Sunshine bass in Florida
Meet the species
Scientific name
Morone chrysops × morone saxatilis
Overview
Sunshines occur where they are stocked by the fwc--typically in community lakes or waters with an abundance of shad.
Typical size
Big catch minimum: 20 inches or 5 lbs
At a glance
- Regions
- Statewide freshwater
- Water
- Freshwater
- Bait
- Live threadfin or shrimp are by far the most effective bait for sunshine bass. Artificial lures such as crankbaits, bucktail or feathered jigs & spinners and spoons also do well.
Florida fishing record
- Weight
- 16 lb 5 oz
- Location
- Lake seminole, jackson county
- Date
- May 9, 1985
- Angler
- Thomas elder
- Type
- Florida state record
Record catch notes
16.31 lb; by thomas elder; on 5/9/1985; at lake seminole, jackson county
When to fish
Good months
January–december
Season notes
Good months from FWC 'late fall through spring' hybrid/striped tailwater fisheries; peak months blank (no single statewide peak stated for sunshine bass). Intentional year round: Florida freshwater sport fish generally available year-round; peak months only when FWC When-to-Fish states them.
Where to fish
Florida regions
Statewide freshwater
Water
Freshwater
Habitat
Sunshines occur where they are stocked by the fwc--typically in community lakes or waters with an abundance of shad.
How to catch
Live threadfin or shrimp are by far the most effective bait for sunshine bass. Artificial lures such as crankbaits, bucktail or feathered jigs, spinners and spoons also do well. Image credit: © duane raver & jr.
Bait
Live threadfin or shrimp are by far the most effective bait for sunshine bass. Artificial lures such as crankbaits, bucktail or feathered jigs & spinners and spoons also do well.
Lures
Artificial lures such as crankbaits, bucktail or feathered jigs & spinners and spoons also do well.
Videos
- Catch and cook sunshine bass?! Eating A rare Florida fish!! · Open original
- TIPS HOW TO catch sunshine BASS IN Florida · Open original
- 7 TIPS TO catch MORE sunshine BASS · Open original
- It's a learning curve fishing for florida's sunshine bass · Open original
- Sunshine hidden in clouds #... · Open original
- One of my favourite songs im so glad she played it #... · Open original
- Video from tiktok.com (source title unavailable) · Open original
- Video from tiktok.com (source title unavailable) · Open original
Sources
- Myfwc.com (4 pages)
Fishing videos from local voices
Information comes from the supplied source datasets. Check linked FWC regulations for current rules.