Largemouth Bass Fishing in Florida

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Try to hook a largemouth bass when fishing in Florida's fresh water lakes.

Photo Credit: Contributed Photo

Largemouth bass fishing is popular in Florida. Take this information with you next time you're looking to fish for this popular fish.

A member of the sunfish species, the largemouth bass is the official freshwater fish of Florida. The largest of all black basses, the record for a largemouth bass in Florida is an impressive 17 pounds, 4 ounces.  Adult bass consume small fish, snails, crawfish, frogs, snakes, salamanders, bats and even small birds, mammals, and baby alligator.

Florida’s inland waters are an ideal home for large bass, providing a variety and abundance of prey and natural resources. Though they prefer weedy oxbows and large lakes, largemouth bass can be found in swamps, ponds, reservoirs, creeks and rivers as well. 

Keenly sought after by anglers for the impressive fight they put up when hooked, these bass often execute leaps and jumps as they try to throw the hook.  Largemouth’s are also well known for their tendency to head for heavy cover, wrapping line around logs and weeds under water. Though lures like plastic worms, jigs, and spinnerbaits have been traditionally used in bass fishing, live bait such as frogs, minnows, or crawfish will work too. Shiners seem especially appealing to bass who may be sluggish in the heat of summer or cold of winter.

The largemouth bass has been introduced into other countries because of its tasty flesh as well as its popularity as a gamefish, though it can be considered an invasive species in some situations. Among bass fishermen, good sportsmanship encourages live release, particularly of the larger fish. Numerous studies have shown that bass survive being hooked and released multiple times.  

There are an estimated 30 million bass anglers in the US, making the largemouth bass a popular draw indeed!

An instant license may be purchased at www.MyFWC.com/License. Please check for current regulations at www.MyFWC.com/Fishing, and if you need to report a fishing or boating violation, or unsafe conditions, call Wildlife Alert at 1-888-404-3922.