OROVILLE, Ca. – Last Saturday, Lake Oroville reminded everyone that launched from its shores why it is known as the ultimate “bass clone” factory, as it made “busy work” for the field of nearly one hundred anglers who competed in the third event of the Thunder Valley Outdoors/Future Pro Tour’s season dubbed the “Gold Rush Run”.
With over 90 percent of the field claiming five fish limits, and 70 percent of the field weighing in bags averaging in the 8-9 pound range, the battle to separate from the pack – a make a check was brutal. It took 12 pounds to break into the top ten, and those that were able to accomplish this feat had to apply a multitude of techniques to come up with a “solid” bag of fish.
Jason Goldwaite and Thomas Granat, however, pulled away from the crowd, placing their hopes on the bed fish they had found in practice, which would at the end of the day, help them secure a 17.33 pound limit and carry them to their first-ever Thunder Valley Outdoors/Future Pro Tour title.
“We can hardly believe it…the beds we found in practice held up, and when we added that 6 pound female to our limit, we just knew we had a good shot at winning,” they told an excited crowd attending the weigh in.
Former small boat AOY turn in impressive performance
Kevin and Kirby Wallace, who moved up from the small boat division after winning the 2010 FPT Angler the year title, also rocked the scales with an impressive performance, taking second place on the strength of a 13.59 limit of spotted bass they caught in one of Lake Oroville’s river arms. “We found tons of quality fish in the three practice days we put in…and thank goodness they stayed put on game day. This is the closest we have come to winning a FPT event and it is truly validating for us.”
AOY Race heats up
The race for the 2012 Thunder Valley Outdoors/Future Pro Tour Angler of the Year title is in full swing as Justin Nelson and Tony Koregolos remain in the pole position by only a small margin over 2011 Classic Champions Paul Cox and Rudy Linn, a pair of tough competitors that fish both central valley and northern region events.
Paul and Rudy both expressed that competing in the tour on unfamiliar waters – within the northern region, is the ultimate challenge, and doing well validates the fact that their skill levels are improving with each year they compete.
And quietly looming in the shadows, giving the currently leaders much to think about, are perennial favorites Paul Parks and Jim Markham, reigning 2011 AOY champions, who would love nothing more than to spoil the dreams of both teams ahead of them and become 2-time Thunder Valley Outdoors/Future Pro Tour Angler of the Year winners.
“Were sitting in a good position right now and have a bunch of confidence in the lakes left on the schedule,” noted Paul and Jim. But it’s still early, and we are looking to make our move later in the year.”
Up next… the tour heads back to the Napa Valley June 9th, for some late spring TOPWATER action at Lake Berryessa. This event won’t be for the “faint at heart” in that the post spawn swimbait action should be over the top for those looking for big bass!
See you there!
FPT
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
