Swindle’s difficult Day 1

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Current Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year leader Gerald Swindle had a quick start this morning, and boated his first keeper before we were able to catch up with him.
Current Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year leader Gerald Swindle had a quick start this morning, and boated his first keeper before we were able to catch up with him.
He kept plugging away while several spectator boats arrived.
He kept plugging away while several spectator boats arrived.
As the morning waned on, the winds and waves began to build.
As the morning waned on, the winds and waves began to build.
He wasn't catching as many fish as he was expecting. The dramatic weather changes from yesterday--sunny, flat and calm--seemed to have had an impact on his pattern.
He wasn’t catching as many fish as he was expecting. The dramatic weather changes from yesterday–sunny, flat and calm–seemed to have had an impact on his pattern.
Swindle stuck it out for a while, but he eventually picked up and went on the run.
Swindle stuck it out for a while, but he eventually picked up and went on the run.
He used a myriad of baits, and visited several different structural elements.
He used a myriad of baits, and visited several different structural elements.
Cast after cast ...
Cast after cast …
... Swindle did what he did best: Junk fish.
… Swindle did what he did best: Junk fish.
Then he finally found one.
Then he finally found one.
Looks like a good one ...
Looks like a good one …
He flips it in ... Looks like a nice smallmouth.
He flips it in … Looks like a nice smallmouth.
Probably a 4-pounder.
Probably a 4-pounder.
That will help for sure!
That will help for sure!
Into the livewell it goes.
Into the livewell it goes.
Swindle gets back to work as the waves continue to build.
Swindle gets back to work as the waves continue to build.
It wasn't long before he hit the trail again, looking for the next possible spot.
It wasn’t long before he hit the trail again, looking for the next possible spot.
About a mile later, he puts down and deploys his trolling motor.
About a mile later, he puts down and deploys his trolling motor.
Using the wind to his advantage, Swindle positioned his boat to maintain control while his bait contacted the rocky bottom.
Using the wind to his advantage, Swindle positioned his boat to maintain control while his bait contacted the rocky bottom.
A few casts later, he's back on the move.
A few casts later, he’s back on the move.
Another spot ...
Another spot …
... and another.
… and another.
And another ...
And another …
And yet another.
And yet another.
This spot was certainly interesting, but it failed to yield Swindle a fish.
This spot was certainly interesting, but it failed to yield Swindle a fish.
But, there's some life ...
But, there’s some life …
This is the food of the fish he's trying to catch ...
This is the food of the fish he’s trying to catch …
Just a potato-chip size perch.
Just a potato-chip size perch.
As Mike Iaconelli drives by. The two anglers briefly talk before Ike moves off.
As Mike Iaconelli drives by. The two anglers briefly talk before Ike moves off.
Just a few short minutes later, Ike hooks up!
Just a few short minutes later, Ike hooks up!
It's the right kind, but not the right size. It immediately goes back.
It’s the right kind, but not the right size. It immediately goes back.
Swindle stays focused, still looking for three fish to fill his limit.
Swindle stays focused, still looking for three fish to fill his limit.
Ike moves on.
Ike moves on.
Swindle hooks up again. Will this be No. 3?
Swindle hooks up again. Will this be No. 3?
Another case of the right kind but the wrong size.
Another case of the right kind but the wrong size.
After a sizeable run, Swindle decides to pursue the underutilized largemouth.
After a sizeable run, Swindle decides to pursue the underutilized largemouth.
He works a few docks, then moves to the weeds.
He works a few docks, then moves to the weeds.
Swindle moves into the pencil reeds hoping for a sign. Any sign.
Swindle moves into the pencil reeds hoping for a sign. Any sign.
Frustration is clearly setting in, but he stays determined.
Frustration is clearly setting in, but he stays determined.
Back at the helm for another change.
Back at the helm for another change.
Meanwhile, a bald eagle swings low looking for a meal.
Meanwhile, a bald eagle swings low looking for a meal.
Swindle eventually ended up back where he started the morning. And right away the decision proves to be the right one.
Swindle eventually ended up back where he started the morning. And right away the decision proves to be the right one.
Swindle goes in for the grab.
Swindle goes in for the grab.
Looks like a pretty good one, but Swindle is in a hurry and drops it in the box almost immediately.
Looks like a pretty good one, but Swindle is in a hurry and drops it in the box almost immediately.
That's three with only a couple hours to go.
That’s three with only a couple hours to go.
After Swindle gave Ott Defoe some advice at the last event in La Crosse, Wis., Ott swings by to see how it's going for Swindle.
After Swindle gave Ott Defoe some advice at the last event in La Crosse, Wis., Ott swings by to see how it’s going for Swindle.
Ott offers to repay the favor with some insight of his own. This is another fine example of the sportsmanship that is shared in the Elite Series.
Ott offers to repay the favor with some insight of his own. This is another fine example of the sportsmanship that is shared in the Elite Series.