Gerald Swindle's Day 2 catch disqualified

[flyphisher #]

Swindle was stupid and is getting annoying. Yet this kind of stuff happens way too much.My home lake is getting worse everyday. There are people that will do that kind of stuff if you get somewhere before they do. If they have a better boat. etc. And if you say something or give them a look it could really get ugly. More people, spending more $, superiority complexes,Feeling of entitlement. The way this is wadding some yall's panties, may as well quit fishing or find private water. Cause its gonna happen to you more and more. And I can assure you the guy that does it to you probably shouldnt even own a boat much less be a pro angler. That is all.

[Sam]

Hey Guys,

I was going through the February, 2007 Bass Times to file some articles when I came across a Motor Craft ad on page 23 featuring the G-Man.

It says, "IF IT'S OUT THERE I'M GOIN THROUGH IT."

I had no idea it would apply to this years Classic.

[Jnamo]

;DSam ;D

[gopherbass]

A couple observations...

1)  Regarding the proximity of camera crews and spectators, competing anglers are well advised to consider that their income is a function of the interest of said parties.  Tournament fishermen cannot have their cake and eat it too.  I do not subscribe to the notion that photographers can feasibly cover an angler from 500 yards (or even 100 since I assume 500 was an exageration).  Spectators, too, have little interest in observing an angler through a spotting scope.  

Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it.  

2)  Concerning G-Man's apology, do consequences only apply if someone does not apologize?  If I get a DWI and I apologize is the slate wiped clean?  No.  

[Catt]

After several phone calls from buddies in Birmingham and dozens of emails anyone care to guess the width of the channel were this incident took place or how close G-man actually was to the said camera boat?

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

I'll guess...."too close".

[Rattlinrogue]

No witty,down home comments from the "G-Man(?),huh? He looked like a sulled up child while explaining his "mistake".As for fishing Howell's water,someone should have reminded ole "G" about that bridge that he thought belonged entirely to him!Zell,should have !!@$#@% slapped that coward.I used to like Swindle,but he's nothing but a bully on the water.I know some folks that would certainly take him up on his big,bad attitude.By the way,has he ever won anything?

[Banor]

Some of these arguements are based on the assumption that Swindle is being truthful about Howell waving him on.  I've watched the footage over and over again and see nowhere that Howell waved him on.  In fact if you listen to the audio you can clearly hear Howell say about 20 seconds after Swindle blew by... "He shouldnt have done that".  That doesnt sound to me like Howell waved him on.

I go back to what Swindle said Trip said, "If somebody on the street waved you through a red light, would you go through it?"

DQ isnt hardly appropriate.  He needs fined or more.  That was just plain dangerous, you cant candy coat it anymore.  It looks to me that we arent even talking yards or 10 feet.  From what I see he came within a couple feet of the camera boat and maybe 10 feet from another boat on the other side.  That's horrible and uncalled for.

B

[Cephkiller]

Hey Catt.  You got a Swindle jersey in your closet or what?  Give it up man!  G-Man is an idiot and deserves whatever he gets.....probably more.  Unfortunately for him, his reputation preceded this latest "mistake".  I might be more inclined to cut him some slack if he was a known sportsman and a gentle soul.  This is just a physical manifestation of his boisterous, bullying personality that has clearly been on display for some time.  He acts like a professional wrestler and that is not what most of want to see from our favorite anglers.  If that's your cup of tea, fine, but the more you defend him, the more his character is reflected back onto you.  That is certainly not the reputation I would like to have on this board or anywhere else.  Good luck.

[Catt]

but the more you defend him, the more his character is reflected back onto you.  That is certainly not the reputation I would like to have on this board or anywhere else.  Good luck.

So I'm should immediately bow to your beliefs?

If you were to re-read this entire post nowhere have I defended Swindle, but you are welcome to believe what you will.

[Its a big one]

you can't tell me that he did not know that was against the rules or unsafe boating. it was set up and and he got paid for it. some more of that espn good tv/drama. he or the camera man did not even have sunglasses on. they allways have sunglasses on when they are running.    

[MoBassFishN]

;D ;D ;D :o ;D ;D

Man, what a thread! I'm still rolling at some of these comments.

Catt, I'm interested. My guess it's a bout 120 to 150' wide and Swindle's boat passed between 10 and 15 feet of the camera boat. Figuring the angle of the camera, if he was standing and on the tallish side, he might have been more like 20' from him.

[Banor]

Ya it's amazing how it can get heated like it does over something that doesnt adversely effect any of us.

Catt,

I will say that I've read all your posts and while I see your point of view it sure does seem like you are defensive about the whole thing.  It does sound like you are defending him regardless of whether you are or not.

I dont follow the Pro circuit coverages usually and wouldnt have known Swindle's face if I saw him in a crowd prior to watching the Classic coverage.  I dont really have any favorites or root for anyone in these tournaments.  I dont want to be a fan, I want to be a tx angler.

That being said I think I'm pretty objective on the whole thing and from what I've seen he was going too fast and was way too close.  I dont care who he is or who it was that did something like that, it was unsafe and justifies the DQ and more.

B

[The Duke]

Catt, I suppose ESPN made a deal w/ Swindle to drive that close in exchange for extra exposure. How in the world does this turn into a BASS/ESPN bash for you? Enjoy Fox Sports, but its coverage of all sports is horrible in comparison to ESPN. The worldwide leader in sports in not Fox.

If what Swindle did was safe or proper, then driving on a sidewalk is safe and proper. Since when can we put restrictions on media & people on public property? Lets violate the Bill of Rights - good idea!! The idea of restrictions is unapplicable. Here's a suggestion for the G-Man: Slow down!! The Classic is a big deal, but imagine if he would have hit someone, or someone would have fallen out of their boat into 53 degree water as a result. Life is a bit bigger deal.

Contrary to popular belief. Cameras are not powerful enough to zoom up hundreds of yards away. Here's a little inside scoop: Howell had his back (and consequently, bait, the bank, and everything he was doing had a boat in front of it), thus, a camera needs to be close to get that angle needed.

I like Swindle, but he screwed up. He even acknowledged this. Why are we fighting about this?

[preach4bass]

you can't tell me that he did not know that was against the rules or unsafe boating. it was set up and and he got paid for it. some more of that espn good tv/drama. he or the camera man did not even have sunglasses on. they allways have sunglasses on when they are running.

;D ;D ;D  A conspiracy theory?  ;D ;D ;D  That's a good one!!!   ;D ;D ;D

I agree with the majority of folks who realize that Swindle did something wrong (including Swindle himself).  However, I get a chuckle when I read someone say that he's a lousy angler just because he's never won an event.  He won the AOY for crying out loud!  He's never won a BASS tour level event, but he is consistantly good.  I hate that he did something so crazy.

[Catt]

It has became apparent to me some of you guys can't comprehend what has been wrote in this trend. No where in any of my post have I tried to defend what Gerald Swindle had done. The problem of camera boats (some not even ESPN's) and fans has not been address by B.A.S.S. or ESPN even after numerous complaints by tournament anglers. This is not a new problem and it's one that will more than likely get worst until someone addresses it.

[Rattlinrogue]

you can't tell me that he did not know that was against the rules or unsafe boating. it was set up and and he got paid for it. some more of that espn good tv/drama. he or the camera man did not even have sunglasses on. they allways have sunglasses on when they are running.

;D ;D ;D A conspiracy theory? ;D ;D ;D That's a good one!!! ;D ;D ;D

I agree with the majority of folks who realize that Swindle did something wrong (including Swindle himself). However, I get a chuckle when I read someone say that he's a lousy angler just because he's never won an event. He won the AOY for crying out loud! He's never won a BASS tour level event, but he is consistantly good. I hate that he did something so crazy.

I get an equally good chuckle when I read a post that says I said Swindle is a lousy angler.I simply asked"Has he ever won anything?"You gave me my answer,AOY.Seriously,Has he won a BASS tournament,and in what year did he win the AOY?Been a few years ,I think.

[preach4bass]

Sorry RR,

I wasn't trying to single you out, and I just reread your post and saw you were just asking a question about him winning anything.  As for the AOY, I think it was in 2004.

[cabela10]

Swindle has not won a B.A.S.S. event.  I believe he was AOY in 2004.   I really think coming in first in a B.A.S.S. event is much more difficult than winning AOY.   AOY is just being consistent.  You could finish 10th in every single event and win AOY.  I don't think Swindle even came close to winning an event his AOY year.   The only reason he is so well known is because he has a big mouth and doesn't hold anything back.   Sorta like Ike on the water, but Ike can fish a little.

[blueranger1]

What Swindle did was Wrong.But the guy can fish or he wouldn't be were he's at today.He's had to pay the price for what he has done.He's well known because he's passionate about BASS fishing and he loves the sport.I like watching the guy myself he's not my favorite Pro but he's close to the top on my list.Gerald broke a rule/law i think at some point we all have.Im sure he won't do it again.I certainly won't hold this against him.

[Rattlinrogue]

Preach,no offense taken.You're a good man,and I should have just kept my mouth shut on that last post.Sometimes I let my mouth overload my behind.

[preach4bass]

RR,

Thanks for the PM.  I felt bad, but thanks for putting up with my quick typing, slow thinking.

[Glenn]

Ok guys.  Looks like this is going round and round, and a few people are jumping on the keyboard before taking a "time out".  

So let's move on to something else.

[tritonman]

I agree with Glenn

Time to move on with everyones life

[scooter]

What an idiot.

And he did this on national TV.

I wonder what he does with no cameras.

Illegal, stupid, and dangerous.

They should  pull his pro status for a while to send a message to other likeminded individuals.

I have had similar thing happen to me on a local lake.

Guy cut throgh about seven boats  not as close but still an idiot.

People and actions like this give bass anglers a bad name , Bubba stauts etc.

My guess is no cameras no apologies.

He als lied saying the other angler waved him through.  I never saw that on the tape .