“Although it’s not “prime time”…there are still some pretty good fish that can be caught rippin in the late spring”.
This one sentence caught the attention of both Jeff Pyles and Chris Fanncelli, as they sat patiently listening to the west’s top bass angler Gary Dobyns, answering questions about the upcoming fishing season during last winter’s ISE show in Sacramento. And if their impressive victory in last Saturday’s third event of the 2005 Future Pro Tour season held on Shasta Lake proved anything..it proved that listening carefully pays off – big time.
In what they both described as an incredible feeling of accomplishment, Jeff and Chris, both new to tournament competition, are now officially “hooked” on competitive angling. “This is unbelievable,” Jeff said. We fish Shasta all the time and occasionally fish one or two club events a year.” We never dreamed we could compete and actually win fishing against such a large field of good anglers!”
Riding a Lucky Craft - Stay-See model rip bait all the way to first place with a 13.55 limit of bass, both Chris and Jeff were visibly excited and amazed at what a little piece of advice, carefully adhered to could produce.
In what turned out to be a virtual weigh slip photo finish, Jeff and Chris narrowly escaped the “bridesmaid ” position by holding onto first place by just about a tenth of an ounce. And while it took a solid bag of Shasta bass (9 pounds plus) to get in the money, many of the 147 teams that participated found an over abundance of fish willing to bite - but without the size to make a difference.
“We probably caught over 100 fish!” Commented Mark Pollard of Modesto, who finished 85th in the competition. We had just under 8 pounds, but had to go through so many undersized fish it was ridiculous!” he further added. Nonetheless, and as expected, many of anglers who shared the same experience as Mark and his team partner Dan, were able to maintain a good sprit, keenly aware that a limit of bass – even a small limit - would go a long way in helping them secure a berth in the 2005 Future Pro Tour Classic event presented by People’s Nissan/Isuzu of Stockton to be held on Clearlake Oct 29-30.
With water levels on the lake the highest they have been in years, and it’s clarity in the “gin-clear” range, Shasta Lake took many of the newcomers to the Tour by surprise, as many had never fished such a large-scale sprawling impoundment. “There are so many places to go on this lake, and the river arms seem to go on forever,” commented FPT newcomer Jose Soto of Hayward who fishes in Division I (small boat division). But I learned a whole lot today, and that went a long way in helping me maintain my confidence levels.”
While Jeff And Chris received the larger share of the tournament purse ($2,150 dollars), newcomers Kevin Ward and Casey Dunn kept it a close race and grabbed second place honors with a stringer of bass weighing 13.44 lbs using a variety of baits.
Mike Park and Ron Sangston made a strong showing and nailed down 3rd place on the strength of a 13.36 lb mixed bag of bass, earning $1,300 dollars for their efforts. Division I (small boat division) honors went to the team of Kyle Smart and Mike Osborn, of Redding Ca. For their victory in the small boat division, they received $510 dollars!
Rest of the best in division II…..John Rice/John Alves (4th with 13.15 lbs), Brian Paine/Randy Schafer (5th with 12.99 lbs), Rod Fuller/Leroy Hagy (6th with 12.35 lbs). Division I Robert Merwin/Dan Scsim ( 2nd 9.41 lbs).
What a great event! We want to thank the crew down at Phils Prop Service/tackle shop for all of their support and for the delicious BBQ dinner held for us at the shop during the seminars. Special thanks to the good people at West Marine Products in Redding for allowing us to host the seminars at their new location off Bechelli Lane, in which top pros Billy Townsend, Greg Guterriez, and Russ Meyer donated their time and efforts to help us groom the future pro anglers of tomorrow. And of course, a big thanks to my staff, who work tirelessly to help ensure that we provide for our anglers the best tournament experience possible.
Our next event will be held June 11th on beautiful Lake Oroville – smack dab in the middle of the Gold Country!
And yes…the spotted bass will be biting!
Pyles and Fanncelli capture FPT Shasta title
“Although it’s not “prime time”…there are still some pretty good fish that can be caught rippin in the late spring”.
This one sentence caught the attention of both Jeff Pyles and Chris Fanncelli, as they sat patiently listening to the west’s top bass angler Gary Dobyns, answering questions about the upcoming fishing season during last winter’s ISE show in Sacramento. And if their impressive victory in last Saturday’s third event of the 2005 Future Pro Tour season held on Shasta Lake proved anything..it proved that listening carefully pays off – big time.
In what they both described as an incredible feeling of accomplishment, Jeff and Chris, both new to tournament competition, are now officially “hooked” on competitive angling. “This is unbelievable,” Jeff said. We fish Shasta all the time and occasionally fish one or two club events a year.” We never dreamed we could compete and actually win fishing against such a large field of good anglers!”
Riding a Lucky Craft - Stay-See model rip bait all the way to first place with a 13.55 limit of bass, both Chris and Jeff were visibly excited and amazed at what a little piece of advice, carefully adhered to could produce.
In what turned out to be a virtual weigh slip photo finish, Jeff and Chris narrowly escaped the “bridesmaid ” position by holding onto first place by just about a tenth of an ounce. And while it took a solid bag of Shasta bass (9 pounds plus) to get in the money, many of the 147 teams that participated found an over abundance of fish willing to bite - but without the size to make a difference.
“We probably caught over 100 fish!” Commented Mark Pollard of Modesto, who finished 85th in the competition. We had just under 8 pounds, but had to go through so many undersized fish it was ridiculous!” he further added. Nonetheless, and as expected, many of anglers who shared the same experience as Mark and his team partner Dan, were able to maintain a good sprit, keenly aware that a limit of bass – even a small limit - would go a long way in helping them secure a berth in the 2005 Future Pro Tour Classic event presented by People’s Nissan/Isuzu of Stockton to be held on Clearlake Oct 29-30.
With water levels on the lake the highest they have been in years, and it’s clarity in the “gin-clear” range, Shasta Lake took many of the newcomers to the Tour by surprise, as many had never fished such a large-scale sprawling impoundment. “There are so many places to go on this lake, and the river arms seem to go on forever,” commented FPT newcomer Jose Soto of Hayward who fishes in Division I (small boat division). But I learned a whole lot today, and that went a long way in helping me maintain my confidence levels.”
While Jeff And Chris received the larger share of the tournament purse ($2,150 dollars), newcomers Kevin Ward and Casey Dunn kept it a close race and grabbed second place honors with a stringer of bass weighing 13.44 lbs using a variety of baits.
Mike Park and Ron Sangston made a strong showing and nailed down 3rd place on the strength of a 13.36 lb mixed bag of bass, earning $1,300 dollars for their efforts. Division I (small boat division) honors went to the team of Kyle Smart and Mike Osborn, of Redding Ca. For their victory in the small boat division, they received $510 dollars!
Rest of the best in division II…..John Rice/John Alves (4th with 13.15 lbs), Brian Paine/Randy Schafer (5th with 12.99 lbs), Rod Fuller/Leroy Hagy (6th with 12.35 lbs). Division I Robert Merwin/Dan Scsim ( 2nd 9.41 lbs).
What a great event! We want to thank the crew down at Phils Prop Service/tackle shop for all of their support and for the delicious BBQ dinner held for us at the shop during the seminars. Special thanks to the good people at West Marine Products in Redding for allowing us to host the seminars at their new location off Bechelli Lane, in which top pros Billy Townsend, Greg Guterriez, and Russ Meyer donated their time and efforts to help us groom the future pro anglers of tomorrow. And of course, a big thanks to my staff, who work tirelessly to help ensure that we provide for our anglers the best tournament experience possible.
Our next event will be held June 11th on beautiful Lake Oroville – smack dab in the middle of the Gold Country!
And yes…the spotted bass will be biting!
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