The 2025 off-season has looked a little different for Team Toyota pro Gerald Swindle. Usually “G-man” and his wife LeAnn are focused on whitetail deer, what the direction is blowing, and which treestand they want to climb into during the break in tournament season throughout fall and winter.
This year, the Swindle’s have been focused on rehab and recovery from knee replacement surgery. The 56-year-old Elite Series veteran and fan favorite scheduled to have both of his knees replaced this offseason. Swindle had his first knee surgery immediately following his duties as emcee for the annual Toyota Bonus Bucks Owners Tournament.
Thankfully his first surgery was successful and smooth. Swindle has since been working hard to recover and get stronger.
“The first week or two post knee replacement sucks, there is no way around that,” Swindle said with candidness. “But it’s been a necessary evil. My knees have been causing me so much pain these last few years, it was time to get these things fixed up. I’m six weeks out from my first replacement and I’m set to go in December 22nd to have my other knee replaced. And as crazy as it sounds… I’m excited.”
Swindle is six weeks post-op from his first knee replacement and has met every physical therapy milestone with flying colors. He’s been putting in “overtime” miles on the stationary bike he has at home and even met his own goal of getting into a deer blind a time or two since surgery back in early November.
While recovering from a major, invasive surgery like this is anything but easy, the Swindle’s have been encouraged at the results. Though it’s not quite time to let up. Swindle has his second knee replacement surgery scheduled just before Christmas and he knows exactly what lies ahead of him.
“My left knee is already feeling so much better that I can honestly say I’m excited to go back in and have this second one done,” Swindle explained. “I know there is plenty of pain and perseverance on my plate following surgery but it’s like I’ve seen the light at the end of the tunnel. I’m excited to be able to fish and live life without dealing with the knee pain I’ve had.”
If you’re a fan or you’ve followed Swindle over the years, you know his knees are something that have caused him pain and issues in the past. The decision to undergo double knee replacement this off-season, or factory resets as he jokingly calls it, was made with hope that this will help him on and off the water.
Swindle will have to attack his right knee rehab with the same tenacity that he did his left knee replacement, because practice for first Elite Series tournament of the year begins just over six weeks from his surgery date of 12/22. He’ll undergo another arduous six weeks of physical therapy before being cleared to get back on the water in time to kick off the 2026 Elite Series season on Lake Guntersville.
What many may look at as an insurmountable obstacle, Swindle sees a challenge, and one he is ready to conquer.
“Man, you know I’m all about PMA (positive mental attitude) and this fall I’ve been reminded the importance of having goals on top of PMA,” Swindle offered. “They give you milestones at PT (physical therapy), but I had a list of my own goals, too. Little goals like fishing from the bank three weeks after surgery, pushing past the mileage goal on my bike, or climbing into a deer stand six weeks post-op. With my biggest goal of being healthy and ready to fish by tournament time on Guntersville.
“Just things for me to work towards and keep me grinding. No matter where you are in life or what you do, I think you gotta have goals. Little ones, big ones. Things to keep you honest and encourage you to put in the work, no matter what the work may be.”
Gerald Swindle is a two-time Angler of the Year who has amassed nearly $3 million in tournament winnings over his career. He’s achieved more than most could dream of in this sport but the fire to compete still burns hot. G-man still has a hard road ahead of him, but he continues to approach his recovery with the same grit, PMA, effort and swagger that has propelled him throughout his walk of life.
