Bass fishing: guided trips, top lakes & when to go
Why bass fishing is so popular, the gear and baits that work, and where to book a guided bass trip.
Bass are the most popular sport fish in the world, and the biggest ones are here in the United States. Florida is the bass fishing capital, with over 7,000 lakes, ponds, canals and creeks and bass in nearly every one.
Types of bass and other fish you’ll catch
Largemouth, smallmouth, peacock and striped bass, plus crappie and bluegill. Swipe to see them.
Largemouth bass
BucketmouthAmerica’s favorite game fish. Florida-strain largemouth grow the biggest.
Smallmouth bass
BronzebackHard-fighting bass of rocky, cooler lakes and rivers like Lake Erie.
Peacock bass
Butterfly peacockColorful, hard-hitting bass in South Florida’s warm canals.
Why is bass fishing so popular?
Bass are the most popular sport fish in the world because they live in lakes, rivers and ponds in almost every state, hit lures hard, jump and fight, and grow big enough to be a real trophy. Most bass fishing targets largemouth bass, with smallmouth bass in cooler northern water and peacock bass in South Florida. Florida is the top bass fishing destination in the U.S.
Largemouth vs smallmouth vs peacock bass
| Largemouth | Smallmouth | Peacock | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where | Lakes, rivers and ponds in almost every state | Cool, clear, rocky lakes and rivers (Great Lakes) | Warm canals and lakes in South Florida |
| Look | Big mouth past the eye, dark side stripe | Bronze with dark vertical bars | Bright yellow-green with dark bars and an eye spot on the tail |
| Fights | Big head shakes and jumps | Strong runs and jumps | Hard, fast hits in daylight |
| Where we book it | All over Florida | Lake Erie, Pennsylvania | Palm Beach to Miami, Naples |
Popular bass fishing charters
Book a local bass guide online with live calendars. Prices are for the boat, shortest trip, up to 4 people.
FloridaLake Toho (Kissimmee)From $250 · see dates →
FloridaLake Okeechobee (Clewiston)From $350 · see dates →
FloridaOrlando bassFrom $300 · see dates →
FloridaFort Lauderdale peacock bassFrom $350 · see dates →
FloridaLake Ida peacock bassFrom $225 · see dates →
FloridaStuart bass (Lake O & Headwaters)From $350 · see dates →
FloridaRodman & St. Johns RiverFrom $325 · see dates →
FloridaVenice bassFrom $325 · see dates →How bass fishing works
On a guided bass trip, your guide runs a bass boat to the spots that are biting, sets up the tackle and coaches you on every cast. Whether it’s a once-in-a-lifetime vacation trip or you’re an old pro, you’ll fish the right water for the season.
Rods, reels and line
A 6½ to 7 foot medium or medium-heavy rod covers most bass fishing, with a 2500 to 3000 size spinning reel or a baitcaster for heavy cover. Use 10 to 20 lb fluorocarbon or monofilament, or 30 to 50 lb braid in thick grass. Worm hooks in size 2/0 to 5/0 fit most soft plastics.
Best baits and lures
Live wild shiners are the classic Florida bait for big largemouth bass. Soft plastic worms, crankbaits, spinnerbaits and topwater lures all work. Your guide picks what the fish want that day.
Best time of day and year
Early morning and late evening are best. Spring, when bass move shallow to spawn, is the best time for a trophy; in Florida that starts in late winter. In Florida bass bite all year.
Lake Okeechobee and the Everglades
Lake Okeechobee is the most famous largemouth bass lake in the country, home to giant bass, specks and other freshwater fish. Unknown to many, you can also fish the Everglades: over 1 million acres of wild, unspoiled water for bass anglers and nature lovers (see Everglades Holiday Park).
Your guide and what’s included
Our guides are professional, experienced local anglers, picked for their fishing success, safety and the condition of their boats and gear. The guide, bass boat, fuel, life jackets, rods, reels, tackle and artificial lures are included. If you have a special lure or rod, bring it along.
What to bring
Sunglasses, a hat, a long-sleeved shirt, a light jacket for cool mornings, sunscreen and a camera. Bring your own cooler with food and drinks, and your fishing license.
From our guests
“We caught so many bass in Lake O, they were nearly jumping the boat!” – Bob Williams, NC
Best bass fishing destinations in the U.S.
Florida
Florida is home to the best bass fishing in the United States, with hundreds of bass lakes and guided trips from more than 50 towns. Pick a region (shortest-trip price, or Call to book):
Panhandle & Big Bend
More: Florida fishing charters · Florida bass lakes guide.
Pennsylvania
Lake Erie off Erie, Pennsylvania is one of the best smallmouth bass fisheries in the country. See Erie smallmouth bass charters and Pennsylvania fishing.
Planning a bass trip somewhere else? Call (407) 392-4593, 9 am – 6 pm, and we’ll tell you what we can book.
Bass fishing by season
Winter Dec–Feb
- Florida bass start to spawn: trophy season
- Northern bass go deep and slow
Spring Mar–May
- Spawn and post-spawn in most of the country
- Best time for a trophy
Summer Jun–Aug
- Fish early and late in the day
- Peak peacock bass and Lake Erie smallmouth
Fall Sep–Nov
- Bass chase bait as water cools
- Schooling fish on top
What guests say about our bass trips
4.91,845 reviews
Had a great time with Capt. Cody! He was very knowledgeable about the area and went above and beyond for us. Would highly recommend to anyone looking to catch fish and have a great day on the water!
Brittany Ziobro · October 2026 · Google
Captain Paul is great! He made sure we had a really good time. Hope to see you again soon.Nancy, Jon and David
Nancy Pulling · October 2026 · Google
Great day with Captain Justin on his 19’ Nitro / 200 Yamaha. He put us on bigmouth bass, bluegill, and crappie, and he knows the fish, alligators, manatees, and Florida birds as well as he knows the water. Capable boat, knowledgeable captain — we’d go again.
Larry Franz · October 2026 · Google
Cody was our guide. We absolutely loved Captain Coby. He put on some monster fish and we had a blast. Awesome gyude service. Awesome Guide
tommy pomeroy · October 2026 · Google
We had a great 2 days fishing on Lake Okeechobee with Captain DJ Timms. He was excellent with the kids. We will be back!!
Nadra Woods · October 2026 · Google
Jose was wonderful! Thanks for a great time!
Elisha Stoecklin · October 2026 · Google
The trip was great. Me and my sons had a great time catching the fish we came for thanks to captain Rick.
billy smith · October 2026 · Google
Camem was great! Knowledgeable and friendly!
Cindy Miller · October 2026 · Google
As an avid bass fisherwoman in TN, Okeechobee has always been on my bass lake bucket list and then add Mark Shephard as my guide and it couldn’t get much better! Fairly slow in the beginning but we ended up getting on a top water bite and it was game on! I will definitely be back!
Lindsey S · September 2026 · Google
Another great day out on the “big O” with Mark. It’s like fishing with a friend he is an outstanding patient teacher and for a beginner like me it’s been the best thing to help me improve. Looking forward to booking a number of trips this winter.
John Tanzilli · September 2026 · Google
Did a group trip with 5 guides and all were exceptional. Great communication and a fun time
Jim Holtmann · September 2026 · Google
Great experience captain Rick Hernandez did an awesome job turning us onto fish and great personality.
Zeb Smith · September 2026 · Google
How to book a bass fishing trip
Pick your Florida town or lake to see live dates and book online, or call us and we’ll match you with a guide.
Bass trips from more than 50 Florida towns and lakes
Florida freshwater fishing license not included (anglers 16+). Free cancellation up to 72 hours before. Full refund or free reschedule if the guide cancels for weather. Questions? Call (407) 392-4593, 9 am – 6 pm.
Bass fishing questions
What is bass fishing?
Bass fishing is fishing for black bass, mainly largemouth and smallmouth bass, with rods and reels using lures or live bait. It is the most popular kind of freshwater fishing in the U.S.
Why is bass fishing so popular?
Bass live in lakes, rivers and ponds in almost every state, so they are easy to find close to home. They hit lures hard, jump and fight, and grow big enough to be a real trophy. Bass are often called the most popular sport fish in the world.
What state has the best bass fishing?
Many anglers rank Florida first for trophy largemouth bass, thanks to Lake Okeechobee, the Kissimmee Chain and thousands of other lakes, plus peacock bass in South Florida. Texas, California and the Great Lakes states are also famous for bass.
When is the best time to go bass fishing?
Early morning and late evening are the best times of day. The best time of year is spring, when bass move shallow to spawn; in Florida that starts in late winter (about January to April). Bass bite all year in warm states like Florida.
When is bass fishing season?
In Florida, bass season is open all year. Some northern states have spring catch-and-release or closed seasons during the spawn; check your state’s rules before you go.
What size rod and reel do I need for bass fishing?
A 6½ to 7 foot medium or medium-heavy rod covers most bass fishing. Pair a spinning rod with a 2500 to 3000 size reel, or use a baitcasting reel for heavier lures and thick cover. On a guided trip, the guide supplies rods and reels.
What pound line and hook size for bass?
Most anglers use 10 to 20 lb fluorocarbon or monofilament, or 30 to 50 lb braid around heavy grass. Worm hooks in size 2/0 to 5/0 fit most soft plastics.
What is the best bait for bass fishing?
Live wild shiners are the classic Florida bait for big bass. Soft plastic worms, crankbaits, spinnerbaits and topwater lures all catch bass; your guide picks what is working that day.
Do I need a fishing license for bass fishing?
Yes, in most states. In Florida, each angler 16 or older needs a Florida freshwater fishing license unless exempt; it is not included in our bass trip prices.
How much does a guided bass fishing trip cost?
Our Florida bass trips start at $225 to $250 for short trips (Lake Ida, Lake Toho, Miami) and most 4-hour trips are $325 to $400 for the boat, for up to 4 people.
How do I book a bass fishing trip?
Pick your Florida town or lake on our Florida bass fishing page to see live dates and book online, or call (407) 392-4593, 9 am – 6 pm.