Bassmaster Elite Series angler Randy Howell and his family are planning to make the scene of his biggest win their place of residence.
After recently selling their home in Springville, Ala., the Howells purchased a lot in Guntersville and will be building a house near Spring Creek, not far from where Howell caught most of his final-day weight en route to winning the 2014 Bassmaster Classic.
“It’ll be kind of ironic to call that home now,” Howell said.
Prior to going to the Elite Series Angler of the Year Championship, Howell said they put their home up for sale privately and the first people that called submitted a competitive offer that was accepted. The Howells were moved out on Oct. 7 and have been living out of their camper near Guntersville and will be living at a campground for the next few months.
“We had always talked about it and planned to move up here in the future, but we didn’t know if it would be sooner or later,” Howell said. “We just see more opportunities for the fishing world being here and it’s such a great place to live.”
He’ll join fellow Classic winners Chris Lane and Boyd Duckett as Guntersville residents. Former Forrest Wood Cup winner Kevin Hawk also lives in Guntersville. Howell said the lot they will be building on was purchased from Duckett, who has gotten involved in real estate development since moving to Guntersville a few years ago.
“Since we’ve been up here, anywhere I go, it’s nothing but fishing fanatics,” Howell said. “It’s unreal. It’s a great feeling. I know Chris Lane, after moving here, he said his confidence went up because so many people are cheering you on. I want my boys to grow up in this environment. That’s how it was for me at Lake Gaston when I was a kid. Fishing was just such a big part of my life.”
Howell said the best-case scenario is that their new home will be completed by next May or June, but he anticipates it being longer.
“It’ll be exciting when next year rolls around,” he said.
