The Southern Open at Lake Toho was particularly memorable this year.

For starters, it was the maiden B.A.S.S. tourney under the jurisdiction of Jerry McKinnis

(Logan & Copeland). Spicing up the event was Roland Martin, who emerged

from retirement after a 5-year hiatus. Last but not least, the 2011 Southern Open

was won by Gerald Swindle, a victory that was well-deserved and long overdue.

Lois and I had planned to fish Lake Winterset today (Jan 22).

But after reading the forecast of winds gusts to 40 mph, Lois suggested

that we pay a visit to Big Toho Marina before the 3 pm quitting time.

To our surprise, only a small handful of angling enthusiasts were present.

Gerald Swindle was in the lead, and when I read that he was not bed-fishing,

it seemed a foregone conclusion that Gerald would win (bed fishing was a washout).

In anticipation of his win, I snapped some photos of G-Man's rig and spoke with him

prior to the weigh-in, which took place later at Bass Pro Shops in Orlando.

After Gerald retrieved his rig,

I asked him jokingly if he managed to catch ONE bass on this nasty day.

Gerald told Lois and I that he had about 22 lbs in the livewell!

He said that most bass fell to lipless cranks and C-rigs in water averaging 6-ft deep.

At the official weigh-in at Orlando BPS, Swindle's stringer tipped the scales at 25 lb, 8 oz!

Roger

Congrats G-Man!! He's on my top 5 favorite list of anglers. Would have to put him in 2nd behind Alton Jones.

Clancy W