Her husband’s 6-foot-3 frame towers over her and his larger-than-life personality keeps fans lining up for autographs and selfies.
With a dogged determination, a relentless work ethic and unpredictably authentic humor, Bassmaster Elite veteran Gerald Swindle brings an undeniably luminous presence. But take a look behind the curtain and you’ll see that LeAnn Swindle’s light shines equally bright.
Not one for the center stage, LeAnn spearheads Gerald’s social media efforts, handles a range of business and scheduling duties and backs him in for morning launches.
All helpful and lovingly supportive acts, but there’s much more to the G-Man’s wife.
See, while there’s nothing wrong with Tammy Wynette’s signature tune or the domestic dedication it promotes, this is not simply a Stand By Your Man kinda story.
Rather, this is about a person whose passion for positive influence has made her one of the most beloved members of the Bassmaster Elite family.
Meals & Motivation
Born in Arab, Ala., LeAnn grew up in Cullman where her father took her crappie and bream fishing. Married to Gerald since 2004, LeAnn enjoys bass fishing — especially northern smallies — but Gerald’s tournament schedule and promotional work leaves them little time for couple’s fishing.
That’s reality for professional fishing families, but LeAnn maintains a strong presence in her husband’s competitive life. She does so by nourishing his body, soul and mind.
Every tournament morning, LeAnn stuffs a Ziploc bag with a PBJ sandwich for Gerald’s breakfast and another with a lunch meat setup for the midday meal. The bag containing what Gerald calls his morning “sammich” comes with a hand-written note of inspiration.
Meant to motivate, these messages remind a seasoned angler that, even when the day’s not going as planned, he has someone in his corner. Thick or thin, sunshine or rain; LeAnn’s his biggest fan and his constant encourager.
The debut message bespoke a simplified plan for managing the tournament day: “Get me five by 3” (referencing a five-bass limit by 3 o’clock).
Other notables:
“I never lose because I never quit.”
“I will either find a way or make a way.”
“1. Pray 2. Work 3. Trust God”
One of Gerald’s favorites: “Success is not owned, it’s rented and the rent’s due every day.”
LeAnn likes this one: “Fight like you’re the third monkey trying to make it onto Noah’s ark and it’s starting to rain.”
Diverse Sourcing
Initially, LeAnn came up with all the sammich bag notes, but even inspiring creativity has its limits.
“I’ve done this many, many years, so I eventually ran out,” LeAnn said. “I’ve found some of my messages on Pinterest, as well as quotes from (former University of Alabama Head Coach) Nick Saban, Michael Jordan, and Muhammad Ali.
“Sometimes, I’ll be reading a book and find something that speaks to me; sometimes, I’ll use Bible verses. I’ve even asked Gerald’s family members and one of his junior high football coaches that was very motivational to him.”
Even with outside help, it’s not easy coming up with meaningful thoughts for every day of tournament competition, but the effort’s never wasted.
“I can’t tell you how many times, he’s come in from a day of fishing and said, ‘I really needed that today,’” LeAnn said.
Positivity with Perspective
Gerald definitely needed LeAnn’s encouragement during the grueling weeks of therapy and rehab following double knee replacements in late 2025.
“During the last couple months, my role has not only been just caregiver, but it’s also been motivator,” LeAnn said. “I was constantly reminding him that, ‘This is normal, this is part of it. This pain is gonna get better. Every day is gonna get better.”
Outside of those recent surgeries and a few injuries throughout the years, LeAnn said the day-to-day life of professional fishing will challenge a person’s constitution. Experience has taught her the right balance of compassion and consideration.
“If Gerald has a bad day, I’m gonna be there to lift him up, but I’m not gonna tell him he did great if he didn’t — I learned that a long time ago,” LeAnn said. “When we were first married, he’d come in next to last and I’d be like, ‘Hey, you had a good time, you’re safe, you get to do this for a living and he finally told me, ‘That is not helpful.’
“I’m not gonna sugar coat, but I’m gonna remind him of the good. I’m gonna remind him of the blessings. I’m gonna remind him that today’s gone, but tomorrow’s a brand new day. We’ll do better tomorrow.”
Merchandise with Message
The sammich bag notes have also resonated with fans and every time Gerald posts an image of the day’s message, comments reflect the vicarious impact.
In 2023, the Swindles released a line of hats, t-shirts and hoodies to extend their appreciation for encouragement and motivation to the masses. Anchored by Gerald’s trademark PMA (positive mental attitude) design, the clothing bears catchy phrases including:
TWO THINGS YOU CAN CONTROL… ATTITUDE AND EFFORT
HARD DAYS WON’T BREAK ME, THEY WILL MAKE ME
FUELED BY HUNGER, DRIVEN BY FAILURE
CHAOS COORDINATOR
BE SAVAGE NOT AVERAGE
ADVERSITY IS OPPORTUNITY
MONEY CAN’T BUY DESIRE
“We had talked about starting a merchandise line, but we wanted it to predominately be about spreading positivity,” LeAnn said. “I love these messages because they can pertain to anything; anything that you’re going through.”
Just like the sammich bags, response to the Swindle’s merchandise has assured LeAnn that they’re hitting the mark.
“There is rarely a day that goes by that I don’t receive an email or a private message from people going through dark times in their lives,” LeAnn said. “We’re obviously not retiring on merchandise sales, but if we can sell some t-shirts and wristbands and people can have that as a constant reminder, then I feel like we’re doing what God has intended for this phase of our life.”
A Guiding Light
Referencing her current Facebook algorithm, which is filled with motivational content, LeAnn points to a personally convicting charge: “If God is making you wait, do what waiters do and serve.”
Lately, she’s found herself more driven than ever to share experience-born wisdom with as many folks as she can. And while she prefers the positive, uplifting stuff, helping often means equipping someone to repel negativity.
LeAnn said she’s grateful for the vast amount of love and support she and Gerald receive from fishing fans, but she frequently finds herself struggling with the vitriol. It bothers her much less these days, but there’s no escaping the discomfort of seeing her husband roasted by anonymous critics more concerned with likes and follows than intellectual discussion.
“If I didn’t have that positive attitude, it would be really easy for me to spend a lot of time fighting those keyboard warriors on Facebook,” LeAnn said. “I’ve tried to rise above it because everyone has a right to their opinion, but their opinion does not change who Gerald Swindle is.”
“You can’t let it bother you; you have to focus on the good. You can’t let negativity take root in your mind.”
A deep, spiritual foundation helps the Swindles frame the world through faith, but it also offers a humbling perspective.
As LeAnn puts it, “We always say, ‘Not everybody loves Jesus and not everybody is gonna love Gerald.’”
Despite this upbeat perspective, disparagement still hurts. But rather than wallow in the misery, LeAnn channels the resilience she’s developed by sharing her light with anyone that needs it.
Here’s her mission statement: “If I can help someone else that is struggling, if I can reach out to someone that I feel like is being alienated, or if I can reach out to a parent whose kid might be experiencing (social media bashing); if I can make them feel a little bit better, or if I can give them just a little piece of advice on how to handle that, I feel like I can make a difference.”
