James Johnson of Ganado, Texas Leads BassMaster Central Open on Red River After First Day’s Competition

The first day of the BassMaster Central Open on the Red River is in the books and congratulations to James Johnson of Ganado, Texas for taking the lead with a 5 fish limit weighing 16-5.  2nd place belongs to Randall Tharp of Gardendale, Alabama with a 5 fish limit weighing 15-14.  Tharp also caught the largest bass of the day with a Red River lunker tipping the scales at 7-2.  

Rounding out the Top 5 are Chad Wiley with 14-12, Michael Iaconelli with 14-9 and Roy Sanford with 14-7.

Local anglers who have fared well include Jerry Hester of Coushatta, La. presently in 7th place with 5 fish weighing 13-14 and Ernest Smoak of Keatchie, La. who is currently the leader in the Co-Angler or "non-professional" division with 3 fish weighing 9-9.

Additionally in the Co-Angler Division, Mike Knotts of Haughton, La. caught the biggest bass of the day for co-anglers with a bass weighing 6-0 pounds.

A special thanks to our "field correspondent" Katie Duncan for sending us the great picture above of the first morning's launch at Red River South.

Go to the BassMaster website to check the Leader Board at the conclusion of each day's weigh in to keep up with standings.

The public is invited to the launches again tomorrow and Saturday at 6:30 a.m. at Red River South and to the weigh in tomorrow afternoon at Red River South and Saturday's final weigh-in at Bass Pro Shops in Bossier City.