soflabasser

It is normal for me to catch other species of fish while bass fishing since South Florida is a multi species fisherman's paradise. I can catch a largemouth bass on one cast, a snook on the next, a peacock bass on the next cast, or any of the dozens of species that live in the same waters bass live in. Have had several +100 fish days all on artificials so that is another nice thing about fishing in South Florida.

The most expensive lures I own are the swimbaits I made. Building materials to make swimbaits and time invested to make these lures is not cheap but it is worth it.

I see more people fishing today in South Florida than I did over 20 years ago.

Welcome to the forum

Zoom makes lots of soft plastic lures that are cheap and very good such as the Zoom horny toad, Zoom super fluke, and others.

Welcome to the forum

I have seen wild otters in the Everglades, they are awesome animals.

That is correct but you can still catch Florida bass even in the coldest of cold fronts in Florida, you just have to slow down your presentation most of the time.

Earlier this year I caught a largemouth bass that was +25.8 inches long with a +18.25 inch girth. I caught other big bass but I was much more focused on multi species fishing this year. I look towards to improving in bass fishing in 2020 and hope to continue catching new species of fish for my fish lifelist.

Find someone who is very good at bass fishing, become their friend, and go fishing with that person as much as possible. Have an open mind and do your best to learn from every fishing trip. You do that and you will do just fine in bass fishing.

Try fishing with a ned rig.

Yes it was one of my most memorable fishing trips that I have had. At one moment I caught 6 or so bass in a minute. I spent more time walking along the shoreline than I did fishing. The bite seemed to go on and off but when the day was done I caught well over 300 fish in less than 6 hours of fishing, 149 where bass. I am certain I would of caught over 200 bass that day if I would of fished earlier but that is ok with me since it gives me a better chance to beat my best numbers of bass day. I weight train, run, and swim often so I have lots of endurance which I feel helps me a lot in fishing.

I do not listen to music while fishing and rather listen to the sounds of nature. Do listen to music while driving to the fishing location. I like country music, heavy metal, and other types of music.

Welcome to the forum

Congratulations on your new personal best black crappie.

Have you gone ice fishing before and did you like it? One of my fishing goals is to go ice fishing at least once. I have a open mind so I will fish for anything from bluegills to muskie.

Merry Christmas to you as well! We got a couple days before the year ends so it would be a good idea to go catch some more fish.

Nice bass. I would be fishing in the same conditions if I lived up North.

A 2-3 pound smallmouth bass is a quality sized one, regardless where you catch it. My experience is that river smallmouth bass fight harder for their size but I still rather catch another +8 pound largemouth bass. I have caught most of the black bass species that have been identified and I would say the Suwannee bass gave me the best pound for pound fight. None of the black bass compare to peacock bass which is surprisingly strong for a freshwater fish. Have caught tarpon in the same waters I catch bass and those tarpon give the best overall fight of any fish that lives in South Florida canals.

A couple years ago I caught a 149 bass in less than 6 hours fishing in the Everglades from land. Also caught another +150 fish such as bowfin, gar, warmouth, Oscar, and other fish which means I caught well over 300 fish in 6 hours of fishing. I caught all these fish on artificial lures. This was during a time when the water level was low and other factors that made it a great time to fish. Others have had +100 bass days in the Everglades as well so I would say the Everglades is probably the best place in the USA to fish if your goal is to have a 100 bass or better day.

The jerkbait is one of the best multi species lures.

I am from South Florida and have over 2 decades worth experience fishing in waters with alligators. I also have free dived in waters with alligators and other predators. I can tell you right now that the knifes mentioned in this thread are useless if you are not brave enough to defend yourself against a wild animal that can potentially eat you. It is best to not put yourself in a dangerous situation and if you must fish in a dangerous area then you have to be highly alert to your surroundings. Fish at least 15 feet away from the shoreline, look for alligators constantly, and leave the area if you see a big alligator approaching you. If possible try fishing with a friend so you can have another person looking out for alligators. Try to fish during the day and avoid the night since it will be harder to see a alligator. Always watch where you step and pay close attention to the floor around you at all times since water moccasins are masters at hiding in the grass.

I have had the opportunity to freedive with schools of bass, bowfin, gar, tilapia, mullets, and other fish that live in Florida's freshwater springs. It is one of my fondest memories and I plan on visiting the springs again next year.

Best time to fish for peacock bass is during warm weather. They will still bite in the winter (have caught them during cold fronts) but you might have to work harder compared to fishing in April-November. Use the lures I mentioned above in almost any freshwater canal in Miami Dade, Broward, and West Palm Beach counties and you should do well. You can also use live shiners if the bite is tough. 8-12 pound test mono is a good line to use for peacock bass.

I have visited and freedived in several freshwater springs in Florida. It is a experience I recommend to anyone who likes bass fishing since you can swim with bass in crystal clear water. The bass fishing is very good near these springs which is another good reason to visit Florida's springs.