Lake Harris Florida

[Matt Snorek]

I wanted to ask for a little help.

 

I am from Minnesota and traveling to Leesburg, FL this spring "March 3-11" to be exact. I plan on fishing Lake Harris 2-3 days during this time and it will be my first time ever fishing in FL. I've read a lot and watched countless youtube videos of FLW, Bassmaster, and individuals. Interested on ppl's thoughts for this time of year and how the fish relate to their seasonal pattern in early March? Are they still typically spawned out? I am planning on renting a little boat from Lake Harris Lodge (40-60 bucks). I was hoping to not have to travel to far from that point with only a 6 horse motor. I am only 25, so hiring a guide is a little out of the question for price points.

 

I was planning on flippin and froggin majority of the time...

 

Any help would be great.

Thanks,
Matt Snorek

[Nitro 882]

I will bow to the resident Florida guys re: the best info on this question but as a non resident who fishes Fla  each winter for the last 10-12 years I'd like to encourage you.

In my experience, your timing is great. Fla bass don't have the urgency to spawn that bass in northern waters do. In March you will find bass in all stages of the spawn. Another learned fact is that a cold front will shut 'em down good.

Don't be afraid to spend at least one morning shiner fishing. There is a reason why the guides, who are expected to produce bass for their clients, fish with shiners.

Good luck and have fun.

[Matt Snorek]

Thanks, this will help out a lot.

[N Florida Mike]

I second the motion on shiners but you better start saving up for them now, 'cause they ain't cheap unless you catch your own.

I've never fished Harris but I'd try 10 inch red shad , black grape ,or tequila sunrise culprits or ol' monster worms.?

I think " hez" lives on or near Harris but I haven't seen him on here lately.

[davecon]

Haven't fished that chain in close to twenty years but I did stumble on to an unusual pattern that worked consistently.

 

Feel sure it would be overlooked by most.

 

Send me a PM and I'll try to help.

 

Don't have time right now but should be able to respond later this weekend.

 

 

[Matt Snorek]

Will do davecon. 

[frogflogger]

flippin' and froggin' will do you good also I'd do a whopper plopper where I could and some kind of vibrator (red eye shad, rattle trap, etc. in open water.

[Hez]

On 12/29/2017 at 10:38 AM, Matt Snorek said:

I wanted to ask for a little help.

 

I am from Minnesota and traveling to Leesburg, FL this spring "March 3-11" to be exact. I plan on fishing Lake Harris 2-3 days during this time and it will be my first time ever fishing in FL. I've read a lot and watched countless youtube videos of FLW, Bassmaster, and individuals. Interested on ppl's thoughts for this time of year and how the fish relate to their seasonal pattern in early March? Are they still typically spawned out? I am planning on renting a little boat from Lake Harris Lodge (40-60 bucks). I was hoping to not have to travel to far from that point with only a 6 horse motor. I am only 25, so hiring a guide is a little out of the question for price points.

 

I was planning on flippin and froggin majority of the time...

 

Any help would be great.

Thanks,
Matt Snorek

 

Lake Harris Lodge is a great little place.  The old man that owns it has worked on my boat before and he is a stand up guy.  

 

Coming out of that cove where Lake Harris Lodge is, you will be facing due east, with Long Island straight in front of you.  This whole area is a great area during the spawn.  In fact, this is where Bradley Dortch won the FLW Tour event last year (March 9 - 11 2017).  

 

Just on the other side of that island on the SW corner there is a fish attractor bouy placed by FWC.  There are many artificial brush piles in this area.  Tons of opportunities for you to catch fish, even from a smaller craft.

 

As far as lures...you can throw a frog if you'd like - I never have luck with topwater though, due to the water clarity and the fishing pressure.  You will have more luck with a soft plastic.  During that time of year my go-to bait will be the speed worm (Zoom u-vibe).  Either in junebug or green pumpkin.  Fished on the bottom...slow...but not that slow...hopping it, letting it rest...you will definitely catch fish in said area with soft plastics.

On 12/29/2017 at 10:24 PM, N Florida Mike said:

I think " hez" lives on or near Harris but I haven't seen him on here lately.

 

I'm here!!  Just now saw the thread.  

 

Hope you're doing well Mike!  Stay warm up there bud.  

[N Florida Mike]

You too ! Yeah - high 20s for lows - 40s for highs this week . The last several years we've had fish bedding up here in late dec.and Jan.

 

Not this year!!

 

[Hez]

33 minutes ago, N Florida Mike said:

You too ! Yeah - high 20s for lows - 40s for highs this week . The last several years we've had fish bedding up here in late dec.and Jan.

 

Not this year!!

 

It's unbelievable.  Like I told @Catt  - just might have to move further south if this keeps up!

[Matt Snorek]

Hez, I just saw your comment and thanks for the additional information this will come in handy. I've seen the clips from last years FLW tour with Bradley Dortch winning it around that area. I will definitely pluck around these areas and hopefully be able to land a few. Thanks again.