Florida Black Bass Fishing Provides Food And Challenge
By Michael Anthony

One of the most popular freshwater fish in the state of Florida is also the largest species of pan fish, native to the

state. Florida black has become to popular that catch and release programs are encourage to help it survive the appetite for this popular game fish. Although the species has been exported to California and Texas, its primary residence remains in Florida where it can enjoy the temperate waters. The number of side scales on the Florida variety, having 69 to 73 scales along the side while it northern largemouth cousin will have 59 to 64 lateral side scales. Florida black also produces larger fish than its northern counterpart, partly due to the warmer waters and they thrive in average temperatures between 75 and 85 degrees. Although the early spring spawning, typically between December and May will find the eggs laid in waters of about 65 to 70 degrees. In the first year of Florida black bass fishing, a one-year-old fish can reach about seven inches, growing into adult size in about 18 months. By the age of three or four, the females continue to grow faster than males with the male size generally topping out at about 16 inches while the females may grow to 22-inches or larger. In most cases if a fish is caught weighing more than eight pounds, it is probably a female. Attitude Makes Florida Black Popular Many anglers say it is the aggressive strikes against a wide variety of baits that make Florida black as popular as it has become. The sudden explosive jump to a surface bait or the fast-running grab at a crank or spinner bait seems as though the fish is trying to gain control of the rod and reel. Add to that its fighting nature and pan-like body, it can provide an excellent fight challenging, almost daring the angler to get it to shore. The adult bass is not overly picky about it diet and will eat just about everything that comes his way. This makes bait for Florida black easy to find and select as they will chow down on smaller fish, crayfish, frog, salamanders and crabs. They have also been know to eat snakes and mice. The Florida black state record is 17 pounds, four and one-quarter ounce and the world record is just over 22 pounds, caught in Montgomery Lake, Georgia. An official state record from a private pond in 1923 still stands at 20 pounds, two ounces.