Folks who live in and around Morgan City, La., likely have been noticing more bass boats recently on the roads and at the ramps.

The boats belong to anglers who have come to town to scout the Atchafalaya Basin for the Nov. 5-7 Bassmaster Central Open. With two Bassmaster Classic berths and seven Bassmaster Elite Series invitations at stake, Central Open pros are squeezing in as much on-the-water practice time as possible before the three-day Bassmaster Open season finale begins.

Along with the Classic and Elite slots, the event awards top prizes of $45,000 (based on a full field) on the pro side and a $32,000 boat rig in the co-angler division.

The Central Open season points standings will determine who earns the Classic invites and the Elite Series berths. The full standings heading into the event can be found below.

Central Open competitors will have their work cut out for them in the vast, shallow Atchafalaya Basin. The local host, Cajun Coast Visitor's Bureau (www.CajunCoast.com), describes the basin as "one of the last great wildernesses remaining in the continental United States." The name Atchafalaya is from a Native American word that means "long river."

Among the basin's most famous attributes are its cypress-tupelo gum swamp habitat and its accommodation of outdoor sports, including bass fishing.

The Central Open anglers will be out to prove that big bass swim there. Among the pros will be Todd Castledine of Nacogdoches, Texas, the leader in the points race after a third-place finish in the season opener on Toledo Bend Reservoir, and a fifth in the Central Open on Sam Rayburn Reservoir.

"I'm shooting for the Classic," said Castledine, a 30-year-old Texas native who said he makes his living by competing in 40 to 50 bass tournaments a year, mostly in Texas. "I want to fish the Elites, but I won't make a decision before I qualify."

He said he has never competed at Atchafalaya. He plans to get in about 10 days of scouting before competition begins Monday, Nov. 5.

Castledine is only one point in front of James Niggemeyer, the Bassmaster Elite Series pro from Van, Texas, who won the Central trail's season opener on Toledo Bend. Through the Elite circuit, Niggemeyer already qualified for the 2010 Classic and Elite Series.

That means it's possible he could double-qualify for both through the Central Opens by staying at No. 2. If that happens, Niggemeyer would take his Classic and Elite qualifications through the Central Open. BASS would then award the entries to Elite pros by working down the Elite Series' Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings.

Niggemeyer and Castledine will be keeping an eye on fellow Texan Stephen Johnston of Hemphill. Johnston won the Sam Rayburn tournament in September, and he's third in the standings and just 10 points behind the leader.

Owner of a guide service on Toledo Bend and Rayburn for the past 20 years but new this year to the Open trail, Johnston began scouting Atchafalaya on Oct. 23.

"It's the first time I've been in this part of Louisiana," he said. "It's mind-boggling, the mass of water and area you can go to. But I grew up in Port Arthur, Texas, fishing the bayous, and this is like that."

He said he's considering the Elites, and aims to move up one spot in the standings to make the Classic. "That's every fisherman's dream, the Classic," he said.

A bit further back in points - in sixth place, 67 ticks from first - is Cliff Crochet of Pierre Part, La. Atchafalaya is his home water; in fact, he said, he has been fishing the basin since he was 5 years old.

So does he have a strong home lake advantage?

"I think I do, but just with getting around because the basin's so big," he said. "I can run it from memory, without a map. But that's the only advantage I'll have."

Crochet said the bite likely will be a strong fall pattern. "If you can find the shad, that's a big plus," he said. "It's got to be a shallow bite, guaranteed, because there's no deep water around."

Average basin depth is four to six feet right now, he said.

When he's not fishing, Crochet is a law enforcement officer and part-time football coach at a local school. He has been competing in the Bassmaster Opens for three years and said he's ready to definitely look into the Elite Series.

And the Classic?

"The Classic would be a dream come true, a lifetime dream," Crochet said. "It's mathematically possible, but there are some good guys in front of me. They'd have to fall for me to catch them. All I can do is put five a day on the scale and let the numbers do what the numbers do."

As it has throughout the three-division Open season, Bassmaster.com will cover the final 2009 event with live, streaming video and real-time leaderboards each day beginning at 3:20 p.m. ET. Daily photo galleries, results and standings will also be available at the site.

The public is invited to the launches and weigh-ins at Belle River Boat Landing, 1797 Levee Hwy., Pierre Part, La. Boats will launch at 6:15 a.m. CT. All events are free and open to the public.

Sponsors of the 2009 Bassmaster Opens: Toyota Trucks, Berkley, BOOYAH Baits, Evan Williams Bourbon, Mercury, OPTIMA Batteries, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha Marine.

About BASS

For more than 40 years, BASS has served as the authority on bass fishing. With its considerable multi-media platforms and expansive tournament trail, BASS is guided by its mission to serve all fishing fans. Through its industry-leading publications Bassmaster Magazine, BASS Times and Fishing Tackle Retailer and comprehensive Web properties in ESPN360.com, ESPN's broadband sports network, Bassmaster.com, BASSInsider.com and ESPNOutdoors.com, the organization is committed to delivering content true to the lifestyle. Additionally, television programming on ESPN2 continues to provide relevant content - from tips and techniques to in-depth tournament coverage - to passionate audiences.

The organization oversees the prestigious Bassmaster tournament trail, which includes the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bassmaster Opens, Women's Bassmaster Tour and the Bassmaster Classic, the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing. Through its grassroots network, the BASS Federation Nation, BASS sanctions more than 20,000 events annually.

BASS also offers an array of services to its more than 500,000 members while spearheading progressive, positive change on issues related to conservation and water access. The organization is headquartered in Celebration, Fla.

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Media contact: Doug Grassian, 407-566-2216 or doug.grassian@espn.com

2009 BASSMASTER CENTRAL OPEN POINTS STANDINGS

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Place Name St Pts

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1 Todd Castledine Texas 570

2 James Niggemeyer Texas 569

3 Stephen Johnston Texas 560

4 Jerrel Pringle Texas 546

5 Todd Faircloth Texas 534

6 Cliff Crochet La. 503

7 Chris McCall Texas 501

8 Bradley Hallman Okla. 497

9 Kris Wilson Texas 495

10 Gary Key Ariz. 483

11 Edwin Evers Okla. 481

12 Corey Waldrop Texas 474

13 James Stricklin Texas 468

14 Dave Mansue N.J. 464

15 Rob Burns Texas 432

16 Yukinari Uchiyama Texas 430

17 Harold Allen Texas 428

18 Cody Bird Texas 422

19 David Curtis Texas 406

20 Sam Newby Okla. 398

21 Jimmy Mize Ark. 392

22 Charles Bebber Texas 386

23 Charles Hammack Texas 382

24 Russell Parrish Texas 369

25 Bryan Talmadge Ala. 366

26 Dennis Tietje La. 361

27 Terry Segraves Fla. 350

28 Vince Fulks Okla. 348

29 Phil Addison Texas 346

30 Matt Reed Texas 342

31 Mike McClelland Ark. 338

32 Arnie Lane Fla. 331

33 Zachary King Ark. 330

34 Gary Riffle Texas 322

35 Clark Reehm Ark. 318

35 Jeff Kriet Okla. 318

37 Justin Haynes Okla. 315

38 Wayne Hauser N.C. 314

39 Takahiro Omori Texas 312

40 Derek Remitz Ala. 304

40 Glen Freeman La. 304

42 Tony Chachere La. 298

43 Keith Caka Texas 292

44 Tim Carmouche La. 285

44 Landon Ware Texas 285

46 Pete Ponds Miss. 280

47 Joe Erwin Okla. 276

47 Scott Dean Texas 276

47 Todd Littleton La. 276

50 Lance Vick Texas 275

51 Bart Doty Texas 274

52 Yusuke Miyazaki Texas 272

52 Stephen Browning Ark. 272

54 Andrew Upshaw Texas 269

55 Lee Sisson Fla. 268

56 Kyle Fox Fla. 264

57 Andre Moore Ala. 260

57 Ben Matsubu Texas 260

59 Homer Humphreys La. 258

60 Robert Byrd Texas 257

61 Donald Corey La. 256

62 Carl Svebek III Ark. 254

63 Kurt Dove Texas 253

64 Bert Thompson La. 252

65 Jason Berg Minn. 249

66 Marvin Ettredge La. 247

67 Larry Byrd La. 245

67 Sandy Gaudet La. 245

69 Wade Leblanc La. 244

69 Billy Hurt Tenn. 244

71 Vance Montgomery Okla. 239

71 Frank Scalish Ohio 239

73 Logan Sherrer La. 237

73 OT Fears Okla. 237

73 Mike Michalec Texas 237

76 Brannon Long Texas 236

77 Anthony Cerar Okla. 233

78 Jeff Avery Ark. 228

79 Sam Swett La. 226

80 Cliff Pace Miss. 225

81 Craig Massey Texas 224

82 David Truax Texas 219

83 Chad Sposito La. 216

84 Jeff Buchanan Texas 213

85 Jamie Laiche La. 211

86 Mike Hawkes Texas 209

87 Mark Goines Okla. 208

88 Roy Sanford Texas 207

89 Ken Warren Iowa 202

90 Ed Whaley Texas 199

91 Gene Eisenmann Texas 196

92 Keith Poche Ala. 192

93 Shane Gibson Texas 191

93 Fred Roumbanis Okla. 191

95 Brannon Jones Ala. 187

95 Tommy Dickerson Texas 187

97 Gary Vining La. 186

98 Neal Gilmore Texas 185

99 Eric Nethery Ga. 184

100 Shane Williams La. 183

101 Bill Burns Texas 182

102 Dennis Fikes Texas 179

103 James Biggs Texas 175

104 Daniel Stokes Texas 174

105 J Todd Tucker Ga. 173

106 Preston Frazell Okla. 169

107 Mike Burns Texas 168

108 Cliff Crowder Ark. 164

109 George Jeane La. 161

110 Chris Burnham La. 160

111 Chris Lane Fla. 159

112 Mark Smith La. 158

113 Jamie Narramore Ark. 157

114 Paul Ferguson Texas 154

114 Wade Middleton Texas 154

114 James Kennedy La. 154

117 Porter Trimble La. 151

117 Ken Iyobe Japan 151

119 David Sherrer La. 146

120 Ray Brazier Tenn. 143

121 Duane Pittman La. 138

122 Scott Mcgehee Miss. 135

122 Mike Norsworthy Miss. 135

124 David Gillham Texas 133

125 John Burns Miss. 130

126 Jim Culp Okla. 129

127 Bud Pruitt Texas 127

128 Jason Christie Okla. 125

129 Randy Allen La. 123

130 Jason Reyes Texas 121

131 Jeremy Guidry La. 120

132 Justin Hamner Ala. 117

133 Johnny Grice Texas 115

133 Jeff Cloud Texas 115

133 Quinn Peacock Texas 115

136 Rick Clunn Mo. 113

137 Terry Butcher Okla. 111

137 Timmy Reneau Texas 111

139 Teb Jones Miss. 109

139 Tommy Durham Texas 109

141 Jelani Hennessey Va. 106

142 Brian Jackson Tenn. 103

142 Ryan Lavigne La. 103

142 Tommy Martin Texas 103

145 Preston Johnson Wisc. 102

146 Patrick Pierce Fla. 101

146 Craig Dowling La. 101

148 Jerry McKinnis Ark. 99

148 Danny Smith La. 99

150 Michael Bass Texas 97

150 Randy Qualls Ark. 97

150 Danny Owens La. 97

153 Jimmy Mason Ala. 95

153 Roger Boler La. 95

155 Stan Gerzsenyi Texas 93

156 Mac McDaniel Miss. 90

157 Donnie Courtney La. 87

158 Jerry Williams Ark. 86

159 Billy Billeaud La. 85

160 Morris Hymel La. 82

161 Bradley Stringer Texas 79

162 Michael Wohl Texas 76

163 Darrell Newman Texas 75

163 Melinda Mize Ark. 75

165 Trent Durst Texas 72

166 Rodney Clawson Tenn. 71

167 Joe Joslin La. 69

168 Bob Sealy Texas 67

169 Ryan Brown La. 64

169 Guy Adams Texas 64

171 Eric Wilson Texas 63

172 Mitchell Nezat La. 61

172 Phil Marks Texas 61

174 Sammy Burks Mo. 59

175 Jonathon Vandam Mich. 57

176 Albert White Texas 56

177 Chad Griffin Texas 55

177 Ricky Fields Ala. 55

179 Garrett Mercer Calif. 52

179 Brian Kanke Texas 52

181 Dustin Evans Tenn. 51

182 Lonnie Dean La. 50

182 Ernest Smoak La. 50

184 Mike Holland La. 49

185 Bill Lee Texas 47

185 James Smiley Calif. 47

187 Larry Todd La. 43

188 Theron Caldwell Texas 42

189 Joe Copeland Okla. 41

190 Brent Broussard La. 39

191 Deryl Janzen Ark. 37

192 Travis Gray La. 36

193 Aaron Johnson La. 35

194 Greg Watts Fla. 34

195 Joseph New Texas 33

195 Willard Moore La. 33

197 Douglas Jones Okla. 32

198 Steve Hayden N.M. 31

199 Darrell Lyons Texas 30

200 Joey Deveer La. 29

200 John Cromwell Tenn. 29

202 Gary Klein Texas 28

203 Sean Hoernke Texas 26

203 Dale Jackson Texas 26

205 Mary DiVincenti La. 24

205 Yarri Schreibvogel Texas 24

207 Shawn Johnson Texas 23

208 Jeremy Montoya Colo. 22

208 Byron Velvick Texas 22

210 Jacky Hawthorne Texas 21

211 Kathy Crowder Ark. 19

212 Travis Loyd Ill. 18

212 Jimmie Johnson La. 18

214 Chris Michels Texas 15

215 Lucy Mize Ark. 14

216 Pat Baker Texas 12

217 Billy Brewer Texas 9

218 Cecil Kingsley Kan. 8

219 Doug Vahrenberg Mo. 7

220 Lloyd McDaniel Miss. 6

221 Ronnie Buquet La. 5

222 Reed Sartin Texas 3

223 Derek Allen La. 2

224 Jeff Jordan Okla. 1

224 Thomas Loving Texas 1

224 Mike Haggerty Tenn. 1

224 Jason Lieblong Ark. 1

224 Kathi Hurst Miss. 1

224 Dave Lance La. 1

224 Bryan Schmidt Texas 1

224 Mike Lott Texas 1

224 Scott Reed Tenn. 1

233 Morris Herring Texas 0

233 Vincent Parello Texas 0

233 Avery Usand La. 0

233 Ish Monroe Calif. 0

233 Cody Naquin La. 0

Media Contact
Doug Grassian, 407-566-2216 or doug.grassian@espn.com