B.A.S.S. announced Monday it has postponed the first Central Open to the fall 2016 due to "heavy rains, major flooding and unsafe navigational waters" in the Atchafalaya Basin.
Due to excessive rainfall in southern Louisiana, no-wake zones have been instituted throughout the Atchafalaya Basin, which was due to host the Open on Feb. 18-20.
The event has been rescheduled for Oct. 27-29, 2016, making it the final Open of the year.
“After discussion with local authorities on the magnitude of this weather event, anglers’ safety and empathy for those affected by these flood waters were the primary factors in B.A.S.S.’s decision to move the event,” Chris Bowes, B.A.S.S. senior tournament manager, said in a release.
“Due to the high water and the safety concerns, it is in the best interest to reschedule the event to October,” said Carrie Stansbury, executive director of the Cajun Coast Visitors and Convention Bureau. “Everyone involved is very disappointed, but we look forward to rolling out the red carpet in October. The weather should be beautiful that time of year.”
Understanding that the rescheduling may affect the ability for some anglers to compete, B.A.S.S. will offer a full refund of this event or the entire Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Central Division.
“We are grateful for our partnership with the Cajun Coast Visitors and Convention Bureau,” said Michael Mulone, B.A.S.S. director of event and tourism partnerships. “They notified us of the conditions and worked with us on a solution.”
