Adams widens lead on Lake Norman to almost nine pounds

He has biggest stringer of day for second day in a row

BASS Photo

Tracy Adams of Wilkesboro leads the BASS Southern Open by almost nine pounds entering Friday's final round.

Lake Norman covers 32,500 acres, so it’s not difficult for a fisherman to slip off into some cove and get away from the crowd.

But Tracy Adams of Wilkesboro is running off and hiding from the rest of the field in the Bassmaster Southern Open.

Adams had the largest weight of 185-man field for the second day in a row, and he carries a lead of almost nine pounds into Saturday’s third and final day, with the berth in the Bassmasters Classic on the line.

Adams caught a 5-fish limit on Friday that weighed 13 pounds, 13 ounces, giving him a 2-day total of 34-10. His margin over Alabama’s Bradley Roy, who is in second place, is an ounce short of nine pounds; Betje had 13-4 on Friday for 25-11. Pete Bejte of Charlotte is third with 24-1 after an 11-9 limit on Friday.

Matt McBee of Concord had the big bass on Friday among pros, a 6-pound, 5-ounce largemouth.

In the co-angler ranks, Glynn Goodwin of Marietta, Ohio, holds the lead with 15-10. Tom Mcdermott of Madison, N.C., the first-day leader, is second with 12-13.