NAPA, Ca. – It was predicted that Lake Berryessa in June would produce some great top water action, but no one could have ever imagined that last weekend’s Thunder Valley Outdoors/FPT event – and return to the Napa Valley’s premier fishery, would have the top three competitors produce limits that would exceed the seventy-five pound mark.
“This is an amazing lake”, noted third place finishers Johnsrud and Walker, who weighed in 23.35 of largemouth bass. We caught big fish all day, and fortunately got the ones we needed, in the boat”.
The team of O’Ward and Koberle however, pushed their way to the top and captured their first Thunder Valley Outdoors/Future Pro Tour title with a monster bag of fish that tipped the scales at 26.55 pounds, catching their biggest fish – a 10.02 pounder, on a big swim bait using a Dobyns 800 series swim bait rod. Because they caught the big fish on a Dobyns rod, they were declared winners of the Dobyns Rods “Monster Bass” award and received an NEW Dobyns Rod!
Ol’ School in the house
Teaching “old dogs” new tricks may not be necessary for Paul Cox and Rudy Linn, senior statesmen of the FPT, who fish both central valley and northern region events and are virtually unfamiliar with Lake Berryessa, having only been on it three times in their entire lives.
“The wind was howling so we decided to go “Ol’ School” and started tossing big jigs and Yamamoto Hula grubs, into trees that you couldn’t see – in about 25 to 30 feet of water…and we hammered them!”. With their second place score, Rudy and Paul have taken the lead in the race for the coveted 2011 Thunder Valley Outdoors/Future Pro Tour Angler of the Year title, and as reigning 2011 FPT Classic Champions, could be the first team in FPT history to ever to lay claim both titles.
“Delta Summer Shootout” coming up!
We are now at the season’s mid-point, with three events to go, but don’t get too comfortable.. as next up will be the FPT’s “delta swing”, and a series of delta events that will further challenge the skills of those on this tour with a desire to learn how to fish one of the most productive tidal systems in the country.
August 18th and 19th will be the FPT’s annual “Delta Summer Shootout – Best of Both Bites” event that will combine both northern and central regions for a top water “slugfest” as competitors will launch on day one in the afternoon/late evening (1pm-7pm), and on day two from safelight to 11am, allowing them to compete during the best times of the day for what should be some outstanding top water action!
This event will be televised on Comcast Sportsnet California…so everyone get ready to rumble!
On that Saturday, we will also host a Free BBQ for all competitors which will commence 3 hours before blast off in downtown Stockton. At that time we will host our Annual Angler Expo where all competitors will have the opportunity to receive one-on-one instruction from some of the best professional anglers that fish the delta, see and sample the newest products from some of our premier sponsors – including Ranger Boat demo rides, have the software on your Humminbird fish finders upgraded for free, upgrade your NAVIONICS software, and take part in a HUGE raffle for gas cards, premium product, and much more!
Our annual Angler Expo is open to everyone – even if you do not fish FPT events so come on out and enjoy the day!
But for now, everyone enjoy the summer break, and we will see you all at the Delta Summer Shootout!
FPT
916-768-0938 – www.futureprotour.net
The Future Pro Tour is presented in part by:
· Thunder Valley Casino Resort
· Nationwide Insurance
· Ranger Boats
· Evinrude Outboards
· NAVIONICS
· Johnson Outodoors – featuring Humminbird /Minn Kota
· Cocoons Eyewear
· River2Sea USA
· Gamakatsu USA
· The Fish Sniffer
· Berkley
· ABU Garcia
· Yamamoto Custom Baits
· Kinami Baits
· Lucky Craft
· West Marine
· Snag Proof
· MAACO Auto Painting
· Dobyns Rods
· Billy Chapman Jr’s Anglers Inn International
· Roboworms
· C&C Marine – Citrus Heights/Modesto
· Anglers Marine – Anaheim/San Diego
· Marine Unlimited – Petaluma
· Fisherman’s Warehouse – Sac, Manteca/Fresno/San Jose and now online!
· Hook, Line & Sinker – Oakley/Bethel and now online!
· Walton’s Pond – San Leandro
· Outdoor Pro Shops – Ronhert Park/Oakland and now online!
· Comfort Suites of Oakley
· Adventure Memories – Go Pro Cameras
· Destiny Wine Tours of Napa Valley
· Boomerang Tools
· Fat’s Asian Bistro
