Gerald Swindle had one little keeper in the boat at this time yesterday. Today he’s got 12 pounds. The fact that Swindle was able to scrap his way into today’s top 12 is a testament to his willingness to grind it out until the last minute every day this season. Swindle’s early swimbait bite, which had been key to him being in 12th place after Day 2, completely dried up Saturday.
“I caught one at 6:45, and it was noon before I caught my second fish,” Swindle said. “I caught a limit in about 45 minutes, but it was five that wouldn’t weigh five pounds. I went into a pocket I hadn’t fished since I was a kid in an aluminum boat. I just had a gut feeling to get a buzzbait out and get as far away from the bank as possible. Instead of throwing parallel to the bank, I wanted to see if the fish were way out in front of the bank.
“Five casts later I caught a three-pounder, and 20 minutes later I caught a 6-14. They were 30 yards off the bank out in the middle of nowhere.”
That 6-14 matched Casey Ashley’s from Day 1 for big bass of the tournament so far. Swindle weighed 13-14 Saturday to finish in eighth place. He’s finished 40th or better in all four tournaments this season, and this is his second top 12. Swindle is fifth in Angler of the Year points entering the day.
“I haven’t been on anything all year,” Swindle said. “There’s tournaments where you think you’re on the winning fish if you can put it together. I haven’t had one of those yet. I’ve literally made chicken salad out of chicken s**t in every tournament. But I’m learning more about fishing areas and not running around as much, not trying to burn 50 gallons of gas every day.”