CKA Event #1 2020 Shearon Harris

Shearon Harris Lake, NC

March 21, 2020

(updated 3.20.20)

Overview

6 years have passed since CKA kicked off a tournament season at legendary Shearon Harris Reservoir. 2014 was the first full season of CKA events, and we have fished the lake once every season since then – except for last season. Now we return.

Shearon Harris is a small lake that fishes big. Many of you know it well and fish it hard, and year round. But it is an unforgiving lake and one that changes dramatically from day to day. But during the spring it can deliver the limit of a lifetime.

Which lake will show up this season – the one that only produced 5 limits in 2018, or the lake that produced more than ten 3-fish limits over 60” in 2016? Let’s find out as we begin our season on the best big bass fishery in the region!

Of course, we will fish the lake during a difficult time. CKA will follow CDC recommendations to make gatherings /sporting events “virtual” until the current crisis passes. As such, the standard meet-up check in is modified as follows, as well as other elements of the event:

All of the announced times and ramps remain the same. Anglers will launch, fish and upload catches as usual.
The post event check in at Harris County Park is cancelled because the park has retracted all permits. We will still hold the tournament but without post-event check in.
Anglers must use the “check in/out” function on your TourneyX dashboard.
We will hold the awards ceremony, with trophy presentations, at the next event when check-in will be less of a concern. Door prizes will also be withheld until the next event.
We will make an announcement about member fee collection later on. Our primary concern now is to manage logistics and get everyone out fishing safely.

In other words, the situation requires that the event will be run like an on-line event. Given our experience running those we don’t see any problems. We will miss the camaraderie of the check in scene but we all need to get out and fish. The pre-spawn bite is on, Harris is putting up giant bags, so let’s adapt and have fun.

A few reminders:

CKA has streamlined sign up and payment system for the 2020 season. All tournament fees are now through TourneyX.
CKA has expanded to a 5 fish limit per event (8” minimum length).
CKA will again collect member fees for the 2020 season ($20). We will post an update about virtual payment soon, and anglers will retain points when they pay. No points will be deleted so as to provide time to anglers to pay.
CKA has a new payout structure. See website for details.

If you are new to the Trail, welcome aboard and good luck in the Rookie of the Year race. If you are a CKA regular then you know the battle for Angler of the Year will be long and fun as you fish against some of the best competition in the entire country.

This post contains

Lake & License information
Registration Links and Event Identifier
Format, Boundaries and Rules (and links to complete rules)
Launch info and Tournament Start/End Times
Post-Event Check-In info

For additional updates, visit:

CKA on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carolinakayakanglers/

Event Information

Lake and License Info

Shearon Harris is a legendary bass lake with a local and national reputation (B.A.S.S. ranked it #4 in the USA in 2017). Harris impounds Buckhorn Creek to create a 4,100 acre reservoir. With a complex food chain of species ranges from abundant bait fishes to apex predators such as catfish, bass, pickerel and bowfin, Harris is a unique fishery and one that regularly produces trophy size Largemouth Bass. It produced several bags over 100” in December during the charity event for the Dunn family, during which a local angler caught 3 fish weighing over 7, 8 and 10 pounds respectively.

Please be sure to obtain a valid N.C. license and follow parking regulations at the lake’s two busy launches. Motor boats launch at both ramps so be respectful and follow good ramp etiquette.

Camping and other accommodations

Shearon Harris Lake is located in a sparsely populated area without much tourism infrastructure. However, the towns of Cary/Apex are relatively close (10-15 mins) and hotels can be found there. Additionally, the Jordan Lake camp grounds are within a 15-20 minute drive of Harris Lake. For more info on reserving sites, see this link: https://www.ncparks.gov/jordan-lake-state-recreation-area/camping

2. Registration Links and Event Identifier Cards

In order to register for the events, sign up using TourneyX. Please create a Tourney X angler account for event registration and CPR submissions if you have not done so – the basic account is free!

Tournament Fee: $50, includes TourneyX fee. Optional Fees: Big bass ($5) and H.O.W. ($5)

The blank CKA identifier card will be posted 3-4 days prior to the tournament. CKA directors will also have a limited supply of spare identifiers at the ramps.

The event code will be released on CKA social media prior to the tournament at 8 pm on Friday, March 20^th. There will be a virtual Captains meeting on FB at that time.

3. Boundaries and Rules

Format: 5 longest fish (8” minimum length), submitted on approved measuring device (Fish Stik, Hawg Trough or Ketch Board only), entire fish and correct, legible ID entirely in photo.

This event will largely follow KBF rules. Therefore, anglers must be familiar with and follow KBF rules as well as all lake regulations and North Carolina fishing laws and local regulations as they apply. CKA and KBF rules can be found at the link below:

LINK TO CKA RULES PAGE: http://www.carolinakayakanglers.com/?page_id=38

Additionally, there are several areas of Harris Lake are off limits to all watercraft. These prohibited areas are clearly marked by buoys, signs and lines. Any anglers caught fishing in those areas will be disqualified and risk legal action from Duke Energy, NCWRC and the Harris County Park Authority.

4. Launch Information and Competition Times

There is no morning Captains Meeting. CKA will likely hold a virtual meeting on Facebook Live on Friday evening.

The three permitted launches are listed below:

Ramp 1. Holleman’s Crossing 4420 Bartley Holleman Rd, New Hill, NC, 27562

Ramp 2. Crosspoint Boat Ramp 233 Crosspoint Rd, New Hill, NC 27562

Both ramps are 24 hour ramps and there are no launch fees.

The launch at Harris County Park may also be used, but the park opens later in the morning.

Anglers may place kayaks in water and enter kayaks at any time prior to launch stay near the ramps. Anglers must remain within 100 yards of the ramp prior to 6:00 am. Please be sure to stay away from boat lanes and remember to have 360 degree visible lights on your kayak. Civil twilight begins at 6:21 am, and it may still be dark.

6:00 a.m.: Anglers may leave launch areas.

6:30 am: Lines in, tournament begins.

2:30 pm: Lines out, tournament ends.

3:30 pm: photo upload ends. No Exceptions.

The tournament standings will be unavailable beginning at around 1 pm but you can still post fish until the cutoff. We strongly encourage anglers to post fish throughout the day so as to expedite the check in and awards.

Note: Be sure to update your phone so that browsers and apps run well. CKA Directors cannot be expected to solve technical problems with phones. Tournament directors cannot be responsible for working out technical glitches and waiting for updates on phones to complete. Technology is part of the sport – if your phone breaks, and you cannot upload fish, it’s like losing a fish that breaks your line.

5. Check-In

As noted above, the check-in is Cancelled. Please use the virtual check in/out option on your TourneyX dashboard!

In the absence of submitted written disputes, prizes will be distributed via PayPal within 24 hours.