Free agent crankin’ with Gerald Swindle

Bassmaster Elite Series pro Gerald Swindle fished the 2015 season without a hard-bait sponsor as a "free agent." This allowed Swindle to experiment with crankbaits he had not thrown before and others he wanted to better understand.

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Gerald Swindle fished the 2015 Elite Series season without a hard-bait sponsor and was able to experiment with any and every crankbait. Upon seasons end, he had five crankbaits that rose to the top of his list.
Gerald Swindle fished the 2015 Elite Series season without a hard-bait sponsor and was able to experiment with any and every crankbait. Upon seasons end, he had five crankbaits that rose to the top of his list.
(From left to right): In no specific order, Swindle found the Rapala DT 14, Strike King 6XD, Strike King 10XD, 6th Sense 500DD and the Spro Little John DD.
(From left to right): In no specific order, Swindle found the Rapala DT 14, Strike King 6XD, Strike King 10XD, 6th Sense 500DD and the Spro Little John DD.
Swindle used a Quantum 7'10
Swindle used a Quantum 7’10” KVD cranking rod paired with a Quantum 5.3:1 reel on most occasions.
“There were times when I would try to throw a 6.6:1 or a 6.3:1 gear ratio if I was trying to burn it, but always remember when you go to these giant plugs that a high speed reel will work you to death,” Swindle said.
“There were times when I would try to throw a 6.6:1 or a 6.3:1 gear ratio if I was trying to burn it, but always remember when you go to these giant plugs that a high speed reel will work you to death,” Swindle said.
Fishing on nearby Lake Guntersville and the Tennessee River allowed Swindle to experiment on the ledges that seem to produce on any given day.
Fishing on nearby Lake Guntersville and the Tennessee River allowed Swindle to experiment on the ledges that seem to produce on any given day.
Each one of these crankbaits features something different that sets them apart from other crankbaits.
Each one of these crankbaits features something different that sets them apart from other crankbaits.
Swindle threw these crankbaits on 10- to 14-pound line depending on each one specifically and what depth range he wanted to achieve.
Swindle threw these crankbaits on 10- to 14-pound line depending on each one specifically and what depth range he wanted to achieve.
First up on the docket is the Rapala DT 14.
First up on the docket is the Rapala DT 14.
The Rapala DT 14 featured great castability for Swindle and because of its wooden nature it is also silent. Whether it was clear water or muddy water the Alabama pro believes in this bait throughout the year.
The Rapala DT 14 featured great castability for Swindle and because of its wooden nature it is also silent. Whether it was clear water or muddy water the Alabama pro believes in this bait throughout the year.
The DT 14 was the shallowest of his selected crankbaits, but the finesse approach at times, makes this bait effective.
The DT 14 was the shallowest of his selected crankbaits, but the finesse approach at times, makes this bait effective.
He throws this on 10-pound Sunline.
He throws this on 10-pound Sunline.
Next in his lineup is the Strike King 6XD.
Next in his lineup is the Strike King 6XD.
This bait has seen a ledge or two on the Tennessee River and has been a productive bait since it debuted.
This bait has seen a ledge or two on the Tennessee River and has been a productive bait since it debuted.
“With 10-pound line you’re bumpin’ 15 to 18 feet on every cast,” Swindle said.
“With 10-pound line you’re bumpin’ 15 to 18 feet on every cast,” Swindle said.
Swindle praised the castability of this bait and how it achieved maximum depth even on modest casts.
Swindle praised the castability of this bait and how it achieved maximum depth even on modest casts.
Up next is what Swindle called the
Up next is what Swindle called the “mack daddy” and “big pimp” of deep diving crankbaits.
His “MVP” or Most Valuable Plug for the BASSFest event on Kentucky Lake was the Strike King 10XD.
His “MVP” or Most Valuable Plug for the BASSFest event on Kentucky Lake was the Strike King 10XD.
Although Swindle joked about this bait dredging up the bottom of the ocean, it only further explains the depth range that this bait is able to reach.
Although Swindle joked about this bait dredging up the bottom of the ocean, it only further explains the depth range that this bait is able to reach.
“This is a full-man’s crankbait, but it will get you a big bass,” said the Elite Series pro. “It looks intimidating in the pack, but trust me it’s not. I throw it on 14-pound line.” He warns about using light line with this bait, because the size of the bait can snap smaller sized line when you sling it out for a cast. Swindle believes 14-pound line can get the job done.
“This is a full-man’s crankbait, but it will get you a big bass,” said the Elite Series pro. “It looks intimidating in the pack, but trust me it’s not. I throw it on 14-pound line.” He warns about using light line with this bait, because the size of the bait can snap smaller sized line when you sling it out for a cast. Swindle believes 14-pound line can get the job done.
Next up is a crankbait from the 6th Sense lineup. The 500DD is the deep diving plug in the Texas companies arsenal.
Next up is a crankbait from the 6th Sense lineup. The 500DD is the deep diving plug in the Texas companies arsenal.
“It has a totally unique sound and is a little thinner than other baits,” Swindle said. “The [500DD] offers a big, deep-diving bill. On 12-pound line this bait will bump 20 feet on a modest cast.”
“It has a totally unique sound and is a little thinner than other baits,” Swindle said. “The [500DD] offers a big, deep-diving bill. On 12-pound line this bait will bump 20 feet on a modest cast.”
This bait in the color Blue-Treuse Shad was a game changer for Swindle.
This bait in the color Blue-Treuse Shad was a game changer for Swindle.
Swindle's
Swindle’s “sneaky sneaky” bait was the Spro Little John DD crankbait designed by fellow Elite Series pro John Crews.
“It has a little sound to it, but it wasn’t over the top,” Swindle said. “It seems to be a great finesse style crankbait for structure fishing.”
“It has a little sound to it, but it wasn’t over the top,” Swindle said. “It seems to be a great finesse style crankbait for structure fishing.”
Swindle echoed praise for how easy it is to cast this bait. The weight transfer system helps this bait fly on a modest cast.
Swindle echoed praise for how easy it is to cast this bait. The weight transfer system helps this bait fly on a modest cast.
Swindle's lineup featured different colors, brands and styles from numerous companies, and all produced for the Alabama angler.
Swindle’s lineup featured different colors, brands and styles from numerous companies, and all produced for the Alabama angler.
Swindle had no ties to any of these companies going into the 2015 season.
Swindle had no ties to any of these companies going into the 2015 season.
There you have it, Swindle's five favorite crankbaits from the 2015 season.
There you have it, Swindle’s five favorite crankbaits from the 2015 season.
Rapala DT 14, Strike King 6XD, Strike King 10XD, 6th Sense Crush 500DD and the Spro Little John DD were his five baits that rose to the occasion for Swindle.
Rapala DT 14, Strike King 6XD, Strike King 10XD, 6th Sense Crush 500DD and the Spro Little John DD were his five baits that rose to the occasion for Swindle.
With a smile like that, I'd say Swindle was pleased with his findings.
With a smile like that, I’d say Swindle was pleased with his findings.