Opens launch on Red River

Anglers launch on Red River for Day One of the Central Open #1

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<p>Over 180 boats stretched from the launch ramp to the highway awaiting the start to Day One of the Bass Pro Shops Central Open #1 on Louisiana's Red River.</p>
Over 180 boats stretched from the launch ramp to the highway awaiting the start to Day One of the Bass Pro Shops Central Open #1 on Louisiana’s Red River.
Co-anglers hang out at the Red River South Marina store before Day One gets underway.
Co-anglers hang out at the Red River South Marina store before Day One gets underway.
A light 4-mph wind blows from the east.
A light 4-mph wind blows from the east.
Birds watch the action from their homes as competitors prepare for Day One.
Birds watch the action from their homes as competitors prepare for Day One.
Anglers converse while waiting for the official start to launch.
Anglers converse while waiting for the official start to launch.
<p>A co-angler's gear sits dockside.</p>
A co-angler’s gear sits dockside.
Boats continue to launch as B.A.S.S. staff direct them into order.
Boats continue to launch as B.A.S.S. staff direct them into order.
Anglers make last minute tackle preparations for a day of fishing the Red River.
Anglers make last minute tackle preparations for a day of fishing the Red River.
B.A.S.S. staffers perform safety checks as anglers idle their boats toward take-off.
B.A.S.S. staffers perform safety checks as anglers idle their boats toward take-off.
Competitors anxiously wait for their flight to be called.
Competitors anxiously wait for their flight to be called.
Elite Series pro Billy McCaghren passes through inspection.
Elite Series pro Billy McCaghren passes through inspection.
<p>Elite pro Kevin Short is easy to spot on Day One on the Red River.</p>
Elite pro Kevin Short is easy to spot on Day One on the Red River.
Competitors idle past the BoatUS tow vessel offering rescue services to all of the Bassmaster Open anglers.
Competitors idle past the BoatUS tow vessel offering rescue services to all of the Bassmaster Open anglers.
Anglers fill the Red River South Marina awaiting the start of Day One.
Anglers fill the Red River South Marina awaiting the start of Day One.
<p>Alabama’s Matt Lee is ready for the Red River action.</p>
Alabama’s Matt Lee is ready for the Red River action.
Dennis Tietje clears inspection and idles toward take-off.
Dennis Tietje clears inspection and idles toward take-off.
<p>Elite Series champ Keith Combs idles toward take-off.</p>
Elite Series champ Keith Combs idles toward take-off.
<p>Beautiful skies and the rising sun greet anglers at the Red River.</p>
Beautiful skies and the rising sun greet anglers at the Red River.
B.A.S.S. tournament staffers toss a numbered key fob to co-anglers as they make their way through the final inspections.
B.A.S.S. tournament staffers toss a numbered key fob to co-anglers as they make their way through the final inspections.
Scott Rook checks navigation while awaiting his co-angler.
Scott Rook checks navigation while awaiting his co-angler.
The sun burns through overcast skies on Thursday.
The sun burns through overcast skies on Thursday.
Stacey King idles through inspection.
Stacey King idles through inspection.
Anglers take their hole-shots as they depart in search of big Red River bass.
Anglers take their hole-shots as they depart in search of big Red River bass.