Sweepstakes winner fishes with Swindle

The sun rises in Guntersville, Ala.

Brendan Baker from Jefferson City, Mo., was selected winner of the Fish with Gerald Swindle, 2016 Toyota Bassmaster Angler Of the Year sweepstakes.

Brendan and Gerald meet up for the first time for a day of fishing on Lake Guntersville in Alabama. Gerald was surprised to hear that Brendan entered only once and was selected out of 700,000 entries.

Brendan’s winnings include prizes from Triton/Mercury Boats, Humminbird, Minn Kota, KMC Wheels, Odyssey Marine Batteries, TH Marine, Zoom Baits, HUK, Sunline, GoPro, Quantum, Dude Wipes, Rigid Lights, Rod Glove, and War Eagle Lures.

Gerald had driven 20 hours back from Lake Champlain the day before but was a terrific host to our 20-year-old winner.

Gerald took Brendan through some of the incredible gear on his Triton boat.

Gerald fired up his Humminbird electronics which included his secret spots on Lake Guntersville.

Time to head out for a day of fishing. What a beautiful morning.

Imagine you are 20 years old and Gerald Swindle is backing you into the water on his bass boat.

Brendan and Gerald hit it off from the moment they met. Gerald was happy to hear that Brendan was an avid bass angler in high school and now college.

Conditions on Lake Guntersville couldn’t be any better.

As an avid bass angler, Brendan had lots of questions and Gerald was eager to share his knowledge.

Enjoy your day of fishing Brendan. And congratulations for being the winner of this great sweepstakes.

Let’s get this day of fishing started.

The bite was good and Brendan caught his first bass early in the day.

The day only got better as Lake Guntersville is known for. Congratulations to our winner.