UTERLargemouth bass fishing in Florida freshwater
In Florida freshwater, largemouth bass peak October–April and are around year-round, spawning in February–March, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. January: Pre-spawn giants on the outside grass edges of Okeechobee and the Kissimmee chain — a wild shiner under a cork.
Fall feed: schooling bass busting shad on the big lakes at dawn.
Largemouth bass in Florida freshwater, month by month
- JanuaryPeakPre-spawn giants on the outside grass edges of Okeechobee and the Kissimmee chain — a wild shiner under a cork.
- FebruarySpawningOn the beds in the reeds and the hydrilla pockets; the full moon fills them.
- MarchSpawningThe last wave on the beds in the north of the state, post-spawn fish on the grass edges in the south.
- AprilPeak
- MayAround
- JuneAround
- JulyAround
- AugustAround
- SeptemberAround
- OctoberPeakFall feed: schooling bass busting shad on the big lakes at dawn.
- NovemberPeak
- DecemberPeakPre-spawn starts early in South Florida — fish move to the spawning flats on every warm spell.
Where to fish largemouth bass near Lake Okeechobee, Kissimmee chain, St. Johns River
The bass capital: Okeechobee, the Kissimmee chain and the phosphate pits for trophy Florida-strain largemouth, the St. Johns for shad and specks, the spring-fed rivers of the north, and South Florida's canals full of peacocks and exotic cichlids.
What to use for largemouth bass
- Minnows (fatheads, shiners)Hooked lightly through the lips or behind the dorsal on a #6 to #2 hook under a slip bobber for crappie, perch and walleye; a big golden shiner on a 2/0 to 4/0 for largemouth, pike and stripers.
- NightcrawlersWhole on a #6 to #2 hook under a bobber or on a bottom rig; threaded on a spinner harness drifted for walleye. The bait that catches everything in fresh water.
- CrayfishHooked through the tail on a #2 to 2/0 hook and dragged slowly along rock and gravel — the smallmouth bait, and good for catfish and walleye.
- Leader10–20 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook#2–3/0
- Jig head1/8–1/2 oz
- Braid10–30 lb
Feeds in 45–92°F water, best at 62–80°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch largemouth bass in Florida freshwater?
Peak season is October–April, with fish spawning in February–March (often a closed or catch-and-release window — check the rule). Largemouth bass are here year-round. January: Pre-spawn giants on the outside grass edges of Okeechobee and the Kissimmee chain — a wild shiner under a cork.
Where do largemouth bass hold in Florida freshwater?
Look on lake, pond / pit, canal, river, creek / stream, dock / pilings, spring — around Lake Okeechobee, Kissimmee chain, St. Johns River, Harris chain, Lake Istokpoga, Miami-Dade canals.
What is the best bait for largemouth bass in Florida freshwater?
Live bait: minnows (fatheads, shiners), nightcrawlers, crayfish. Minnows (fatheads, shiners): Hooked lightly through the lips or behind the dorsal on a #6 to #2 hook under a slip bobber for crappie, perch and walleye; a big golden shiner on a 2/0 to 4/0 for largemouth, pike and stripers. Tackle: leader 10–20 lb fluorocarbon, hook #2–3/0, jig head 1/8–1/2 oz, braid 10–30 lb.
What are the rules for largemouth bass in Florida freshwater?
Size and bag limits and closed seasons are set by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and change — read the current rule at https://myfwc.com/fishing/freshwater/regulations/ before you keep a fish. A licence is sold at https://myfwc.com/license/recreational/.
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