Howell, who lives in Trussville, Ala., says he expects a much better tournament this year. “Wheeler has come back a lot since 1998,” he says. “In 1998, I averaged about 10 pounds per day and won. Last March I fished a tournament there and caught 10 pounds per day and barely got a check. It has improved tremendously.”

The lake has a large number of 1 1/2- to 2-pound bass in it so there will be a lot of limits caught. Many different patterns are likely to be working in February, too. At 67,100 acres and roughly 60 miles in length, Wheeler offers a vast selection of diverse cover.

Smallmouth bass could be a factor at Wheeler in February. “Wheeler has really started producing some big smallmouth recently, especially in the winter to early spring time period,” Howell says.

The only downside is that it could be very cold in North Alabama in February. Wal-Mart FLW Tour fans might remember the snow at Alabama’s Lake Martin last year in March and the snow at Lake Murray in February 1999. Nevertheless, Wheeler’s hot action will help anglers bear the cold if necessary.

Links:

$5.1 million Wal-Mart FLW Tour heading to Lake Wheeler
Pro field
Co-angler field