As the largest Suwannee Bass on record is three pounds 14 ounces, and most caught are around one pound, light tackle offers the best odds at sensing strikes and provides the best experience.

Features

The Suwannee Bass is a heavy-bodied bass that rarely exceeds 12 inches long. The most unique characteristic of a mature Suwannee bass is its bright turquoise, blue colouring on the cheeks, breast, and ventral parts. The upper jaw does not extend beyond the eye.

Also, there is a shallow notch between the dorsal fins with a distinct connection between the spiny and soft-rayed dorsal fins. A pattern of dark vertical blotches occurs along the lateral line. There is generally a distinct dark blotch where the lateral line meets the caudal fin. Scales are present on bases of dorsal, anal and caudal fins.

The Suwannee Bass has a similar profile to that of the red eye bass, It has a dark lateral line imperfectly developed and aligned at the base of the tail. It has a spot at the base of the tail, which has many making the mistake of first thinking it is a redeye or a spotted bass. Its lower anterior section is bright blue though the colour may fade with age.

The average Suwannee Bass caught is around two pounds with the largest one caught on record being 3 pounds, 14 ounces. As a result of its size, it is a very popular fish for the light tackle enthusiasts. However, as its habitat is much the same as the largemouth bass, and as the largemouth bass in Florida are the largest in North America, be couscous of where you fish for Suwannee as a Largemouth Bass could easily snap a light-test line.

There is an interesting story behind the world record Suwannee. It was caught in 1985 by Ronnie Everett – this is not the surprising part of the story. What is interesting is that Mr Everett was not really out to catch fish, but was out turkey hunting and brought along his reel to keep him busy should hunting be a bust.

Size

Mr. Everett himself said that fishing was an afterthought that day, but when the fish jumped for the third time, he recognized that it was a Suwannee Bass and that it was a large one. In 1985, Mr. Everett was a taxidermist.

Light Tackle

As the largest Suwannee Bass on record is three pounds 14 ounces, and most caught are around one pound, light tackle offers the best odds at sensing strikes and provides the best experience.