Randy Howell Relies on 1-2 Punch for Challenge Select Topwater Bite
COLUMBIA, South Carolina – Even though he’s known throughout the country as a crankbait fisherman, Major League Fishing Challenge Select p
Howell, who won the 2014 Bassmaster Classic on medium-diving crankbaits, relies heavily on cranking during pre-spawn. But as soon as waters throughout the Carolinas begin to heat up in early June, away go the squarebills and medium divers and out come the walkers and poppers.
“Fish are post-spawn most everywhere in the country by late June, and for sure in places like Lake Hartwell, Lake Murray and this part of northern South Carolina,” Howell says as he sorts through his tackle for the week. “You can usually expect to find a lot of fish schooling up, trying to feed after being in spawn mode for so long, so the topwater bite is a key.”
Howell’s two-part approach utilizes a walking bait on long points and shoals, and a popper in shallow pockets and the backs of creeks. Here’s how he fishes both:
Walking baits on points: Howell prefers long, flat points with lengthy shoals for a walking bait. He’ll typically start at the back of a creek and work his way out to the main point, making long fan casts in hopes of drawing bass to the surface.
“If you can get lucky and find a school on one of those long shoals, that’s the best situation,” Howell says. “Lakes like Murray where you have lots of underwater islands and channels are great places to throw walking baits.”
Poppers in pockets: Howell picks up a popper when he’s moved off the main channel and is fishing in the backs of creeks, or in small pockets with cover.
“A popper is more of a cover-related bite: I’m throwing it around stumps, rocks, floating boat docks, that sort of thing,” he says. “Most of the time, I’m fishing it in a tighter area for fish that might be guarding fry, or working their way out of pockets.”
Go natural: Howell’s color choice for both poppers and walkers is straightforward, with natural baitfish (shad) and chrome/black back being his go-to finishes.
Topwater gear: Howell’s setup for both styles of topwater includes a 7-foot-4 Diawa Tatula Elite Randy Howell Signature Series Big Topwater rod and a Daiwa Tatula SV 8.1:1 reel spooled with 55-pound Daiwa Samuria braid.