By Paul LebowitzJuly 6, 2007 Longtime saltwater tournament angler Ed Howerton sits a miniscule 0.07 point shy of the lead for Lowrance Electronics Angler of the Year in the Plastic Navy Tournament Trail Presented by Western Outdoor News. Howerton is accustomed to winning. He regularly finishes in the money in the boat-based WON Yamaha Saltwater Series, boasts a San Diego Anglers Bay Bass Open title, and has won the majority of the Plastic Navy tournaments he’s entered. So who is this mystery man Nick Meyer who holds a razor-thin lead over hot-stick Howerton? Is he lucky or a born angler? Howerton has the answer. “He has fishing in his blood. He has that killer instinct,” Howerton said, and he should know. Meyer is his nephew. |
RUNS IN THE FAMILY – Eddie Howerton with his nephew Nick Meyer. The two are dominating the race for Lowrance Electronics Angler of the Year, locked in a virtual tie just 0.07 point apart. Howerton’s stepson Brandon O’Connor sits in third. |
Meyer’s total after two bay bass tournaments, Mission and Newport, is a hefty 24.15 points. Howerton has 24.08. The next guy, Brandon O’Connor, a bit more than 3 points back with 20.73 points. The punch line? O’Connor is Howerton’s stepson. Tournament veteran Howerton, sponsored by Maxima, swears the family’s dominance comes down to skill and individual effort, and scoffs at assertions he’s guiding the younger generations to their success. “We all prefish together,” said Howerton, who includes his friend and regular fishing partner Dennis Burlason in the tally. Burlason finished second at the recent Newport Trail stop and might have his own place on the overall leaderboard if he hadn’t missed Mission Bay. “Nick is an incredible trap shooter. He is really sharp at whatever he does. He’s been hunting since he was born,” Howerton said of Meyer. With four tour stops to go before some skilled angler is awarded $2,500 and the Lowrance Angler of the Year title, the stakes are about to rise. The next event will be contested at La Jolla, where calicos are king and the bag weights will soar. “It will take at least 20 lbs to win,” Howerton figured. The man is a proven calico catcher, but the crowd trying to catch up has one advantage. Howerton has never fished the ocean from a kayak, nor has Meyer or O’Connor. Howerton isn’t daunted, nor should he be. Lack of kayak seat time hasn’t proved a weakness to this point. Howerton moves around on a kayak like he was born to it. “La Jolla will separate the men from boys. We’ll find out where this is going,” Howerton said.Place Name Event 1 Event 2 Total |