OROVILLE, Ca. - Most know that it is quite an accomplishment to win a Future Pro Tour event. And looking at the number of seasoned amateurs fishing the Tour that come close - but never manage to get their hands on one of the coveted blue/gold and onyx first place plaques, certainly confirms that fact. So what can be said about a team that fishes so well that they not only win the 2007 Future Pro Tour Classic Championship Title, but it's prestigious Angler of the Year title as well?
All one can say is "MEGA Kudos" as Chris Fancelli and Jeff Pyles, two anglers from Redding Califorina added the FPT Classic crown to their collection of titles last Saturday, staging a stunning last round come back from eighth place on day one to win the year-end championship event.
“We are speechless”, said the young team as they addressed the crowd of spectators that attended the awards ceremony at the Gold County Casino. We knew we had to stay steady and not move away from what had been working for us the previous day...and everything just fell into place!” Jeff and Chris stayed with working jigs and Carolina rigs, targeting deeper fish in the 25-35 foot range to improve on their first day eight-pound limit with a 2-day weight just shy of twelve pounds. That upgrade made the difference, keeping first day leaders Justin Nelson and Jeff Garmenson at bay and allowing them to capture the Classic title with a two-day limit of 20.92 pounds.
And winning the Future Pro Tour Classic and Angler of the year titles garnered Jeff and Chis more than just the fully-rigged Ranger 188vs powered by Evinrude E-Tec 150, and Minn Kota/Humminbird electronics. For their dual crowns, they also received two co-angler entries into a 2008 FLW/Stren series event of their choice - representing the Future Pro Tour at the event, limited sponsorships from Lucky Craft, Lamiglas, and Limit Lures, and a $1,150 AOY cash bonus.
In addition, they will be placed on Centennial Batteries promotional staff where they will receive a complete boat wrap, full compliment of batteries – with onboard charger, promotional shirts, paid entries into the FPT's 2008 season, and a free entry into the 2008 Vanity Cup as representatives of the Future Pro Tour -a package worth over $7,000! Last year's “Spirit of the Tour” award winner Justin Nelson and partner Jeff Garmenson, took 2nd place after a commanding day one lead, but could not get the fish they needed to win on day two. “The front came and went, and so did our fish”, lamented Justin and Jeff as they graciously accepted second place honors, which included $1,300 dollars and a Minn Kota ProMaxx 101 trolling motor. Our hats go off to Chris and Jeff as they have proven by their performances all year that they deserved this championship title”.
Small boat division AOY race finally settled
For the first time in FPT history a “sudden death” was held to unbind the deadlock between the two teams fighting for the AOY title in that division. The highest finisher in the event would receive the title and the AOY bonus cash that goes along with it. In the end, Kenny Elliot and Don Petty held on to capture the crown in the small boat division, capping off what has for them been an challenging and exciting year. Congratulations Don and Kenny!
Special sponsorships awarded
Many of the two hundred anglers and family members attending the FPT Classic celebration banquet held Friday night before the event were amazed as several FPT anglers received promotional sponsorships from none other than Gary Dobyns – the west's all-time money leader. Dobyns Rods, a sponsor of Tour, awarded four anglers James Markham, Paul Parks, Wayne Antione Sr. and Don Petty with rod sponsorships not only for their angling prowress, but also for their abilites as ambassadors in the sport of bassfishing. We want to thank Gary for this awesome gesture to our anglers as well as his unwavering support of the Future Pro Tour.
A special thanks to the all of the sponsors and pro-support staff that came up to help out at this event: Jeff Huth (Valley Rod & Gun), Jim Moulton (new owner of C&C Marine), Mike Van Wagner (new owner Capitol City Marine), Charlie Evans (Battery Systems), Dan Langston (Hydrate 2o) Paul Cunnningham (Limit Lures), Gary Dobyns, Ish Monroe, Dean McDaniel, Chris Raza, and especially Skip Maggiora (Skip's Music) who came out and set up a professional, concert-grade sound system for our weigh-in. Skip…you are the man!
Well that wraps up the season for the Future Pro Tour. We thank all of you for your support and look forward to seeing you at this winter's boat shows. I would like to personally wish all of you happy holidays and a wonderful, relaxing off-season with your families!
See you all next March!
Vince Harris
President/Director, Future Pro Tour Tournanent Trails
www.futureprotour.net
(916)768-0938
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