KELSEYVILLE, Ca. - There is a saying that giving is better than receiving. If this is so, then Greg McCosker and Mark Crutcher’s reciprocal gesture of presenting the American Vanity Cup’s first annual event on Clearlake with a record shattering 74.10 two-day limit of bass rippin' River 2 Sea baits, was a gift that is one that will not soon be forgotten.
The 2007 America’s Vanity Cup, underwritten by Pier Resorts, and presented by Cheetah Energy Drinks on March 10th-11th, was an open team event hosted in grand fashion at Konocti Harbor Resort and Spa, and wholly designed to give team anglers an opportunity – once a year, to fish for big cash and prizes, as many anglers do not have the time or money to fish the major Pro/Am trails that come to the west. The field is limited to 200 teams, with a cash payout based on 200 teams of $100,000, with a new vehicle being presented to 2nd place.
And though this year’s event did not fill, partly due to the event’s date conflicts (which could not be avoided), with major FLW and B.A.S.S tournaments, the event went off just as planned and delivered all of the fun, excitement and prizes as promised.
Vanity Cup founder Jim Chute, an his cohorts from the province of Saskatawan Canada, came to Friday night’s banquet and pleasantly surprised anglers after a delicious all-you-can eat steak dinner with quips and songs pertaining to Vanity Cup folklore, and made what is usually a mundane pre-registration process one to remember.
But the real story was that of how truly magnificent the Clearlake fishery is. With the majority of the field bringing in limits that exceeded 20 pounds or more, coupled with Greg McCosker and Mark Crutcher’s 74 plus pound 2-day stringer (which earned them over $20,000), the moniker that Clearlake is famous for “The Bass Capitol of the West”, proved to be in no way an exaggerated one.
And the runner’s up for the America’s Vanity Cup event were not disappointed by any means as Wayne Breazeale and Bernie Giordano of The Loan Source Co., busted a 68 pound bag caught on swimbaits and jigs, receiving for their efforts, the keys to a smokin’ 2007 Chrysler 300 Courtesy of People’s Folsom Lake Chrysler/Jeep/Hyundai, and valued at $28,000.
Third place was taken by Chris Martin and Jeff Bitker of Stockton, and for third place they received two Yamaha 700 Grizzly ATV’s, courtesy of Hillside Marine in Lakeport, two premium grade shotguns courtesy of Jeff Huth and the staff at Valley Rod and Gun in Clovis, Plano Tackle boxes (filled with tackle), courtesy of Len Vinci, Rouge Rods, and a certificate for a Labrador Retriever pup. This “Cast and Blast” package was valued at $23,000.
We would like to thank all of you, and the many sponsors involved, for helping to make this event a huge success. It takes allot of effort and determination to organize an event of this magnitude, and with your continued support WE WILL BE BACK next year (on a better date) to present the 2008 America’s Vanity Cup.
Good fishing to you all... and we hope to see you all at next year’s event!
Anglers Press
(Full results will be posted on the America’s Vanity Cup website www.americasvanitycup.com and the Angler’s Press website www.anglerspress.com shortly.)
The 2007 America’s Vanity Cup event was presented by:
Boardwalk Group of Companies
Pier Resorts
Cheetah Energy Drink
People’s Folsom Lake Chrysler/Jeep/Hyundai
Hillside Marine - Lakeport Calif.
Valley Rod and Gun
C & C Marine of Modesto and Citrus Heights
Sawyer Cook Insurance
Ranger Boats
Evinrude Outboards
Minn Kota/Humminbird
Battery Systems
Plano
Fishermen’s Warehouse
Paradise Sport fishing International – “Cabo San Lucas”
The Loan Source
Clearlake Vacation Rentals
River 2 Sea
Costa Del Mar
West Marine Products
The Record Bee
Lakeport Chamber of Commerce
Clearlake Chamber of Commerce
The Fish Sniffer
Outdoor Pro Shops – Rohnert Park, Oakland
Gamakatsu USA
Persuader American Baits
Limit Out Tackle – Clearlake Oaks
Shasta Baits
BassTrix
Walton’s Pond – San Leandro
Rouge Rods
Clearlake Bait and Tackle - Clearlake
Extreme Reel Products
Green Wave
Holder Ford of Lakeport
Hook Line and Sinker – Oakley, Bethel Island
Snag Proof
Tackle It – Lake Port
P-Line
Reaction Innovations
Tru-Tungsten
Lucky Craft
Hi’s Tackle Box – San Francisco
The Law Offices of Anthony Harris
Blade Runner Baits
Pro Cure
Advertising