Is there ANYTHING better than Clear Lake in the spring?
This big-bass factory that has proven itself time and time again as being perhaps the best bass fishery in the country, will be the site of the Future Pro Tour's second stop for the 2005 season Saturday, April 23rd at Konocti Harbor Spa and Resort in Kelseyville. After March's season opener on Lake Berryessa, where 402 anglers (201 teams) made their mark on the much smaller Napa Valley impoundment, Clearlake should be just the ticket to provide a challenging venue for this legion of dedicated amateur anglers.
Late April at Clearlake can be the best time for catching big bass in that some of the big females will be on spawning beds. If fact, it was just a few years ago that Byron Velvick, fishing a B.A.S.S open event on Clearlake in the spring, set the B.A.S.S record for the largest 3-day limit ever caught in a B.A.S.S tournament. In addition to this, it was just a few weeks ago that the now famous Sieg “Bass Traveler” Taylor, put a whuppin' on those Florida strain monsters with a 30 pound-4 fish limit on day one of the FLW/Everstart event!
So.. should Future Pro Tour anglers set their sights high? You better believe it! There are still plenty of big bass left in this oversized pond just waiting to be caught!
As Future Pro anglers plan their strategies for the event, many will keep in mind that doing well will help them accumulate the points needed to secure a berth in this year's Future Pro Tour Classic to be held October 29th & 30th on Clearlake, in which the winners will receive a fully rigged Ranger boat, with Evinrude outboard, MinnKota trolling motor, and Hummingbird electronics!
Norm and Lucas Boden who did extremely well at the opening event at Berryessa, have set their sights high for this year and are embracing a “studious” approach to the 2005 season. “We did well at the Berryessa event because going into this season we have committed ourselves to applying what we learned last year to our game plans for this year”, said young Lucas Boden, last year's “Future” Future Pro angler of the year. “Win, lose or draw, we will not abandon good fundamentals in exchange for pre-fish “dock talk” and other distractions that hung us up last year. What are the fish doing..and how do we figure them out, is ALL we will be concentrating on”, he added.
Steve Eason, president of the Folsom Bass Team, is clearly excited about Clearlake and can't wait to get into the mix and start tradin' hook sets with the other Future Pro Tour competitors. “Man…you talk about exciting! I thought fishing against 200 other teams would be intimidating, but surprisingly it's not”, he noted. It only makes you want to focus more and do better, because the visibility and stakes are higher!” he added.
The Future Pro Tour is an amateur level team circuit that offers a great opportunity to learn the basics of competitive bass fishing, meet lots of great people, and just have fun. Our goal simply put, is to provide a venue in which entry/amateur level anglers can improve on their bass fishing skills in a friendly yet competitive environment. Requiring only a nominal entry fee, we encourage all participants to share information, and be part of making our events a fun experience for all.
The Future Pro Tour is a team format and features 2 divisions – Div I (0-90hp) and Div II (91hp and above), where anglers in each division fish for that division's prize money. At the end of the year, teams with the most points from each division will qualify for the end of year – Future Pro Only – tournament of champions dubbed the Future Pro Tour Classic!
An optional pre-registration seminar for this event will be held on Friday (4/22) at Konocti Harbor Spa's convention center from 5-7pm. Three of Clearlake's top pro's that will be on hand to give FREE seminars on “How to Fish Clear Lake in mid-spring will be:
- Jerry Tilton
A Clearlake resident, (Lakeport) Jerry is perhaps the most versatile pro angler on the West Coast, and has won major events on just about every body of water in the west. A 14-time West Coast Bass Classic Qualifier, and Champion, Jerry now makes his home in Clearlake and really has a “bead” on these Clearlake bass. You won't want to miss what this wily veteran has to say about Clearlake fishing in the Spring.
- Wayne Breazele
A Kelseyville resident, Wayne is a noted “stick” on this lake. And though he has won several boats in major Pro/Am competitions on Clearlake, please don't be fooled: Wayne can get em' on Oroville, Shasta, and just about any body of water he competes on. Wayne knows where the big ones live, and will help you figure out what you need to do to fair well in this event.
- Jimmy Reese
Brother of B.A.S.S touring pro Skeet Reese, Jimmy has made a name for himself in the west as the odds-on favorite to win ANY major Clearlake event in ANY circuit – at ANY time of year. And for all of you Delta “rats” that have never fished Clearlake before, Jimmy, an “imported” Delta rat in his own right, is without a doubt the best person to help you understand the important similarities Clearlake and the Delta both share.
During the seminars, there will be a free raffle for premium sponsor product such as Lucky Craft Baits, SnagProof frogs, Reaction Innovation plastics, and gift certificates for free massage/spa treatments at Konocti's world-class Dancing Springs Spa - a world-class, full service facility, plus much, much more!
Everyone, this is the perfect opportunity for your whole family to participate in your bass fishing adventures - without them having to stay in the hotel room bored while you have fun fishing all day. Konocti Harbor Spa and resort has something for everyone including: 2-Olyimpic size pools, a complete health spa with massage, manicure/pedicure and facial treatments, tennis courts, miniature golf, full fitness center, and 1st class restaurant. Wine tasting, and Casino action is also just minutes away, so why not bring the whole family a make a small vacation out of it!
Konocti Harbor Spa has set aside a generous number of rooms specifically for Future Pro Tour anglers at a SUBSTANIAL DISCOUNT, which will include a boat slip (with power) and free launch. But you must hurry ….as the rooms are limited and are going fast.
The launch site for this event will be at the Konocti Harbor Spa ramp, but you can always launch from other ramps and drive over. Late check-in will be available the morning of the event in the Konocti convention center from 4:00 -6:30am. Be sure check in early, as this is sure to be another 150+ team event!
So what are you waiting for!? Come on up to Clearlake....bring your BIG BASS BAITS, and join us for what is sure to be a really fun event!
Can you say 3 bags….?
See you all at Clearlake !!!
Vince Harris
Director – Future Pro Tour Tournament Trails
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