High School Central Open

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Teams from 88 different high school and 18 different states traveled to northwest Louisiana to compete Sunday in the Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster High School Central Open presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods. Toledeo Bend is the first and last lake to be named the No. 1 bass fishing lake in consecutive years in the U.S. by Bassmaster Magazine, provided the perfect setting for incredible action the high schoolers won’t soon forget.
Teams from 88 different high school and 18 different states traveled to northwest Louisiana to compete Sunday in the Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster High School Central Open presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods. Toledeo Bend is the first and last lake to be named the No. 1 bass fishing lake in consecutive years in the U.S. by Bassmaster Magazine, provided the perfect setting for incredible action the high schoolers won’t soon forget.
They traveled with their extended families too – moms, dads, grandparents, siblings and friends. Sunday’s weather was ideal for catching and the fans were ready for some action.
They traveled with their extended families too – moms, dads, grandparents, siblings and friends. Sunday’s weather was ideal for catching and the fans were ready for some action.
Christian Haggenmacher and Matt Atkinson from Denham Springs (LA) High School makes their way down the dock for Sunday’s weigh-in.
Christian Haggenmacher and Matt Atkinson from Denham Springs (LA) High School makes their way down the dock for Sunday’s weigh-in.
Austin Jordan and Thomas Wiggins of Natchitoches (LA) Central followed close behind.
Austin Jordan and Thomas Wiggins of Natchitoches (LA) Central followed close behind.
Those guys, and everyone else for that matter, did their best on Sunday. But in the end, they’d all be looking up at this guy – Illinois’ Scott Springer who has his game face on after grabbing a bag and heading back to his boat.
Those guys, and everyone else for that matter, did their best on Sunday. But in the end, they’d all be looking up at this guy – Illinois’ Scott Springer who has his game face on after grabbing a bag and heading back to his boat.
Back at the boat, Springer and teammate Trust Say are all smiles when they show the secrets of their livewell. This big bass will be the fish that pushes them to the top of the leaderboard. But more on that to come.
Back at the boat, Springer and teammate Trust Say are all smiles when they show the secrets of their livewell. This big bass will be the fish that pushes them to the top of the leaderboard. But more on that to come.
And the line to the scales begins to form.
And the line to the scales begins to form.
But each team has to make it past the measuring board before they get on stage.
But each team has to make it past the measuring board before they get on stage.
This angler puts his haul on the table.
This angler puts his haul on the table.
Even the BASS staff are impressed with what Springer and Say have in their bag. Say can’t bear to watch.
Even the BASS staff are impressed with what Springer and Say have in their bag. Say can’t bear to watch.
But before any bass are weighed, everyone takes a moment for the Star Spangled Banner.
But before any bass are weighed, everyone takes a moment for the Star Spangled Banner.
It’s an important part of every B.A.S.S. tournament.
It’s an important part of every B.A.S.S. tournament.
Let the games begin! Right out the chute, the Texas tandem of Hunter Muncrief and Landen McCary of the West Sabine Bass Club posted a 14 pound, 3 ounce limit of five bass. They finished 10th overall.
Let the games begin! Right out the chute, the Texas tandem of Hunter Muncrief and Landen McCary of the West Sabine Bass Club posted a 14 pound, 3 ounce limit of five bass. They finished 10th overall.
Jacob Lee and Mason Bounds of the North DeSoto High School had 14 pounds and finished 11th in the tournament.
Jacob Lee and Mason Bounds of the North DeSoto High School had 14 pounds and finished 11th in the tournament.
Then it’s time for Springer and Say to take the stage. Their looks tell the story.
Then it’s time for Springer and Say to take the stage. Their looks tell the story.
The boys are delighted with what the scales show.
The boys are delighted with what the scales show.
Here’s one reason why. This 7 pound kicker bass was the last the team caught on Sunday and it was the fish that would put them atop the leaderboard.
Here’s one reason why. This 7 pound kicker bass was the last the team caught on Sunday and it was the fish that would put them atop the leaderboard.
The Illinois team shows off three of the big bass they caught on Sunday. Their limit totaled 21 pounds, 7 ounces.
The Illinois team shows off three of the big bass they caught on Sunday. Their limit totaled 21 pounds, 7 ounces.
Say tells Hank Weldon about his incredible day.
Say tells Hank Weldon about his incredible day.
Springer has his turn at the mike.
Springer has his turn at the mike.
And then they sit down in the hot seats. Still smiling!
And then they sit down in the hot seats. Still smiling!
But there’s a whole lot of anglers who still have to cross the stage. And here are two with a nice bag. That’s Johnathan Burns and Zach Naquin of Louisiana’s Assumption High School finished 14th with 13-6.
But there’s a whole lot of anglers who still have to cross the stage. And here are two with a nice bag. That’s Johnathan Burns and Zach Naquin of Louisiana’s Assumption High School finished 14th with 13-6.
Alex Erickson and Hunter Courvelle won a high school event at Toledo Bend in 2017. They did well again in 2018 with a 13-8 bag that was good enough for 13th place.
Alex Erickson and Hunter Courvelle won a high school event at Toledo Bend in 2017. They did well again in 2018 with a 13-8 bag that was good enough for 13th place.
Dawson Andrews and Wyatt Ensminger of Central (LA) High finished 16th with 13-1.
Dawson Andrews and Wyatt Ensminger of Central (LA) High finished 16th with 13-1.
Grayson Morris and Tucker Smith of Alabama’s Briarwood Christian School placed third with an 18-5 limit of bass. The big bass weighed 7-3.
Grayson Morris and Tucker Smith of Alabama’s Briarwood Christian School placed third with an 18-5 limit of bass. The big bass weighed 7-3.
Christopher Capdeboscq and Forrest Lagarde of Northlake Christian School in Covington, Louisiana placed second overall with a limit that weighed 19-4. Lagarde is holding the 8-4 big bass that was a Toyota Texas ShareLunker.
Christopher Capdeboscq and Forrest Lagarde of Northlake Christian School in Covington, Louisiana placed second overall with a limit that weighed 19-4. Lagarde is holding the 8-4 big bass that was a Toyota Texas ShareLunker.
Beau Browning and Cole Lamb of the Melbourne (AR) Bearkatz finished fifth with 16-9.
Beau Browning and Cole Lamb of the Melbourne (AR) Bearkatz finished fifth with 16-9.
Colby Miller and Jaden Cedars of Oak Hill (LA) High finished sixth with a 16-8 total. The majority of that weight came on the 9 pound, 3 ounce bucket mouth seen here. It won the Big Bass Award for the tournament.
Colby Miller and Jaden Cedars of Oak Hill (LA) High finished sixth with a 16-8 total. The majority of that weight came on the 9 pound, 3 ounce bucket mouth seen here. It won the Big Bass Award for the tournament.
But with only one team remaining to weigh-in, no one had taken these guys off the hot seats.
But with only one team remaining to weigh-in, no one had taken these guys off the hot seats.
Scott Springer and Trust Say are champions of the Mossy Oak Bassmaster High School Central Open presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods.
Scott Springer and Trust Say are champions of the Mossy Oak Bassmaster High School Central Open presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods.
They also won a $250 Mossy Oak gift certificate, Abu Garcia rod/reel combos and $2,000 for their high school. But the Central Open Champion trophy definitely means the most to them.
They also won a $250 Mossy Oak gift certificate, Abu Garcia rod/reel combos and $2,000 for their high school. But the Central Open Champion trophy definitely means the most to them.
The Illinois bunch traveled a long way to compete on Toledo Bend.
The Illinois bunch traveled a long way to compete on Toledo Bend.
Capdeboscq and Lagarde pose with their winnings, which included the second place trophies, Abu Garcia rod/reel combos, a $250 Mossy Oak gift certificate and $1,500 for Northlake Christian School in Covington, La.
Capdeboscq and Lagarde pose with their winnings, which included the second place trophies, Abu Garcia rod/reel combos, a $250 Mossy Oak gift certificate and $1,500 for Northlake Christian School in Covington, La.
Morris and Smith with their third-place bounty.
Morris and Smith with their third-place bounty.
Rollo and VanMatre with their Abu Garcia reels.
Rollo and VanMatre with their Abu Garcia reels.
Browning and Lamb with Abu Garcia rods.
Browning and Lamb with Abu Garcia rods.
Miller and Cedars also got Abu Garcia rods for placing sixth of the 242 competing teams.
Miller and Cedars also got Abu Garcia rods for placing sixth of the 242 competing teams.