Crappie Fishing on Harris Chain of Lakes

Also called specks — cool-month panfish that school up thick around brush, grass, and river bends, filling coolers on drift-and-troll trips.

The Harris Chain of Lakes — Griffin, Harris, Eustis, Dora, Beauclair, and more — is central Florida's underrated trophy fishery. After years of restoration work the chain has rebounded into legitimate big-bass water, and the guides who fish it daily know which of the eight lakes is firing on any given week.

Late winter into spring is when the chain shines, with shiner trips and sight-fishing in the pads and pencil reeds. It rarely has the crowds of Toho or the Big O, which is part of the appeal — more water, fewer boats, real shots at a wall-hanger.