44 photos of Randy Howell’s winning spot

Howell found Classic glory in one small area that held a bevy of big bass. See how he caught them.

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With word out early that Randy Howell was catching them in Spring Creek, a crowd, including photographer Bob Payne, watched him catch the fish to win the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by Diet Mountain Dew and GoPro.
With word out early that Randy Howell was catching them in Spring Creek, a crowd, including photographer Bob Payne, watched him catch the fish to win the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by Diet Mountain Dew and GoPro.
Payne wasn’t there in time to see Howell reel in the 7-pounder, but the following images show nearly non-stop action for the pro from Springville, Ala.
Payne wasn’t there in time to see Howell reel in the 7-pounder, but the following images show nearly non-stop action for the pro from Springville, Ala.
Howell said he lost track of how many culls he made from the bridge.
Howell said he lost track of how many culls he made from the bridge.
His main lures were a Rapala DT6 crankbait in the “demon” crawfish color and a Livingston lure not available to the public, a medium diver in a crawfish color.
His main lures were a Rapala DT6 crankbait in the “demon” crawfish color and a Livingston lure not available to the public, a medium diver in a crawfish color.
Howell totaled 29 pounds, 2 ounces Sunday and won the 2014 title with 67-8, a pound better than Paul Mueller.
Howell totaled 29 pounds, 2 ounces Sunday and won the 2014 title with 67-8, a pound better than Paul Mueller.
At the weigh-in, Howell said, “I’ve had this dream so many times, and it’s happening now. I can’t believe I won the Bassmaster Classic.”
At the weigh-in, Howell said, “I’ve had this dream so many times, and it’s happening now. I can’t believe I won the Bassmaster Classic.”
It was Howell’s third B.A.S.S. victory. He’s won the 2013 James River Northern Open to qualify for the Classic and won an Elite 50 on Lake Dardanelle in 2004.
It was Howell’s third B.A.S.S. victory. He’s won the 2013 James River Northern Open to qualify for the Classic and won an Elite 50 on Lake Dardanelle in 2004.
Howell was fishing in his 12th Classic.
Howell was fishing in his 12th Classic.
Something just made Howell alter his original plan of fishing Mill Creek.
Something just made Howell alter his original plan of fishing Mill Creek.
It was fortuitous. “It was the best day I’ve ever had in 21 years of professional bass fishing, a day of a lifetime,” he said.
It was fortuitous. “It was the best day I’ve ever had in 21 years of professional bass fishing, a day of a lifetime,” he said.
“I caught one almost every cast or two …”
“I caught one almost every cast or two …”
“… and had a limit in the first 10 or 15 minutes.
“… and had a limit in the first 10 or 15 minutes.”
“It was quick.”
“It was quick.”
The following 20 images show one of his typical catches.
The following 20 images show one of his typical catches.
“It would have been quicker if I hadn’t had to stop and retie every time because of the rocks.”
The crowd at the bridge was treated to a very special show.
The crowd at the bridge was treated to a very special show.
“I went out this morning believing I could win,” Howell said. “That’s the weirdest thing.”
“I went out this morning believing I could win,” Howell said. “That’s the weirdest thing.”
“Typically, I would never be in 11th place and 9 pounds back and think I had a chance to win.”
“Typically, I would never be in 11th place and 9 pounds back and think I had a chance to win.”
“But for some reason I had the feeling I could win on Spring Creek …
“But for some reason I had the feeling I could win on Spring Creek …”
“ … that something big would happen there.”
“ … that something big would happen there.”
The Classic victory was worth $300,000 and the most coveted trophy in the sport.
The Classic victory was worth $300,000 and the most coveted trophy in the sport.
Howell stayed along the causeway almost all day, only going back further to a grassy area where he was able to catch a 6-pounder and cull.
Howell stayed along the causeway almost all day, only going back further to a grassy area where he was able to catch a 6-pounder and cull.
After telling his wife, Robin, that he would start at Mill Creek, his plans changed with perhaps some divine intervention.
After telling his wife, Robin, that he would start at Mill Creek, his plans changed with perhaps some divine intervention.
“A voice in my head said, ‘Do you want to be good, or do you want to be great?'” Howell said. “I know it sounds weird.”