Harris Chain of Lakes

Florida/Largemouth Bass:

As water temperatures slowly start to cool off this quarter, expect bass to be on the move. The fish will become more active, moving out of their summer locales to follow the bait. Typical areas in the Harris Chain to target this time of year would be near drop-offs around emergent or submersed vegetation, or in and around the mouths of canals/rivers. A lipless crankbait, jerk bait, or swim bait should hold the key in mimicking the schools of shad bass will be chasing throughout the chain. The tried-and-true Texas-rigged soft plastic around transitions of shoreline vegetation will produce bass year-round in the Harris Chain. Darker colors (Redbug, Junebug, black/blue etc.) work well in darker water while a natural color (green pumpkin, watermelon etc.) should work better in the clearer lakes of the chain. Late in the quarter, bass will begin their move to pre-spawn and staging areas in cover/depth adjacent to shallow flats or canals. Fishing with wild live bait such as shiners can be a fun way to catch some big bass, either free-lining or under a cork. Local Bait and Tackle shops should have plenty for purchase if you decide to go that route. FWC’s TrophyCatch program begins season 13 on October 1 so be sure to submit any 8+lb fish to the program for some great prizes!

Black Crappie:

With water temperatures typically remaining high throughout the early fall, expect Black Crappie fishing to be slower until we get our first good cold fronts pushing through. However, once the water temperatures start to drop in late fall, the bite should turn on. Crappie can be found throughout the chain, but angler creel surveys have shown a large amount of effort on Lake Harris the last few years. Over the same period, our trawl surveys have indicated good year-class production on Harris, so expect for the trend to likely continue. Trolling open water near drop-offs or structure is a good way to find the fish, but make sure to set your lines at varying depths to determine where the fish are in the water column. The artificial attractors throughout the chain (link below) may be a good place to start, which you can vertically jig or troll over. However, if trolling, make sure to set your baits high enough to not snag the attractors. Black crappie can also be caught in shallow vegetated areas (pads, grass) with a jig or live bait once the spawn heats up. Try a variety of baits and colors to pattern the bite and you should quickly find a combination that works.