Courtesy of Alan McGuckin – Dynamic Sponsorships

 

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Brandon Lester and Gerald Swindle grew up in neighboring rival states. Tennessee and Alabama. The Vols versus the Crimson Tide. And this week they find themselves competing at the Whataburger Bassmaster Elite at Pickwick Lake, a reservoir on the border of their home states.

 

They had fun sharing their thoughts on what fans can expect from the Tennessee River impoundment on the eve of competition.

 

Q: What percentage of your practice was spent staring at your sonar screens versus actually fishing?

Lester: 70% looking at sonar.

Swindle: 85% looking at sonar.

 

Q: What’s your best guess at the heaviest limit we’ll see weighed-in on Thursday?

Lester: 24 pounds

Swindle: 22 pounds

 

Q: What concerns you most about this tournament?

Lester: Timing – stopping at the right spot at the right time.

Swindle: There’s 6 to 10 big schools of largemouth, and everybody knows where they’re at. So, the term “slugfest” might take on a whole new meaning in this derby.

 

Q: If you only had two lures to fish with in June for the rest of your life, what would you choose?

Lester: Strike King 6XD crankbait, and a redbug colored Zoom Magnum Trick worm.

Swindle: Rapala DT 20 crankbait, and a plum colored Zoom Magnum Trick Worm on a ½ ounce Buckeye Spot Remover jig head.

 

Q: Who is your favorite athlete of all time from your favorite university?

Lester: Peyton Manning – but look, my wife Kim is really the hard-core Vols fan in our marriage.

Swindle: Derrick Henry – I think his life’s story is even more impressive than his football career.

 

Q: What’s your favorite feature of the all-new 2022 Toyota Tundra

Lester: Rides like a luxury car, the 10-speed transmission pulls super smooth, and the gas mileage is solid too.

Swindle: Torque, horsepower and comfort.