News

Swindle’s Sandwich Bags of Inspiration

Avid readers might remember a story posted last year that detailed 2004 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year Gerald Swindle’s reliance on P.B. & J sandwiches to get him through long days on the water. His loving wife “Lulu” makes the masterpieces of bread early each morning when she travels with him.

Since that story published, Swindle has qualified for yet another Bassmaster Classic – his 11th – and time spent chewing on a P.B. & J continues to play an integral role in his success.

KVD Calls Out Toyota

Moments after being crowned Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year for the third straight year, and the sixth time in his career, Kevin VanDam was quick to thank Toyota.

In fact, in typical intense and sincere KVD style, Kevin told thousands of fans from the weigh-in stage that not only was the Toyota Tundra the best tow vehicle out there, but punctuated his love and trust of the brand by saying that in his opinion it’s also the safest vehicle out there.

Brent Long No longer Leaving Money on the Table

Brent Long has a record of tournament success that would turn most guys green with envy, but until this year, amid all his success, he admits he was still leaving a lot of ‘green’ on the table.

The 39-year-old homebuilder from North Carolina has competed in both the Bassmaster Classic and the BFL All American, and he recently won $125,000 at the FLW™ Tour event on Lake Guntersville. Still, he admits, he was missing out. Missing out on Toyota Trucks Bonus Bucks.

Weekend Warrior Hatcliff Building a Stockpile of Bonus Bucks

Patrick Hatcliff is like a lot of you reading this story. He’s a workingman that competes in BFL, TBF and Bassmaster Weekend Series events when he’s not holding a nail gun or a measuring tape.

The 46-year-old residential contractor who tows with 2008 Toyota Tundra knows what quality construction consist of, and he knows how to catch fish.

In fact, nobody collected more Bonus Bucks last year in the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Weekend Series trail than Hatcliff.

VanDam Loves Bluegills – Deep Fried

It’s not what you’d expect. The 5-time Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year dunking black gnats and wax worms. He ain’t playin. He’s serious. It’s been this way since he was a lanky kid pestering Kalamazoo’s panfish population. Frankly, it’s one of the outdoor experiences that are a part of him. He loves it.

“I go bluegill fishing a bunch. Through the ice. Middle of summer. It doesn’t matter. The lake my dad lives on, not too far from my house, is loaded with giants. And we hammer them. Ask Zona. There ain’t nothing like it,” says VanDam, with his signature intensity.

Scroggins Loves Big Lead Eggs

Few Bassmaster Elite Series anglers have a bigger appetite than Terry “Big Show” Scroggins. His grill skills are large, and so are his Carolina Rig weights.

In 2008, at Falcon Lake, Texas, Scroggins drug up the second largest 5-fish limit in B.A.S.S. history with a Carolina Rig – his five monsters totaled 44 pounds, 4 ounces. And right now, as bass all over America are in some phase of the spawn, few presentations work better than the ‘ball and chain.’

Swindle No April Fool

He may be the world’s funniest bass angler, but Gerald Swindle is no April Fool. As spring’s centerpiece month, April is anchored by change, and Swindle is one of the best at preparing for everything.

His adaptability stems mostly from his high-energy personality and a past filled with three-hour jackpot tourneys that taught him how to catch fish in a short period of time on a wide variety of lures.

The 2004 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year let us take a detailed look at four lures likely to be laying on his front deck in the weeks ahead.

Clear Lake Left Most Toyota Pros Feeling Foggy

The Bassmaster® Elite Series tournament at gorgeous Clear Lake sent three of the four nationally sponsored Toyota pros home from the Sierra Nevadas feeling foggy.

Mike Iaconelli was the one exception. Ike remained consistent and eventually finished 25th with 54 pounds. For the most part, Iaconelli ignored the vogue swimbait bite and focused on his strengths, which involved dragging finesse baits across the shallow lake bottom.

Ike's Duel in the Delta Results in Narrow Loss to Close Friend Crews

Team Toyota’s Mike Iaconelli knew he didn’t have quite enough weight to win when he stepped on the BASS stage during the final day at the California Delta. He also knew his close friend John Crews might benefit from his shortfall.

Ike was right. He was two pounds too short of victory. In turn, his roommate and close friend of five years, John Crews, dodged heavy bags from Iaconelli, Greg Hackney and Skeet Reese to win his first ever Bassmaster Elite tournament. “I actually got chills when I knew John was going to win, I was that proud of him,” said Iaconelli.

It's All Good

The psychology surrounding professional anglers would provide great doctoral research material at institutions like Stanford or Yale known for diving deep into the human mind.

They could start with 7-time Bassmaster Classic qualifier Terry “Big Show” Scroggins. But they might be disappointed. Scroggins is anything but a head case. He’s much the opposite. Scroggins looks for life’s simpler, brighter side and is famous among friends for his favorite verbal expression – “It’s All Good.”