Extended Morning Bass and Crappie Charter
Private Trip
Fishing
Six-hour morning charter targets bass, crappie, catfish, white perchFully equipped 21-foot boat accommodates up to four guestsAll rods, reels, tackle, and bait included in rate
Get ready for six solid hours of fishing action on Shearon Harris Lake, one of North Carolina's top bass and crappie destinations. This morning charter out of New Hill puts you right in the thick of the bite when fish are most active and hungry. Captain and crew know these waters like the back of their hand, and they're ready to put you on fish whether you're a weekend warrior or someone who's never held a rod. The 21-foot fully rigged boat comes loaded with everything you need – quality rods, reels, tackle, bait, and all the electronics to find where the fish are holding. Just bring your North Carolina fishing license and get ready to bend some rods.
Your morning starts early – that's when the magic happens on Shearon Harris. The lake comes alive at dawn, and that's exactly when we want our lines in the water. This power plant lake stays warm year-round thanks to the cooling water discharge, which keeps fish active even when other lakes slow down. You'll be fishing from a spacious 21-foot boat that's set up specifically for multi-species fishing. The live bait well keeps your shiners and minnows lively, while the GPS and fish finder help locate structure and schools. The captain adjusts techniques based on what's biting – some days the bass are crushing topwater, other days you'll be working deeper structure for crappie. With space for up to four anglers, there's plenty of room to spread out and fish comfortably without getting lines tangled. The ice box keeps your drinks cold and provides storage for any personal items you bring along.
Shearon Harris requires a versatile approach since you're targeting multiple species in one trip. For largemouth bass, expect to work both shallow cover and deeper structure depending on the season and conditions. Spring finds bass moving shallow for the spawn, making it prime time for flipping jigs into cover or working spinnerbaits along the banks. Summer pushes fish deeper, where Carolina rigs and deep-diving crankbaits shine around submerged timber and drop-offs. Crappie fishing here revolves around structure – brush piles, standing timber, and channel drops where schools suspend at specific depths. The captain uses a combination of live minnows under floats and small jigs to dial in the bite. Blue catfish require a different game plan entirely, often involving cut bait or live shad fished on the bottom near deep channels. White perch school up and can provide fast action once located, usually responding well to small jigs or live bait rigs. The key is staying flexible and letting the fish tell you what they want each day.
Largemouth bass are the star attraction at Shearon Harris, and for good reason. This lake consistently produces quality fish in the 2-5 pound range, with the occasional trophy pushing 6-8 pounds. The warm water discharge creates ideal conditions year-round, meaning bass stay active even in winter months when other lakes shut down. These fish are aggressive and fun to fight, especially when they come up and shake their heads trying to throw the hook. Spring and fall are prime times, but don't count out summer and winter fishing here – the thermal influence keeps things interesting all year long.
Crappie fishing at Shearon Harris is some of the best in the state, with both black and white crappie calling these waters home. These slab-sided fighters typically run 10-14 inches, with plenty of keepers in the mix for a good fish fry. Crappie are structure-oriented fish that school up around submerged timber, brush piles, and channel edges. Spring brings them shallow for spawning, making for some of the year's best action. Fall also produces excellent crappie fishing as they feed heavily before winter. What makes crappie special is their delicate bite – you need to pay attention to your rod tip and set the hook at the slightest tap.
Blue catfish are the heavyweight champions of Shearon Harris, with fish ranging from eating-size 2-3 pounders up to massive 20-30 pound bruisers that'll test your drag system. These fish love the deeper channels and are most active during warmer months. Blue cats are powerful fighters that make long runs and can really wear you out on medium tackle. They're also excellent table fare, especially the smaller ones in the 2-8 pound range. The key to catching blues is getting your bait down to their level and being patient – they don't always bite immediately.
White perch might be the most underrated fish in the lake, but they're a blast to catch and make for great action when bass and crappie slow down. These smaller fish typically run 8-12 inches but make up for size with attitude and numbers. When you find a school of white perch, you can catch them as fast as you can drop your line. They're aggressive biters that hit both live bait and small artificials. While not as big as the other target species, white perch are excellent eating and provide consistent action throughout the trip.
This extended morning charter gives you the best of both worlds – prime fishing hours and enough time on the water to really get into the fish. At $500 for up to four people, you're getting a full day's worth of guided fishing at a price that's tough to beat. The captain provides all the gear, bait, and local knowledge you need to have a successful trip. All you need to bring is your valid North Carolina fishing license, some snacks and drinks, and the desire to catch fish. Whether you're planning a guys' trip, family outing, or just want to experience some of the best multi-species fishing North Carolina has to offer, this charter delivers. Shearon Harris Lake is fishing good right now, and morning trips are booking up fast. Don't wait – secure your spot and get ready for six hours of solid fishing action on one of the state's most productive lakes.
Your fishing platform for Shearon Harris Lake is a sharp 2018 21ft Riddic Bay center console that knows how to handle bass country. The 115HP Yamaha gets you to the honey holes quickly, cruising smooth at 30 mph across the lake. Built for serious angling, this rig comes loaded with everything you need - GPS to mark productive spots, fishfinder to locate schools, and a wireless trolling motor for stealthy approaches when the fish are spooky. The live bait well keeps your shiners lively, while the ice box handles your drinks and any keeper bass or crappie you boat. With room for four anglers, there's plenty of space to work lures around structure without tangling lines. Whether you're pitching jigs for crappie or throwing topwater for morning bass, this setup puts you in prime position to connect with Shearon Harris Lake's best fishing action.
Ictalurus FurcatusBlue catfish are the biggest catfish you'll find in North Carolina waters, often reaching 25-40 inches and putting up serious fights. These slate-blue giants love deep holes and muddy bottoms around Shearon Harris, especially near creek channels where they hunt for anything from crawfish to baitfish. Spring through fall offers the best action when water temps warm up. What makes them special is their sheer power - they'll test your drag and give you a workout. Plus, they're excellent table fare with firm, white meat. My go-to trick is using fresh-cut herring on the bottom near drop-offs. Let it sit still and wait for that telltale tap-tap before setting the hook. These fish are opportunistic, so patience pays off big time.
Pomoxis NigromaculatusCrappie are some of the best eating fish in the lake, running 8-12 inches with sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. You'll find both black and white crappie around brush piles, fallen trees, and deeper structure in 10-25 feet of water. Spring spawning season is magic when they move shallow, but they bite year-round if you find their schools. What guests love is how they travel in groups - catch one and there's usually a dozen more nearby. They're also perfect for kids since they bite readily and aren't too aggressive. The trick here is using light tackle with small jigs or live minnows under a slip bobber. Work slowly around cover and pay attention to your electronics to locate those schools suspended off structure.
Micropterus SalmoidesLargemouth bass are the kings of Shearon Harris, averaging 12-24 inches with that famous bucket mouth and olive-green coloring. They love hiding around fallen trees, weed beds, and rocky shorelines in 5-20 feet of water. Spring and fall are prime time when they're actively feeding, but early morning and evening bites happen year-round. What draws anglers is their explosive strikes and acrobatic fights - they'll jump and run like no other freshwater fish. They're also great eating when handled properly. My local secret is working soft plastic worms around the submerged timber in the coves. Cast past the structure and work it slowly back through the branches. These fish ambush prey, so make your bait look vulnerable.
Morone AmericanaWhite perch might be small at 7-10 inches, but they're scrappy fighters that travel in schools, so when you find one, you'll usually catch several. Despite the name, they're actually bass family members with silvery sides and that classic bass body shape. Around Shearon Harris, look for them in 8-15 feet of water near rocky points and drop-offs, especially during spring spawning runs when temps hit 50-60°F. They're perfect for families since they bite readily and taste great - mild, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. The key is using multiple small hooks on a rig with bloodworms or small minnows. Once you locate a school, work that area thoroughly since they'll stick around feeding spots for hours.
Shearon Harris Lake