Spring 2018
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a good place when I go into a big event (the biggest event of the year – the Classic), I’m more confident and going to make better decisions.
After the Martin event in February, I will turn my focus to the Classic. The month-long break between the two will give me time to get my equipment ready and my mind ready for the Classic.
NEW GEAR FOR THE NEW YEAR
As for the equipment that I’m getting ready – I’ve got my new Daiwa Tatula Elite ™ Signature Series rods and Tatula SV reels. I’ve got five signature models and there are 20 technique specific rods designed by myself, Ish Monroe, Brent Ehrler and bunch of us that help each other develop the best technique specific rods possible. It is really great to have equipment developed with that kind of input. It’s exciting after Christmas to get all the new equipment for the new season. It is like Christmas all over again.
My new Triton/Mercury is loaded out with the new Power-Poles and a two Lowrance HDS-12 Carbons on the console. I am excited to have such a big screen to run a split screen on one unit. I spent time learning to use that for this year. The last part of the 2017 season, especially when we started getting into the offshore tournaments and smallmouth tournaments, I really got into the 3D Structure and SideScan a lot. Like at Mille Lacs, it was all about finding isolated boulders and that 3D imaging. Looking 100-feet right and left, changes how quick you can find all the good stuff.
I’ve gone through and organized and separated all my boxes of Yamamoto product. I am excited to be putting some of the new baits to the test. There are two new soft plastic proto-types coming out.
This is one of my biggest things for preparation. For a lot of guys, preparation is going on the water and fishing, fishing, fishing. But, for me, I am almost OCD about all my equipment and things I can control. I cannot control if the fish are going to bite good enough or if they are going to get off; but I can control having the best rods, reels, line, split rings, tying the best knots – just all those little details and that is what I try to be with the details – 100 percent perfect all the time, so that I have no excuses.
Boat shows, the King’s Home boat giveaway, equipment organization, some downtime with my family to recharge off the water – that pretty much covers what has gone on in the off-season. Now, I’m looking forward to sharing my family’s experience on the Elite Series as we travel the fisheries out East with all of the WesternBass viewers. •
Editor’s Note: The Bassmaster Elite Series event on Lake Martin blasted off as this “went to press”. Howell’s attention and concentration on the season-opener paid off. He notched a 21st place finish, with 34-lbs,
5-oz, earning a $10,000.00 pay day.
NEW PROTOTYPE BAIT COMING FROM YAMAMOTO
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