High School: Toledo Bend registration

Registration for the 2017 Costa Bassmaster High School Central
Open was held at Cypress Bend Marina on Toledo Bend Reservoir in
northwest Louisiana on Friday. Approximately 180 tandems from
throughout the United States will compete in the one-day tournament
which will be held Saturday on Toledo Bend, ranked as the No. 1 bass
fishery in the country by Bassmaster.com. Here, young anglers try
their hand at the Shimano flipping station prior to the 5 p.m.
registration meeting.

Dylan Van Matre of nearby Natchitoches Central (La.) High
School practices flipping.

His younger brother Dustin Van Matre of Natichtoches Central
also took a turn at the Shimano station.

Hunter Owens had on his official high school team jersey at
the registration activities. Natchitoches Central representin’!

Chase Webb and Matthew Mclendon made the short trip across the
border from Jasper, Tex. to compete in the Central Open.

The North Desoto (La.) High School duo of Jordan Lewis and
Cameron Rachal checks in with B.A.S.S. officials on Friday. They are assisted by North Desoto coach Kirk Williams.

Members of the Central (La.) High School team make their way
through the registration line.

By midday, the registration line started to build at the
Cypress Bend Marina.

And building…

Sulphur (La.) High School has numerous tandems taking part in
the Central Open on Toledo Bend.

Brennan Edmond and Cade Fortenberry of the Louisiana-based
Ascension Anglers check in.

B.A.S.S. worker Ramon Quick talks with some of the anglers
registering on Friday. The ever-present B.A.S.S. clock tells date,
time, and more.

Layne Jacobs of Oak Grove (Miss.) High School completes some
paperwork before entering the registration line.

Blake Bullock of Oak Grove High listens to B.A.S.S. officials
while his dad Trey Bullock looks on.

Brae Williams and Nate Robbins of Hillcrest (Ala.) High consult with their boat captain during registration.

The wind picked up on Toledo Bend later on Friday afternoon, which caused a few wayward flips at Shimano station.

A young Sulphur High angler gets some advice from his boat
captain as the sun sets on Toledo Bend.

Tuerlings Catholic (La.) High angles try the Shimano station.

Lyla David of Sulphur High represents a growing number of
female anglers on the high school series.

Phoenix Boats is a sponsor and a variety of brightly colored
hats were handed out to the high school anglers on Friday.

Berkley Havoc lures were among the loot given away at the
Central Open registration.

Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels decals were among the handouts.

Toyota gear in the house too.

Grand Haven (Mich.) High anglers traveled 1,100 miles to
compete in the Costa Bassmaster High School Central Open here in
Louisiana. From left are Bailey House, Keegan Findley, and captain
Scott Findley.

Purple and gold are popular colors in these parts, but this
isn’t Team LSU. It’s anglers from Sam Houston (La.) High School
watching the action at the popular Shimano station just before the
registration meeting begins.

Tavon Moore of Wiggins (Miss.) and Stone County High School
sits under the large pavilion at Cypress Bend Marina. He’s hoping for a strong outing on Saturday.

The crowd is thick as distribution of the goods begins.

Another group of female anglers peruses the freebies.

Cindy Breaux distributes the Toyota fobs to anglers.

West Monroe (La.) High School’s Jacob Pihl and Will Lambert
show off their new Phoenix Boats hats.

Anglers pick up some Berkley Havoc lures in the foreground.
Check out the mob of cars and boats in the parking lot in the
background. With 180 teams competing in this tournament, Cypress Bend
Marina is sure to be busy when the anglers launch Saturday morning at 6:15 a.m.

They’ll be fishing for a championship and a shot in the
Bassmaster High School Classic coming up later this month in the
Houston (Tex.) area.