Florida Bass Fishing Guide

With a variety of fishable lakes, rivers and canals, Florida is one of America's great freshwater fishing destinations. Lake George and West Lake Tohopekaliga (Lake Toho), both in Central Florida, are renowned for producing trophy-sized bass. Rivers in the northwest panhandle region, such as the Apalachicola, Chipola and Blackwater, all yield bass reliably most of the year. More developed South Florida boasts some of the world's best urban fishing in the canals of Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm beach counties. For those unfamiliar with Florida, there are many professional freshwater fishing guides in each region that can be hired to provide transportation by boat to fishing holes and recommendations on bait and gear.

The fishing season in Florida is 365 days a year. Anyone who lives in-state six continuous months per year is considered a resident and can purchase an annual license or five-year license for a considerably lower rate than people from out of state. Because the required license is based on the species of fish you're after, a freshwater license covers bass anglers in brackish water. A shoreline license is required for any unlicensed angler fishing from the shore or a structure fixed to the shore, like a pier, dock or jetty. The exception is for cane poles lacking a line retraction mechanism used with live or natural bait. Shoreline licenses are very inexpensive.

The daily limit for black bass (largemouth bass) is five, and this limit is per 24-hour period, not per outing. Only one of your five can be 22 inches in total length or more. In the Suwannee River, and all sites north or west of it, black bass under 12 inches must be released immediately. In South and East Florida, black bass under 14 inches must be released. The daily limit is 20, individually or altogether, for striped bass, white bass and sunshine bass. Only six of these can be 24 inches in total length or greater, except in the Suwannee, where the limit for striped bass is three, and they must all be at least 18 inches. Special bag and length limits apply in Fish Management Areas and certain lakes and rivers. It's illegal statewide to possess more than twice the daily bag limit per licensed angler.