Lone N.C. entry well back in Bassmasters Classic

Long mired in 33rd place after first round

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Only one fisherman from North Carolina is competing in the Bassmasters Classic this week on Alabama’s Lay Lake, and unless he makes a big rally today, he won’t be competing for long.

Brent Long of Cornelius, fishing as a member of a Bass Federation club based in South Carolina, brought in a 5-bass limit during Friday’s opening round, but it weighed only six pounds, eight ounces.

That puts him 13 pounds behind first-round leader Kevin Van Dam of Kalamazoo, Mich., the 2009 Bass Angler of the year, who has 19-8.

Long will have to improve on his first-round catch during Saturday's second round. Only the top 25 anglers will qualify for Sunday's third and final round.

Van Dam has a lead of 22 ounces on Todd Faircloth of Jasper, Texas, who is at 18-2. Oklahoman Jeff Kreit is third with 16-7, and Cliff Pace of Mississippi and 2004 Classic champ Takahiro Omori of Texas rounded out the top five at 15-7.