and hit a few spots on the way to his primary locations.
He spent the early morning working a myriad of different baits on a reef near Garrison, Minn.
He spent the early morning working a myriad of different baits on a reef near Garrison, Minn.
The wind was building out of the south before take-off, and on the north end of the lake it was rolling pretty good.
The wind was building out of the south before take-off, and on the north end of the lake it was rolling pretty good.
As he normally does, Swindle spent a few minutes on each spot before moving on. He's a talented junk fishermen, and he managed to make it work on Mille Lacs.
As he normally does, Swindle spent a few minutes on each spot before moving on. He’s a talented junk fishermen, and he managed to make it work on Mille Lacs.
Swindle bucks the waves on the way to his next smallmouth spot.
Swindle bucks the waves on the way to his next smallmouth spot.
One of his lures this week was a white paddletail swimbait, and it worked on Championship Sunday.
One of his lures this week was a white paddletail swimbait, and it worked on Championship Sunday.
Two-foot waves make boat control a challenge, but it's no thang for G-Man. He powers through and begins to find the momentum he's been working with all year long.
Two-foot waves make boat control a challenge, but it’s no thang for G-Man. He powers through and begins to find the momentum he’s been working with all year long.
As he powers forward into the waves, they occasionally break over the bow. Such is the life of a bass fisherman on a windy Mille Lacs.
As he powers forward into the waves, they occasionally break over the bow. Such is the life of a bass fisherman on a windy Mille Lacs.
He worked several off-shore points and reefs looking for giant Minnesota smallmouths. But, the spots weren't private, he shared the water with several other pros.
He worked several off-shore points and reefs looking for giant Minnesota smallmouths. But, the spots weren’t private, he shared the water with several other pros.
Finally, he hooks up with something ...
Finally, he hooks up with something …
Please excuse the blurry image, but the waves Swindle was fighting, I was also fighting. The moment Swindle whale-flipped a nice smallie into the boat, my auto-focus went to the tree line behind him. The trees are pretty, aren't they?
Please excuse the blurry image, but the waves Swindle was fighting, I was also fighting. The moment Swindle whale-flipped a nice smallie into the boat, my auto-focus went to the tree line behind him. The trees are pretty, aren’t they?
He continues to battle the waves.
He continues to battle the waves.
His trolling motor would occasionally breach throwing water onto whole scene. There's no question these guys are athletes.
His trolling motor would occasionally breach throwing water onto whole scene. There’s no question these guys are athletes.
The G-Man hooks up again, and he's managing the fish and the boat's drift at the same time. Multi-tasking like a pro.
The G-Man hooks up again, and he’s managing the fish and the boat’s drift at the same time. Multi-tasking like a pro.
He digs deep ...
He digs deep …
Swindle makes the scoop, and it looks like a big one!
Swindle makes the scoop, and it looks like a big one!
Count it!
Count it!
Only a few more minutes go by, and Swindle nails another one. I was eating a sandwich when he hooked up, so the hookset and fight didn't make the gallery. This bass looks solid, too.
Only a few more minutes go by, and Swindle nails another one. I was eating a sandwich when he hooked up, so the hookset and fight didn’t make the gallery. This bass looks solid, too.
Definitely a keeper! Swindle is already having a better day than the past two.
Definitely a keeper! Swindle is already having a better day than the past two.
This fish is a very important fish for Swindle ...
This fish is a very important fish for Swindle …
That's a limit, and now he can focus on improving upon his best bag of the tournament.
That’s a limit, and now he can focus on improving upon his best bag of the tournament.
He's feeling it now. He doesn't allow himself much time to eat other than when he's moving spots. Gotta feed the inner beast!
He’s feeling it now. He doesn’t allow himself much time to eat other than when he’s moving spots. Gotta feed the inner beast!
He's already planning his next play.
He’s already planning his next play.
After about a mile of 3-foot waves, he picks up a jerkbait and goes back to work.
After about a mile of 3-foot waves, he picks up a jerkbait and goes back to work.
While fighting the building surf, Swindle keeps a close eye on his electronics making sure he has his presentation in the strike zone.
While fighting the building surf, Swindle keeps a close eye on his electronics making sure he has his presentation in the strike zone.
Another big wave rolls in and his trolling motor breaches again ...
Another big wave rolls in and his trolling motor breaches again …
Swindle fires a shot towards the shore. The reef he is fishing has a mixture of weeds and rocks, which both baitfish and predators find inviting. He's been swimming his bait through combination to find smallmouth bass.
Swindle fires a shot towards the shore. The reef he is fishing has a mixture of weeds and rocks, which both baitfish and predators find inviting. He’s been swimming his bait through combination to find smallmouth bass.
And he hooks up again. This one looks pretty good.
And he hooks up again. This one looks pretty good.
Yes, it's a solid bronze monster.
Yes, it’s a solid bronze monster.
Five-pounder?
Five-pounder?
G works it to the back of the boat in an attempt to grab the fish before it breaks free from the hooks.
G works it to the back of the boat in an attempt to grab the fish before it breaks free from the hooks.
He goes in for the scoop.
He goes in for the scoop.
Got him!
Got him!
That's one fat cull that will contribute to Swindle's best day on Mille Lacs so far this week.
That’s one fat cull that will contribute to Swindle’s best day on Mille Lacs so far this week.
But there's no time to waste.
But there’s no time to waste.
Swindle puts his Triton on plane and heads to the next spot.
Swindle puts his Triton on plane and heads to the next spot.
Bucking the wind and waves, he splashes down the northern shore of Mille Lacs.
Bucking the wind and waves, he splashes down the northern shore of Mille Lacs.
Did Swindle just slam the door on the AOY title? We'll find out soon enough.
Did Swindle just slam the door on the AOY title? We’ll find out soon enough.