Help Fishing The Harris Chain

[Hez]

Hi Guys and Gals!!

 

I joined this forum looking for advice (go figure, lol).  I have been fishing the Harris Chain almost every weekend since February, and have only caught 2 bass with not many more bites.  I'm beginning to get discouraged, so I figured I would maybe turn here for help.

 

I'm originally from Texas and what always worked there - is not successful here in Florida.

 

I would like to run through my usual routine hoping that maybe someone could offer some advice to help me out of my slump.

 

I tend to fish mainly Lake Carlton, Lake Beauclair and Horseshoe lake.  

 

I usually have the boat in the water around 7:30 AM.  I use a texas rig with junebug worm on a 1/0 hook.  Dark colored weight, usually about 3/8 oz.  I also like to throw a spinner bait and rattl trap - silver on blue.  

 

Am I fishing the wrong lakes?  Am I using the wrong bait?  

 

Like I said, any input or advice to help me out of this painful slump is welcomed.  I am just about ready to start seeking out a fishing guide, LOL.  And you know how men like to ask for instructions 

 

Anyhow, glad I found an active forum with members around my area - maybe I'll see some of you on the water.  Thanks in advance.  

[Huntrava]

Welcome! No worries...everyone here is trying to learn how to catch more bass.

 

What's the composition of the lake like?  What is your FF saying?

[Hez]

Hopefully my description of composition is what you are looking for:

 

Composition of the lake:  murky water, close to 10 ft in depth, not a lot of structure, few boat docks, saw grass and cat tails along the edges in some spots.  

 

I don't use my fish finder a lot, mainly so I know the depth.

[Bubbafish]

Flip grass edge to middle,very slow deadstick slow dark colors black blue etc kissimmee grass holds alot of fish

[Hez]

Thanks for the reply Bubbafish.  Will start fishing slower, dead stick slow lol.  Going to venture out on Little Lake Harris in the next couple of upcoming weeks, see if I have better luck there.  

[FD.]

Well if it's any consolation, you picked one of the hardest bodies of water in Florida to start with.  The Harris chain is extremely difficult to learn, BUT, it has a ton of big fish in it.  I would recommend you join the ABA and fish as a non boater out of Buzzard Beach for a couple of months.  The best on Harris fish that tournament every month and if you draw the right boater you can get years of education in a few hours.  That's how I learned it many years ago.  Out side of doing that here are a few tips.

 

Gold rattle traps with an orange belly over the numerous shell bars.

Fire tiger crank baits that dives to 8 ft around docks and in and around sparse lily pads.

Bitters Mega Vibe in spray grass fished every where.

A big beaver style bait in Black/blue flake flipped in the kissimmee grass particularly in the holes in the grass.

A popper or prop style topwater along any sea walls or lily pads.

 

That's all you need to fish in Eustis or Harris.  I usually only fish Eustis, Dead River and Haines Creek.  Learn those and you can always find fish.

[Hez]

Thanks FishinDaddy!!  Sounds like great information and I will definitely take your advice, all the way around. Will definitely look into joining the ABA as well.  Hopefully I will get lucky and find someone with a wealth of knowledge that they'd like to share.  Again, I appreciate all of the input that has been offered. 

[Hez]

Just an update - things are going a lot better on the Harris Chain these days