Gear

Elite Man Caves: Randy Howell

We take a tour of Randy Howell's home base and see how he prepares for the Elite Series and Bassmaster Classic.

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Randy Howell lives in Springville, Ala., with his wife, Robin, and sons, Laker and Oakley. He allowed us to check out his two
Randy Howell lives in Springville, Ala., with his wife, Robin, and sons, Laker and Oakley. He allowed us to check out his two “man caves” — his office and his basement.
First up is his office. Howell has had a long successful career, and that means some hardware in the cabinet. Since we visited earlier in the summer, he won another Open on Oneida Lake in August. He may need a bigger cabinet!
First up is his office. Howell has had a long successful career, and that means some hardware in the cabinet. Since we visited earlier in the summer, he won another Open on Oneida Lake in August. He may need a bigger cabinet!
Next to the cabinet is the windshield that was on his boat when he won the 2014 Bassmaster Classic. He didn't keep the whole boat, but he kept this part of it to remind him of his victory.
Next to the cabinet is the windshield that was on his boat when he won the 2014 Bassmaster Classic. He didn’t keep the whole boat, but he kept this part of it to remind him of his victory.
Some trophies from the early 2000s...
Some trophies from the early 2000s…
Each year, B.A.S.S. recognizes past winners at the Classic. The Howells have Randy's flag with the rest of his trophies.
Each year, B.A.S.S. recognizes past winners at the Classic. The Howells have Randy’s flag with the rest of his trophies.
You may have seen him hoist this one up in 2014 in Birmingham when he won the Classic. He still grins from ear to ear with any mention of it.
You may have seen him hoist this one up in 2014 in Birmingham when he won the Classic. He still grins from ear to ear with any mention of it.
Last year Randy faced off against David Walker in a 1-on-1 competition called a B.A.S.S. Brawl. We streamed it live here on Bassmaster.com. Happy to see that trophy found a place on the shelf.
Last year Randy faced off against David Walker in a 1-on-1 competition called a B.A.S.S. Brawl. We streamed it live here on Bassmaster.com. Happy to see that trophy found a place on the shelf.
The Opens win that assured him a spot in the 2014 Classic sits in a place of prominence. The Opens trophies are very large!
The Opens win that assured him a spot in the 2014 Classic sits in a place of prominence. The Opens trophies are very large!
Before the Open and Classic wins, Randy's only other previous B.A.S.S. win was this Elite 50 on Lake Dardanelle.
Before the Open and Classic wins, Randy’s only other previous B.A.S.S. win was this Elite 50 on Lake Dardanelle.
On the other wall is a framed photo celebrating his Open win on the James River.
On the other wall is a framed photo celebrating his Open win on the James River.
Winning the Classic means that the county you live in declares a day in your honor and you get a key to the city you live in. Randy says he has yet to figure out what it unlocks in Springville.
Winning the Classic means that the county you live in declares a day in your honor and you get a key to the city you live in. Randy says he has yet to figure out what it unlocks in Springville.
Livingston Lures sent Randy this collection of pages from B.A.S.S. Times after he won the Classic ...
Livingston Lures sent Randy this collection of pages from B.A.S.S. Times after he won the Classic …
... complete with one of the baits he used to do it, the Howeller.
… complete with one of the baits he used to do it, the Howeller.
That's enough above ground, let's head down into the proper Cave, Randy's huge basement.
That’s enough above ground, let’s head down into the proper Cave, Randy’s huge basement.
Randy's four-wheeler has his logo on it. This greets us as we enter the basement.
Randy’s four-wheeler has his logo on it. This greets us as we enter the basement.
One thing all fishermen should aspire to having is a wide enough garage door that it's easy to get your boat inside...
One thing all fishermen should aspire to having is a wide enough garage door that it’s easy to get your boat inside…
...and enough room to park it.
…and enough room to park it.
When we saw this, I assumed this is where Randy kept his stuff.
When we saw this, I assumed this is where Randy kept his stuff. “No, this is just the old stuff.”
Old spinnerbaits, maybe Laker or Oakley will use 'em.
Old spinnerbaits, maybe Laker or Oakley will use ’em.
When you are a professional fisherman for decades, this is what happens.
When you are a professional fisherman for decades, this is what happens.
Randy says he doesn't use any of this.
Randy says he doesn’t use any of this.
He didn't even know what was in here.
He didn’t even know what was in here.
Lures from years past, before he had the sponsors he has now.
Lures from years past, before he had the sponsors he has now. “I don’t need any of this stuff right now.”
He does use this Mustang jacket from time to time.
He does use this Mustang jacket from time to time.
Randy continues to show us some of his extra storage...
Randy continues to show us some of his extra storage…
It seems like Randy keeps every bait he's thrown, and with a basement this big, why not?
It seems like Randy keeps every bait he’s thrown, and with a basement this big, why not?
Old line has its own cabinet.
Old line has its own cabinet.
I wonder what's in here.
I wonder what’s in here.
Finally we get to the
Finally we get to the “current” stuff. Randy has put in pegboard and has his own tackle shop down here.
With some of the random baits hanging here or there.
With some of the random baits hanging here or there.
Winning the Classic means some doors open. Here are his new ceramic Super Cutters from RigRap. I tested them and they are pretty great.
Winning the Classic means some doors open. Here are his new ceramic Super Cutters from RigRap. I tested them and they are pretty great.
His new Swim'n Runner swimbait head.
His new Swim’n Runner swimbait head.
And of course Livingston Lures.
And of course Livingston Lures.
It's pretty common knowledge he used a prototype bait later named the Howeller to win the Classic in Spring Creek on Lake Guntersville.
It’s pretty common knowledge he used a prototype bait later named the Howeller to win the Classic in Spring Creek on Lake Guntersville.
If you didn't know, Livingston smartly capitalized on one of the most memorable Bassmaster Classic finishes in history.
If you didn’t know, Livingston smartly capitalized on one of the most memorable Bassmaster Classic finishes in history.
Another company Randy swears by is Gary Yamamoto soft baits.
Another company Randy swears by is Gary Yamamoto soft baits.
He has plenty of them.
He has plenty of them.
Being the father to two boys means sometimes instead of working on tackle, it's time for ping pong.
Being the father to two boys means sometimes instead of working on tackle, it’s time for ping pong.
A Mustang PFD sits near his boat, ready for action.
A Mustang PFD sits near his boat, ready for action.
One of Randy's many Frogg Toggs rainsuits.
One of Randy’s many Frogg Toggs rainsuits.
Over in the corner are some odd baits.
Over in the corner are some odd baits.
As a pro, you collect some of these over the years.
As a pro, you collect some of these over the years.
Also back in the corner was an old trolling motor that Randy's boys use on smaller boats sometimes.
Also back in the corner was an old trolling motor that Randy’s boys use on smaller boats sometimes.
Randy has a few Daiwa rods, I think.
Randy has a few Daiwa rods, I think.
One for every occasion.
One for every occasion.
They fill the corner of the room like a modern art piece.
They fill the corner of the room like a modern art piece.
And he always has a Livingston lure tied on. Always.
And he always has a Livingston lure tied on. Always.
I'm beginning to understand why he doesn't use that other work area...
I’m beginning to understand why he doesn’t use that other work area…
...when you can sit in this chair and get rigged up, why not?
…when you can sit in this chair and get rigged up, why not?
The other part of the room is full of his current tackle.
The other part of the room is full of his current tackle.
Lots of line, including Daiwa's new J-Braid.
Lots of line, including Daiwa’s new J-Braid.
Randy, like all the Elites, is not a minimalist when it comes to lures.
Randy, like all the Elites, is not a minimalist when it comes to lures.
Tools and lures rest on top of a mini fridge.
Tools and lures rest on top of a mini fridge.
The fridge is full of prototypes and other baits he is testing.
The fridge is full of prototypes and other baits he is testing.
Randy explains that he tests Livingston's EBS (Electronic Bait Sound) technology with the humidity of the fridge.
Randy explains that he tests Livingston’s EBS (Electronic Bait Sound) technology with the humidity of the fridge.
He shows off some new lures.
He shows off some new lures.
“I guess I can show y’all these.”
This room was originally an exercise room, but Randy took it over. He says he wishes he could take the inversion table with him everywhere. It helps his back after a long day on the water.
This room was originally an exercise room, but Randy took it over. He says he wishes he could take the inversion table with him everywhere. It helps his back after a long day on the water.
Plenty of line of different sizes, types and strengths.
Plenty of line of different sizes, types and strengths.
His boat is nearby so whatever he does, he doesn't have to take it far to get it in the boat.
His boat is nearby so whatever he does, he doesn’t have to take it far to get it in the boat.
Some rods remain from a small tournament he fished with his kids.
Some rods remain from a small tournament he fished with his kids.
Plenty of extra props on standby.
Plenty of extra props on standby.
Every year Randy auctions off his boat to his charity of choice, King's Home.
Every year Randy auctions off his boat to his charity of choice, King’s Home.
Laker is enjoying his summer by fishing in the lake in their subdivision. He says they have a few big bass lurking in there...
Laker is enjoying his summer by fishing in the lake in their subdivision. He says they have a few big bass lurking in there…
...and he's going to take this small boat down there and find them.
…and he’s going to take this small boat down there and find them.
Here's another look at Randy's awesome garage door. He built this house about 10 years ago, and this was a requirement.
Here’s another look at Randy’s awesome garage door. He built this house about 10 years ago, and this was a requirement.
Also important to a guy from North Carolina, a basketball hoop.
Also important to a guy from North Carolina, a basketball hoop.
Randy's first shot of the day...
Randy’s first shot of the day…
From way downtown...
From way downtown…
It rattles home.
It rattles home.
Thanks for the tour, Randy!
Thanks for the tour, Randy!
<p>When we visited with Randy and his family this summer, they mentioned that this gallery may be out of date soon. As it turns out, that's true. The weekend this is being published, Randy's Man Cave is no more. The family is moving from their home in Springville ...</p>
When we visited with Randy and his family this summer, they mentioned that this gallery may be out of date soon. As it turns out, that’s true. The weekend this is being published, Randy’s Man Cave is no more. The family is moving from their home in Springville …
<p>... to Spring Creek, near Guntersville. That may sound familiar to you. It happens to be the area where Randy won the 2014 Bassmaster Classic. </p>
… to Spring Creek, near Guntersville. That may sound familiar to you. It happens to be the area where Randy won the 2014 Bassmaster Classic. 

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