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Traditionally, and for the last 19 years, the Future Pro Tour has held its northern region's season opener during the last week of March, where the warmer weather prevails and always triggers a wide-open bite that motivates even the most casual of competitors. And this year's opener, being held much earlier, derailed the confidence in many of the 85 participating teams, as an unbelievably brutal “pre-fish” bite, followed by a bone-chilling 32 degree morning blast off, only succeeded in eroding the confidence of many of the “un-seasoned” anglers within the ranks. But from its inception, the FPT’s has always had one single-minded goal for it's members. And that goal simply put, has been to create an inexpensive platform where beginning to intermediate-level anglers can “develop” their bass-fishing skills, and learn how to - in the face of adversity, rely on both "sound" technique and quiet confidence to help them succeed in reaching their goals. |
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RBBassfishing member Ryan Hall was part of the on-the-water seminar that was held the evening before the event for all youth anglers |
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And some did meet the challenge head-on, as Luke Lipanovich, and Joe Mariani, were successful in managing their fears, deciding to “swing for the fences” and slinging R2Sea S-Wavers, produced a winning 5-fish limit of bass that logged in at 17.15 pounds - which included an 8.36-pound big fish! |
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Luke Lipanovich with a 8.36 pounder that got him big fish honors |
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For their victory, over an 85-boat field (and only a $150 per-team entry fee), they took home two custom trophies, and SIX THOUSAND DOLLARS ($6,000) in cash! Congratulations Luke and Joe on a great victory!
“Young Gun” High School Team wins $3,000 cash for 2nd Place If “Developing Champions” is the FPT's driving motto, then 16 and 17 year-old Las Plumas High-School Bass Fishing club members Quade Lobo and Cole Gendreau are well on their way to becoming just that, as they ignored all negative “dock talk”, put their heads down, and using a variety of baits, bagged a 13.96 pound five-fish limit to capture 2nd Place, pocket a cool $3,000 in cash, and proving that fish don’t know, nor care about the age of the angler, or the size of the boat they are fishing from...but that it is only an angler's SKILL SET that matters.
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Quade Lobo and Cole Gendreau "REPRESENT" big for Las Plumas High School! |
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Cayden Cross, Ian Stewart win Youth Angler League divisions Cayden Cross and Ian Stewart jumped out on an early lead for their respective Youth Angler League - Angler of the Year races (Jr. and Kid’s division), as Cayden weighed in a five-fish limit for 10.71, and Ian brought in a bag that weighed 6.74 pounds to secure 1st place honors in their respective divisions. For 1st place Cayden received $100 cash, and Ian received $50. Keep up the good work boyz! |
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Ian Stewart with the fish that helped him win 1st place in the Kid's division (5-11 y/o)
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Cayden Cross, who is becoming quite a "stick" shows off this two nice fish! |
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Next up…back to Berryessa on March 26th – during the time that the FPT traditionally visits the lake. You do not want to miss this one as we can assure you that the field, the bass, and the payout for 1st place will be even bigger! See you there! |
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Jubei Ly and Cayden Cross - 1st and 2nd place in the Jr. Division (11-18 y/o)
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Rafael Ortiz - aka "The Big O" hoists a large mouth and big "smallie" he and partner Bob Flink caught up river!
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RBBassfishing member Ed Everhart was part of an on-the-water seminar held the evening before the event for all youth anglers
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