BETHEL ISLAND, Ca - It was a long time coming for the Future Pro Tour's legion of anglers as with much anticipation, they converged last Saturday in big numbers on the legendary California Delta, with most expressing relief for finally being able to trade in their light line rods and finesse patterns, for big baits, topwater frogs, and the stout flippin sticks they knew would be an absolute necessity for doing well in this event.
For the fifth stop in the Future Pro Tour's 2007 season, the pump was truly primed for these anglers as there was a great line-up of the some of the delta's top bass fishing professionals who hosted seminars at the Hook, Line, and Sinker tackle store in Oakley Ca, the evening before the event, providing information regarding the delta's tidal flows, bait positioning, and presentation – all critical concepts for successful delta fishing. On the heels of a very successful Snagproof Open that was held on the delta the Saturday before this FPT event, and a forecast for very light winds, just about all of the one hundred and forty-six teams that participated anticipated a big topwater bite and the hopes of bustin' a double-digit fish of a lifetime.
And though the typical afternoon delta breezes showed up right at weigh-in, anglers enjoyed an early to mid-morning calm that fostered a bunch of big limits. Steve Brodie and Dave Muller showed up to play as they took the 2007 FPT Delta title in grand fashion. 27.65 pounds for five fish was the winning weight for Steve and Dave, as they administered a variety of techniques to catch their fish (no specifics were given as Steve and Dave may fish next week's central valley FPT event on the delta). “We had a great day on the water, fished well together, and had fun”, said this dynamic team, as they were fishing their first FPT event. For first place they took home 2 beautiful acrylic plaques to commemorate their delta title, a $2,075 cash purse, and won the Costa Del Mar “Champions Choice Award” which was two pair of Costa Del Mar Sunglasses valued at over $300. Second place honors were taken by Travis and Parker Moran of Carmel Calif, who used River2Sea frogs to catch a 5-fish stringer that weighed 24.81. For their finish they received a cash purse of $1,825. Rounding out third was the team of Edison “ Tex ” Hicks and wingman Tony Vaughn who held onto the lead for as long as they could before settling into the 3rd place spot with a 24.34 pound limit and grabbing their portion of the total purse which was $1,275. They were also the Ranger Cup winners for this event which garnered them $200 cash for being the highest finishing Ranger Cup participant.
The small boat division let every one know that having a small boat doesn't necessarily mean you catch small limits, as the winning team Jeff and Tim Masters of Roseville, brought in a 21.43 pound limit to capture the delta title in the small boat division. For their efforts they received two beautiful plaques and $450 cash.
Battle of the “Kermits”
The 2nd annual “Battle of the Brands – the ultimate frog challenge” a separately funded event that pitted frog-bait manufacturers pro-staff teams against each other in head-to-head competition, was wildly successful as teams such as River2Sea and Snagproof set out (after all FPT teams were launched) to see which hollow-bodied floating frog would prevail and who would capture the “Top Frog” award for 2007. Taking top honors in front of an excited group of FPT onlookers who stayed around to see the action, was team Snagproof, as they bested the R2S team with a 9-fish total weight of 48.24. According to team leader Bobby Barrack, putting together the bag they did was hard work as the frog bite was in no way “wide open” and bigger fish were few and far between. But as all members of the team noted, it was a ton of fun to fish together on a promotional project, and that they look forward to defending the “Top Frog” title next year.
Members of the River2Sea team lead by Roderick Lee said they had a good day also, but could not manage to get the big bites they needed to win. “We had many, many fish come up behind our Croaker frogs and blow up big time”, noted R2S pro-staffer Dan O'Sullivan, who fished with veteran pro Chris Raza. Unfortunately, the bigger fish just would not commit”. Ever the comsumate sportsman, Rod expressed that the event was a bunch of fun for the whole R2S team, and that they look forward to competing again next year. A big thank you to Simon, and KK Chan, owners of R2S and Bob Tice sales director for your participation in this event.
The real winners in this event however, were the FPT anglers that received the opportunity to meet, talk to, and see some of the best top water frog fishermen in the west in real-time action!
We would like to thank the gang a Russo's Marina for again hosting the Future Pro Tour, as their facility is bar none, the best place on the delta to hold an event. Thank you…Chuck Russo and staff, for all you do for the tournament angler. And a big thanks to Gene Bucholz owner of the Hook, Line and Sinker for your support of the Future Pro Tour from day one. You are appreciated.
Up next?....Were back to the delta! As the central valley will come to the delta for the first and only time this year, launching out of Ladds Marina. Signups will be at the marina launch ramp from 4-6am with a $5 “pay as you play” membership fee available for those that want to participate.
So.. for those of you that did well in Saturday's event….why not double down and get right back into the thick of things! But bring your “A” game dudes... as those central valley boyz don't play!
See you all on the water!
FPT
For the final standings for this event please visit:
www.futureprotour.net
(916) 768-0938
Vince Harris President/Director, Future Pro Tour Tournament Trails
6349 Auburn Blvd Citrus Heights California, 95621 (916)768)0938 www.futureprotour.net vince@futureprotour.net
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