B.A.S.S. Brawl: David Walker vs. Randy Howell

Elite Series pros David Walker and Randy Howell represent two schools locked in a bitter rivalry just ahead of their Southeastern Conference showdown.

David Walker was the last one to the ramp, but the first boat in the water.
David Walker was the last one to the ramp, but the first boat in the water.
The launch took place in site of downtown Knoxville, Tenn.
The launch took place in site of downtown Knoxville, Tenn.
Randy Howell is backed into the water.
Randy Howell is backed into the water.
Neyland Stadium is home to this week’s battle between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Tennessee Volunteers.
Neyland Stadium is home to this week’s battle between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Tennessee Volunteers.
Randy Howell gets his gear rigged up for two hours of fishing on the Tennessee River. Howell represented the State of Alabama against…
Randy Howell gets his gear rigged up for two hours of fishing on the Tennessee River. Howell represented the State of Alabama against…
…Tennessee’s David Walker.
…Tennessee’s David Walker.
Walker and Howell head upriver to their first fishing spot.
Walker and Howell head upriver to their first fishing spot.
Walker had control of the first hour of fishing and made his first stuff on a bluff wall along the main river channel.
Walker had control of the first hour of fishing and made his first stuff on a bluff wall along the main river channel.
Three ladies out for a morning walk come up on the B.A.S.S. Brawl competitors and stopped to watch for a few minutes.
Three ladies out for a morning walk come up on the B.A.S.S. Brawl competitors and stopped to watch for a few minutes.
Walker next moved to farther upriver and stopped to fish structure around a bridge.
Walker next moved to farther upriver and stopped to fish structure around a bridge.
After controlling the boat for the first hour of competition, David Walker transferred his gear into Randy Howell’s boat.
After controlling the boat for the first hour of competition, David Walker transferred his gear into Randy Howell’s boat.
Howell transfers his gear back into his boat during halftime.
Howell transfers his gear back into his boat during halftime.
Small crankbaits were used a lot by both Howell and Walker.
Small crankbaits were used a lot by both Howell and Walker.
Howell had control of the front of the boat during the second half.
Howell had control of the front of the boat during the second half.
Howell boats a very small fish, but it was still worth three points under the B.A.S.S. Brawl scoring system.
Howell boats a very small fish, but it was still worth three points under the B.A.S.S. Brawl scoring system.
The fishing this day was a grind…
The fishing this day was a grind…
…but Randy Howell and David Walker kept a positive attitude and enjoyed their time fishing together.
…but Randy Howell and David Walker kept a positive attitude and enjoyed their time fishing together.
Randy Howell had a smile on his face most of the morning.
Randy Howell had a smile on his face most of the morning.
Despite being in the home of the Tennessee Volunteers, an Alabama fan sported the colors of the Crimson Tide.
Despite being in the home of the Tennessee Volunteers, an Alabama fan sported the colors of the Crimson Tide.
Reigning Bassmaster Classic Champion Randy Howell arrives at the boat ramp ready to represent the State of Alabama.
Reigning Bassmaster Classic Champion Randy Howell arrives at the boat ramp ready to represent the State of Alabama.
Veteran B.A.S.S. videographers Brian and Rick Mason get their camera gear together to broadcast B.A.S.S. Brawl live on Bassmaster.com.
Veteran B.A.S.S. videographers Brian and Rick Mason get their camera gear together to broadcast B.A.S.S. Brawl live on Bassmaster.com.
Randy Howell stopped along his way to buy new caps for both he and David Walker.
Randy Howell stopped along his way to buy new caps for both he and David Walker.
A beautiful October morning in East Tennessee awaited the two competitors.
A beautiful October morning in East Tennessee awaited the two competitors.
Randy Howell was the first competitor to get his hands on the inaugural trophy.
Randy Howell was the first competitor to get his hands on the inaugural trophy.
A crowd begins to gather around the Classic Champ as he gets ready to compete.
A crowd begins to gather around the Classic Champ as he gets ready to compete.
While waiting on David Walker to arrive, Howell posed for photographs and visited with fans.
While waiting on David Walker to arrive, Howell posed for photographs and visited with fans.
Members of the Tennessee College Bass Team arrived with their boat and would spend the morning on the water watching Randy Howell and David Walker do battle on their home water.
Members of the Tennessee College Bass Team arrived with their boat and would spend the morning on the water watching Randy Howell and David Walker do battle on their home water.
Howell squeezes an autograph on a small crankbait for a fan.
Howell squeezes an autograph on a small crankbait for a fan.
Howell seemed to like having the trophy on the deck of his boat.
Howell seemed to like having the trophy on the deck of his boat.
The event took place in anticipation of a Southeastern Conference showdown between rivals Tennessee and Alabama.
The event took place in anticipation of a Southeastern Conference showdown between rivals Tennessee and Alabama.
David Walker arrives and takes possession of his new Tennessee Volunteers ball cap.
David Walker arrives and takes possession of his new Tennessee Volunteers ball cap.
Walker says hello to the representatives from the Tennessee College Fishing Team.
Walker says hello to the representatives from the Tennessee College Fishing Team.
With just a few minutes before go-time, Howell and Walker pose with the champion’s trophy.
With just a few minutes before go-time, Howell and Walker pose with the champion’s trophy.
Brian and Rick Mason had their cameras ready to shoot the first, one-of-a-kind live event.
Brian and Rick Mason had their cameras ready to shoot the first, one-of-a-kind live event.
Howell and Walker await the coin toss to find who would have control of the boat during the first hour.
Howell and Walker await the coin toss to find who would have control of the boat during the first hour.
Howell lost the coin toss and grabs a handful of rods to place in Walker’s boat.
Howell lost the coin toss and grabs a handful of rods to place in Walker’s boat.
After an hour in Walker’s boat, at halftime the gear would be transferred to Howell’s boat for the second half of competition.
After an hour in Walker’s boat, at halftime the gear would be transferred to Howell’s boat for the second half of competition.
Steve Bowman conducted the coin toss and also acted as tournament director.
Steve Bowman conducted the coin toss and also acted as tournament director.
After the coin toss it was time to go fishing.
After the coin toss it was time to go fishing.
David Walker gives a thumbs up as he and Howell idle to the main river channel.
David Walker gives a thumbs up as he and Howell idle to the main river channel.
A little gamesmanship by Walker? Did he intentionally place Howell in a position that made it difficult to cast? Could be considering the Alabama –vs- Tennessee rivalry.
A little gamesmanship by Walker? Did he intentionally place Howell in a position that made it difficult to cast? Could be considering the Alabama –vs- Tennessee rivalry.
Howell reaches in a small bag of fishing tackle to grab a bag of soft plastics.
Howell reaches in a small bag of fishing tackle to grab a bag of soft plastics.
Both Howell and Walker answered viewer’s questions during the live event.
Both Howell and Walker answered viewer’s questions during the live event.
Walker moves the boat into position to fish the downstream side of a bridge pier.
Walker moves the boat into position to fish the downstream side of a bridge pier.
Fishing was tough during the first hour…
Fishing was tough during the first hour…
…and both anglers changed baits often during the first session.
…and both anglers changed baits often during the first session.
Both Walker and Howell are veterans of the Bassmaster Elite Series.
Both Walker and Howell are veterans of the Bassmaster Elite Series.
During halftime, David Walker took time to pose for an on the water photo with the members of the Tennessee College Fishing Team.
During halftime, David Walker took time to pose for an on the water photo with the members of the Tennessee College Fishing Team.
Neither angler caught a fish during the time in David Walker’s boat.
Neither angler caught a fish during the time in David Walker’s boat.
Steve Bowman waited with the yet to be used, official scales.
Steve Bowman waited with the yet to be used, official scales.
Randy Howell finally boats the first bass of the day. Though it was a very small fish, it was worth 17 points.
Randy Howell finally boats the first bass of the day. Though it was a very small fish, it was worth 17 points.
Under the scoring system the first bass was worth 7 points, biggest bass another 7 points, and any bass caught 3 points.
Under the scoring system the first bass was worth 7 points, biggest bass another 7 points, and any bass caught 3 points.
David Walker laughed about such a small fish placing him at such an early deficit on the scoreboard.
David Walker laughed about such a small fish placing him at such an early deficit on the scoreboard.
Howell reaches to catch the official scales thrown by Steve Bowman.
Howell reaches to catch the official scales thrown by Steve Bowman.
Howell weighed the fish while Walker looked on. The fish only weighed .39 pounds, but Howell took a commanding 2nd half lead.
Howell weighed the fish while Walker looked on. The fish only weighed .39 pounds, but Howell took a commanding 2nd half lead.
Howell changed to a jig in hopes of a heavier bite.
Howell changed to a jig in hopes of a heavier bite.
Howell holds the boat in place while he and Walker pick apart a piece of cover.
Howell holds the boat in place while he and Walker pick apart a piece of cover.
Meanwhile the Tennessee and Alabama spectators that followed the pair on the water had a congenial visit, despite the ruthless football rivalry between their favorite football teams.
Meanwhile the Tennessee and Alabama spectators that followed the pair on the water had a congenial visit, despite the ruthless football rivalry between their favorite football teams.
A veteran of many on-the-water battles during his career, David Walker knows that things don’t always go your way on the water.
A veteran of many on-the-water battles during his career, David Walker knows that things don’t always go your way on the water.
With time winding down the pair stop to fish one final piece of cover along the main river channel.
With time winding down the pair stop to fish one final piece of cover along the main river channel.
Howell boats a last-minute fish that added to his lead.
Howell boats a last-minute fish that added to his lead.
Steve Bowman presents the champion’s trophy…
Steve Bowman presents the champion’s trophy…
…to Randy Howell.
…to Randy Howell.
The good-natured David Walker took the loss in stride.
The good-natured David Walker took the loss in stride.
The two take a closer look at the prize.
The two take a closer look at the prize.
Randy Howell and David Walker
Randy Howell and David Walker
Howell won the event over Walker by a final score of 23 – 0.
Howell won the event over Walker by a final score of 23 – 0.
Walker took the defeat in stride until the very end.
Walker took the defeat in stride until the very end.