Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Spotted & Redeye Bass Fishing in Florida.

Bass are one of the most sought after of all the game fish. Its appeal spans cultures, age groups and genders to tap on the heart strings of anglers everywhere. Join us in our endeavor to offer information about bass fishing on your favorite bass lake in the Florida area.

Bass Fishing Lakes In Florida

You'd be hard pressed to find many lakes in Florida that do not have a population of bass. Florida is the ideal region for growing not only healthy populations of bass, but it also produces some monster bass. The state record largemouth is over 17 pounds and many think the next world record will come from FL. Try your luck for bass on some of the larger lakes and impoundments in FL including Blue Cypress Lake, Crescent Lake, Crooked Lake, Deerpoint Lake, East Lake Tohopekaliga, Jim Woodruff Reservoir, Lake Apopka, Lake Conlin, Lake Eustis, Lake George, Lake Griffin, Lake Harris, Lake Harney, Lake Hatchineha, Lake Istokpoga, Lake Jessup, Lake Kissimmee, Lake Marian, Lake Miccosukee, Lake Monroe, Lake Newnan, Lake Okeechobee, Lake Talquin, Lake Tohopekaliga, Lake Wier, Lake Weohyakapka, Lochloosa Lake, Orange Lake, St. John's River and Tsala Apopka Lake.

Bass are aggressive feeders and agile enough to chase down and catch most of their favorite foods. They are most easily caught during a feeding spree but can be enticed into striking an anglers bait for reasons other than hunger. They are predatory by nature and at times will strike at anything that enters their world. They are also territorial and at times strike anything that ventures into their domain. If it moves and they can get it into their large mouth, bass will attempt to eat it.

Largemouth Bass
Micropterus salmoides

The Florida strain of largemouth bass typically grows to larger sizes than other strains of black bass. Also known as hawgs in FL, this fish has a mouth that opens wide enough to swallow its own head. It will attempt to eat virtually anything it can catch and swallow. Growing to well over 20 pounds, it is much bigger than it's cousin the smallmouth bass.

Fishing For Largemouth Bass In FL.

SPRING
Top Baits: Spinnerbaits, crankbaits and plastic worms.
Fish shallow to moderate depths as the bass move into the shallows for warmer water, spawning and food source activity. Try shallow-water flippin on cloudy days or in murky water.

SUMMER
Top Baits: Crankbaits, Jigs and plastic worms.
Fish shallow in the mornings and evenings and move deeper as the sun rises. "Deep" depends on the overall depth of the lake you are fishing. In some lakes you may need to go as deep as 60 feet while others seldom hold fish below 35 feet. Largemouth's often feed at night during the hot summer months.

FALL
Top Baits: Spinnerbaits, crankbaits and spoons.
Fish shallow to moderate depths in the mornings and evenings. As the bass move deeper during the day move to outside deep structure and use spoons or jigs.

WINTER
Top Baits: Jigs, pork baits and plastic worms.
Try shallow in the mornings then move deeper as the sun rises. Bass are not very active in cold water, so move your bait in a slow, easy to catch manner and fish deep cover and structure. "Deep" depends on the overall depth of the lake you are fishing. In some lakes you may need to go as deep as 60 feet while others seldom hold fish below 35 feet.

Spotted Bass
Micropterus punctulatus
World Record: 9.5 lbs
Easily identified by the dominant, spots along the lateral lines, they are found primarily in the southeastern states. Spotted bass are often called Kentucky bass, Kentucky spotted bass, Alabama spotted bass and Kentucky spots. It prefers warmer water temperatures from 70 to 78 degrees. They have a smaller mouth than the largemouth so use lure sizes similar to smallmouth tackle. They feed on smaller fish as well as insects, crustaceans, frogs and worms.

Redeye Bass
Micropterus coosae
World Record: 8.8 lbs
The redeye bass looks very much like a largemouth with a red eye and red coloration in the tail. Found in the southeast part of the US it is often confused with the shoal bass, because of the red eye. Prefers water temperatures from 65 to 70 degrees and is often found in cool streams and rivers. Fish for the redeye with conventional bass tackle favoring smaller baits and lighter tackle. If you like to fly fish, try fly fishing for the redeye bass.

Contribute Knowledge

If you have information, articles or photos relating to bass which you would like to see published here, please submit them for consideration. We will gladly give you credit for your contribution. If you have a fishing related business and would like to mention it within the context of the article, we will consider your request. For significant contributions we may offer complimentary display ads, please contact us if you are interested.

If you offer fishing guide services for bass in Florida we would like to include you as a resource for our visitors. We offer a complimentary listing for your guide service on our Florida Fishing Guides page or you can see other options to promote your bass fishing guide services in Florida by visiting our Advertising opportunities section.

For information regarding bass fishing in other states, see the list of states to the left

Florida fishing information.

How to submit Florida fishing articles.

FL Bass Fishing - All About Fishing for Largemouth, Spotted, Redeye & Smallmouth Bass in Florida.

22 lbs - 4 oz

17 lbs - 4 oz

60 - 80 Degrees

Prefers slightly stained to murky water with cover and little or no current.

11 lbs - 15 oz

Undefined

58 - 72 Degrees

Prefers clear to slightly stained water and is comfortable in mild current. Prefers gravel and rocky areas.