LODI Ca. – The 18th edition of the Future Pro Tour Classic Championship was an epic battle from start to finish, as 53 qualifying teams made a bid for angling glory on the California Delta at Tower Park Marina/Resort in Lodi.
And though the event was modified - due to effects of the pandemic during the 2020 season, the fun, excitement - and comradery, was as good as ever, as the bite was one of the best in FPT Classic championship history.
At the end of this 3-day shootout, it was Shawn and Lloyd Dassonville, reigning 2-time FPT Anglers of the Year, who were able to increase their 2-day 50.36-pound limit - on the final day, by yet another 29-pounds, to capture their first FPT Classic championship title.
“This victory is a bitter-sweet pill for us in that we realize that we – like others, will have to graduate from the FPT, and move up to higher-level competition”, noted the 2-time FPT Anglers of the year and now FPT Classic champions.
“This tour has also allowed us to cultivate and develop our skills, and has prepared us well for the next level”, they added, crediting various techniques and areas of the delta for their nearly 80-pound 15-fish bag.
Team RBBassfishing.net - in the house
RBBassfishing.net members Ryan Hall and Chris Perez, nearly “tilted” the weigh-in scales with a final day 32-pound, five-fish limit that kept them in the first-place “hot-seat” until the very end.
Chrs Perez and Ryan Hall nervously wait for final Classic results
“This 3-day format really helped us learn how to manage the fish we were on, and how to save some on the good areas we had, for the final day. ”We were on BIG FISH on the final day and our equipment – especially the Gamakatsu Super Heavy Cover Flippin hook, gave us the confidence to know that we could get the bigger fish into the boat with no problems whatsoever” he added.
James Dammann wins Youth Angler League title!
The FPT’s exclusive Youth Angler League – presented by Gone Fishin’ Marine, River2Sea, and Daiwa, saw sixteen qualifying youth anglers converge on the California Delta - on Sunday morning only, to pit their skills against one another, for cash, prizes and the 2020 YAL FPT Classic title.
Cayden Mendenhall, the YAL Angler of the Year (northern region) held on to first place as long as he could with an 11.27-pound lead, but young James Dammann came on strong, busting out with a 15.54-pound bag to top the YAL field, and capture YAL Classic championship gold as well as $250 cash for the win.
Cayden Mendenhall - Northern region Angler of the Year, took 2nd Place
We would like to thank Tower Park Marina/Resort for hosting this event and all 2020 FPT Classic qualifiers who came out – in spite of the modified venue, to make this event one of the most exciting in the FPT’s 18-year history!
We will be back to present our 2021 season (northern region)…where the road to the 2021 Classic begins – with all Grand Prizes back to normal (including an new boat for the Youth Division Classic winner) on March 27th at Lake Berryessa!
See you there!
FPT