Extended Afternoon Shearon Harris Lake Fishing
Private Trip
Sixhour afternoon charter targeting bass, crappie, catfish, and white perchAll equipment, live bait, and professional guidance included with bookingComfortable 21foot center console accommodates up to four anglers
Picture this: six solid hours on one of North Carolina's most productive fishing lakes, with Captain Hunter at the helm and enough time to really dial in on the bass, crappie, catfish, and white perch that call Shearon Harris home. This extended afternoon trip kicks off at either 2:00 PM or 3:00 PM, giving you the prime feeding windows when fish are most active. At $500 for up to four anglers, you're getting serious value for a full afternoon of guided fishing that'll have you talking about the one that didn't get away.
You'll be fishing from Captain Hunter's 21-foot center console, which means plenty of room to spread out and work your lines without bumping elbows. The boat comes loaded with a quality fishfinder to mark schools and structure, plus a quiet trolling motor that won't spook the fish when you're working shallow cover. Whether you're a weekend warrior looking to up your game or bringing the family out for their first real fishing adventure, this trip works for everyone. The captain provides all the gear you'll need – rods, reels, tackle, and live bait – so you can focus on putting fish in the boat instead of wondering if you packed the right lures.
Shearon Harris offers diverse fishing opportunities, and Captain Hunter knows how to work them all. You might start by targeting bass around submerged structure with soft plastics, then switch to live minnows for crappie suspended over deeper water. When the catfish bite turns on, you'll drop down chicken livers or cut bait near the dam or along channel edges. The beauty of a six-hour trip is having time to adapt – if one technique isn't producing, there's plenty of opportunity to relocate and try different approaches. The captain will teach you local tricks like reading the power plant's warm water discharge patterns and understanding how seasonal migrations affect fish positioning throughout the lake.
Largemouth bass are the lake's crown jewel, with healthy populations of 2-6 pound fish and occasional giants pushing double digits. These bass love the lake's abundant cover – submerged timber, rocky points, and grass lines provide perfect ambush spots. Spring and fall produce the most consistent action, but summer evening bites can be explosive when bass chase shad in the shallows. There's nothing quite like watching your drag scream when a big Harris Lake bass decides to make a run for deeper water.
Crappie fishing here is legendary among North Carolina anglers, with both black and white crappie thriving in the lake's clear waters. These slab-sided fighters average 10-14 inches and provide excellent table fare for those looking to fill the cooler. Peak crappie fishing happens during the spring spawn when fish move shallow, but winter vertical jigging over deep structure can produce some of the biggest fish of the year. Their delicate mouths mean you'll need a light touch, making every hookset an exercise in finesse.
Blue catfish have exploded in Shearon Harris over the past decade, with fish ranging from eating-size 2-pounders to absolute monsters exceeding 30 pounds. These bottom-dwellers are most active during warmer months and provide serious arm-burning fights that'll test your tackle. Night fishing produces the biggest cats, but afternoon trips can still connect with quality fish, especially near creek mouths and river channels where they patrol for baitfish.
White perch might be the most underrated fish in the lake – scrappy fighters that hit hard and make excellent table fare. These schooling fish provide non-stop action when you locate them, often saving slower days with their willingness to bite. They're particularly active during spring and fall transitions, and once you find a school, you can often catch dozens. Kids especially love targeting white perch because the action stays hot and builds confidence on the water.
Six hours on Shearon Harris Lake with a knowledgeable guide, all gear provided, and multiple species to target – this extended afternoon trip delivers serious fishing value. Captain Hunter's local knowledge and quality equipment give you the best shot at experiencing what makes this lake special. Remember to grab your North Carolina fishing license before the trip, and come ready for an afternoon that could easily turn into your new favorite fishing memory. The fish are biting, the boat's ready, and all that's left is getting your line wet.
Hit the waters of Shearon Harris Lake aboard our well-equipped 2018 21ft Riddic Bay center console. This fishing machine runs smooth with its 115HP Yamaha, cruising comfortably at 30 mph to get you to the prime fishing spots fast. Built for serious angling, she's loaded with everything you need – GPS to navigate the lake's structure, fishfinder to locate those bass hiding in deeper water, and a wireless trolling motor for stealthy approaches when targeting crappie and catfish. The spacious center console design gives all four anglers plenty of room to cast and fight fish without getting tangled up. Keep your catch fresh in the live bait well and your drinks cold in the built-in icebox during those hot afternoon sessions. Whether you're working the shallows for largemouth bass or drifting deeper channels for catfish, this boat handles it all with the stability and comfort that makes long fishing days enjoyable.
Ictalurus FurcatusBlue catfish are the heavyweight champions of Harris Lake, with most running 25-46 inches and putting up serious fights. These slate-blue bruisers love deep muddy holes and channels, especially near creek mouths where they follow current changes. Spring through fall gives you the best action when water temps are stable. What makes them special is their raw power - they'll test your drag and give you a workout. Plus, they're excellent eating with firm, white meat. The trick here is fresh cut bait on the bottom - herring or shad work great. Let it sit still and wait for that telltale thump. Once they grab it, hold on tight because these fish don't give up easy.
Pomoxis NigromaculatusCrappie are some of the tastiest fish swimming in Harris Lake, usually measuring 8-12 inches with that sweet white meat everyone loves. Both black and white crappie cruise in schools around brush piles, fallen timber, and deeper structure. Spring spawning season is money time when they move shallow, but you can catch them year-round if you find the right depth. What makes crappie special is they're perfect for families - steady action once you locate them and outstanding table fare. They travel together, so finding one usually means more are nearby. The secret is light tackle with small jigs or live minnows suspended under a bobber. Work it slow and be patient - they can be finicky but once they start biting, you'll fill the cooler.
Micropterus SalmoidesLargemouth bass are the lake's premier game fish, typically running 12-24 inches with occasional giants pushing 4-5 pounds. These olive-green fighters love structure - fallen trees, weed edges, and shallow cover where they ambush prey. Spring and fall are peak seasons when they're most active, but summer evenings can produce great topwater action. What draws folks to bass fishing is their explosive strikes and acrobatic fights. They'll jump, shake, and do everything possible to throw your hook. The meat's decent eating from clean water too. My best advice for Harris Lake is working plastic baits around the submerged timber. Carolina rigs and Texas-rigged worms are money makers. Don't horse them - let your drag work.
Morone AmericanaWhite perch are scrappy little fighters that average 7-10 inches but make up for size with attitude. Despite the name, they're actually in the bass family, which explains their feisty nature. You'll find schools of them in open water near shore, usually in 10-20 feet. Spring is prime time when they move shallow to spawn, but they bite year-round. Guests love targeting them because they're aggressive and often come in doubles or triples. They're also fantastic table fare - sweet, flaky meat that's perfect for a fish fry. My go-to method is hair jigs or small minnows on light tackle. The key is to jig it up and down to trigger their chase response. Once you locate a school, you can fill the cooler quick.
Shearon Harris Lake