Courtesy of Dynamic Sponsorships

After thirty successful years as a pro fisherman, Gerald Swindle isn’t afraid to tell it like it is. “G Man” wasn’t afraid to admit that he wasn’t expecting to smash a big bag in the MAXAM Tire Bassmaster Elite on the Sabine River based on his three days of practice, but he still had plenty to look forward to.

Much like the rest of his peers, Swindle found the Sabine to be fishing tougher than usual, and Swindle is accustomed to this fishery being a difficult puzzle to solve. The two-time Angler of the Year covered what he estimated to be a 120-mile area during official practice, sampling creeks and sloughs he knows have been productive in the past.

Swindle intends to put on his grinders helmet in search for five keeper bass each day, but perhaps what he’s looking forward to most will be waiting at the City of Orange Boat Ramp at the end of the day…  And that’s the fans.

“The Sabine River might be synonymous with tiny bass and tough fishing but when I think of this place I think of big crowds and rowdy fans,” Swindle said with a smile. “The fans here are our medicine at the end of a long day of work. The Texas and Louisiana folks around here are amazing.”

It’s true; this community embraces Elite Series pros and Bassmaster events like few others. Regardless of the size of anglers’ fish, huge crowds show up and show out to cheer on their favorite fishermen. Like years past, the City of Orange is putting on the Orange County River Festival in conjunction with the tournament.  Featuring free concerts, a carnival, a plethora of local booths and free activities for the whole family.

Simply stated, this community does it right. Something the veteran Swindle appreciates more at this stage of his career. The Team Toyota pro notched his 59^th top ten finish to start the 2025 season at the St. Johns River, and while weighing in on day four of the event he had a heartfelt message for bass fishing afficionados.

“Thanks to the fans for always supporting me and LuLu,” Swindle said, with emotion welling in his voice. “These days, we’re out here for you guys. She’ll tell ya, there are days on the road when we’re tired and beat down from the grind of this lifestyle… and I look at her and say I don’t know, hunny. She always says; for the fans, do it for the fans. So, this year, it’s all for the fans.”

Swindle may have one of the biggest personalities in the sport, but he has one of the biggest hearts, too. The loyal support he and his wife LeAnn (LuLu) receive from fans across the country mean every bit as much as titles or accolades these days for the Swindles’.

“Knowing you have people there at the stage to cheer you on and slap your back regardless of what you catch means the world,” Swindle offered.

Sabine strategy

As for Swindle’s strategy to add to his over $2.5 million dollars in career winnings this week, the Alabama pro plans to keep his trolling motor down and embrace the grind.

“Don’t run a lot when you ain’t got a lot to fish, is something I’ve told myself a lot this week,” Swindle said. “This is going to be an old school grinder of a bass derby, so I’m not going to run around like my bald heads on fire. I’m going to keep a topwater, spinnerbait, and a flipping bait in my hands and make as many casts as I can.”

According to Swindle, the conditions aren’t working in the angler’s favor right now on the Sabine. With high, muddy water steadily flowing into the system and a stout south wind blowing against the flows, Elite pros will have to earn every keeper bite.

As vast and sprawling as the Sabine River system is, Swindle expects this event to fish extremely small as there just aren’t many stable areas with biting bass.

“It’s like the Johnny Cash song around here… ‘How high’s the water papa?’ It’s four feet high and rising,” Swindle said with a laugh. “This place is fishing as tough as I’ve ever seen, but someone still has to win. A tough bite makes tough men, and I ain’t saying I’m going to blast them, but I promise you I’m going to keep my head down and give ‘em my best.”

With 331 B.A.S.S. tournaments to his name, Swindle’s seen it all and has excelled whether it takes 100+ pounds to win after four days or less than 40-pounds. With predictions for this event trending towards the latter, he’ll work hard every minute he’s on the water and look forward to getting back to weigh-in to cut up and share some laughs with bass fishing’s amazing fanbase.