Bass Regulations? Minimum Size? Please help.

[SW Florida Kid]

I have been fishing all my life in my backyard canal for bass, catfish, and bluegill. However, I always released the fish. I never kept them. I am 23 years old. For the first time in my life, I just got a fishing license. Being born and raised on water, I never know the rules or anything. I just fished. Haha.

So I am a little confused on the regulations in my area. I know there is a 5 bass limit, one of which can be 14 inches or larger. But what size do the other 4 have to be? What does this exactly mean? This is straight from the Florida Regulations book. Can you please tell me what it means?

5 Black bass[ch9632] (largemouth, Suwannee, spotted, and shoal bass, individually or in total), only one of which may be 22 inches or longer in total length.

In south Florida: only one bass may be 14 inches in total length or longer.

[SW Florida Kid]

Does it mean that I can have 4 bass under 14 inches, and only 1 bass over 14 inches.... i cant imagine keeping little 12 inch bass!  They aren't even adults yet. haha

[Thai]

Does it mean that I can have 4 bass under 14 inches, and only 1 bass over 14 inches.... i cant imagine keeping little 12 inch bass! They aren't even adults yet. haha

It seems like they want you to harvest the smaller ones

[SW Florida Kid]

It seems like they want you to harvest the smaller ones

Well, that sucks! lol... i feel wrong for harvesting small baby bass. haha. oh well. thanks for the help. =) I guess I'll be a baby bass killer haha ;-)

[Thai]

also with tremendous fishing pressure down there they might be trying to protect brood stock, mature reproducing fish. One bass over 14" is a good portion in any meal. Also remember that catch and release is a proven method for producing larger fish and more of them. If you absolutely must take a fish home to the dinner table, please don't take the giants.

Now remember there are no limits on tilapia down there and not only do they taste good they get big also. That might be an alternative for you.

[SW Florida Kid]

also with tremendous fishing pressure down there they might be trying to protect brood stock, mature reproducing fish. One bass over 14" is a good portion in any meal. Also remember that catch and release is a proven method for producing larger fish and more of them. If you absolutely must take a fish home to the dinner table, please don't take the giants.

Now remember there are no limits on tilapia down there and not only do they taste good they get big also. That might be an alternative for you.

We don't have any tilapia in my area. I'd have to go to Lake Okeechobee or Central Florida lakes for this fish.

Since the Okeechobee water release, the canals, rivers, and streams all over southwest florida have been poisoned with algae blooms and such. I most likely won't be eating the bass here anyways with all of the fertilizer runoff from the community lawns and stuff.

I was just wondering why such a small bass size regulation. I'd feel like a baby killer. lol

[Thai]

Where in sfl are you? I know of a bunch of canals down there in dade/broward full of them

[SW Florida Kid]

Where in sfl are you? I know of a bunch of canals down there in dade/broward full of them

Im on the southwest side in Fort Myers. The Everglades is between Dade/Broward and Lee County. Fishing is probably a lot different.

[1234567]

Take a closer look, I believe there are many tilapia in this area.  I recently read an article that Webb Lake is full of them too.  I can never catch the darn things though.  I heard they are vegetarian fish.

[Thai]

Take a closer look, I believe there are many tilapia in this area. I recently read an article that Webb Lake is full of them too. I can never catch the darn things though. I heard they are vegetarian fish.

Tilapia are piscavorious they'll eat plant matter along with fish, bugs, anything small enough to fit in their mouths.

Small jointed jerkbaits, grubs, bread, and live bait will work

[SW Florida Kid]

Take a closer look, I believe there are many tilapia in this area. I recently read an article that Webb Lake is full of them too. I can never catch the darn things though. I heard they are vegetarian fish.

thats crazy dude... that would be fun to try to catch. haha.

[FD.]

The Fl regulations for any black bass species is max 5, minimum 14" with only 1 over 22".

If you are on a FMA (fish management area) then there will be signs posted at all of the ramps with the amended limits for that particular lake.

There are FWC pamphlets at most bait shops that will tell you all of the game fish limits throughout the state.

[South FLA]

The Fl regulations for any black bass species is max 5, minimum 14" with only 1 over 22".

If you are on a FMA (fish management area) then there will be signs posted at all of the ramps with the amended limits for that particular lake.

There are FWC pamphlets at most bait shops that will tell you all of the game fish limits throughout the state.

Bingo!  Some area lakes have different regulations for example on Lake Okeechobee all bass under 18" must be released immediately.

[Thai]

South Fl hs different regulations than the rest of the state, I suggest you guys read up on it before to tell members from diff areas whats legal and what isnt

[etommy28]

here is my take on it, if I were you I would call FWC, I am in SW florida but have no interest in keeping fish so im not real worried. You can have 5 fish total, one of which can be over 14 inches, so the rest must be under 14. Expect for trafford and ockeechobee, where all fish under 18 inches must be release right away. make sure you red the book let, you will find that a lot of canals are considered attached to those lakes. and you dont want a ticket.

[etommy28]

the rules in south florida ARE DIFFERENT! and yes there are talapia, I goto FGCU and have a handfull of lakes packed with Talapia, but they are had to catch and some are very large..... i might have to bring my bow back and get them that way.

[FD.]

http://www.myfwc.com/RULESANDREGS/Freshwater_FishRules_index.htm

[gar-tracker]

Okeechobee has an over 18 inch only law.