| Florida
Large Mouth Bass
Description - The largemouth is the largest member
of the sunfish family. It generally has light greenish to brownish
sides with a dark lateral line which tends to break into blotches
towards the tail. Often confused with smallmouth and spotted bass,
it is easily distinguishable because the upper jaw extends beyond
the rear edge of the eye. Also, its first and second dorsal fins
are almost separated by an obvious deep dip, and there are no scales
on the soft-rayed second dorsal fin or on the anal fin.
Subspecies - Two are recognized: the northern largemouth (M. s.
salmoides) and the Florida largemouth (M. s. floridanus). The two
look much the same, but the Florida largemouth has 69-73 scales
along the lateral line compared to the northern largemouth's 59-65
scales. Florida bass grow to trophy size more readily than northern
largemouth in warm waters.
Range - Originally, the Florida largemouth was found only in peninsular
Florida, but they have been stocked in several other states including
Texas and California. Pure northern largemouth bass are not found
in Florida. Genetic intergrades between the subspecies, however,
occur throughout north Florida.
Habitat - Prefers clear, nonflowing waters with
aquatic vegetation where food and cover are available. They occupy
brackish to freshwater habitats, including upper estuaries, rivers,
lakes, reservoirs and ponds. Also, they can tolerate a wide range
of water clarities and bottom types, prefer water temperatures from
65 to 85 degrees, and are usually found at depths less than 20 feet.
Spawning Habits - Spawning occurs from December
through May, but usually begins in February and March in most of
Florida when water temperatures reach 58 to 65 degrees and continues
as temperatures rise into the 70s. The male builds saucer-shaped
nests 20 to 30 inches in diameter by placing its lower jaw near
the bottom and rotating around this central location. Bass prefer
to build nests in hard-bottom areas along shallow shorelines or
in protected areas such as canals and coves. Depending on her size,
the female can lay up to 100,000 eggs, which are fertilized as they
settle into the nest. After spawning is completed, usually five
to 10 days, the male guards the nest and eggs and later the young
(sometimes called fry) attacking anything that approaches the nest.
The female bass stays near the nest or may swim a short distance
and remain listless for up to a day. After hatching, the fry swim
in tight schools, disbanding when the small fish reach a length
of about one inch.
Distinguishing between male and female bass based
on external characteristics is very difficult, except with mature
fishes during spawning season. At that time, a milky substance (milt)
can be extruded from the vent of males and a few greenish colored
eggs may appear at the vent of females. Females, however, grow significantly
larger than males. Virtually all bass over eight pounds are female.
Feeding Habits - The diet of bass changes with
its size. Young fish feed on microscopic animals (zooplankton) and
small crustaceans such as grass shrimp and crayfish. Fingerling
bass feed on insects, crayfish, and small fishes. Adult bass will
eat whatever is available, including fish, crayfish, crabs, frogs,
salamanders, snakes, mice, turtles and even birds.
Age and Growth - Growth rates are highly variable
with differences attributed mainly to their food supply and length
of growing season. Female bass live longer than males and are much
more likely to reach trophy size. By age two or three, females grow
much faster than male bass. Males seldom exceed 16 inches, while
females frequently surpass 22 inches. At five years of age females
may be twice the weight of males. One-year old bass average about
seven inches in length and grow to an adult size of 10 inches in
about 1-1/2 to 2-1/2 years. The oldest bass from Florida whose age
has been determined by fisheries biologists was 16 year of age.
Generally, trophy bass (10 pounds and larger) are about 10 years
old. The formula used by Florida scientists to estimate weight based
on length and girth is: log(weight, in grams) = -4.83 + 1.923 x
log(total length, in mm) + 1.157 x log(girth, in mm). Click here
for an automated formula, and here to determine how to properly
measure your fish.
Sporting Qualities - The largemouth bass is Florida's
most popular freshwater game fish. Much of its popularity is due
to its aggressive attitude and willingness to strike a lure or bait
with explosive force. They will strike almost any kind of artificial
lure or live bait, but most are taken on plastic worms, surface
plugs, spinnerbaits, crankbaits, bass bugs and shiner minnows. The
value of the largemouth as a sport fish has prompted a movement
toward catch-and-release fishing. As a sport fish, specific bag
and size limit regulations apply, and you can register a qualifying
catch as part of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's
"Big Catch" program. Black bass are the most popular sportfish
in north America and their value to Florida is immense (see: Florida
Bass Values for more details). Florida's top ten bass destinations
are updated annually on our fishing sites/forecast page.
Eating Quality - The meat is white, flaky and low
in oil content. The flavor depends upon the way the fish are cleaned
and prepared. The strong weedy taste of bass caught in some waters
may be eliminated by skinning the fish and salting and peppering
the fillets before battering. Fillets usually are fried, while larger
ones may be baked.
World Record - 22 pounds, 4 ounces, caught in Montgomery
Lake, Georgia in 1932
Information obtained from MyFWC
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