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Suwannee Bass Adventures with Justin in Winter Garden
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's river systems. Though smaller than its largemouth cousin, this species offers exciting action on light tackle and has a fighting spirit that makes it a favorite among Central Florida anglers. - Typically ranges from 8-16 inches in length and 1-3 pounds in weight. - Features distinctive turquoise-blue coloring on cheeks and belly. - Prefers clear, flowing water with rocky bottoms and abundant structure.
Fishing Charter by Captain Justin Makin in December
Meet your Captain Justin Makin
- Windermere, FL premier & world class bass fishing!
Summary
Our Tuesday November 4-hour guided fishing charter on Central Florida's lakes delivered outstanding bass action! Matt and crew joined Captain Justin in Winter Garden FL for a perfect fall morning under partly cloudy skies. We focused on Suwannee Bass fishing using a mix of casting and bait fishing techniques, working productive lake structures where these bass hold. Orlando's lake system offers some of the best bass fishing in Florida, with consistent action year-round. The comfortable weather conditions made for an ideal day on the water as we cruised the flats with bent rods and tight lines. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just getting started, our Florida Morning Bass Fishing Charter provides all the equipment needed to make memories on these productive Central Florida waters.
Fishing Charter with Captain Justin – Rates & Booking
Captain Justin Makin of Makin Big Bass Memories on Tuesday November offers our popular Florida Morning Bass Fishing Charter, a four-hour trip targeting bass on Orlando's best lakes. This charter accommodates up to three anglers (with a $30 fee for the third guest unless under age 10) and is perfect for all skill levels from beginners to experienced bass anglers. We provide all necessary rods, reels, tackle, and bait so you can focus on the fishing. Please note that anglers over 16 must have a valid Florida fishing license prior to your trip. Our morning charters typically run during the prime bass fishing hours, putting you on the water when the bite is hottest.
Highlights of Florida Morning Bass Fishing Charter
This Central Florida lakes fishing experience puts you right in prime bass habitat where Captain Justin's local knowledge gives you an edge. We'll explore productive areas across Orlando's extensive lake system, including spots like Lake Toho, Lake Kissimmee, the Butler Chain of Lakes, and the St. John's River. The four-hour format provides plenty of time to work multiple fishing spots while learning effective bass techniques.
Fall mornings in Winter Garden offer ideal fishing conditions with comfortable temperatures and active bass. Whether you're casting artificial lures or using live bait, Captain Justin tailors each trip to your skill level and preferences. These guided trips are perfect for anglers looking to improve their bass fishing skills or simply enjoy a productive morning on beautiful Central Florida waters.
Local Species Insights: Suwannee Bass
The Suwannee Bass is one of Central Florida's most interesting native gamefish. These bass thrive in the clear, flowing waters of the region's lake systems and connecting waterways. While smaller than their largemouth cousins, Suwannee Bass offer exciting action on light tackle and put up a surprisingly strong fight for their size.
When targeting these bass in Winter Garden's waters, focus on structure like submerged vegetation, rocky areas, and fallen timber. They respond well to small crankbaits, soft plastic worms, and live bait presentations. During fall months, these fish become more active as water temperatures moderate, making them ideal targets for our morning charters. Captain Justin's experience with local Suwannee Bass populations helps put clients on fish consistently throughout the year.
Plan Your Fishing Charter Day
Your trip with Makin Big Bass Memories includes a fully-equipped fishing boat with all necessary safety equipment, electronics, and fishing gear. Captain Justin welcomes anglers of all experience levels and provides personalized instruction throughout your charter. Morning trips typically begin early to take advantage of peak feeding times, so plan to arrive at the designated meeting spot about 15 minutes before departure.
We recommend bringing sunscreen, polarized sunglasses, a hat, weather-appropriate clothing, and a camera to document your catches. A small cooler for beverages is welcome, and don't forget your Florida fishing license if you're over 16. With comfortable, stable boats and Captain Justin's patient guidance, you'll enjoy a safe, productive day on Central Florida's beautiful lakes.
Fishing in Orlando, FL: Suwannee Bass
The Suwannee Bass (Micropterus notius) belongs to the Centrarchidae family within the order Perciformes. This distinctive native Florida species is characterized by its olive to brown coloration with dark blotched stripes across the body and a signature turquoise-blue coloring on their cheeks and belly. Found primarily in Winter Garden's connected waterways during November, these bass have a wide upper jaw that extends beyond the eye, helping distinguish them from other bass species.
Suwannee Bass Overview
Suwannee Bass are a smaller member of the black bass family and are prized by anglers seeking diverse sportfish in Central Florida waters. While not as widely known as largemouth bass, they're highly regarded by knowledgeable anglers for their aggressive strikes and pound-for-pound fighting ability. These fish are particularly special because of their limited native range, making them a unique catch for those fishing Winter Garden's connected waterways.
Suwannee Bass Habitat and Distribution
These bass primarily inhabit clear, flowing streams and rivers with rocky or sandy bottoms. They prefer areas with abundant cover such as submerged rocks, logs, and vegetation. In Florida, they're native to the Suwannee River drainage and selected waterways in north-central Florida, including some of the spring-fed systems connected to Winter Garden's lakes. They typically favor moving water with good oxygen levels and tend to hold near structure that provides both cover and feeding opportunities.
Suwannee Bass Size and Weight
Suwannee Bass are smaller than many other bass species, typically ranging from 8 to 16 inches in length. Weight-wise, they generally run between 1 and 3 pounds, with anything over 2 pounds considered a quality catch. Trophy specimens exceeding 3 pounds are relatively rare but possible in prime habitat with minimal fishing pressure.
Suwannee Bass Diet and Behavior
These bass are opportunistic predators that feed primarily on crayfish, small fish, insects, and various aquatic invertebrates. They tend to be most active during dawn and dusk periods, though they'll feed throughout the day in overcast conditions. Suwannee Bass are known for their aggressive strikes and are typically structure-oriented, making them somewhat predictable once you understand their preferred habitats.
Suwannee Bass Spawning Season
Suwannee Bass typically spawn in spring when water temperatures reach the mid-60s, usually between March and May in Florida waters. During this time, males create nests in gravelly areas with moderate current, often near protective cover. They become highly territorial during spawning season, aggressively defending their nests against intruders, which can make them more susceptible to certain fishing techniques.
Suwannee Bass Fishing Techniques
Light tackle is ideal for targeting these smaller bass, with 6-8 pound test line being perfect for most situations. Small crankbaits, plastic worms (especially in red, black, or brown), and live crayfish are highly effective baits. Focus on rocky areas, submerged logs, and areas where flowing water meets deeper pools. In November around Winter Garden, anglers often find success targeting these fish around limestone outcroppings and deeper holes as the bass begin to adjust to cooler water temperatures.
Suwannee Bass Is It Good to Eat?
Suwannee Bass have white, flaky meat with a mild flavor similar to other freshwater bass species. They're considered good table fare when properly prepared, though many anglers practice catch-and-release with this species due to their somewhat limited range and special status among Florida's native gamefish. If harvested, they're best prepared by filleting and cooking methods like grilling, baking, or pan-frying.
Suwannee Bass Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the best bait for Suwannee Bass?
A: Small soft plastic crawfish imitations, 3-inch finesse worms, and small crankbaits in natural colors work extremely well. Live crayfish are perhaps the most effective natural bait if available.
Q: Where can I find Suwannee Bass near Winter Garden?
A: Look for them in flowing sections of connected waterways with rocky or sandy bottoms, especially where there's good structure like submerged logs, rock outcroppings, or vegetation edges.
Q: Is Suwannee Bass good to eat?
A: Yes, they have mild, white flesh similar to other bass species. However, many anglers release them due to their special native status and somewhat limited range.
Q: When is the best time to catch Suwannee Bass?
A: Early morning and evening hours typically produce the best action, though they can be caught throughout the day, especially under overcast conditions. In November, focus on mid-morning when waters warm slightly.
Q: How do Suwannee Bass differ from Largemouth Bass?
A: Suwannee Bass are smaller, with turquoise-blue coloring on their cheeks and belly. They have a wide upper jaw extending beyond the eye and prefer flowing water with rocky bottoms, unlike largemouth bass which favor still water and heavy cover.
Q: Are special techniques needed for Suwannee Bass?
A: Lighter tackle and smaller baits work best. Focus on precise casts to structure and use a slower retrieve than you might for largemouth bass, especially in cooler months like November.
