ROCKLIN Ca. - The Future Pro Tour season begins anew this Saturday at Don Pedro, giving the central valley's legion of amateur anglers a great opportunity to experience Tour competition, and win a beautiful Ranger 188vs with Evinrude E-Tec 150hp, Minnkota/Humminbird electronics and, Centennial Batteries professionally rigged by C&C Marine of Modesto and Citrus Heights.
This 7-event Tour begins on Don Pedro and ends on Lake Millerton, with the 2007 Future Pro Tour Classic invitational championship venue scheduled for early November on Lake Oroville, a northern California impoundment that holds tons of spotted bass and fishes much like the central valley's deeper water lakes.
With up to $2,000 cash along with limited product sponsorships being offered to the central valley's participants, last year's winners Adam Belmont and Stephen Magill will have their hands full defending their AOY titles. "We did well last year, and have spent the off season planning our strategies for the 07 season", said the dynamic duo, who outlasted teams like Ryan and Larry Accardo, John and Seth Rowe, and perennial favorites like Bobby Tilford and Dana McGriff to take home the coveted amateur title.
And last year's opener on Pedro gave participants all they could handle as a nasty rain storm swept through Mariposa County at game time, giving anglers a good taste of what touring pros deal with on a regular basis. But through it all, central valley anglers really showed their mantle at the Classic championship, with a large percentage of them posting high finishes on a lake most had ever seen or fished. Even more impressive was Kevin Cheek and Jeff Short, who never having been on Clearlake, locked onto a spot they found in practice and walked away with a 2nd place FPT Classic finish.
"The season can't get here quick enough for us" said Kevin and Jeff, both residents of the Fresno area. "We've got that big Nitro fueled up and ready to go, and there is no way the Classic will get away from us again", they added confidently. We've learned allot fishing this Tour and really look forward to the competition". And Don Pedro should provide all the action these competitors need, in that the word regarding the bite on the lake has been very good. "Split-shottin, jigs, and yes..swimbaits could be the keys to victory", says Jeff Huth, manager of the popular Valley Rod and Gun tackle store in Clovis. "Tossing 1/4 ounce brown and purple jigs, and split-shottin' Pro Worms (#281-neon purple) are good bets if you want to fill out a good limit this time of year". I'm am also excited for our Central Valley anglers that will get the opportunity to fish a Tour that will take them through the highs and low's of tournament life".
Jeff is a successful pro angler that regularly competes in FLW/National Guard and FLW/Stren Series events. So for those of you that need tackle for the event, you really need to visit Valley Rod and Gun (559-292-3474), at talk to Jeff, Merrit and the crew as they will have all the gear and tackle you'll need for this year's Tour.
If you haven't signed up yet you still can participate by signing up the morning of the event from 4-6am at Fleming Meadow ramp. An $80 entry fee is all that is required to participate, and for those of you that just want to try it out, simply pay a limited membership fee of just $5 per person along with your $80 entry fee, and you’re all set to go!
For more information on the Future Pro Tour please visit:
www.futureprotour.net or call (916) 768-0938
See you all at Pedro!
FPT
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