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JASPER, Texas - Texas' Stephen Johnston had to abandon his preferred pattern during the second day of the Bassmaster Central Open on Sam Rayburn Reservoir after thick clouds moved in, but he was excited when he awoke for the last day of competition to see the cloud cover breaking.

"When I woke up there was moon and stars shining, and I was smiling," said Johnston, who lives in nearby Hemphill.

When the scales settled the local guide had clinched his first Bassmaster victory with a three-day total of 57 pounds, 5 ounces.

Bassmaster Elite Series pro Todd Faircloth moved up one spot to claim second-place with a 47-pound total, and Texas' Kris Wilson moved up from sixth place to third on the strength of a 46-14 total.

Rounding out the top five were Texas anglers Landon Ware (42-14) and Todd Castledine (42-4). Full standings are below.

Johnston said he needed the bright sunlight to drive fish back to a few bare ridges from which he snatched a Thursday catch of 22 pounds, and Saturday the pattern again worked out perfectly.

"I had a game plan this morning that I was going to stay deep and make them bite," he said.

His limits on the first and third days came from the same set of three bare ridges, on which he flipped Texas-rigged Grande Bass Mega Tail worms and ½-ounce Falcon Lures football head jigs.

"The shad early in the morning would come up and feed on the tops of those bare ridges, and the bass would follow them," Johnston said. "I was sitting in the deep water and casting on top of the ridge, and I was just hopping the baits over the edge of those ridges."

Johnston went into the last day with a comfortable 8-pound cushion, and was helped when the bite turned tough for his nearest competitors.

"In the past on Rayburn, the fish would get on the edge of a grass bed, and when you found one there'd be five or six right there," said Faircloth, who has fished tournaments on the Reservoir since his early days. "Now, it's like there's just one bite here and there."

After the second event in the Central Open circuit, the points race is beginning to shake out. Pros are vying for two Bassmaster Classic spots and seven Bassmaster Elite Series berths. The final Central Open event will be on Louisiana's Atchafalaya Basin in November.

Castledine is leading the points race with 570 points, but nipping at his heels is Bassmaster Elite Series pro James Niggemeyer. Faircloth is in fifth and those standings can also be found below.

On the co-angler side of the Rayburn event, Louisiana's William Loftin pushed ahead of the competition with a three-day total of 26 pounds, 5 ounces. His final-day limit was anchored by a fish weighing 9-1. For his efforts, Loftin earned a won a Triton/Mercury boat package valued at $32,000.

Colorado's Michael Hubbard, the second-day co-angler leader, dropped to second with 24-10, while Bobby Lanham of Arizona claimed third with 24-8.

The last stop on the 2009 Central Open trail is Nov. 5-7 on Louisiana's Atchafalaya Basin.

Fans also can find coverage from the Opens on Bassmaster.com.

Up next for the Central Opens is the final stop in the Central Open division, the Nov. 5-7 event on the Atchafalaya Basin out of Morgan City, La.

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. The organization advances the sport through advocacy, outreach and its expansive tournament structure while championing efforts to connect directly with the passionate community of bass anglers through its Bassmaster media vehicles.

As the flagship offering of ESPN Outdoors, the Bassmaster brand and its considerable multimedia platforms are guided by a mission to serve all fishing fans. Through its industry-leading publications Bassmaster Magazine, BASS Times and Fishing Tackle Retailer; comprehensive Web properties in Bassmaster.com, BASSInsider.com, ESPNOutdoors.com and ESPN360.com; and ESPN2 television programming, Bassmaster provides rich, leading-edge content true to the lifestyle.

BASS oversees the prestigious Bassmaster tournament trail, which includes the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bassmaster Opens, Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Women's Tour, BASS Federation Nation and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bassmaster Classic.

BASS 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

FINAL STANDINGS - 2009 BASSMASTER CENTRAL OPEN - SAM RAYBURN RESERVOIR

2009 Central 2 - Sam Rayburn, TX BO 09/03-09/05 Sam Rayburn Reservoir, Sam Rayburn Texas

(BOATER) Standings Day 3

Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$

1. Stephen Johnston Hemphill, Texas 15 57-05 315 $49,629.00

Day 1: 5 22-00 Day 2: 5 19-06 Day 3: 5 15-15

2. Todd Faircloth Jasper, Texas 15 47-00 295 $22,057.00

Day 1: 5 18-04 Day 2: 5 13-13 Day 3: 5 14-15

3. Kris Wilson Montgomery, Texas 15 46-14 290 $18,749.00

Day 1: 5 12-03 Day 2: 5 17-15 Day 3: 5 16-12

4. Landon Ware Jewett, Texas 15 42-14 285 $13,786.00

Day 1: 5 15-10 Day 2: 5 14-15 Day 3: 5 12-05

5. Todd Castledine Nacogdoches, Texas 15 42-04 280 $11,029.00

Day 1: 5 13-07 Day 2: 5 17-15 Day 3: 5 10-14

6. Todd Littleton Bossier City, La. 14 41-08 276 $9,926.00

Day 1: 5 14-04 Day 2: 4 11-04 Day 3: 5 16-00

7. Cliff Crochet Pierre Part, La. 15 41-05 272 $8,823.00

Day 1: 5 13-02 Day 2: 5 14-01 Day 3: 5 14-02

8. Bradley Hallman Norman, Okla. 13 41-01 268 $7,720.00

Day 1: 5 20-05 Day 2: 4 12-15 Day 3: 4 7-13

9. James Niggemeyer Van, Texas 15 39-15 264 $6,617.00

Day 1: 5 13-09 Day 2: 5 12-07 Day 3: 5 13-15

10. Gary Key Laveen, Ariz. 15 39-05 260 $5,514.00

Day 1: 5 15-04 Day 2: 5 12-09 Day 3: 5 11-08

11. Jimmy Mize Ben Lomond, Ark. 15 38-05 257 $4,411.00

Day 1: 5 10-14 Day 2: 5 17-04 Day 3: 5 10-03

12. Russell Parrish Robinson, Texas 15 38-05 254 $3,860.00

Day 1: 5 17-05 Day 2: 5 12-01 Day 3: 5 8-15

13. Jerrel Pringle Hemphill, Texas 15 38-05 251 $3,309.00

Day 1: 5 12-13 Day 2: 5 14-02 Day 3: 5 11-06

14. Jason Berg Minnetonka, Minn. 14 37-06 248 $2,757.00

Day 1: 5 11-08 Day 2: 5 15-04 Day 3: 4 10-10

15. Sandy Gaudet Belle Rose, La. 15 36-07 245 $2,481.00

Day 1: 5 13-08 Day 2: 5 12-12 Day 3: 5 10-03

16. Justin Haynes Tulsa, Okla. 13 36-04 243 $2,206.00

Day 1: 3 9-02 Day 2: 5 17-11 Day 3: 5 9-07

17. Chris McCall Jasper, Texas 15 36-00 241 $2,151.00

Day 1: 5 12-11 Day 2: 5 12-09 Day 3: 5 10-12

18. Corey Waldrop Fort Worth, Texas 15 35-11 239 $2,095.00

Day 1: 5 15-07 Day 2: 5 10-04 Day 3: 5 10-00

19. Mike Michalec Willis, Texas 13 31-09 237 $2,040.00

Day 1: 5 11-07 Day 2: 5 15-02 Day 3: 3 5-00

20. Charles Hammack New Caney, Texas 9 31-03 235 $1,985.00

Day 1: 3 12-15 Day 2: 5 15-09 Day 3: 1 2-11

21. Cody Bird Granbury, Texas 13 30-06 233 $1,930.00

Day 1: 5 9-05 Day 2: 5 15-15 Day 3: 3 5-02

22. Billy Hurt Spring Creek, Tenn. 11 30-01 231 $1,875.00

Day 1: 5 14-09 Day 2: 5 14-00 Day 3: 1 1-08

23. Bryan Talmadge Moody, Ala. 12 29-10 229 $1,820.00

Day 1: 5 15-05 Day 2: 5 10-07 Day 3: 2 3-14

24. Dave Mansue Hemphill, Texas 10 29-06 227 $1,765.00

Day 1: 4 12-05 Day 2: 5 14-14 Day 3: 1 2-03

25. Tony Chachere Opelousas, La. 11 28-10 225 $1,709.00

Day 1: 5 17-03 Day 2: 5 9-10 Day 3: 1 1-13

26. Marvin Ettredge Shreveport, La. 12 28-09 223 $1,654.00

Day 1: 5 13-01 Day 2: 5 11-09 Day 3: 2 3-15

27. Brannon Long Longview, Texas 12 28-05 221 $1,599.00

Day 1: 5 9-06 Day 2: 5 16-01 Day 3: 2 2-14

28. Rob Burns Plano, Texas 11 27-03 219 $1,544.00

Day 1: 5 14-07 Day 2: 5 10-13 Day 3: 1 1-15

29. Tim Carmouche Gonzales, La. 11 26-15 217 $1,489.00

Day 1: 5 10-11 Day 2: 5 14-07 Day 3: 1 1-13

30. Chad Sposito Gray, La. 10 25-03 215 $1,434.00

Day 1: 5 11-02 Day 2: 5 14-01 Day 3: 0 0-00

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Totals

Day #Limits #Fish Weight

1 87 690 1607-08

2 96 690 1650-13

3 16 106 248-07

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199 1486 3506-12

FINAL NON-BOATER STANDINGS- CENTRAL OPEN- SAM RAYBURN

2009 Central 2 - Sam Rayburn, TX NB 09/03-09/05 Sam Rayburn Reservoir, Sam Rayburn Texas

(NON-BOATER) Standings Day 3

Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$

1. William Loftin Youngsville, La. 8 26-05 305 $32,000.00

Day 1: 3 6-10 Day 2: 3 8-10 Day 3: 2 11-01

2. Michael Hubbard Loveland, Colo. 6 24-10 300 $5,514.00

Day 1: 3 6-07 Day 2: 2 12-05 Day 3: 1 5-14

3. Bobby Lanham Cave Crek, Ariz. 9 24-08 290 $4,411.00

Day 1: 3 6-06 Day 2: 3 7-11 Day 3: 3 10-07

4. Travis Pattillo Silsbee, Texas 9 23-07 285 $3,309.00

Day 1: 3 9-03 Day 2: 3 7-02 Day 3: 3 7-02

5. David Ozio Beaumont, Texas 9 23-06 285 $2,757.00

Day 1: 3 10-12 Day 2: 3 5-02 Day 3: 3 7-08

6. David Koret Houston, Texas 8 23-05 276 $2,481.00

Day 1: 2 5-06 Day 2: 3 9-15 Day 3: 3 8-00

7. Gary Robicheaux Centerville, La. 7 22-14 272 $2,206.00

Day 1: 2 8-07 Day 2: 3 9-00 Day 3: 2 5-07

8. Claude Rabb Vidalia, La. 9 22-08 268 $2,095.00

Day 1: 3 7-15 Day 2: 3 6-07 Day 3: 3 8-02

9. John Hayen Hurst, Texas 8 22-05 264 $1,875.00

Day 1: 3 8-14 Day 2: 3 8-14 Day 3: 2 4-09

10. Gary Mumphrey Gonzales, La. 9 22-02 260 $1,434.00

Day 1: 3 6-00 Day 2: 3 9-09 Day 3: 3 6-09

11. Bill McCarty Morgan City, La. 8 21-10 257 $1,213.00

Day 1: 3 9-15 Day 2: 2 5-14 Day 3: 3 5-13

12. Jean Trahan Lafayette, La. 8 20-15 254 $1,103.00

Day 1: 3 9-13 Day 2: 2 4-07 Day 3: 3 6-11

13. Will Major Port Allen, La. 9 20-14 251 $993.00

Day 1: 3 7-06 Day 2: 3 6-03 Day 3: 3 7-05

14. Joe Brozak Orange, Texas 9 20-11 248 $882.00

Day 1: 3 9-04 Day 2: 3 5-05 Day 3: 3 6-02

15. Austin Abadie Saint Amant, La. 9 20-02 245 $772.00

Day 1: 3 5-13 Day 2: 3 7-10 Day 3: 3 6-11

16. Christopher Brewton San Antonio, Texas 9 20-01 243 $744.00

Day 1: 3 6-03 Day 2: 3 7-09 Day 3: 3 6-05

17. Jeff Lobaugh Emory, Texas 8 20-01 241 $717.00

Day 1: 3 9-03 Day 2: 3 6-02 Day 3: 2 4-12

18. Robert Mink Roff, Okla. 9 19-15 239 $689.00

Day 1: 3 6-14 Day 2: 3 8-02 Day 3: 3 4-15

19. Randy Hicks Lumberton, Texas 9 19-11 237 $662.00

Day 1: 3 9-09 Day 2: 3 5-07 Day 3: 3 4-11

20. James Harper Kirbyville, Texas 7 19-08 235 $634.00

Day 1: 1 2-15 Day 2: 3 10-04 Day 3: 3 6-05

21. Glenn Robertson Shreveport, La. 8 18-12 233 $607.00

Day 1: 3 7-13 Day 2: 2 6-02 Day 3: 3 4-13

22. Carrol Mabile Pierre Part, La. 7 16-00 231 $551.00

Day 1: 3 7-01 Day 2: 3 6-06 Day 3: 1 2-09

23. Terry Blackmon Covington, La. 6 15-13 229 $524.00

Day 1: 2 7-01 Day 2: 3 6-11 Day 3: 1 2-01

24. Rick Rickman Gainesville, Texas 8 15-12 227 $496.00

Day 1: 3 6-15 Day 2: 3 6-11 Day 3: 2 2-02

25. Mark Richard Brookeland, Texas 6 15-04 225 $469.00

Day 1: 3 6-02 Day 2: 3 9-02 Day 3: 0 0-00

26. Rudy Guillen Houston, Texas 7 15-03 223 $441.00

Day 1: 3 7-12 Day 2: 3 5-15 Day 3: 1 1-08

27. Heath Willard Brookhaven, Miss. 6 14-11 221 $414.00

Day 1: 3 5-09 Day 2: 3 9-02 Day 3: 0 0-00

28. Brent Cutrer Natchez, Miss. 6 14-03 219 $386.00

Day 1: 3 6-15 Day 2: 3 7-04 Day 3: 0 0-00

29. Cary Beard Baton Rouge, La. 6 14-02 217 $358.00

Day 1: 3 5-10 Day 2: 3 8-08 Day 3: 0 0-00

30. Robert Bean Daisetta, Texas 6 13-14 215 $331.00

Day 1: 3 5-04 Day 2: 3 8-10 Day 3: 0 0-00

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Totals

Day #Limits #Fish Weight

1 0 327 746-05

2 0 347 792-02

3 0 62 147-06

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0 736 1685-13

CENTRAL OPEN POINTS STANDINGS- BAOTER

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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. &nb