Gerald Swindle's Day 2 catch disqualified

[justfishin]

If Swindle loses Ranger, maybe Rousch Racing will pick him up :

Hey, you guys are making me laugh and I am spilling my coffee, ;D, I swear, you guys come up with more one liners than Rodney Dangerfield did,lol.

[fishingfourfun]

Definitely not a good decision.  I think it is being overblown.  He is a professional.  You don't hear professional baseball players complaing that a pitcher is throwing the ball to fast!.. I am not condoning his action but I think the non-boaters should not be allowed to be as close to the anglers.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Now to sit back and see if KVD can pull off another win.

Oh man, I didn't know the story about david being in the accident.  Wow, Imagine being in 1st place and knowing you could make this terrible story have such a sweet spot, Holy Pressure batman!

The guy just can't stop building respect.

GO KVD!!!!

[boondocks]

As for bystander to many times they have the attitude this is my lake and I can go where I want but they are the same ones who complain if some one gets near them.

From what I've seen it seems more like the tournament guys have this attitude. These are public water ways these guys are fishing. Everyone else has just as much right to be there as the pros.

IMO the pro's SHOULD be showing respect to the locals.  And the locals SHOULD also be showing respect to the pros. Neither has more right to be there than the next. Same goes for the camera man. He has just as much right to be on the water as the next guy.

What the G-man pulled was BS. I definately think the DQ was justified.

[tallydude]

I also believe the DQ was warranted, but I'm not holding anything against Swindle. He seemed genuinely apologetic at the stand and on tv later that night. He screwed up and made a mistake. Something we've all done before. You won't see him do it again. I hope he doesn't lose any sponsors for this.

[justfishin]

I hope KVD wins this one for David.

[Catt]

Oh my God here we go with the I've got a right to be there

Yea every body does have the right to be there but let's get real here; this is a totally rude attitude to have period. The camera man can zoom in from a couple hundred yards away with ease and for close-ups the are camera men in the boat with the anglers. It was not the by-stander that complained they are anglers to and didn't have a problem with what took place. It was a camera crew who in my option had no business being that close to the action; how many time have I seen a camera men get ran over at a football game because he was standing to near to the side line with a camera in his hand capable of taking photos at 500 yards away.

This problem of boats being that close to the action is getting out of control and I think its BA.S.S. Or ESPN's responsibility to address it since they are using this venue to make millions. Do y'all really want to want until someone is serious hurt or killed and the have the decision make in a court of law. When it gets to that point we will all loose because a court doesn't care if the decision hurts our sport.

Again I aint defending G-man just pointing out a problem that no one, not even any one here sees.

[CJ]

I hate to see what Swindle did.Moves like that cause tournament anglers to look like d^*#h$@ds.Thousands of other fisherman have seen this and said,"Yep,just like one of em'!"

Excactly what Gerald did is what causes conflicts on our waters.I hate to see him do that.I hope some of us tournament anglers will make it a point to have more respect on our waters.He should of used his head but,like a buck in the rut,he didn't.

On the other hand,I hope this won't shadow out the amazing Classic that is being fished.I can't wait for the weigh in.It could be anybodies but KVD is about to prove he "must be the greatest"! CJ

[bassnleo]

I'm probably going to take a beating for my opinion so I'm ducking already.

After viewing the Swindle's fly by, as an angler I would have no problem with what he did (If I were in Howell's shoes and I waived him on). Would I have driven through the same way.... probably not.  He recieved a DQ for a rules violation, he admits his mistake, end of story in my boat.

I do not view it as dangerous as alot of the prior opinions have stated. Maybe my opinion is based on my experience in boating on a shallow river. It is not uncommon here for a boat to pass within a close distance, you just plain have to. Quite often a boat will be floating in the channel and where you have to run to avoid striking bottom. We are used to it and accept it. It the name of the game when on a shallow river running jet drive outboards.  

[CJ]

Yea every body does have the right to be there but let's get real here; this is a totally rude attitude to have period. The camera man can zoom in from a couple hundred yards away with ease and for close-ups the are camera men in the boat with the anglers. It was not the by-stander that complained they are anglers to and didn't have a problem with what took place. It was a camera crew who in my option had no business being that close to the action; how many time have I seen a camera men get ran over at a football game because he was standing to near to the side line with a camera in his hand capable of taking photos at 500 yards away.

This problem of boats being that close to the action is getting out of control and I think its BA.S.S. Or ESPN's responsibility to address it since they are using this venue to make millions. Do y'all really want to want until someone is serious hurt or killed and the have the decision make in a court of law. When it gets to that point we will all loose because a court doesn't care if the decision hurts our sport.

Again I aint defending G-man just pointing out a problem that no one, not even any one here sees.

You gotta very good point,Catt.

Bassnleo,I thought about that.I call where Swindle's fly-by occured,a creek.We don't get that close to anybody around here either.We got enough water there is no need.I have fished creeks like that and other local fisherman got pretty close to us.So one question is about the local ediquette,Swindle and Howell are local ain't they?

[Triton21]

Again this is Public Water.  Anyone could pull up 10 ft in front of a pro and not be breaking any law.  I totally agree that we as Bass Fishermen should(and most do) respect the fact that this is the pro's livelihood but a crappie or cat fisherman or even a cameraman can be anywhere on public water he wants and expect others to respect his safety.

Kelley

[bassnleo]

Yea every body does have the right to be there but let's get real here; this is a totally rude attitude to have period. The camera man can zoom in from a couple hundred yards away with ease and for close-ups the are camera men in the boat with the anglers. It was not the by-stander that complained they are anglers to and didn't have a problem with what took place. It was a camera crew who in my option had no business being that close to the action; how many time have I seen a camera men get ran over at a football game because he was standing to near to the side line with a camera in his hand capable of taking photos at 500 yards away.

This problem of boats being that close to the action is getting out of control and I think its BA.S.S. Or ESPN's responsibility to address it since they are using this venue to make millions. Do y'all really want to want until someone is serious hurt or killed and the have the decision make in a court of law. When it gets to that point we will all loose because a court doesn't care if the decision hurts our sport.

Again I aint defending G-man just pointing out a problem that no one, not even any one here sees.

You gotta very good point,Catt.

X2

[Jnamo]

This is ridiculous logic.  The fact is, he was on plane and came within feet of another boat.  It is very unsafe, stupid, and both he and BASS should be embarrassed.  I can't believe they are showing this on TV as much as they are.  I guess any publicity is good publicity?  

It really doesn't matter if Randy waved him through, it is not his call.  It is nobody's call as to how close you can drive your boat on plane next to boats like that.  There are laws/rules about that and this little thing called common sense, which Ricky Booby (yes booby) seems to lack.  This is an embarrassment for all tournament anglers.  

Can someone from BAMA please post the rules on this subject I am curious.  

How about that KVD?!!!   Jeff

[cart7t]

I just seen the video and all I can say is what an inconsiderant and dangerous jerk.  I have never seen anything like that before on a lake or river, much worse than Ikes incident.

Saw it on the TV as well.  Extremely dangerous move he pulled.  Not only endangering another competitor but spectators as well.  I'm wondering if he violated any 'bama state boating laws with that manuveur.

Stupid is as stupid does.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Point taken on the fact that there needs to be rules to keep cameras and spectators back.  Granted.

But this group of spectators was watching Howell, not swindle.  If you approach the group on plane and keep it there,.....think about it.  

[5bass]

The bottom line is that he should've idled through the crowd. He obviously made a real bad decision blowing through there like that and BASS made the correct call and DQ'd his catch.

[IrishJig]

I don't know about Bama, but in Mich. if a boat is within 100 feet of another boat, they must be at no wake speed. For him to do that is just plain wrong and stupid.

I really can't see any interpretation that would allow for such actions to take place and be o.k. with it. (IrishJig)

And that's my point, what is the rule?  I understand the need to adhere to each individual state's laws, but I think BASS needs to spell out some universal laws so everybody knows what they are.  If he goes by at 50 feet, maybe some camera men are alright with that and some aren't.  As it is, Trip is left to the interpretation of a camera man and a shot that might be at a bad angle to determine what to do.  

In Swindles case he was DQ'd for violating the "safe boater rule", but that rule does not define what is and is not a safe boater.  He was also DQ'd for the sportsmanship rule, and that rule does not spell out any specifics of what are the offenses deemed DQable.  The rules are to vague.  If there was no camera, he wouldn't be DQ'd because it would fall under the old saying, "I can't define what is in bad taste, but I know it when I see it."  Rules should not come down to being able to see it to interpret them, they should be spelled out so everybody knows going into the event what is allowed and what is not.

[Shad_Master]

I haven't taken the time to read all the posts, so if some of this is redundant I apologize.

IMO, the sponsors should not be concerned.  This is likely to get more air time over the year and even into next year than Tim Horton's double catch.  I do think Ranger overreacted to last year, but Ike has gotten more "exposure" over that than Luke did for winning.

Also, it seems to me that because the rules have to be "interpreted" for things like this there needs to be more than one person calling the shots.  I know the Tournament Director has the final say, but I think there needs to be a committe to give input before the final determination is made.  That committe should include competitors and maybe media people (perhaps even observers/fans).  Otherwise the rules are left open -- for example the Guy Eaker deal and some others that have been kind of shaky.

I'm sure that not everybody will agree, but this is MHO.

[justfishin]

Alabama law designates certain dangerous operating practices as illegal. The following are examples of illegal and dangerous operation.

   * Reckless Operation of a vessel, or reckless manipulation of water skis or similar devices, is the failure to exercise the care necessary to protect the life, safety or property of others. Some examples of reckless operation are:

         o Operating in violation of the navigation rules

         o Jumping the wake of another vessel unnecessarily close to that vessel, or encircling or buzzing another vessel or person in the water

         o Operating within 100 feet of a diver down flag

         o Weaving your vessel through congested waterway traffic or swerving at the last possible moment in order to avoid collision.

   * Careless Operation of a vessel is operating in a negligent, careless or inattentive manner that endangers the life, safety or property of others. Some examples of careless operation are:

         o Operating a vessel not equipped with the required safety equipment

         o Failure to maintain a proper lookout for other vessels or persons in the water.

  * Failure to Regulate Speed is operating at speeds greater than that which allows the operator to bring the vessel to a stop within a clear distance ahead, or at speeds which cause danger or inconvenience to others given the existing weather and traffic conditions. A vessel operator must not:

         o Operate at a speed which causes a hazardous wake or wash when approaching another vessel or when entering or leaving a marina or harbor area

         o Operate above a plane speed when persons or gear on board the vessel are such that the operator's view is obstructed or safe operation is impaired

[cabela10]

I have no issues with what Swindle did actually.   What is he suppose to do when those spectators clog up the whole d**n waterway and don't allow enough room for other boats to go through them.  Is he really suppose to slow down every single time he comes up to a floatily of boats.  NO.  Those spectators should be over 100 yards away from the pro anglers.  Look at all those boats, what the heck was Swindle suppose to do?  STOP and waste time in the Classic?  Really, this is a huge over reaction to nothing.

[skillet]

 This is really like it's coming from an old fa*t (and it is). In football they get away with a lot more than they used to and I can remember when basketball was not a contact sport.

 I kind of figured after ESPN got into it and the money got so big it would attract these kind of folks and these kinds of incidents. I hate to say it but I think most folks probably want it this way.  

 You can't say anymore "It's just FISHIN'"......

                                                                As Ever,

                                                                 Skillet

[MoBassFishN]

ROFLMAO!!!! Man, you guys are something. The guy made a mistake and he didn't cheat. He appologized, shed tears, and gave his reasons for why he did what he did. Some of you feel he should be crucified.

I've fished tournaments since the late '70s and I've seen an aweful lot. Was what Gerald did wrong. Yea. He was going maybe 45 or 50 in the distance from where he nailed it. He was not traveling 75 mph!

Have any of you fished any upper lake arms where you turn and twist through stump fields and trees for miles and miles? Gerald runs a boat almost exactly like the one he was in yesterday so he was familiar with it. What he did, I would almost guarantee he has done many many times before if you would just put a rock wall or a large tree in the position of that camera boat. I know I have. I have driven that close to other folks boats, but that was long ago when the practice was accepted by the masses. The film makes it look like he was within 2 or 3 feet. I'd say more like 10 or 15 would be correct. We didn't like to have guys running creek channels shut down when they saw us because it would cause a washing wake effect that shut the fish down more so than if someone just kept it up on plane at a decent rate of speed and kept going.

Sure, now that I'm older, I wouldn't do that to someone else. In my younger days, I'd have done it without thinking twice about it. No harm, no foul. Times have changed. Gerald got caught up in the enourmous pressure of the BASSMASTERS Classic and doing well! I mean, he's never won one a tour level T and he is in contention of one of the biggest events known to the sport. He made a judgement mistake according to the acceptable practices of this day and age. Why crucify him?

As far as the camera boat shouldn't have been there? LOL are you serious? What about the spectator boats that were sitting on the other side of where Gerald ran. He ran right between the spectators boats and the camera boat in that small channel. These guys fishing this tournament WANT those camera boats on them! Some of them even want the spectators if they are thoughtful while their fishing to advance the sport. That's why they are there, to make money! i'll guarantee to you that they would rather slow down than to have the camera boats gone or further away. The further they are away, the more likely it is that they miss some of the action because it gets blocked. It's all about angles. I'd bet if the cameras weren't so costly, they'd have the cameramen in the boats with the anglers rather than in chase boats. They use chase boats so they can cover more anglers with less cameras for those that don't know it.

Boating safety course? LOL, you don't think being taken out of contention for a half a million dollars is going to have an effect on him?

[Shadcranker]

If the spectators had not been there, he would have been fine. I'm sure Howell would have rather him run at full speed with limited wake than to go half speed and push a big wake (I fish on a narrow river a lot, and lots of boaters think they're doing you a favor by slowing down, when actually they are pushing more water by half idling / half running).

Either wide open or idle speed is good; half or 1/4 speed sucks.

That said, he should not have shot that narrow gap at full speed. It was very dangerous, and I'm sure he was honestly just gigged up on adrenaline and made a poor judgement call. BASS was correct to DQ him, and I thought GS was right to not blame Trip Weldon, the spectators, fellow competitiors, etc. He took the interview and apologized publicly.

Punishment fit the crime, and life goes on.

As this sport grows, the spectator boat issue is going to be a bigger problem, and this incident IMHO is just an example of the risks that spectators pose. I had a hall pass yesterday and could have easily gone down there, but I honestly did not want to get in their way. Glad I didn't, b/c I whacked em on Guntersville.

[RI_Bass_Guy]

Yes it was a bad decision on Swindle's part. But after watching this morning blast off I watched a dozen boats come within 20 to 30 feet on plane from spectator boats waiting to follow. How come no one else was DQ'd this morning??

Who registered the complaint against Swindle?

[blueranger1]

All i can add to this is i see this happen ALL the time on my home lake.I hate it for Gerald but he should've idled through the crowd.I have been a spectator at several BASS tournaments and watched outher pro's run on plane 15/20 feet away alot.I will run on plane no closer than aleast 30 feet myself.Gerald was alittle 2 close i have seen 1 other pro get that close to a spectator before.Its not safe but it happens and he had to pay the price.