Team LC Tour Journal 2006 Bassmaster Classic

Swindle & Reese Lead Lucky Craft Into Classic

Lake Toho Is All About the Weather

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (Feb. 22, 2006) – When it comes to professional bass fishing, no other event holds the prestige or excitement of a CITGO Bassmaster Classic. This year’s edition should be no different, as Lucky Craft Pro staff anglers Gerald Swindle and Skeet Reese prepare for the unpredictable bass of Florida and Lake Toho.

For the first time in it’s 35-year history, the Classic will be held in the month of February. Perfect if you’re a fan of the unknown. But for some of the world’s elite bass anglers, knowing what lies ahead is part of winning this $500,000 battle.

>>>Skeet Reese

Lucky Craft’s Skeet Reese was also a big player in last year’s Classic. As the tournament moves closer, the California resident talked about how he sees things shaping up.

“It looks like we’re going to have a big change in the weather by the end of the first day,” Reese said. “As always, you can’t be sure until you get closer, but I think its shaping up to be a difficult tournament if a big front moves in here on Friday night.

“I think you’ll see a few people catch as much as 25 to 30 pounds of fish on that first day,” Reese continued. “But as the weekend moves on, it’s going to get tougher and tougher to catch them. The person that wins this tournament will have best adapted to how the fish are reacting to the weather changes.”

Reese feels like many of the traditional methods will be popular this weekend.

“I think every one is going to be looking for bed fish,” Reese said. “But if it does become overcast – like it’s predicted to do – it will be very difficult to sight fish. At that point, I think you’ll see some flipping, a little top water action and everyone just trying to hone in on what patterns are shaping up.”

>>>Gerald Swindle

Gerald Swindle is on a mission this year, after collecting the third slot during last year’s Classic on the Three River System in Pittsburgh. Even though it was a bitter pill to swallow, his drive to win is at a fever pitch now.

“I was coming into this with thought of winning it,” said Swindle, the 2004 CITGO Bassmaster Angler of the Year. “Last year’s finish really hurt, so I’m even more determined and fueled to win this thing. This tournament perfectly fits my style because I’m going to throw it all out on the table this weekend.

“I think I’m going to fish pretty shallow in this tournament,” Swindle continued. “Maybe a little shallower then everyone else. I’m going to be very aggressive and cover as much water as I can. You can do that a lot easier when shallow.”

Swindle predicted what he thinks will happen.

“A lot of people feel we might have some higher weights, but I think it will only take 45 to 49 pounds to win it,” Swindle added. “It looks like we’re going to have a minor cooling front move in here at the end of the week, but I don’t think it will affect the bite too severely.

“The key to winning will be movement,” Swindle said. “I really think the angler that is able to read the waters and roam around a lot will have the upper hand. The most aggressive anglers will have an advantage.”