Location

• When planning a fishing excursion in Florida, start by determining where the experts say largemouth bass are naturally abundant. There are over 7,500 freshwater lakes in the state, and this species of fish thrives in almost everyone of them. Anglers typically seek a lake with a high population or with large, trophy-size bass. Lake George is considered the prime lake in central Florida for abundant largemouth bass, while Lake Toho is recognized for fish with excellent size and weight.
  
  

Techniques

• The most common techniques for catching largemouth bass are based on casting, flipping and pitching. The standard overhead cast is used predominantly unless there are weeds or overhead limbs to avoid. The sidearm cast yields the best results in these situations. Flipping is an effective technique to use in very weedy areas and allows the lure to enter the water with minimal sound. Pitching is similar to flipping, but it allows the lure to drop almost vertically and with more accuracy around docks or weed beds.
  
  

Baiting Largemouth Bass

• Largemouth bass are extremely aggressive feeders and can be caught most easily during feeding frenzies. They can be skillfully enticed with the right bait when they are not as hungry. In the spring when they look for shallow water for spawning, crankbaits, spinnerbaits and plastic worms are effective. They will go deeper in the summer, so use crankbaits, jigs and plastic worms. Fall sends them to moderate depths where spinnerbaits, crankbaits and spoons will bring them out. They are less active in the winter but will still go after jigs, pork baits and plastic worms.
  
  

Regulations

• A license is required to fish in every state. In Florida a fishing license can be obtained at most tackle shops, sporting goods stores and fish camps. There are bag limits and size restrictions for largemouth bass that vary depending on the lake or river. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission posts advisories for levels of mercury and other toxins in the fish. The state record for the biggest largemouth bass has not been broken since 1986, when a fish that weighed in at 17 pounds, 4 1/4 ounces was caught in a Polk County lake.
  
  

Eating Quality

• The largemouth bass is in the same family as the sunfish, with delicate, flaky meat and low oil content. It sometimes has a strong essence of weeds, but this can be eliminated by removing the skin and seasoning the flesh with salt and pepper before cooking. Filleting the fish and pan-frying yields a tasty end product with a sweet yet hearty flavor. Smaller fish can be scaled with the skin intact and then baked, fried or grilled whole.