Howell's Early Big 'Un Anchors 21-11 Bag

By B.A.S.S. Communications Staff

ANDERSON, S.C. – Randy Howell did not know how his day would start, but he definitely knew where it would start.

Capitalizing on a key practice discovery, the veteran Bassmaster Elite Series pro from Guntersville, Ala., made the most of his early plan and laid the foundation for a five-bass limit of 21 pounds, 11 ounces that led Day 1 of the event at Lake Hartwell.

Heading into Friday’s second round of competition, the 2014 Bassmaster Classic champion leads Japanese angler Kyoya Fujita by 1-2. Howell anchored his leading bag with a 7-15 largemouth.

“I found that big fish on a bed in practice and shook her off on a green pumpkin purple/green Senko – I had my hook point cut off,” Howell said. “This morning, I lined up on it with my GPS and caught her on my first cast.

“A big fish on any lake in this game is huge, but man, 6-pounders are usually (considered) big here. So, to catch a (nearly) 8-pounder here – definitely, God is blessing me.”

Howell said his strong start has put a much-needed gust of wind in his sails.

“I really needed a good tournament,” Howell said. “I had two 57th places back to back (Pasquotank River and Lake Okeechobee) and I started with a bomb in the first Elite event (St. Johns River), so I have to climb my way out of a hole.

“Today was the first day that I just had that smooth momentum; everything went right.”

Howell said that surge of confidence fueled what would turn out to be a stellar day.

“After that big fish, the rest of the day got better because I already had that fish as a kicker,” Howell said. “This was one of the days you dream about.”

After boating his big bed-fish, Howell caught the 1 1/4-pound male. From there, he moved to the main lake and filled his limit by throwing a Livingston Walking Boss for bass that were schooling on the blueback herring spawn.

“I had a decent limit, so that gave me the ability to relax, take my time and just fish slow,” he said. “I just went around the bedding areas and caught cruising fish and bed-fish on that same color Senko. I culled out everything but that big fish.”

Noting that he’ll likely continue the same game plan on Day 2, Howell said the first round exceeded his expectations.

“My goal today was to catch 20 pounds, and I caught 21-11,” Howell said. “That was the biggest bag I’ve ever caught on Hartwell. I’ve had some good Classics here in the past.

“This is the first time I’ve been back here in a while. I love this lake and I’m looking forward to getting back out there and keeping it rolling.”

Hailing from Yamanashi, Japan, Fujita is in second place with 20-9. The versatile angler caught his quality shallow and his quantity in deeper water.

“I fished the bank for cruising largemouth and I fished offshore for spotted bass,” Fujita said. “I caught (several) spotted bass on a jighead minnow with a Jackall Drift Fry and a Deps Sakamata Shad.

“I caught two big largemouth – 6-pounder and 4 1/2 ¬– on a Jackall Vividus Gill swimbait. I was fishing the swimbait slow."

Forecasting his second-day’s game plan, Fujita said: “Tomorrow, I’ll try to catch big spots. Today, I caught 3- and 3 1/2-pound spotted bass, so I’ll try to catch bigger ones (on Day 2).”

Paul Marks of Cumming, Ga., is in third place with 19-7. His day was comprised of alternating sessions of shallow and deep patterns.

“I could go offshore and fish the main lake for herring-spawn fish and it was pretty much nonstop,” Marks said. “Once I got a good bag, I went and bed-fished and caught a big one that I’d found yesterday (in practice).

“After that, I went back out and culled three times. I finished my day bed-fishing. I found a couple of big ones that I couldn’t get to bite. We’ll see if they’ll bite tomorrow.”

Marks said his opening-round limit was comprised of two bed-fish and three that he caught while targeting the herring spawn.

Friday’s takeoff is scheduled for 7 a.m. ET at Green Pond Landing. The weigh-in will be held at the Landing at 3 p.m.

Bassmaster LIVE coverage will be available on Bassmaster.com on Day 2 starting at 8 a.m. ET and ending at 3 p.m. and will also be on Roku Sports from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Weekend action can be seen on FS1 from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. before moving to Bassmaster.com in the afternoon.

Day 1 Standings

1. Randy Howell -- Guntersville, AL -- 5, 21-11 -- 104
Day 1: 5, 21-11

2. Kyoya Fujita -- Yamanashi, JAPAN -- 5, 20-09 -- 103
Day 1: 5, 20-09

3. Paul Marks -- Cumming, GA -- 5, 19-07 -- 102
Day 1: 5, 19-07

4. Luke Palmer -- Coalgate, OK -- 5, 18-15 -- 101
Day 1: 5, 18-15

4. Jay Przekurat -- Plover, WI -- 5, 18-15 -- 101
Day 1: 5, 18-15

6. Drew Cook -- Cairo, GA -- 5, 18-12 -- 99
Day 1: 5, 18-12

6. Austin Felix -- Eden Prairie, MN -- 5, 18-12 -- 99
Day 1: 5, 18-12

6. Wesley Gore -- Clanton, AL -- 5, 18-12 -- 99
Day 1: 5, 18-12

9. Drew Benton -- Panama City, FL -- 5, 18-11 -- 96
Day 1: 5, 18-11

10. Gerald Swindle -- Guntersville, AL -- 5, 18-03 -- 95
Day 1: 5, 18-03

11. Chad Pipkens -- Dewitt, MI -- 5, 17-15 -- 94
Day 1: 5, 17-15

12. Matt Arey -- Shelby, NC -- 5, 17-14 -- 93
Day 1: 5, 17-14

12. Jordan Lee -- Cullman, AL -- 5, 17-14 -- 93
Day 1: 5, 17-14

14. Patrick Walters -- Eutawville, SC -- 5, 17-11 -- 91
Day 1: 5, 17-11

15. Justin Hamner -- Northport, AL -- 5, 17-10 -- 90
Day 1: 5, 17-10

15. Trey McKinney -- Carbondale, IL -- 5, 17-10 -- 90
Day 1: 5, 17-10

17. Easton Fothergill -- Grand Rapids , MN -- 5, 17-06 -- 88
Day 1: 5, 17-06

18. Bill Lowen -- Brookville, IN -- 5, 17-05 -- 87
Day 1: 5, 17-05

19. Lee Livesay -- Longview, TX -- 5, 17-02 -- 86
Day 1: 5, 17-02

20. John Cox -- Debary, FL -- 5, 17-00 -- 85
Day 1: 5, 17-00

21. Shane LeHew -- Catawba, NC -- 5, 16-14 -- 84
Day 1: 5, 16-14

22. Ray Hanselman Jr -- Del Rio, TX -- 5, 16-11 -- 83
Day 1: 5, 16-11

23. Cody Meyer -- Eagle, ID -- 5, 16-05 -- 82
Day 1: 5, 16-05

24. Tucker Smith -- Birmingham, AL -- 5, 16-04 -- 81
Day 1: 5, 16-04

25. Cole Sands -- Johnson City, TN -- 5, 16-03 -- 80
Day 1: 5, 16-03

26. Bryant Smith -- Roseville, CA -- 5, 16-03 -- 79
Day 1: 5, 16-03

27. John Crews Jr -- Salem, VA -- 5, 16-02 -- 78
Day 1: 5, 16-02

28. Bryan New -- Leesville, SC -- 5, 16-00 -- 77
Day 1: 5, 16-00

29. Kyle Patrick -- Cooperstown, NY -- 5, 15-14 -- 76
Day 1: 5, 15-14

30. Cory Johnston -- Otonabee, ON -- 5, 15-13 -- 75
Day 1: 5, 15-13

30. Emil Wagner -- Marietta, GA -- 5, 15-13 -- 75
Day 1: 5, 15-13

32. Will Davis Jr -- Sylacauga, AL -- 5, 15-12 -- 73
Day 1: 5, 15-12

33. Bryan Schmitt -- Deale, MD -- 5, 15-11 -- 72
Day 1: 5, 15-11

34. Jamie Hartman -- Newport, NY -- 5, 15-10 -- 71
Day 1: 5, 15-10

34. JT Thompkins -- Myrtle Beach, SC -- 5, 15-10 -- 71
Day 1: 5, 15-10

36. Brandon Palaniuk -- Rathdrum, ID -- 5, 15-09 -- 69
Day 1: 5, 15-09

37. Kyle Norsetter -- Cottage Grove, WI -- 5, 15-08 -- 68
Day 1: 5, 15-08

38. Alex Redwine -- Blue Ash, OH -- 5, 15-07 -- 67
Day 1: 5, 15-07

38. Hunter Shryock -- Ooltewah, TN -- 5, 15-07 -- 67
Day 1: 5, 15-07

40. Chris Johnston -- Otonabee, ON -- 5, 14-15 -- 65
Day 1: 5, 14-15

40. Ed Loughran III -- Richmond, VA -- 5, 14-15 -- 65
Day 1: 5, 14-15

40. Jacob Powroznik -- North Prince George, VA -- 5, 14-15 -- 65
Day 1: 5, 14-15

43. Pat Schlapper -- Eleva, WI -- 5, 14-13 -- 62
Day 1: 5, 14-13

44. Caleb Kuphall -- Mukwonago, WI -- 5, 14-12 -- 61
Day 1: 5, 14-12

45. Taku Ito -- Dalton GA -- 5, 14-11 -- 60
Day 1: 5, 14-11

45. Caleb Sumrall -- New Iberia, LA -- 5, 14-11 -- 60
Day 1: 5, 14-11

47. Logan Parks -- Auburn, AL -- 5, 14-09 -- 58
Day 1: 5, 14-09

48. Michael Iaconelli -- Pitts Grove, NJ -- 5, 14-08 -- 57
Day 1: 5, 14-08

49. Justin Atkins -- Florence, AL -- 5, 14-07 -- 56
Day 1: 5, 14-07

49. Buddy Gross -- Chattanooga, TN -- 5, 14-07 -- 56
Day 1: 5, 14-07

51. KJ Queen -- Catawba, NC -- 5, 14-06 -- 54
Day 1: 5, 14-06

52. Scott Canterbury -- Odenville, AL -- 5, 14-05 -- 53
Day 1: 5, 14-05

52. Timothy Dube -- Nashua , NH -- 5, 14-05 -- 53
Day 1: 5, 14-05

54. Stetson Blaylock -- Benton, AR -- 5, 14-04 -- 51
Day 1: 5, 14-04

55. Evan Kung -- Pickering, ON -- 5, 14-03 -- 50
Day 1: 5, 14-03

55. Andrew Loberg -- Guntersville, AL -- 5, 14-03 -- 50
Day 1: 5, 14-03

57. Jason Christie -- Dry Creek, OK -- 5, 14-02 -- 48
Day 1: 5, 14-02

58. Ben Milliken -- Omaha, NE -- 5, 14-01 -- 47
Day 1: 5, 14-01

58. Matt Robertson -- Kuttawa, KY -- 5, 14-01 -- 47
Day 1: 5, 14-01

58. Kyle Welcher -- Valley, AL -- 5, 14-01 -- 47
Day 1: 5, 14-01

61. Wes Logan -- Springville, AL -- 5, 14-00 -- 44
Day 1: 5, 14-00

62. Brandon Cobb -- Greenwood, SC -- 5, 13-15 -- 43
Day 1: 5, 13-15

62. Robert Gee -- Knoxville, TN -- 5, 13-15 -- 43
Day 1: 5, 13-15

64. Beau Browning -- Hot Springs, AR -- 5, 13-10 -- 41
Day 1: 5, 13-10

64. David Mullins -- Mt Carmel, TN -- 5, 13-10 -- 41
Day 1: 5, 13-10

66. Brock Mosley -- Collinsville, MS -- 5, 13-09 -- 39
Day 1: 5, 13-09

67. Dakota Ebare -- Brookeland, TX -- 5, 13-08 -- 38
Day 1: 5, 13-08

67. Steve Kennedy -- Auburn, AL -- 5, 13-08 -- 38
Day 1: 5, 13-08

69. Matty Wong -- Honolulu, HI -- 5, 13-07 -- 36
Day 1: 5, 13-07

70. Cooper Gallant -- Bowmanville, ON -- 5, 13-05 -- 35
Day 1: 5, 13-05

70. Carl Jocumsen -- Queensland, AUS -- 5, 13-05 -- 35
Day 1: 5, 13-05

72. Jeff Gustafson -- Kenora, ON -- 5, 13-04 -- 33
Day 1: 5, 13-04

73. Jonathan Kelley -- Old Forge, PA -- 5, 13-03 -- 32
Day 1: 5, 13-03

74. Seth Feider -- Elko New Market, MN -- 5, 13-02 -- 31
Day 1: 5, 13-02

74. Tyler Rivet -- Raceland, LA -- 5, 13-02 -- 31
Day 1: 5, 13-02

76. Joey Cifuentes III -- Clinton, AR -- 5, 13-01 -- 29
Day 1: 5, 13-01

77. Kenta Kimura -- Osaka, JAPAN -- 5, 13-00 -- 28
Day 1: 5, 13-00

78. Jacob Foutz -- Charleston, TN -- 5, 12-15 -- 27
Day 1: 5, 12-15

78. Logan Latuso -- Gonzales, LA -- 5, 12-15 -- 27
Day 1: 5, 12-15

80. Gregory DiPalma -- Millville, NJ -- 5, 12-13 -- 25
Day 1: 5, 12-13

81. John Garrett -- Union City, TN -- 5, 12-09 -- 24
Day 1: 5, 12-09

82. David Gaston -- Sylacauga, AL -- 5, 12-08 -- 23
Day 1: 5, 12-08

83. Bob Downey -- Detroit Lakes, MN -- 5, 12-05 -- 22
Day 1: 5, 12-05

84. Cliff Pace -- Ovett, MS -- 5, 12-03 -- 21
Day 1: 5, 12-03

85. Clifford Pirch -- Payson, AZ -- 5, 12-02 -- 20
Day 1: 5, 12-02

86. Cody Huff -- Ava, MO -- 5, 12-00 -- 19
Day 1: 5, 12-00

86. Brandon Lester -- Fayetteville, TN -- 5, 12-00 -- 19
Day 1: 5, 12-00

88. Hank Cherry Jr -- Lincolnton, NC -- 5, 11-15 -- 17
Day 1: 5, 11-15

89. Greg Hackney -- Gonzales, LA -- 5, 11-14 -- 16
Day 1: 5, 11-14

90. Marc Frazier -- Newnan, GA -- 5, 11-13 -- 15
Day 1: 5, 11-13

91. Keith Combs -- Huntington, TX -- 5, 11-06 -- 14
Day 1: 5, 11-06

92. Brad Whatley -- Bivins, TX -- 5, 11-05 -- 13
Day 1: 5, 11-05

93. Bernie Schultz -- Gainesville, FL -- 5, 11-05 -- 12
Day 1: 5, 11-05

94. Tyler Williams -- Belgrade, ME -- 5, 11-01 -- 11
Day 1: 5, 11-01

95. Blake Capps -- Muskogee, OK -- 5, 11-01 -- 10
Day 1: 5, 11-01

96. Jason Williamson -- Aiken, SC -- 5, 10-13 -- 9
Day 1: 5, 10-13

97. Brandon Card -- Salisbury, NC -- 5, 10-10 -- 8
Day 1: 5, 10-10

98. Paul Mueller -- Naugatuck, CT -- 5, 10-02 -- 7
Day 1: 5, 10-02

99. Mark Menendez -- Paducah, KY -- 5, 10-00 -- 6
Day 1: 5, 10-00

100. Alex Wetherell -- Middletown, CT -- 5, 09-14 -- 5
Day 1: 5, 09-14

101. Chris Zaldain -- Boyd, TX -- 5, 09-12 -- 4
Day 1: 5, 09-12

102. Jake Whitaker -- Hendersonville, NC -- 5, 09-10 -- 3
Day 1: 5, 09-10