Half Day Shearon Harris Lake Bass and Crappie Trip
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Fourhour morning trip targets bass, crappie, catfish, and white perchFully equipped 21foot center console boat with wireless trolling motorAll tackle, rods, reels, and live bait provided by Captain Hunter
Getting up before dawn might not sound appealing to everyone, but ask any serious angler and they'll tell you the magic happens in those early morning hours. Captain Hunter's four-hour morning fishing trip on Shearon Harris Lake starts at 6:30 AM sharp, right when the fish are most active and the lake is calm. This customer favorite accommodates up to four anglers for $350, making it one of the best values for guided fishing in the New Hill area. Whether you're a weekend warrior looking to improve your technique or a seasoned pro wanting to explore new waters, this top-rated trip delivers consistent action on largemouth bass, crappie, blue catfish, and white perch.
Shearon Harris Lake is a 4,100-acre reservoir that's become renowned among North Carolina anglers for its diverse fishery and crystal-clear water. The lake's structure includes submerged timber, creek channels, and plenty of cover that holds fish year-round. Captain Hunter knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he'll put you on the productive spots that most weekend anglers never find. The trip runs on a fully equipped 2018 21-foot center console boat that's built for comfort and functionality. The wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when you're working structure, and the fishfinder helps locate schools of fish and underwater features. You'll have plenty of room to move around and fight fish without getting tangled up with your buddies. The early start means you'll beat the recreational boat traffic and have the prime fishing spots to yourself.
Captain Hunter provides all the gear you'll need, from rods and reels to tackle, lures, and live bait. The rod selection includes medium and medium-heavy spinning and baitcasting setups that can handle everything from finicky crappie to hard-fighting bass. For bass, expect to throw everything from topwater plugs in the early morning to Texas-rigged soft plastics around cover. Crappie fishing typically involves live minnows under slip bobbers or small jigs worked around brush piles and timber. The catfish and white perch often come as bonus fish while you're targeting other species, but they're always a welcome surprise on the end of your line. Having live bait on board gives you versatility – sometimes the artificial lures are hot, other times the fish want the real thing. The captain reads the conditions and adjusts tactics throughout the morning to keep the action going. Don't worry if you've never used certain techniques before; part of what makes this trip special is learning new methods from an experienced local guide.
Largemouth bass are the main attraction on Shearon Harris Lake, and for good reason. These fish grow fat and healthy in the lake's nutrient-rich waters, with catches regularly hitting the 3-5 pound range and occasional giants pushing 6-7 pounds. Spring and fall are prime times, but summer morning trips can be world-class when you get on the water early. Bass here are aggressive and will hit a variety of presentations, from buzzbaits skipped under docks to deep-diving crankbaits worked along channel edges. The fight is what keeps anglers coming back – these aren't sluggish pond bass, they're strong fish that will test your drag and make you work for every inch.
Crappie fishing on Harris Lake is consistently good, especially during their spring spawn when they move shallow and school up around cover. These fish typically run 10-14 inches, perfect eating size, and they're a blast on light tackle. Crappie are known for their paper-thin mouths, so the fight requires finesse – too much pressure and they'll throw the hook. The lake's numerous brush piles and standing timber provide perfect crappie habitat, and Captain Hunter knows where to find the schools. Fall fishing can be spectacular when the fish are feeding heavily before winter.
Blue catfish might not be your target species, but when one grabs your bait, you'll know it immediately. These powerful fish can reach impressive sizes in Harris Lake, with 10-20 pounders not uncommon. They're bottom dwellers that patrol the deeper areas and channel bends, often taking live bait meant for other species. The fight is pure power – no fancy jumps or tricks, just bulldogging strength that will wear you out. White perch are another bonus species that adds variety to your day. They school up and when you find them, you can catch them steady. They're smaller than the other species but they're scrappy fighters and excellent table fare.
This half-day trip offers serious fishing action without taking up your entire day, leaving you time for other activities or a well-deserved nap after that early wake-up call. At $350 for up to four anglers, it's one of the best deals for guided fishing in central North Carolina. Captain Hunter's local knowledge and fully equipped boat give you every advantage for a productive morning on the water. Just remember to bring a valid North Carolina fishing license – it's required for anyone 16 and older. The trip includes everything else you need, so just show up ready to fish. Shearon Harris Lake consistently produces fish, and with an experienced guide putting you on the best spots, you're set up for success from the moment you leave the dock.
Hit the water on Shearon Harris Lake aboard our 2018 21-foot Riddic Bay center console, perfectly rigged for chasing bass and crappie. This fishing machine runs smooth with a reliable 115HP Yamaha that'll get you to the hot spots quickly, cruising comfortably at 30 mph. The boat handles up to 4 anglers with plenty of room to work your lines without getting tangled up with your buddies. We've got all the electronics you need - GPS to mark productive structure, fishfinder to locate schools, and a wireless trolling motor for stealthy approaches to shallow cover. The live bait well keeps your minnows lively, while the built-in icebox handles your drinks and any keeper fish. Whether you're working topwater lures around dawn or dropping jigs on deeper structure, this setup gives you everything needed for a successful morning on North Carolina's premier fishing destination.
Ictalurus FurcatusBlue catfish are the heavyweights of Harris Lake, averaging 25-46 inches and hitting the scales around 80+ pounds. These slate-blue bruisers love deep holes with muddy bottoms and aren't picky eaters - they'll hit crawfish, cut bait, or whatever's available. Spring through early fall gives you the best shot when they're most active. What makes them fun is that raw power when they take off - plus they're excellent table fare. Here's a local trick: use fresh-cut herring and let it sit on the bottom near those deeper channel drops. Don't set the hook on the first tap - let them really take it before you commit to the fight.
Pomoxis NigromaculatusCrappie are some of the tastiest fish in Harris Lake, typically running 8-12 inches and perfect for a fish fry. Both black and white crappie call this lake home, hanging around brush piles, fallen trees, and deeper structure in 8-15 feet of water. Spring spawning season is peak time, but they bite year-round if you know where to look. People love targeting them because they school up tight - find one and you'll usually find more. Plus, they're hands down the best eating fish we catch. Here's what works: use small jigs or live minnows under a bobber, and once you locate a school, mark that spot on your GPS because they'll often return to the same areas.
Micropterus SalmoidesLargemouth bass are the main draw on Harris Lake, running 12-24 inches with plenty of 3-5 pounders mixed in. They love hanging around structure - fallen trees, weed lines, and rocky points in 5-15 feet of water. Early morning and evening are prime times, especially spring through fall when they're most aggressive. What gets people hooked is that explosive strike and the fight they put up - nothing beats watching a big bass jump. They're also great eating when handled right. My go-to advice: work your lure slow around cover and don't be afraid to throw it right into the thick stuff. That's where the big ones live, and sometimes you've got to risk losing a lure to land a trophy.
Morone AmericanaWhite perch might be small at 7-10 inches, but they make up for size with numbers and taste. Despite the name, they're actually in the bass family and have that silvery look with a dark back. You'll find them in the main lake areas, especially around structure in 10-20 feet of water. Spring is prime time when they school up to spawn, but they bite consistently through summer too. Guests love them because they're action-packed - often catching doubles - and they're some of the best eating fish in the lake. Pro tip: use a multi-hook rig with small jigs or bloodworms, and when you find one school, work that area hard because they travel in groups.
Shearon Harris Lake