Elite Man Caves

Elite Man Caves: Gerald Swindle

The G-man Gerald Swindle gives a guided tour of his custom bass fishing man cave.

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LeAnn and Gerald Swindle included a man cave in the blueprint for their dream home. It’s where the Bassmaster Elite Series angler prepared for his 19th season of competition.
LeAnn and Gerald Swindle included a man cave in the blueprint for their dream home. It’s where the Bassmaster Elite Series angler prepared for his 19th season of competition.
Contemplation about the season is interrupted by the horn of a UPS truck. It brings Swindle out of the cave to accept another delivery. Inside the package is the latest tackle for unpacking inside the man cave and loading in the boat.
Contemplation about the season is interrupted by the horn of a UPS truck. It brings Swindle out of the cave to accept another delivery. Inside the package is the latest tackle for unpacking inside the man cave and loading in the boat.
Just when Swindle thinks there’s more swag, it’s a package for LeAnn. What’s inside he does not know, nor will he ask. The amiable couple is a team and that includes sharing territory inside the man cave.
Just when Swindle thinks there’s more swag, it’s a package for LeAnn. What’s inside he does not know, nor will he ask. The amiable couple is a team and that includes sharing territory inside the man cave.
The refurbished 1986 Chevy Silverado belongs to LeAnn. It’s a hot rod for taking drives through the Alabama countryside while displaying her allegiance to the Crimson Tide. The vanity license plate carries a carefree message appropriate for the truck.
The refurbished 1986 Chevy Silverado belongs to LeAnn. It’s a hot rod for taking drives through the Alabama countryside while displaying her allegiance to the Crimson Tide. The vanity license plate carries a carefree message appropriate for the truck.
The hot rod looks at home in the man cave but not this table and chairs. It’s a work in progress for LeAnn. She’s painting the furniture to go inside the Swindle’s cottage at Lake Guntersville.
The hot rod looks at home in the man cave but not this table and chairs. It’s a work in progress for LeAnn. She’s painting the furniture to go inside the Swindle’s cottage at Lake Guntersville.
LeAnn is upstairs packing for the next road trip while Swindle continues unpacking boxes of new gear, sorting through the goods and loading items where they belong. Most will go in his Triton, some inside the Toyota Tundra and other gear will remain in the cave.
LeAnn is upstairs packing for the next road trip while Swindle continues unpacking boxes of new gear, sorting through the goods and loading items where they belong. Most will go in his Triton, some inside the Toyota Tundra and other gear will remain in the cave.
Swindle just installed this slide-out locker inside the shell of the Tundra. He decided against dealer installment in favor of what he called “redneck ingenuity.” Doing so involved placing a floor jack in the truck bed. He raised the locker securely in place and bolted it to the interior roof.
Swindle just installed this slide-out locker inside the shell of the Tundra. He decided against dealer installment in favor of what he called “redneck ingenuity.” Doing so involved placing a floor jack in the truck bed. He raised the locker securely in place and bolted it to the interior roof.
All it takes is sliding out the drawer to access the contents. The locker functions as a space saver for keeping small items organized and easier to locate for what inside looks like a man cave on wheels.
All it takes is sliding out the drawer to access the contents. The locker functions as a space saver for keeping small items organized and easier to locate for what inside looks like a man cave on wheels.
The quick access locker contains other items. Swindle hands out these Positive Mental Attitude bracelets to fans while on the road. PMA is a big part of his educational outreach and the bracelets reinforce the belief.
The quick access locker contains other items. Swindle hands out these Positive Mental Attitude bracelets to fans while on the road. PMA is a big part of his educational outreach and the bracelets reinforce the belief.
The next project for the truck involves installing slide-out storage compartments. The afternoon work session concludes with dividing tackle between boat and truck.
The next project for the truck involves installing slide-out storage compartments. The afternoon work session concludes with dividing tackle between boat and truck.
Next on the checklist is rod and reel organization. It’s a time-consuming task involving literally dozens of combos. The job is easier with the boat’s close proximity to a special room located in the background.
Next on the checklist is rod and reel organization. It’s a time-consuming task involving literally dozens of combos. The job is easier with the boat’s close proximity to a special room located in the background.
The boat is conveniently parked beside what is called the Antler Room. The mix of deer mounts, tools, tackle and various manly goods is uniquely man cave. Everything needed to equip the boat is here, along with wall art meeting approval of any modern cave man.
The boat is conveniently parked beside what is called the Antler Room. The mix of deer mounts, tools, tackle and various manly goods is uniquely man cave. Everything needed to equip the boat is here, along with wall art meeting approval of any modern cave man.
Swindle likes this soft-sided bag for transporting rods outside the boat. The bag makes them easier to carry and store inside a cramped hotel room, which makes LeAnn very happy.
Swindle likes this soft-sided bag for transporting rods outside the boat. The bag makes them easier to carry and store inside a cramped hotel room, which makes LeAnn very happy.
What is not so organized is this crate filled with reels that eventually will be matched to the appropriate rods. Swindle favors the crate because it’s easy to carry and sort through the reels.
What is not so organized is this crate filled with reels that eventually will be matched to the appropriate rods. Swindle favors the crate because it’s easy to carry and sort through the reels.
A true man cave has a collection of obscure items. Amidst the tools and tackle is this sparkly wreath that adorned Swindle’s boat during a Christmas outing with Hunter and Fletcher Shryock on Lake Guntersville. You can see the video of their antics on YouTube.
A true man cave has a collection of obscure items. Amidst the tools and tackle is this sparkly wreath that adorned Swindle’s boat during a Christmas outing with Hunter and Fletcher Shryock on Lake Guntersville. You can see the video of their antics on YouTube.
Frustration (and lost GoPro cameras) led to this invention. It’s a homemade steel mount thru-bolted to the front deck. Swindle says it will withstand the powerful, piercing surge of taking a wave through the nose of his boat. You might see the video on YouTube.
Frustration (and lost GoPro cameras) led to this invention. It’s a homemade steel mount thru-bolted to the front deck. Swindle says it will withstand the powerful, piercing surge of taking a wave through the nose of his boat. You might see the video on YouTube.
This package of shop rags gets used for more than cleaning messes. Swindle uses the towels for cleaning his runny nose during cold weather. He adds that tissue paper won’t stand up to rain and it shreds on high-speed boat runs.
This package of shop rags gets used for more than cleaning messes. Swindle uses the towels for cleaning his runny nose during cold weather. He adds that tissue paper won’t stand up to rain and it shreds on high-speed boat runs.
The shop rags might stay in the man cave with this addition to the cold weather gear. The bandana is water resistant, insulated and quickly slides up or down the face. Swindle acquired the mask on a snowboarding trip in Colorado for sponsor Mountain Dew.
The shop rags might stay in the man cave with this addition to the cold weather gear. The bandana is water resistant, insulated and quickly slides up or down the face. Swindle acquired the mask on a snowboarding trip in Colorado for sponsor Mountain Dew.
When all else fails there’s always this Southern-born headache powder. A stash is stored in the boat, truck and ready for restocking from the Antler Room.
When all else fails there’s always this Southern-born headache powder. A stash is stored in the boat, truck and ready for restocking from the Antler Room.
Some of this odd collection of baits has temporarily fallen from grace. The under-performers are given a second chance and most go back into the boat. Other lures are secret weapons. Those are proudly displayed for no other reason than being easier to find.
Some of this odd collection of baits has temporarily fallen from grace. The under-performers are given a second chance and most go back into the boat. Other lures are secret weapons. Those are proudly displayed for no other reason than being easier to find.
This interior room is a hidden jewel that is the envy of any man cave. Mounts of trophy bucks and bass line the walls, along with packaged lures neatly organized on the pegboards.
This interior room is a hidden jewel that is the envy of any man cave. Mounts of trophy bucks and bass line the walls, along with packaged lures neatly organized on the pegboards.
This corner of the man cave is one of the busiest. It’s the line storage area where unpacked boxes share space with neatly stacked spools on the shelves. Swindle needs all of it. He’ll rig up to 40 or more combos for long road trips and use more line to re-spool during events.
This corner of the man cave is one of the busiest. It’s the line storage area where unpacked boxes share space with neatly stacked spools on the shelves. Swindle needs all of it. He’ll rig up to 40 or more combos for long road trips and use more line to re-spool during events.
The most important connection between a bass and the angler is dependable fishing line. For Swindle the most important connection between he and nature are Dude Wipes, the flushable, biodegradable necessity for woods and water.
The most important connection between a bass and the angler is dependable fishing line. For Swindle the most important connection between he and nature are Dude Wipes, the flushable, biodegradable necessity for woods and water.
At the other side of the room are storage compartments filled with terminal tackle for rigging finesse baits. Swindle says an Aaron Martens version of this space would evolve into a separate man cave, after the California native’s penchant for the technique.
At the other side of the room are storage compartments filled with terminal tackle for rigging finesse baits. Swindle says an Aaron Martens version of this space would evolve into a separate man cave, after the California native’s penchant for the technique.
Once upon a time Swindle’s friend and former Elite Series pro Marty Stone challenged him on a hunting trip to take a bobcat at 300 yards. The successful result is this mount. The quail is a bonus added by the taxidermist as a striking conversation piece and classy display of artwork for the cave.
Once upon a time Swindle’s friend and former Elite Series pro Marty Stone challenged him on a hunting trip to take a bobcat at 300 yards. The successful result is this mount. The quail is a bonus added by the taxidermist as a striking conversation piece and classy display of artwork for the cave.
Swindle takes an exercise break to lay a few punches into the boxing bag. It’s actually LeAnn’s for use in her kick boxing exercises. He says it’s a visual reminder about who is boss in the family.
Swindle takes an exercise break to lay a few punches into the boxing bag. It’s actually LeAnn’s for use in her kick boxing exercises. He says it’s a visual reminder about who is boss in the family.
Swindle is making these handmade jigs from a mold made in Michigan. The skirt material is from Living Rubber Co. and it’s favored for the lifelike action. He’ll make several hundred jigs before leaving for the season.
Swindle is making these handmade jigs from a mold made in Michigan. The skirt material is from Living Rubber Co. and it’s favored for the lifelike action. He’ll make several hundred jigs before leaving for the season.
In just minutes the final product is ready for a trial run. The double-layered skirt imparts more water and action with its bulk, while the sparkle skirt adds strike appeal.
In just minutes the final product is ready for a trial run. The double-layered skirt imparts more water and action with its bulk, while the sparkle skirt adds strike appeal.
Swindle is a master of skipping jigs beneath docks. He’s not doing that now, yet the diving board compares to the height of his boat’s front deck. The swimming pool serves as a test tank for his homemade concoctions.
Swindle is a master of skipping jigs beneath docks. He’s not doing that now, yet the diving board compares to the height of his boat’s front deck. The swimming pool serves as a test tank for his homemade concoctions.
Another favorite concoction is getting loaded into the cooler. Swindle drinks a lot of Mountain Dew. When this shipment arrived Swindle ripped open the box and uncapped a bottle of his favorite beverage.
Another favorite concoction is getting loaded into the cooler. Swindle drinks a lot of Mountain Dew. When this shipment arrived Swindle ripped open the box and uncapped a bottle of his favorite beverage.
What looks like a wall of fame lined with trophy plaques is actually inside what Swindle calls the Throne Room. It’s where he contemplates his successes while taking care of other business.
What looks like a wall of fame lined with trophy plaques is actually inside what Swindle calls the Throne Room. It’s where he contemplates his successes while taking care of other business.
In unrelated business this leg-length cash register receipt is evidence of a recent trip to Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World. The purchases spilled out of the shopping bag and will be sorted through next. It’s all part of life in the man cave.
In unrelated business this leg-length cash register receipt is evidence of a recent trip to Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World. The purchases spilled out of the shopping bag and will be sorted through next. It’s all part of life in the man cave.

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