Howell's Win and Beyond

Part 2 of 2: Randy Howell
   Since Randy Howell's Elite 50 win on Lake Dardanelle, a few things have changed. Looking forward to the rest of the season and beyond, here is his outlook on the E50 Series and his life in general.

   The E50 Series has produced a large amount of media interest lately, and, Howell says, that media coverage has turned in his direction. "It’s been great," he commented. "It’s probably been the most media and attention over the past few days. This is going to re-energize me and my sponsors." The New York Times reported Howell's win in a recent edition, plus more exposure on internet sites such as Bassmaster.com and UltimateBassin.com, not to mention magazines and word-of-mouth. As is to be expected, Howell's website also has a section on his victory. His website helps fans find out more information about his career and also "really helps the sponsors a lot."

   The next Elite 50 event will be held on the Tennessee - Tombigbee Waterway in Mississippi. "I’ve never been to Columbus, Mississippi, and never fished that Tombigbee waterway," he said. "I’m excited about it because it’s a real shallow water fishery. I think all these E50 events are setting up good for shallow water fishermen like myself."

   Since the E50 events, according to Howell, are shaping up to help the shallow water fishermen, he brings along an extra boat to use in the extremely shallow backwaters along some of the E50 stops. "I’ve got a aluminum Triton with a Mercury jet drive on the back for shallow water fishing," he says. Using the Triton, he can find hidden backwaters along the river-like lakes that the next three E50 events will be held upon.

   The next event or two will be held during post-spawn conditions, and that is fine with Howell: "Lakes would be tougher," he says, "but (bass in) these river-lakes are still going to be shallow and be in cover. That’s what I’m going to have to look for. You’re probably going to have to be more thorough. This later post-spawn bite is going to be a slower bite, I think." 

   Howell approaches the river-lakes along the E50 Series using not only maps and local information, but he follows his instincts to lead him to bass. "A lot of times I prepare to much for a tournament. When I just go out there and let instincts tell me what to do, I do better. I just run around and look for a good spot."

   With Howell's 60th place Tour finish, he did not make the Classic. However, he has new been given a second chance in the E50 Series. "I’m so glad that BASS has given me a chance to make the Classic through these E50s," he said. Last year we had a 10-tournament season and I was able to catch up over the last few tournaments. This year a six-tournament season went by quickly." If Howell can keep the momentum going and finish in the E50 top 10, he will be a contender at this year's Classic, to be held at Lake Wylie, NC. Howell says that winning the inaugural E50 event gave him an extra boost of confidence, and he hopes to ride it throughout the last three events of the year.

See Part 1 on Randy Howell.

Special thanks is due to Randy Howell for taking the time to be interviewed. Check out his website at http://www.randyhowell.com.

By Brandon Shook