Couple days ago while interviewing Gerald Swindle for my Lures of the Top 12 assignment he said this to me.
“I need prayers, man, lots of prayers.”
He said that at the conclusion of our conversation about the baits he used last week at the upper Mississippi River. I offered mine and I’m sure others will too.
“I haven’t been tallying up the points and doing all that math,” he said. “The numbers don’t mean so much as the focus.”
“Those numbers are like bonus points at a grocery store. They add up but don’t mean anything until you get enough to cash in on the savings.”
There was no humor in that conversation. Understandably so.
May the best man win the coveted title this week.
Swindle has a smallmouth in the livewell, which means the only angler who can beat him is Keith Combs. He’s a threat. Should he win that means all Swindle needs to do is finish 43rd or better. So far so good, should he continue his solid trend of consistency during the season.
“I made a few key decisions this year that looked good when it was over,” he said. “I’m blessed.”
“A few lucky breaks, too,” he continued. “All of that wrapped up into one season and it’s been good.”