In Sunday's Beaumont Enterprise(2/17/08), the outdoor journalist Robert Sloan fired some uneducated and unnecessary comments about Gerald Swindle in regards to the incident at the 2007 Bassmaster Classic in which Swindle was DQ'ed. I watched the Classic and I understand why Swindle made the decision that he did and which he was supported by some of the other anglers in the tournament and Swindle was very upset about the situation and explained his decision at day 2 weigh in. This is what the journalist said about Swindle, "I was watching a recent bass fishing show. In one segment the camera man in a boat videoed a tourney angler running wide open through a pod of boats, some were spectator boats observing a tourney angler fishing. The brain-dead pro angler that raced through the boats claimed he was waved through by the guy fishing. Apparently the angler running the bass boat thought it was cool to run through the other boats at a high rate of speed. He was later kicked out of the tourney, and rightfully so. " Those of you who are fans of Swindle and know what really happened PLEASE read the article about him and express your thoughts about it to the journalist. If you would like to read the whole article go to http://home.beaumontenterprise.com/outdoors/outdoors.html and click on safe boating is no accident, especially in fog.

that journalist shouldnt be writing. hes way behind schedule, and is firing accusations that are ignorant. Maybe he should watch the footage and understand why he stayed on pad when waved through the area. he was wrong, but thought he was doing the right thing by decreasing the amount of wake he was throwing.

Then you will be giving the author what he wants which is attention. The more of us that respond means more are reading his trash. Just send the link direct to Gerald at www.geraldswindle.com

good call Mark... that journalist is probably on his way out the door and trying to make a "last stand" at some publicity. Gerald is still a professional, no matter what anyone thinks.

The journalist has been with the Beaumont Enterprise for many years, but what he wrote about Swindle did not set right with me because he obviously did not know the entire situation

I disagree and agree with the journalist and BASS in this case. I saw that video and Gerald was way off in his operation of his boat. Not even close.
While they dq people for breaking light poles and not aerating their fish I think they maintain high standards by dq'ing and making it plain that these guys have to maintain safe boat operation.

Anyone doing that kind of nonsense at any tournament I ever fish will be protested and I hope dq'ed.
Also no situation short of life saving would allow me to think Swindle had to drive out of that area at that speed and in such close proximity to other boats.

I fully agree that Swindle should have been DQ'd that day. No argument there but the article is lacking on facts. He was not "thrown out" of the event. His weight for the day was dropped. There are a few little "facts" that he either twists or leaes out.
That is why I think its not a good read.

Mark, his fish were not allowed for the day but he was DQed at least my recollection from BASS. I just went and refreshed and ESPN was wrong then too.

http://sports.espn.go.com/outdoors/tournaments/classic/news/story?id=2778199

Correct he was DQ'd for Day 2 but not "thrown out" of the tournament.

if you run wide open within casting distance of my boat, you're gonna get hit with a 2oz no-roll sinker and 6/0 khale hook. There is no excuse whatsoever for running full speed that close to somebody.

I see it in almost every local tournament I have fished in. I see Swindles point of view, but you have to enforce that rule.

i see it in the rivers all the time. i would rather you be on plane, than pushing a 3 foot wake.

Link to the VIDEO

Not cool imho

So what was his excuse?

Why drag it up now? It's history, and ain't nobody gonna change it.