PHOTO BY GARRETT DAVIDSON
Laker Howell ’ s tournament education started at a young age while traveling the national-level bass circuits with dad Randy .
Marshall ’ s performance in 2023 supports those observations : As this issue of Bass Fishing magazine goes to press , the younger Robinson is in ninth place in the Invitationals Angler of the Year race , needing to move up just one spot in the standings at the season ' s final event to earn an invitation to fish the Bass Pro Tour in 2024 .
The Lanes are no strangers to success . Chris is an eight-time winner , including a win at Bass Pro Tour Stage One in 2023 and a Bassmaster Classic victory in 2012 . His brother Bobby claimed the REDCREST 2022 trophy and has five other tour-level wins on his resume . Older brother Arnie owns 10 Top 10s and a reputation as one of the most respected anglers in Florida . But Chris believes that Cal will succeed due to more than his strong fishing genes .
“ Watching him learn how to fish and improve every day from such a young age has been amazing to watch ,” Lane said . “ You can tell how bad he wants to make it to the Bass Pro Tour . To know he wants to be like his dad , uncles and grandfather is pretty cool . He ’ s such a patient angler , and he didn ’ t get that trait from me . He has the patience when he ’ s fishing that he ’ s able to control what he can ’ t really control outside of fishing . I ’ ve actually learned how to be more patient by watching him fish .”
In addition to fishing the Tackle Warehouse Invitationals , Laker Howell finished in the top 15 in two divisions of the Toyota Series in 2023 and is well on track to reach the high bar that Randy – a Bassmaster Classic champion and 30-year veteran of tour-level competition – has set . Randy is , of course , impressed with Laker ’ s fishing , but is even more proud of his son ’ s life off the water .
“ It ’ s not just that he ’ s a good angler , which he is ,” Howell explained . “ It ’ s the fact that he ’ s a good man with a good head on his shoulders . He ’ s kind , generous , compassionate and loves people . He ’ s the total package as a person , and I think that ’ s what I ’ m most proud of . Those characteristics will help him do really well in the sport and in life .”
While there may be benefits to having a familiar last name and an upbringing in the sport , there can also be downfalls , according to Randy .
“ It ’ s a double-edged sword because everyone expects you to do well , but if you don ’ t , the criticism can be harsh ,” Howell warned . “ If you can ’ t live up to what other people think you should live up to , people are ready to pounce on you and criticize you . It ’ s a tough thing to manage , but Laker and all the kids have done a great job at it .”
Marty , Randy and Chris ’ respective careers appear to be far from over . But as the sun begins to rise on their sons ’ careers , Marty can ’ t help but reminisce on how far he and his son have both come together .
“ He reminds me of myself when I was young ,” Robinson reflected . “ It feels like I succeeded in living my dream of becoming a professional angler again seeing him live his out . I know how hard he works , and to see his passion and love for the sport develop over these years has been amazing to see .”
38 MAJORLEAGUEFISHING . COM | AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2023