Bass Fishing in Florida Tips

General bass fishing tips

Use 6- to 12-pound monofilament line and a 51/2- to 7-foot bait casting or spinning rod and reel. A variety of baits can be used, including plastic grubs, spinners, crankbaits and plugs. Crayfish, worms, minnow or leeches are the best choices when using live bait. Fly fishermen should use a 7- to 9-foot bass fly rod fitted with 7- or 9-pound floating line with a 6- to 8-pound leader, according to Fish4Fun.com. Several kinds of artificial lures can be used, including streamers, bugs, bucktails or poppers.

Fishing tips for northern Florida

Fish Lake Jackson, north of Tallahassee, with top-water baits such as plastic frogs, swimming worms and jerkbaits around vegetation. Lake Lockloosa, also in the northern part of Florida, has been hitting on frogs and rattling lures worked above hydrilla mats.

Fishing tips for central Florida

On Lake Istokpoga in central Florida near Lake Placid, try working the beds. At Lake Kissimee near the city of Lake Wales, 9-pound bass are being caught and released. Lake Okeechobee fishermen are catching bass on crickets and worms. At Lake Tarpon near Tarpon Springs, early morning fishers are catching 3- to 5-pound bass, and night fishing is also good. On Lake Panosffke, also in central Florida, 3-pound bass are being caught on hardware lures.

Fishing tips for the Everglades

Largemouth are plentiful in the Everglades. Another species called Peacock bass are also found in the Glades, mainly in urban canals where water temperatures remain around 60 degrees during cold spells. At the east canal near Sawgrass Recreation Park, bass tend to bite on stick worms and topwater plugs. Expect bass to be in the 1- to 3-pound range.

More Florida bass fishing tips

You'll have good luck with floating crayfish crankbaits when fishing rocky points, on shores and near dams. When the barometric pressure is high, look for bass in deeper waters. A spinnerbait often works well for catching bass. When heavy winds concentrate foliage, it's best to fish the downwind side of the lake.

Florida fishing licensure

You will need a freshwater fishing license for bass fishing on any lake or river in Florida. Freshwater licenses are available online at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation site. Young people under the age of 16 and fishermen over the age of 65 do not need a license. Combination freshwater/saltwater and fishing/hunting licenses are available.