The Under Armour "Protect This House" top team - Arlando Abella and Tanner Austin
The second event for the FPT’s northern region was an exciting one, as anglers were visibly excited to get back on the water, following months of inclement weather that forced several early year venues to be changed or cancelled. “I was just happy to be out fishing on such a beautiful day, and not worrying about being wet or cold, noted FPT angler Joe Stewart who fishes with his 11-year-old son Ian, who posted a “middle of the pack” finish in a field of 70 adult teams.
For many, the bite was wide open as it were, as every participating team but six, was able to secure a 5-fish limit on a lake that saw both rising temps and water levels.
Blast-off time!....."We gon' get it on...cause we don't get along!"
Coming out on top was the team of Arlando Abella and Tanner Austin, who pitched jigs around and into submerged trees, to secure a 19.16-pound limit that was anchored by a monster 8.11 pound largemouth. Arlando, whose wife had just delivered a baby girl 2-weeks prior to the event, had been under a lot of stress, and understandably, not as focused as he normally would be.
But with true “team-player” determination, he pushed through, adjusted his focus on a bedding big fish they found early in the day, and using a Senko, accompanied by a Gamakatsu 5/0 EWG hook, and 50-lb test Daiwa J-Braid, landed the fish that would help them secure their first win - as a team, by less than a ¼ ounce!
New father - Arlando Abella with two winnning keepers!
For their efforts they took home $4,000 cash, the custom Elk Grove Ram “Big Fish” trophy, as well as Under Armour’s “Protect This House” top team award that consisted of some outstanding Under Armour apparel.
The latest to join Angler’s Press Outdoors’ gallery of premier partners, Under Armour - and it's “Protect This House”, motto coincides with a movement that helps athletes embrace the mentality that when a “breaking point” is reached, the need to shift focus on something bigger than themselves - or “the team”, which is essential to keep pushing through, and getting the job done.
And that is exactly what Arlando did.
Congratulations Tanner and Arlando on a well-deserved victory and embracing the Under Armour “Protect This House” mentality.
Next up for FPT?
The California Delta, and the annual “Delta Summer Shootout” event going out of Russo’s Marina and featuring the “Best of Both Bites” format where a first day - 12pm to 7pm, and second day - 5am to noon fishing schedule will be in effect!
See you there!
The "Pepper Kids" Jubei Ly (Jr. Division - 12-18), and Velocity Nadreau (Kid's Division 5-11)
"Were getting the band back together", noted a playful Mike Bagget and Todd Ondracek,
2011 FPT Classic Champions who came out for this event