Inside Elite Boats: Gerald Swindle

Alabama angler Gerald Swindle is one of the most popular and charismatic figures on the Bassmaster Elite Series. Here’s a tour of the boat he’s using this year as he tries to qualify for the GEICO Bassmaster Classic for the 16th time.

Alabama angler Gerald Swindle fishes out of a Triton TR21 powered by a Mercury 250 XS.

A Motorguide 109 trolling motor keeps Swindle moving when the outboard is off.

The bow of Swindle’s Triton is equipped with a HydroWave Electronic Feeding Stimulator and a Humminbird Onix 10.

TH Marine products like the G-Force trolling motor cable and the G-Force equalizer system help Swindle get the most out of his Motorguide.

Swindle has a GoPro mount attached to the TH Marine depthfinder mount on the front of his boat. “I like to put a GoPro up front were I can bring it up and turn it and change angles,” he said.

Another look at the improvements Swindle has made to his trolling motor setup.

Swindle uses a G-Force Prop Nut from TH Marine. He said the gadget takes out any vibration and helps his prop remain more weedless.

Another view of the G-Force trolling motor equalizer system that he says “takes pressure off the motor when it’s going up and down.”

In the left rod locker, Swindle said he usually keeps about 20 Quantum rod-and-reels. He said his assortment will usually include 16 or 17 baitcasters and three or four spinning rigs.

Pro Series Rod Gloves protect Swindles rods inside the locker. “They eliminate line twists and tangles and protect the guides,” Swindle said. “I use those just to speed things up as I’m getting them out of the box.”

Swindle shows off one of his rods rigged with a bladed jig. “The one I actually throw is made by Strike King,” Swindle said. “It’s called Pure Poison. I’m not even sponsored by Strike King, but I throw it a lot. It’s kind of my go-to lure on a bunch of lakes.”

Swindle has a Quatum rod-and-reel for every technique and occasion.

On the inside lid of Swindle’s center box, he keeps a Rigid flashlight mounted for lighting emergencies. The area also features a storage pouch for spare jig skirts and an Etch-a-Sketch. “I use the Etch-a-Sketch to remind me that every day is a new day,” Swindle said. “I always view every day of the tournament as a new day. I start all over.”

Swindle’s center box is filled to the rim with tackle, and it’s all arranged strategically. “I’m always real conscious about putting the lightest box closer to the nose and the heavier boxes at the back,” Swindle said. “That just helps the boat run better.”

Swindle keeps bulk Zoom plastics in Ziploc bags inside the center box. “I keep four or five bags right there always,” Swindle said. “Those are typically the colors and baits that I know I’m going to use.”

Lots and lots of terminal tackle.

Swindle has a Bass Mafia box filled with treble hooks clearly marked with a Sharpie for quick, easy access.

Ziploc bags hold Swindle’s favorite jigs and their skirts. He says he uses so many of them that he likes to keep them really handy.

Zoom Baby Brush Hogs, one of Swindle’s favorite plastics.

A box filled with Zoom Magnum Finesse Worms.

A plastic, water-tight box holds all of Swindle’s important papers. “I use it for insurance papers, registration to be legal in a tournament – whatever I might need,” he said. “It’s water-tight, and it floats. That way, if you’re in a tournament and need to show insurance, it’s right there.”

The G-Man shows off the Zoom Z-Craw.

The larger storage compartment on the right side of his boat holds a little bit of everything, from an extra life jacket to boxes filled with topwater poppers, walking baits, Chatterbaits, Pop-Rs and spinnerbaits.

Swindle always keeps a spare life jacket for his marshal or anyone else who may need it.

Do you think Swindle likes to fish topwater baits?

The all-important bladed jig box.

A closer look at the Yellow Magic, left, and Rico topwater lures.

Swindle uses drink crates from the grocery store to hold Ziploc bags filled with baits. “It helps keep everything dry because the water doesn’t get up under it,” he said. “But it also helps me to stack everything in there.”

Lights from Rigid Industries illuminate the front of Swindle’s boat on both sides of the deck. He has both green and white. “They help me when I’m tying stuff on in the morning and shed some light on whatever you’re doing,” he said. “They serve a lot more purpose than just looking good. They help me get ready.”

A GoPro mount in a water-tight case is held by a special bracket from TH marine. Bolted onto his Humminbird bracket, the GoPro unit gives him a unique perspective. “Looking forward, I get the whole right side view of the boat, casting and everything,” Swindle said.

Swindle looking cool behind the console.

Swindle has two Humminbird Onix 10 units on his console. The unit right over Swindle’s steering wheel is used for mapping with half of the screen set to traditional sonar. The unit on the right is used strictly for down imaging and side imaging.

Another view of the GoPro mount that helps Swindle capture all of the action in his boat.

The box in between the seats is Swindle’s “personal belonging box.” He uses it for spare sunglasses, medicine, glasses, glass cleaner, dry cloths, chips, his wallet, his cell phone and anything else that absolutely has to stay dry. “It’s easy to get to if I’m idling around and need to clean sunglasses,” Swindle said. “Everybody laughs at me, but I keep a knife in there. too, Maybe I need to cut a rope or something. Maybe I need to tow somebody in.”

Swindle’s wife, Le Ann, writes inspirational notes on his sandwich bag every day. “If I take a sandwich out, there’s always something there,” he said. “For six or seven years now, there’s a new saying or something written on that bag.”

The aforementioned knife for…cutting stuff.

A Ziploc bag filled with Dude Wipes. “Self-explanatory,” Swindle said.

Inside his live well, Swindle has a culling system from TH Marine mounted to the lid. It includes a balance beam and six buoys that utilize the G-Force TH color system. “I keep it right under that lid there.,” Swindle said. “For culling, I’ve got it right at my fingertips. I can pull a buoy off, cull a fish and get back to work.”

Swindle always keeps plenty of his PMA wrist bands in a box behind the driver’s seat. It stands for “Positive Mental Attitude.”

A black and red Bass Mafia box holds all of Swindle’s tools.

A Huk raingear suit, which never leaves the boat, helps keep Swindle warm and dry.

One box is stuffed with a variety of Huk gear.

Behind the passenger seat, you’ll find a box that holds baits Swindle think he “might” need. “I load my boat up for practice,” Swindle said. “I might have a DT20 crankbait or a spoon in there. Those are not the most important baits I’m going to need, but things I could end up using. They’re sitting on the bench, not getting to play in the game. But their number could be called.”