Greenville, S.C. � The Bassmaster Classic could be won by a rookie qualifier for the second consecutive year.

Charlie Hartley, a Classic qualifier via the organization's Southern Open circuit (akin to Class AAA baseball), took the first-round lead Friday, catching five bass weighing 21 pounds, 1 ounce at Lake Hartwell. The 43-year-old from Grove City, Ohio, held a 4-ounce lead over second-place Scott Rook of Little Rock, Ark. Kevin Van Dam of Kalamazoo, Mich., was third at 20-3. First place in the 50-angler tournament wins $500,000.

"That's all I've ever dreamed of was fishing in the Classic. This is where you want to be," Hartley said after weighing in his fish in front of 15,000 fans at Greenville's Bi-Lo Center.

Qualifier Boyd Duckett of Demopolis, Ala., won at Alabama's Lay Lake last year. read more