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.  

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?

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.

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

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.  

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.

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. 

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