Beginner's Tacklebox

Beginner’s Tacklebox: Gerald Swindle

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Bassmaster Elite Series pro Gerald Swindle fills up one of his Lure Lock tackleboxes with the baits he'd suggest for a young or new bass angler.
Photo: Thomas Allen - Bassmaster Elite Series pro Gerald Swindle fills up one of his Lure Lock tackleboxes with the baits he'd suggest for a young or new bass angler.
He loves the Lure Lock boxes because they can be set up without tools.
Photo: Thomas Allen - He loves the Lure Lock boxes because they can be set up without tools.
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Photo: Thomas Allen - ...
And a sticker is important too.
Photo: Thomas Allen - And a sticker is important too.
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Photo: Thomas Allen - ...
To start he heads straight for the Rapala crankbaits.
Photo: Thomas Allen - To start he heads straight for the Rapala crankbaits.
The Rapala DT-6 is a go-to for the Alabama pro.
Photo: Thomas Allen - The Rapala DT-6 is a go-to for the Alabama pro.
In the Lure Lock it goes.
Photo: Thomas Allen - In the Lure Lock it goes.
Then he reaches for a Rapala BX Brat.
Photo: Thomas Allen - Then he reaches for a Rapala BX Brat.
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Photo: Thomas Allen - ...
It goes in next to the DT-6
Photo: Thomas Allen - It goes in next to the DT-6
Next is a Rapala Shadow Rap Shad jerkbait.
Photo: Thomas Allen - Next is a Rapala Shadow Rap Shad jerkbait.
Especially in the spring, Swindle said, a jerkbait is a presentation a bass angler needs to master.
Photo: Thomas Allen - Especially in the spring, Swindle said, a jerkbait is a presentation a bass angler needs to master.
Into the box it goes.
Photo: Thomas Allen - Into the box it goes.
Next ...
Photo: Thomas Allen - Next ...
... a squarebill like the DT-Fat is also a must.
Photo: Thomas Allen - ... a squarebill like the DT-Fat is also a must.
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On to a terminal collection beginning with VMC bullet weights for a worm or creature Texas rig.
Photo: Thomas Allen - On to a terminal collection beginning with VMC bullet weights for a worm or creature Texas rig.
In the box they go.
Photo: Thomas Allen - In the box they go.
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Photo: Thomas Allen - ...
What's next?
Photo: Thomas Allen - What's next?
VMC Neko hooks. The Neko rig may seem advanced, but it's easy to rig and easy to use — and it catches fish. Swindle said these hooks work very well for a weedless wacky rig too.
Photo: Thomas Allen - VMC Neko hooks. The Neko rig may seem advanced, but it's easy to rig and easy to use — and it catches fish. Swindle said these hooks work very well for a weedless wacky rig too.
They're in the box.
Photo: Thomas Allen - They're in the box.
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Photo: Thomas Allen - ...
VMC worm hooks for Texas or Carolina rigs and big creature baits for mat punching. They are a universal hook for Swindle, and he keeps plenty handy at all times.
Photo: Thomas Allen - VMC worm hooks for Texas or Carolina rigs and big creature baits for mat punching. They are a universal hook for Swindle, and he keeps plenty handy at all times.
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A swimbait is a great presentation to start out with because you can rig it weedless and slow-roll it along the bottom. Simple, easy to learn and the fish like it.
Photo: Thomas Allen - A swimbait is a great presentation to start out with because you can rig it weedless and slow-roll it along the bottom. Simple, easy to learn and the fish like it.
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Photo: Thomas Allen - ...
Back to the rack.
Photo: Thomas Allen - Back to the rack.
He said every beginner needs to learn the shaky head. It's easy, relatively weedless and fish north to south, east to west will eat it.
Photo: Thomas Allen - He said every beginner needs to learn the shaky head. It's easy, relatively weedless and fish north to south, east to west will eat it.
Swindle prefers a Buckeye Spot Remover.
Photo: Thomas Allen - Swindle prefers a Buckeye Spot Remover.
Into the box they go.
Photo: Thomas Allen - Into the box they go.
And of course he picks a jig.
Photo: Thomas Allen - And of course he picks a jig.
He loves his signature Buckeye Ballin' Out jigs.
Photo: Thomas Allen - He loves his signature Buckeye Ballin' Out jigs.
Natural colors are always good. Into the box it goes.
Photo: Thomas Allen - Natural colors are always good. Into the box it goes.
A Z-Man Jackhammer is a great springtime presentation, or whenever grass is in the mix.
Photo: Thomas Allen - A Z-Man Jackhammer is a great springtime presentation, or whenever grass is in the mix.
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Photo: Thomas Allen - ...
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Moving on to his out-of-the-boat board. When he is cleaning out his rig between events, the baits that end up in the bottom of the boat get temporarily placed on this board until he needs them again. <p>Swindle sees something that needs to be included in a Beginner's Tacklebox.
Photo: Thomas Allen - Moving on to his out-of-the-boat board. When he is cleaning out his rig between events, the baits that end up in the bottom of the boat get temporarily placed on this board until he needs them again. Swindle sees something that needs to be included in a Beginner's Tacklebox.
A Storm Arashi Cover Pop is not only a very productive bait, it's fun.
Photo: Thomas Allen - A Storm Arashi Cover Pop is not only a very productive bait, it's fun.
Into the Lure Lock it goes.
Photo: Thomas Allen - Into the Lure Lock it goes.
You need to learn a spinnerbait, Swindle believes.
Photo: Thomas Allen - You need to learn a spinnerbait, Swindle believes.
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Photo: Thomas Allen - ...
In the box it goes.
Photo: Thomas Allen - In the box it goes.
Plastics are important. He digs around a tub with assorted Zoom baits for the hooks and jigheads he included earlier.
Photo: Thomas Allen - Plastics are important. He digs around a tub with assorted Zoom baits for the hooks and jigheads he included earlier.
A Zoom Super $alt Plu$ Beatdown is a great Ned rig, Neko rig selection or as a Texas rig.
Photo: Thomas Allen - A Zoom Super $alt Plu$ Beatdown is a great Ned rig, Neko rig selection or as a Texas rig.
Next a Zoom Fluke Stick Jr.
Photo: Thomas Allen - Next a Zoom Fluke Stick Jr.
They get placed in the box.
Photo: Thomas Allen - They get placed in the box.
He heads to the back of his Toyota Tundra for another selection.
Photo: Thomas Allen - He heads to the back of his Toyota Tundra for another selection.
It's in here somewhere, he said.
Photo: Thomas Allen - It's in here somewhere, he said.
Gotta be this one ...
Photo: Thomas Allen - Gotta be this one ...
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Ah ha!
Photo: Thomas Allen - Ah ha!
The Zoom Zlink-y stickbait.
Photo: Thomas Allen - The Zoom Zlink-y stickbait.
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And of course, a jig trailer creature is next ...
Photo: Thomas Allen - And of course, a jig trailer creature is next ...
... a Zoom Z-Craw Jr.
Photo: Thomas Allen - ... a Zoom Z-Craw Jr.
The box is looking loaded up.
Photo: Thomas Allen - The box is looking loaded up.
That's it! Thanks, Gerald. You can take that box to the bank for any new or young bass angler.
Photo: Thomas Allen - That's it! Thanks, Gerald. You can take that box to the bank for any new or young bass angler.