WINTERS, Ca. – Just as many of the vintners in the Napa valley prepare to gather a harvest that took an entire year to cultivate, Future Pro Tour anglers will also prepare with great anticipation, to wrap up a tournament season that for many has been a long and grueling one. Their harvest however, will not be the sweet by-product of vintage grapes, but a chance to participate in the most prestigious event in amateur level competition – the Future Pro Tour Classic.
In the 7th and final event of the 2007 season for the northern region, anglers participating in Saturday's event on Lake Berryessa will find the pristine Napa valley reservoir, primed with large and smallmouth bass eager to inhale just about any kind of bait thrown at them. “Depending on what the weather does this week, the bite could really be incredible”, noted Nate Lemons the newest member of the FPT's pro-support team who has won over half a dozen fully-rigged boats in his pro career and now guides full time. If the top water bite turns on, it could take well over 17 pounds to win this event”, he added.
But don't count on every angler in the field to “swing for the fences”. For in this event many will go in with the simple goal of catching a limit of bass to help secure their place in the Future Pro Tour Classic, and be one of 65 teams that will have a chance to win a new Ranger 188vs powered by an Evinrude E-Tec outboard, full Humminbird/Minn Kota electronics and Centennial Batteries.
In addition to the chase for the Classic, the northern region's Angler of the Year race will come to a defining close as the on-going battle between three teams for the prestigious title will be settled after Saturday's event. “It's time to do this!”, said newcomers Matt Vella and Rob Thornton of Garden Valley California, who sitting just below current AOY points leaders Jeff Pyles and Chris Fancelli of Redding California, were clearly excited about their chances of taking the title.
“The tour has been a great learning experience for us and has definitely shown us where our angling strengths lie and where we need room for improvement if we ever decide to take our bass fishing to the next level”. And no one can count out the team sitting in third place, Jason Milligan and Michael Wright, who captured their first FPT title on Lake Berryessa with a season opening monster that weighed 14.98 pounds, and has been noted as the largest bass ever caught in organized competition. Do Jason and Mike know where the big ones live on Beryessa in the fall? Will they be able to put a pattern together that will sweep the field and take the title? We will know come Saturday.
Angler of the Year Race
The 2007 Future Pro Tour Angler of the Year title, as with all AOY titles, not only defines the most consistent team participating on the tour, but also brings with it a package of bonuses unprecedented for amateur organizations, and worth over $7,000. The bonus package for the northern region Anglers of the Year winners will be:
• Placement on the Battery Systems promotional staff which includes:
• Promotional shirts
• Full set of Centennial batteries
• Installed on-board battery charger
• Professional Boat wrap or decal set
• Paid entries into the 2008 Future Pro Tour
• A Future Pro Tour Cash bonus of up to $2,000
• Limited product sponsorships from Lucky Craft, Lamiglas, Angler's Press, and Limit Lures
• Custom designed silver bracelets commemorating their achievement
• Two entries into a 2008 FLW Stren Series event of their choice as representatives of the Future Pro Tour
This Saturday's event will launch from Spanish Flat Marina at safe-light, with late sign-ups being accepted from 4-6am at the marina store. As always, per-event memberships will be available for just $5 per angler.
So come on out a help us close out a great 2007 season, and “beat up” on some Napa Valley bass! And don't forget to keep your eyes glued to the FPT website to see which teams will be going to the big show in November!
See you all there!
FPT
www.futureprotour.net
(916) 768-0938
Vince Harris
President/Director, Future Pro Tour Tournament Trails
3117 Merrywood Dr.
Sacramento Ca, 95825
(916)768)0938
www.futureprotour.net
vince@futureprotour.net
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