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Winter Garden Bass Fishing Suwannee Species Guide
Suwannee Bass Fishing in Winter Garden Fl
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The Suwannee Bass is a distinctive member of the black bass family native to Florida and Georgia waters. Though smaller than their largemouth cousins, these fish are prized by anglers for their fighting ability and the challenge of locating them in their structure-rich habitats. - Typically weighs between 1-3 pounds with adults reaching 8-16 inches. - Features unique turquoise-blue coloration on cheeks and belly. - Prefers clear flowing water with rocky bottoms and abundant cover.
Fishing Charter by Captain Justin Makin in December
Meet your Captain Justin Makin
- Windermere, FL premier & world class bass fishing!
Summary
Tuesday November brought perfect conditions for our 4 Hour Guided Trip on Central Florida lakes with Makin Big Bass Memories. Matt and crew joined Captain Justin for some serious bass fishing action in Winter Garden, targeting the elusive Suwannee Bass that call these waters home. Using a mix of casting and bait fishing techniques, we worked the structure and cover where these bass hold throughout the fall season. The Central Florida lake system offers prime bass habitat, and our local knowledge puts clients right where the action happens. Whether you're a seasoned angler or first-timer, our morning bass fishing charters provide everything needed for a productive day on the water with bent rods and tight lines.
Fishing Charter with Captain Justin – Rates & Booking
Captain Justin of Makin Big Bass Memories offers this Tuesday November four-hour morning fishing trip targeting bass on Orlando's best lakes. The Florida Morning Bass Fishing Charter welcomes up to three anglers, with a $30 fee for the third guest unless under the age of 10. This trip is perfect for all skill levels, providing everything you need to target Suwannee Bass in the productive waters around Winter Garden. All rods, reels, tackle, and bait are supplied by your licensed guide, ensuring you have the proper gear for success on these Central Florida lakes. Remember that anglers over 16 must carry a valid Florida fishing license before the trip.
Highlights of Florida Morning Bass Fishing Charter
This 4-hour guided trip with Captain Justin puts you on some of Central Florida's most productive bass waters, including Lake Toho, Lake Kissimmee, the Butler Chain of Lakes, and the St. John's River. The morning hours provide prime feeding time for Suwannee Bass, with comfortable temperatures and often the best bite of the day.
Captain Justin's local knowledge of these diverse lake systems means you'll spend more time fishing productive areas and less time searching. The trip is perfectly suited for anglers wanting to learn new techniques or refine their bass fishing skills in a focused session. With all tackle provided and guidance from an experienced captain, you'll be set up for success on these renowned Central Florida bass fisheries.
Local Species Insights: Suwannee Bass
The Suwannee Bass is one of Florida's native black bass species that thrives in the clear waters of Central Florida lakes. These fish prefer structure-rich environments with plenty of cover like fallen trees, vegetation edges, and rocky areas. While smaller than their largemouth cousins, Suwannee Bass are known for their aggressive strikes and powerful fights relative to their size.
During fall months in Winter Garden, these bass tend to move toward shallower areas as water temperatures moderate, making them more accessible to anglers. Captain Justin targets them using a variety of techniques, including soft plastics near structure, small crankbaits along transitions, and occasionally live bait when conditions call for it. Their distinctive turquoise-blue coloring on their cheeks and olive-brown bodies with dark blotches make them not only a fun catch but a beautiful one as well.
Plan Your Fishing Charter Day
Your fishing charter with Makin Big Bass Memories includes a fully-equipped boat with all the necessary safety gear, plus quality rods, reels, and tackle suited specifically for Central Florida bass fishing. Morning trips typically begin early to take advantage of the best bite, so plan to meet at the designated launch site about 15 minutes before your scheduled departure time.
Wear weather-appropriate clothing, bring sun protection (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen), and consider bringing a small cooler with drinks and snacks. Captain Justin welcomes anglers of all experience levels and provides instruction tailored to your needs. The charter accommodates up to three anglers comfortably, making it perfect for small groups or family outings on Orlando's scenic lakes.
Fishing in Orlando, FL: Suwannee Bass
The Suwannee Bass (Micropterus notius) belongs to the Centrarchidae family within the Perciformes order. This native Florida species is distinguished by its olive to brown coloration with distinctive dark blotches and a beautiful turquoise-blue hue on its cheeks and belly region. In Winter Garden waters this November, these smaller but mighty bass have been providing exciting action for anglers targeting structure-rich areas.
Suwannee Bass Overview
Suwannee Bass are one of Florida's native black bass species, smaller than the more common largemouth but prized for their aggressive strikes and powerful fights. They're a specialty catch that many anglers specifically target for their sporting qualities and the challenge of finding them in their preferred habitats.
Suwannee Bass Habitat and Distribution
These bass primarily inhabit clear, flowing rivers and streams with rocky or sandy bottoms and abundant cover. While traditionally associated with the Suwannee River system in north Florida and southern Georgia, populations exist in select Central Florida lake systems, particularly those with spring-fed influences and adequate structure. Around Winter Garden, they can be found in areas with submerged timber, rock formations, and vegetation edges.
Suwannee Bass Size and Weight
Suwannee Bass typically range from 8 to 16 inches in length, weighing between 1 and 3 pounds. Though smaller than other bass species, their compact build makes them pound-for-pound fighters that can surprise anglers with their strength and endurance when hooked.
Suwannee Bass Diet and Behavior
These bass feed primarily on crayfish, small fish, and various aquatic insects. They're ambush predators that use structure as cover to surprise prey. Suwannee Bass are most active during early morning and evening hours, though in fall and winter months, they may feed throughout the day as water temperatures moderate.
Suwannee Bass Spawning Season
Spawning typically occurs when water temperatures reach the 65-70°F range, usually in late winter to early spring in Florida. Males build and guard nests in areas with clean, sandy or rocky bottoms, often near protective cover like fallen trees or rock outcroppings.
Suwannee Bass Fishing Techniques
For consistent success with Suwannee Bass, light to medium spinning tackle with 8-12 pound test line works well. These fish respond excellently to small crankbaits, finesse jigs tipped with craw trailers, and 4-inch soft plastic worms in green pumpkin or watermelon colors. In November around Winter Garden, focus on rocky points, submerged timber, and transitions between shallow and deeper water, especially during morning hours when they're actively feeding. Slow, precise presentations often outperform aggressive retrieves.
Suwannee Bass Is It Good to Eat?
Suwannee Bass have firm white flesh with a mild, clean flavor similar to other freshwater bass. They make good table fare when properly prepared, though their smaller size yields less meat than largemouth bass. Many anglers practice catch-and-release with Suwannee Bass to preserve populations of this unique native species, especially given their more limited range compared to other bass species.
Suwannee Bass Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the best bait for Suwannee Bass?
A: Suwannee Bass respond well to crayfish imitations, including small jigs with craw trailers in brown, orange, or green pumpkin colors. Small swimbaits and finesse worms rigged on light jigheads are also very effective, especially when worked slowly through structure.
Q: Where can I find Suwannee Bass near Winter Garden?
A: In the Winter Garden area, focus on lake sections with spring influences, rock formations, and submerged timber. Areas where flowing water enters lakes or areas with clearer water tend to hold more Suwannee Bass compared to heavily stained or vegetation-choked zones.
Q: Is Suwannee Bass good to eat?
A: Yes, Suwannee Bass have good-tasting white meat similar to other bass species. However, due to their smaller average size and more limited range, many anglers practice catch-and-release to help preserve healthy populations.
Q: When is the best time to catch Suwannee Bass?
A: Early morning and evening hours generally produce the best Suwannee Bass fishing. In fall months like November, these fish often feed throughout the day as water temperatures cool. The spring pre-spawn period is also excellent as fish become more aggressive.
Q: How can I tell a Suwannee Bass from other bass species?
A: Suwannee Bass can be identified by their turquoise-blue coloring on the cheeks and belly, olive to brown body coloration with distinctive dark blotches or vertical bars, and a wide upper jaw that extends beyond the eye. They're generally smaller than largemouth bass and have a more compact body shape.
Q: Are Suwannee Bass hard to catch?
A: They can be somewhat challenging due to their specific habitat preferences and somewhat limited range. However, once located, they're often aggressive strikers. The challenge comes more from finding their preferred structure than getting them to bite.
