High School: Central Open launch

See the high school anglers take off onto on Toledo Bend for the Costa Bassmaster High School Central Open.

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Boats were being dropped into the water as early as 5:30 a.m. for a 7:15 takeoff.
Boats were being dropped into the water as early as 5:30 a.m. for a 7:15 takeoff.
The shoreline at Cypress Bend Park was lined with competitors. This same park has hosted Bassmaster Elite Series events.
The shoreline at Cypress Bend Park was lined with competitors. This same park has hosted Bassmaster Elite Series events.
The anglers waited patiently in the mild predawn conditions.
The anglers waited patiently in the mild predawn conditions.
As usual, the area around the launch was lit up like a small city by running lights.
As usual, the area around the launch was lit up like a small city by running lights.
Some anglers were bundled up for the morning, but temperatures in the 60s are in the forecast.
Some anglers were bundled up for the morning, but temperatures in the 60s are in the forecast.
Is that a game face or the face of angler who stayed up a little too late?
Is that a game face or the face of angler who stayed up a little too late?
B.A.S.S. tournament officials, including tournament director Hank Weldon, kept the field informed of the time and the rules from a nearby pavilion.
B.A.S.S. tournament officials, including tournament director Hank Weldon, kept the field informed of the time and the rules from a nearby pavilion.
It's just about time.
It’s just about time.
Anglers pause for the National Anthem.
Anglers pause for the National Anthem.
Hats over hearts.
Hats over hearts.
Boat No. 1, with competitors Alex Lamabe and Trey Bourgeois of Louisiana, moves into position as blast-off time draws near.
Boat No. 1, with competitors Alex Lamabe and Trey Bourgeois of Louisiana, moves into position as blast-off time draws near.
The Costa Bassmaster High School Central Open on Toledo Bend Reservoir is underway.
The Costa Bassmaster High School Central Open on Toledo Bend Reservoir is underway.
Boats went out one at a time in five flights.
Boats went out one at a time in five flights.
Plenty of space in between always makes for a safe takeoff.
Plenty of space in between always makes for a safe takeoff.
The famous fishery got crowded in a hurry.
The famous fishery got crowded in a hurry.
Some boats were fancier than others.
Some boats were fancier than others.
As anglers motored by the pavilion on their way out of Cypress Bend Park, they received their boat number from tournament officials.
As anglers motored by the pavilion on their way out of Cypress Bend Park, they received their boat number from tournament officials.
Don't worry. If they don't catch it, it floats.
Don’t worry. If they don’t catch it, it floats.
A group of boats leaves the park, including one in Skeet Reese-style yellow.
A group of boats leaves the park, including one in Skeet Reese-style yellow.
Boats roar off in different directions.
Boats roar off in different directions.
A field of 119 boats is taking part in the event.
A field of 119 boats is taking part in the event.
Several teams with motor trouble simply put their trolling motors down and started fishing near the park. It wouldn't be the first time a tournament has been won close to the launch.
Several teams with motor trouble simply put their trolling motors down and started fishing near the park. It wouldn’t be the first time a tournament has been won close to the launch.
Here's a well-equipped boat, with dual Power Poles and plenty of graphing technology.
Here’s a well-equipped boat, with dual Power Poles and plenty of graphing technology.
The hoods and gloves will likely come off after the first morning run.
The hoods and gloves will likely come off after the first morning run.
Competitors Levi Nelson and Hunter Wilson make up one of seven teams from Hillcrest High School in Alabama. They drove seven hours to reach the tournament venue in Many, La.
Competitors Levi Nelson and Hunter Wilson make up one of seven teams from Hillcrest High School in Alabama. They drove seven hours to reach the tournament venue in Many, La.
Texas competitors Kreston Richardson and Trace Crumpton lead a long line of boats out of the park.
Texas competitors Kreston Richardson and Trace Crumpton lead a long line of boats out of the park.
Who says you need a big, fancy boat to fish a bass tournament? Texas competitors Hadden Lummus and Reee McGraw leave the park in an aluminum boat with a 50-horsepower tiller-handle engine.
Who says you need a big, fancy boat to fish a bass tournament? Texas competitors Hadden Lummus and Reee McGraw leave the park in an aluminum boat with a 50-horsepower tiller-handle engine.
Lots of fish are caught out of small boats like this one every weekend.
Lots of fish are caught out of small boats like this one every weekend.
Alabama competitors Laura Ann Foshee and Jordan Lowery make their final preparations.
Alabama competitors Laura Ann Foshee and Jordan Lowery make their final preparations.
Louisiana competitors Wesley Holt and Colby Miller looking sharp in their Casey Ashley-style baby blue.
Louisiana competitors Wesley Holt and Colby Miller looking sharp in their Casey Ashley-style baby blue.
More traffic headed out.
More traffic headed out.
Any other day, folks might guess this boat was out after crappie, catfish or stripers. But today, their rods were rigged for bass.
Any other day, folks might guess this boat was out after crappie, catfish or stripers. But today, their rods were rigged for bass.
Alabama anglers Hunter Porter and Cade Crocker make their way out of the park.
Alabama anglers Hunter Porter and Cade Crocker make their way out of the park.
Louisiana competitors Cavin Courville and Hunter Matte are on their way to their first stop of the day.
Louisiana competitors Cavin Courville and Hunter Matte are on their way to their first stop of the day.
The final flight is on its way out of the park.
The final flight is on its way out of the park.
The last few boats wait patiently.
The last few boats wait patiently.
Everybody's out now.
Everybody’s out now.