NAPA, Calif - Most would agree that it is not too wise to go into battle without a plan. When engaging a formidable opponent, having a well-thought out tactical strategy is critical, and will most likely, determine the success or failure of any competitive campaign.
And while the Thunder Valley Outdoors/Future Pro Tour’s opening season event to be held on Lake Berryessa on Saturdy, March 27th is just a little over a week away, right now strategies for how to end up in the winner’s circle seems to be an all-consuming thought in the minds of most anglers that will be competing in this kick-off event dubbed the “Napa Valley Challenge”.
“We have been eliminating water for weeks,” noted Wayne Hodge a long-time FPT angler who also represents P-Line in a promotional capacity. My team partner Harvey (Pulliam) and I are making sure that we spend the most time we can on the most productive water we can, as we know time management is critical to our success.”
FPT competitor and Sacramento resident Wendell Brown is adding a strong mixture of “technology” to his strategy for this event and plans to deploy the knowledge he has acquired through the various FPT “Tech”sonar and NAVIONICS classes he has attended, to help him gain an edge on his fellow competitors. “This new technology for me has taken a lot of the guess work out of my fishing,” he noted candidly. This year I plan to work smarter as well as harder.”
And several of our FPT pro-support staff members have also “weighed-in”on what their strategies would be if they were fishing this event, at this time of year, on one of the best large and small mouth bass lakes in the west:
Fred Roumbanis – B.A.S.S Elites series Champion
“You might think it's crazy, but with the warming trend that will be in full effect at the time of this event..I would not hesitate to pick up a Snag Proof Frog, and look for some calm water in the back of a cove with some run-off “trash” piled up on top of it”. When you get bit…it might be over..as those will be the kind of fish that could land you in the winner’s circle.”
Gary Dobyns – West’s all-time money winner
“Guys…this is gonna be a good event, and that weekend, with the way the weather is warming up, it will most likely be the best weekend all year to fish Lake Berryessa for big fish and heavy limits. Any style of reaction bait you throw will work, but I strongly suggest that you start with a Lucky Craft Stay-See 90 series - in the chartruse/shad pattern and never take it out of your hand.”
And to help you stay on top of things off the water before you take off for competition, Out-of-Bounds Speed and Marine of Roseville (916)212-8003 will have their Angler Services Support truck on-site Saturday morning during the check-in period, to assist you with resolving any mechanical issues that may preclude you from blasting off on time with the field.
While on the water you can also take comfort in the fact that our West Marine Angler Support Services Ranger boat will be on duty to provide on-water-support services for those that may encounter issues that could preclude them from getting back to the weigh in on time.
On Friday evening prior to the event from 4-7pm at the Pleasure Cove Marina camping area, we will host an informative OPTIONAL pre-registration seminar featuring some of the west top bass professionals who specialize in fishing Lake Berryessa, offering insights how to catch these bass in the early spring.
Several tackle manufacturers will be on hand with free product samples for you to try out and we will host a big FREE raffle for all that attend, with lots of premium tackle for you to win, including a Minn Kota on-board battery charger worth over $200 dollars. Brown’s “Southern Style” BBQ will have their BBQ pits hot and ready to go as they will have available delicious BBQ with all the fixin’s ready for our anglers at both the Friday night’s seminar, and at Saturday’s weigh-in.
And although we expect a big field of competitors for this event, you can still signup ANYTIME by calling the FPT offices before the event, signing up online, or by showing up at the ramp and registering the morning of the event from 4-7am.
Limited memberships of just $5 per angler are available for those of you that want to try out the FPT or won’t be able to attend all events in 2010.
So there it is! The perfect storm of warming weather… big bass staging and ready to spawn… plus all the fun to be had by getting out on the water on a warm spring weekend to compete with friends you haven’t seen since last year!
And don’t forget...our television camera crews will be on duty - in full force, during this entire event, to capture all the action for a great FPT television show that will be aired the first week of April. So get a shave, haircut, press those sponsor shirts, and get ready for SHOWTIME as the FPT brings another exciting season of fun to northern California anglers.
We look forward to seeing you all there!
FPT
www.futureprotour.net – (916)-768-0938
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