Everglades Beginner Bass Fishing: Local Favorite

Largemouth Bass

Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides) 

It is the most famous and biggest member of the sunfish family and is a renowned game fish. Largemouth Bass has a green or olive-green color body and dark or black horizontal markings on its body giving it the nickname black bass. It has a slightly forked tail and the soft rays on dorsal fins are separated by deep points. 

The average adult Largemouth Bass averages 12 inches to 24 inches and weighing between 1 to 4.5 pounds.

Interesting facts: 

• They are appropriately named having an exceptionally large mouth and when opened, the upper jaw goes well beyond its eyes.
• They are an angler's favorite as they give quite a fight when reeled out of water.
• Largemouth can detect their prey’s vibrations using their sixth sense called lateral lines as well as their keen sense of smell.
• Largemouth Bass are attracted to red color.

Where to Find Largemouth Bass

The Largemouth Bass mostly live in ponds, lakes, and medium-sized water bodies, but can be found near ditches and creeks. They like a warm place abundant in weeds and shallow muddy waters. The Largemouth Bass is only native to North America and is densely populated in the eastern and southernmost states.  They now have been expanded to every state of America except Hawaii and Alaska. Due to its popularity as a game fish, the species has been introduced in many countries of Europe, Asia, Africa, South America, and Central America.

Spawning 

When matured, largemouth bass usually spawns from late winter to late spring. The eggs are guarded by the male. When hatched the school remains for about 3 to 4 weeks under their father’s protection before dispersing. The optimum temperature when the eggs are laid is a steady 60 ºF or higher. 

Largemouth Bass Size and Speed 

Largemouth bass size and speed are two essential factors that anglers consider when fishing for this popular game fish. The largemouth bass is one of the largest freshwater fish species found in North America, with adult fish typically ranging from 12-24 inches long and weighing anywhere from 2-10 pounds or more. However, some specimens have been known to reach lengths of up to 30 inches, and the biggest largemouth bass ever caught weighed more than 22 pounds. 

One reason why largemouth bass size is so important to anglers is that larger fish tend to be older and more experienced, making them harder to catch than their smaller counterparts. Additionally, larger fish can put up a much stronger fight when hooked, which adds an extra level of excitement and challenge for anglers. On the other hand, speed is another important factor that affects the behavior of largemouth bass.

Food 

The Largemouth Bass's food consists of other fishes such as gizzard, shad, threadfin shad, golden shiners, bluegills, catfish, crayfish, and other smaller fishes. Snakes, salamanders, mice, bats, frogs, and other creatures are also victims. 

Fishing Techniques - How to Catch Largemouth Bass 

They are most abundantly found in places where it is easier to hide, such as sunken objects and thick weeds. Other spots include gradual shores, under bridges, open waters, and shorelines. 

• Fishing with swim-baits is a highly successful way to catch these fish. There are both hard and soft varieties made out of wood or plastic rigged with hooks.
• Dragging is mostly used to catch Largemouth. Use plastic baits and Carolina rig. Most effective to use in the hard bottom and non-vegetated areas.
• In shallow water and grass-rich areas, try wacky fishing using straight worms and a variety of hooks.

You can use the jigs, crankbaits, jerk baits, hoppers, minnows, plugs, and live bait such as worms or minnows. These fish are abundant and you should be able to snag one with any of these on your hook.

For the fly fisherman, it’s important to have the right rig. An important thing to remember is that the Largemouth Bass does not spook easily and will put up a fight. With this in mind, it never hurts to pack heavy gear.  A 6-weight will get the job done for most bass, but if you're looking for the big one, be safe with your 8-weight, it will always do the job especially when fishing big lakes and rivers.

When choosing your reel, just match it to whichever rod you’re using weight-wise.  For bigger fish, we recommend using a disk drag as it will give you a more gradual resistance in the line with a sinking leader.

Use flies, primarily streamers, that are colorful and/or shiny.  You will catch their attention with brightly colored flies in the murky water where they dwell. Using poppers is extremely effective as they are made to copy the actions of topwater food such as frogs which are a big part of their diet.

Weighted flies are especially useful in the late summer when the fish are down in deeper water where it is cooler. 

What is the Difference Between Spotted Bass and Largemouth Bass

Spotted bass and largemouth bass are two of the most popular game fish in North America. While they may look similar, there are significant differences between them that make them unique. Understanding these differences can help anglers choose the right bait and technique to catch more fish. 
Spotted bass have a smaller mouth than largemouth bass, making it easier for them to swallow smaller prey such as crustaceans or insects. They also tend to be more aggressive and will chase down their prey rather than waiting for it to come to them. Largemouth bass, on the other hand, prefer larger prey such as frogs or small fish and will often ambush their prey by hiding in cover before striking.

Another difference between spotted bass vs largemouth bass is their habitat preference. Spotted bass thrive in clearer water with rocky bottoms while largemouths prefer murky water with plenty of vegetation.

Is Largemouth Bass Good to Eat?

Are largemouth bass good to eat? The answer is yes, but with a catch. While it is safe to consume largemouth bass, it is important to consider the quality of the water where they were caught and any potential contaminants. To ensure the best taste and safety, it is recommended to only eat largemouth bass caught in clean, clear bodies of water that have been properly prepared and cooked. Overall, with the right precautions, largemouth bass can be a delicious meal for those who enjoy the sport of fishing and culinary experimentation.

Next, when it comes to cooking and eating largemouth bass, it's important to remember that the fish should be handled and prepared with care to ensure its quality and taste. To ensure that the meat remains firm and delicious, anglers should clean and store the fish properly, and cook it with the right seasonings and techniques. When done correctly, largemouth bass can make for a delicious meal, enjoyed by many fishing enthusiasts across the country.

Peacock Bass

Peacock Bass (Cichla Ocellaris) Description

The Peacock Bass has a slanting forehead with an elongated body and a large mouth with a protruding lower jaw. Its body and fins are a mix of yellows, greens, light red, and orange and will vary with each individual. Normally, they're olive-green on the back gradually fading to a yellow-orange or even white towards the underside.

The common characteristic this fish will share is three vertical black lines along its sides, which fade as it matures. They may have several dark splotches on their sides, and larger adults may have a yellow-orange stripe from their snout to the base of the tail. They have a black spot or ocellus with a yellow or silver border on their rounded caudal fin which resembles a peacock’s feathers.

The Peacock Bass is not related to any other bass and is only similar in size and shape to the American largemouth bass.  

Diet and Size

The Peacock Bass grows fast and can reach an average length of 12-14 inches in less than 2 years. The largest unofficial record of this fish is 35 inches. 

The Peacock Bass is predatory and will feed on almost any other fish, but prefers tilapia, oscar, crayfish, tadpoles, mosquitofish, minnows, and guppies. 

Its speed and large mouth lead them to be successful hunters.  They feed during the day. Ideally, it can add up to 1.5 pounds in weight for every extra inch it grows. This fish typically lives up to 6-10 years of age. 

Interesting Facts 

• It was introduced to Florida in 1984 to manage the populations of tilapia and oscar from northeastern South America.  
• A majority of adults grow a prominent nuchal hump on their foreheads 
• Physical characteristics vary depending on their location
• Its colors intensify during spawning seasons
• It is known as a “freshwater bully” because of its aggressiveness 

Spawning

The Peacock Bass spawns between April to September, with a peak in May and June. Adults will create a spawn location near the shore, usually a hardened flat surface for the eggs to be laid. Both parents will protect the young from predators and will move the larvae with their mouths to shallow depressions in sediment or rocky structures.

Habitat & Distribution

This freshwater fish prefers warmer waters with slower currents such as lakes, ponds, creeks, and

canals. Shaded areas under trees and bridges are also favorite habitats. It cannot survive in waters with high or in temperatures below 60 degrees.

You will basically only find these fish in Florida and the farther south you go, the better. The Peacock Bass is found in Florida and they are abundant in the 330 miles of canals in Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties. 

Fishing Techniques - How to Catch a Peacock Bass

They are caught by anglers casting from the shoreline, trolling, or still fishing.

Fishing for Peacock Bass uses the same techniques you would use for largemouth bass, except it doesn’t like plastic worms. Light spinning and bait-casting tackle with a 12-15lb test is a common rig to use. 

One way to catch their attention is using live golden shiners, aptly nicknamed “peacock shiners” because of their effectiveness, but some anglers prefer casting lures. Using topwater jigs, spoons or crankbaits have proved to be effective. If fly fishing is preferred, go with large streamers such as marabou.

Rocky, shaded areas such as bridges, and spots with aquatic plants, fallen trees, canal ends, and intersections are preferred habitats of this fish. Daylight is the best time to catch this fish when they are out hunting and larger individuals are caught during peak seasons in March to June and September to December.