High and low on Harris

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A full moon rose over Lake Harris as the SiteOne Bassmaster Elite at Harris Chain began. With nighttime temperatures in the 60s and daytime temps topping out in the 80s, could this be a slug fest in which huge spawning bass are caught? Conditions seem to be pointing that way.
A full moon rose over Lake Harris as the SiteOne Bassmaster Elite at Harris Chain began. With nighttime temperatures in the 60s and daytime temps topping out in the 80s, could this be a slug fest in which huge spawning bass are caught? Conditions seem to be pointing that way.
There’s plenty of spawning habitat on the edges of Lake Harris.
There’s plenty of spawning habitat on the edges of Lake Harris.
As we moved into a cove off Lake Harris, the first Elite pro we encountered was Louisiana’s Darold Gleason. Surprisingly, he was fishing offshore, despite the lily pads ringing the cove.
As we moved into a cove off Lake Harris, the first Elite pro we encountered was Louisiana’s Darold Gleason. Surprisingly, he was fishing offshore, despite the lily pads ringing the cove.
The back of the cove was literally choked with Elite anglers as Day 1 kicked off.
The back of the cove was literally choked with Elite anglers as Day 1 kicked off.
Marc Frazier was among those working offshore shell beds.
Marc Frazier was among those working offshore shell beds.
It didn’t take long for Frazier to hook up on a 3-pounder to get his day started.
It didn’t take long for Frazier to hook up on a 3-pounder to get his day started.
Jake Whitaker was fishing less than 100 yards away, working another shell bed.
Jake Whitaker was fishing less than 100 yards away, working another shell bed.
From the air, you can see just how far from the bank Whitaker was focusing his efforts.
From the air, you can see just how far from the bank Whitaker was focusing his efforts.
The strategy quickly paid off with a solid bass that he chased around the boat before pulling it over the gunnel.
The strategy quickly paid off with a solid bass that he chased around the boat before pulling it over the gunnel.
Whitaker logged the bass in as a 4-pounder, according to BASSTrakk. It was his second of the morning, but things only got better from there: He was leading, with 20 1/2 pounds by 11 a.m.
Whitaker logged the bass in as a 4-pounder, according to BASSTrakk. It was his second of the morning, but things only got better from there: He was leading, with 20 1/2 pounds by 11 a.m.
He quickly got back to work after putting the 4-pounder in the livewell.
He quickly got back to work after putting the 4-pounder in the livewell.
It was hard to move around in the cove because everywhere I turned there was another pro. Wes Logan was only 100 yards or so from Whitaker.
It was hard to move around in the cove because everywhere I turned there was another pro. Wes Logan was only 100 yards or so from Whitaker.
Taku Ito, who was fishing very close to Jake Whitaker, got in on the action early. I turned around as he was boating this 2-pounder.
Taku Ito, who was fishing very close to Jake Whitaker, got in on the action early. I turned around as he was boating this 2-pounder.
David Mullins was farther in the cove, where a group of Elites were working. Mullins protected his area by fishing in circles.
David Mullins was farther in the cove, where a group of Elites were working. Mullins protected his area by fishing in circles.
He already had a limit in his boat and was culling by the time I worked my way through the crowd.
He already had a limit in his boat and was culling by the time I worked my way through the crowd.
Was Mullins’ key to success the shell bed, or his bait or presentation? Whatever it was, Mullins stayed in the Top 10 all morning, according to BASSTrakk.
Was Mullins’ key to success the shell bed, or his bait or presentation? Whatever it was, Mullins stayed in the Top 10 all morning, according to BASSTrakk.
Clunn, who was another Top 10 contender in the cove, was closer to the shoreline but still working away from the ring of pads lining the bank of the cove.
Clunn, who was another Top 10 contender in the cove, was closer to the shoreline but still working away from the ring of pads lining the bank of the cove.
Canada’s Chris Johnston moved to the shallow pad fields pretty quickly. He was cruising and looking for beds to pitch to.
Canada’s Chris Johnston moved to the shallow pad fields pretty quickly. He was cruising and looking for beds to pitch to.
Chad Pipkens was fairly tight to the banks, but he was casting offshore.
Chad Pipkens was fairly tight to the banks, but he was casting offshore.