Best bass lakes in NC?

[HumpHunter]

Hi all,

 

I'm from the Northeast and am planning a road trip down to NC in the next couple of weeks to escape our mid-50s water temps and get some more solid fall fishing in. I've never before fished any noteworthy bass waters by your region's standards (double digits are almost unheard of in these parts). Can anyone recommend me some of this state's best largemouth lakes? 

 

So far, I am considering Jordan, Shearon Harris, and High Rock. I plan to schedule my trip during the work week to avoid boat traffic. Thanks in advance for any advice! 

[LrgmouthShad]

Of those, Jordan or High Rock. Badin is also great as are the Greensboro lakes. Randleman is another to consider if it is still open. Good luck. 

[HumpHunter]

17 hours ago, LrgmouthShad said:

Of those, Jordan or High Rock. Badin is also great as are the Greensboro lakes. Randleman is another to consider if it is still open. Good luck. 

Thanks for the suggestions. Any reason you wouldn't recommend Shearon Harris? I've seen many say it's among the best lakes in the region, but I've also heard some saying that pressure in the last 5-10 years has really messed up the fishing. 

[LrgmouthShad]

3 hours ago, HumpHunter said:

Thanks for the suggestions. Any reason you wouldn't recommend Shearon Harris? I've seen many say it's among the best lakes in the region, but I've also heard some saying that pressure in the last 5-10 years has really messed up the fishing. 

I am basing my recommendations on an anecdotal level. I find Jordan, especially in recent years, to be a higher quality fishery than Shearon Harris and I like how the lake sets up better. Badin is fantastic but it has a lot of smaller fish. I believe @Huckfinn38 fishes Shearon Harris on a kayak and does good. Shearon Harris is a smaller lake though. More ideal for a kayak.

 

You have good options in North Carolina. There are sleeper lakes around @Pat Brown. But after being on Jordan for the first time this summer, all I could think about was why I hadn't come to that lake sooner. Wow, what a place.

[VolFan]

I would say Jordan or Badin, both are fantastic. 

[Huckfinn38]

Jordan and Harris are fishing pretty good right now. Caught my pb at Harris last week on a Rapala dt16 then had a good day at Jordan over the weekend catching 5 good fish. Three on a smaller white spinner bait, one on a Azuma lipless, and 1 on a Rapala OG Tiny 7 flatside crankbait. I will say water is cooling down pretty fast right now with our cooler days and colder nights.

[LrgmouthShad]

44 minutes ago, Huckfinn38 said:

Jordan and Harris are fishing pretty good right now. Caught my pb at Harris last week on a Rapala dt16 then had a good day at Jordan over the weekend catching 5 good fish. Three on a smaller white spinner bait, one on a Azuma lipless, and 1 on a Rapala OG Tiny 7 flatside crankbait. I will say water is cooling down pretty fast right now with our cooler days and colder nights.

Nice man

 

44 minutes ago, Huckfinn38 said:

Caught my pb at Harris last week on a Rapala dt16

How big she go? DT-16 has been a player here in TX as well

[Don51]

You are from MA? No reason to leave. The best bass fishing of the season is about to begin. Right place, right time. Opportunity to catch a new PB.

[Huckfinn38]

23 hours ago, LrgmouthShad said:

Nice man

 

How big she go? DT-16 has been a player here in TX as well

Mid 6lber.  I have caught a ton of 4lb & 5lb fish but never got in the 6s on a LMB.  Caught a 6.3lb small mouth years ago at Watauga Lake while thrown plugs for Walleye but never caught a LMB in the 6s until then.

[FishTax]

I missed this thread initially. Did you make the trip and if so how did it go?