Open: Red River registration

The second Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Central Open is on the Red River and based out of Shreveport/Bossier City. The registration was held in the Bossier City Civic Center.
The second Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Central Open is on the Red River and based out of Shreveport/Bossier City. The registration was held in the Bossier City Civic Center.
The Bassmaster Registration sign pointed the way for the 180 pros and co-anglers.
The Bassmaster Registration sign pointed the way for the 180 pros and co-anglers.
Pools 3 through 5 are eligible for anglers this week and the tournament is launching out of Pool 5 at Red River South.
Pools 3 through 5 are eligible for anglers this week and the tournament is launching out of Pool 5 at Red River South.
The B.A.S.S. Tournament officials begin checking fishing licenses as soon as anglers enter the building.
The B.A.S.S. Tournament officials begin checking fishing licenses as soon as anglers enter the building.
Carhartt had a booth set up with various sizes and colors for anglers to choose from!
Carhartt had a booth set up with various sizes and colors for anglers to choose from!
A couple sponsored Opens anglers like Teb Jones and Darold Gleason were holding down the fort.
A couple sponsored Opens anglers like Teb Jones and Darold Gleason were holding down the fort.
Gleason talks with Elite Series pro Cliff Crochet as he walks through the line.
Gleason talks with Elite Series pro Cliff Crochet as he walks through the line.
Toyota gave away hats as well as info on the Toyota Bonus Bucks program.
Toyota gave away hats as well as info on the Toyota Bonus Bucks program.
A.R.E. Truck Caps had rebates for interested anglers at one of the numerous tables.
A.R.E. Truck Caps had rebates for interested anglers at one of the numerous tables.
Phoenix Boats came aboard this year as the Big Bass sponsor for the trail. They had some hats to hand out as well.
Phoenix Boats came aboard this year as the Big Bass sponsor for the trail. They had some hats to hand out as well.
A big surprise this week was the Shreveport-Bossier Sports Commission as they gave away two free tickets to Saturday nights NBA basketball game as well as provided dinner for all the staff and anglers.
A big surprise this week was the Shreveport-Bossier Sports Commission as they gave away two free tickets to Saturday nights NBA basketball game as well as provided dinner for all the staff and anglers.
For those who were interested in the rods and reels offered by Shimano, they were able to test them out with the Shimano Experience team.
For those who were interested in the rods and reels offered by Shimano, they were able to test them out with the Shimano Experience team.
One angler received a breakdown of the gear system in a couple different reels.
One angler received a breakdown of the gear system in a couple different reels.
The B.A.S.S. board had the points standings for the 2016 Central Opens season as well as a couple off-limits areas so anglers knew to avoid those.
The B.A.S.S. board had the points standings for the 2016 Central Opens season as well as a couple off-limits areas so anglers knew to avoid those.
I mentioned the food earlier, and boy was it delicious. French fries and fish served with multiple sides.
I mentioned the food earlier, and boy was it delicious. French fries and fish served with multiple sides.
Two anglers will walk away with these trophies this week. One lucky pro angler and one non-boater will outlast the field and win the Red River Central Open.
Two anglers will walk away with these trophies this week. One lucky pro angler and one non-boater will outlast the field and win the Red River Central Open.
The room began to fill up as everyone ate dinner and waited for the meeting to start.
The room began to fill up as everyone ate dinner and waited for the meeting to start.
Elite Series angler Brock Mosely finishes off his drink.
Elite Series angler Brock Mosely finishes off his drink.
Meanwhile Louisiana angler Jim Dilliard spoke with Billy McCaghren and others.
Meanwhile Louisiana angler Jim Dilliard spoke with Billy McCaghren and others.
Gene Bishop took the title at Ross Barnett during the 2015 Opens season and was one of the anglers to compete in the Grand Lake Bassmaster Classic. Bishop hopes to make it back because it was an experience unlike any other.
Gene Bishop took the title at Ross Barnett during the 2015 Opens season and was one of the anglers to compete in the Grand Lake Bassmaster Classic. Bishop hopes to make it back because it was an experience unlike any other.
Anglers make sure to top off their food with a little bit of sweet tea.
Anglers make sure to top off their food with a little bit of sweet tea.
Rick Clunn and Stacey King, two bass fishing legends, talk for a little while.
Rick Clunn and Stacey King, two bass fishing legends, talk for a little while.
Meanwhile two college teammates, Justin Cooper and Johnny Ledet look to have a fun week here as well. They took the college title on this river system in 2015, but it was a couple pools down in Natchitoches.
Meanwhile two college teammates, Justin Cooper and Johnny Ledet look to have a fun week here as well. They took the college title on this river system in 2015, but it was a couple pools down in Natchitoches.
Cajun angler Gerald Spohrer is excited to be in his home state. He did well at the Red River last time the Opens fished here.
Cajun angler Gerald Spohrer is excited to be in his home state. He did well at the Red River last time the Opens fished here.
Jackal owner Seiji Kato is ready to go. He made the long drive from the Northern Open at Lake Champlain down to Shreveport, Louisiana for back-to-back tournaments.
Jackal owner Seiji Kato is ready to go. He made the long drive from the Northern Open at Lake Champlain down to Shreveport, Louisiana for back-to-back tournaments.
Tournament Director Chris Bowes starts the briefing meeting.
Tournament Director Chris Bowes starts the briefing meeting.
As Skylar Hamilton, champion of the first Central Open on the Arkansas River listens intently.
As Skylar Hamilton, champion of the first Central Open on the Arkansas River listens intently.
Miles
Miles “Sonar” Burghoff listens as well. Burghoff made a move to California last year, but still makes the trip east to fish the Central Opens every year.
Louisiana DNR talked to anglers about the past flooding a few weeks ago and how the depth has changed on the Red River. Anglers should take caution as some areas that were fine in the past are much shallower now.
Louisiana DNR talked to anglers about the past flooding a few weeks ago and how the depth has changed on the Red River. Anglers should take caution as some areas that were fine in the past are much shallower now.
Takeoff starts at 7:00 a.m. CT every day and weigh-ins roughly start at 3:15 p.m. CT.
Takeoff starts at 7:00 a.m. CT every day and weigh-ins roughly start at 3:15 p.m. CT.