Jig (Casting & Pitching) Fishing on Lake Harris
Lake Harris · Florida · Southeast
Lake Harris sits in Lake County, Florida, as one of the largest and most productive links in the Harris Chain of Lakes, a system of interconnected natural lakes drained by the Ocklawaha River. The lake features a mix of submerged hydrilla and eelgrass beds, hard-bottom shoals around 8–14 feet, scattered dock lines, and emergent vegetation along its northern and eastern shores. Clarity runs from slightly stained to moderately clear depending on seasonal wind and boat traffic, and the forage base of shad, bluegill, and wild shiners supports a population of largemouth bass that runs heavy toward the quality end.
A lead or tungsten head with a weed guard, skirt, and soft plastic trailer. Fished on the bottom by pitching, casting, or slow-rolling. The jig imitates crawfish and bottom-dwelling forage. More big bass have been caught on jigs than any other lure category — it's the lure that separates serious anglers.
Jig (Casting & Pitching) Setup for Lake Harris
| Rod | 7'–7'3" medium-heavy casting rod, fast action |
| Reel | 7.1:1 baitcaster |
| Line | 15–20 lb fluorocarbon (cover) or 50 lb braid (heavy grass) |
| Weight | 3/8 oz standard; 1/2–3/4 oz in wind or deep; 1/4 oz finesse |
| Hook | Built-in, typically 4/0–5/0 |
Seasonal Tactics on Lake Harris
Lake: Pre-spawn largemouth move onto hard-bottom shoals and shallow grass flats in 4–8 feet as water temperatures climb through the low 60s into the 70s, typically February through March. Sight-fishing opportunities over sandy pockets near emergent vegetation are legitimate here, and a wild-shiner rig accounts for a disproportionate share of the biggest fish caught during this window.
Jig (Casting & Pitching): Pre-spawn is prime season — pitch brown/green pumpkin jig to 45° bank transitions and rocky points.
Lake: Bass retreat to deeper hydrilla edges and submerged grass lines in 10–14 feet once surface temps push past 85°F, usually by late May. Early-morning topwater action over grass blowdowns and pad fields can be explosive for an hour after first light before fish dive back into the canopy.
Jig (Casting & Pitching): Football jig on offshore ledges 15–30 feet. Swimming jig around grass edges at dawn.
Lake: Cooling water in October and November triggers shad migrations into creek arms and canal mouths on the north end of the lake, pulling bass up into predictable ambush zones. Reaction baits — ChatterBaits and medium-diving crankbaits — start to outproduce the finesse rigs that carried summer.
Jig (Casting & Pitching): Swim a jig around baitfish schools near points and flats. Shad trailer colors in fall.
Lake: Florida winters are mild enough that Lake Harris bass stay relatively active through December and January, often suspending over hydrilla in 8–12 feet on sunny afternoons when water temps stabilize in the upper 50s to low 60s. A slow-rolled swimbait or a weightless fluke on 12 lb fluorocarbon along the deep grass edge tends to pick off the bigger, more lethargic individuals.
Jig (Casting & Pitching): Slowest presentation — drag a 3/8 oz football jig on deep hard bottom. Barely move it.
Best Conditions
All seasons, all depths, all cover types; most effective in 50–70°F water; excellent in pre-spawn and when fish are on hard bottom
Match trailer to conditions: craw trailer in cold water (slower fall, bigger profile), swimbait trailer when swimming, chunk trailer for flipping.
More Techniques for Lake Harris
Ready to fish Lake Harris?
Ask Hank about current conditions, water temp, and exactly what to throw today.
Ask Hank →