Full Day Crappie And Bass Fishing In Florida
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Ninehour guided trip targeting trophy bass and crappieExpert guidance and all necessary fishing gear providedPerfect for both experienced anglers and beginners
You're looking at a serious day on the water — nine full hours of chasing some of Florida's best largemouth bass, peacock bass, and crappie with HWS Fishing Team. This isn't your typical half-day charter where you're just getting warmed up when it's time to head back. We're talking about a proper fishing trip that gives you the time to really dial in on the fish and hit multiple spots throughout the day. Whether you're a weekend warrior looking to up your game or someone who's been working a rod for decades, this trip is built for anglers who want to put in the time and see what Florida's waters can really produce. With all your gear sorted and expert guidance from our team, you'll be focusing on what matters most — getting fish to the boat.
This trip runs from sunrise to sunset, giving you the best of both worlds when it comes to fishing prime time. We start early when the water's still cool and the fish are actively feeding in the shallows. As the day heats up, we'll adjust our approach and move to deeper structure where the bass like to hold during the warmer hours. The beauty of a full-day trip is flexibility — if the crappie are schooled up tight in one area, we can spend the time to really work them over. If the bass bite is hot on a particular stretch of cover, we're not rushing off to the next spot just because the clock says so. Our boats are equipped with everything you need, from rods and reels matched to the techniques we'll be using, to tackle boxes stocked with the baits that have been producing. You'll fish with a maximum of just one other angler, so there's plenty of room to work and personalized attention from your guide.
Florida fishing means adapting to what the fish want on any given day, and we come prepared for all scenarios. For largemouth bass, we'll be throwing everything from topwater frogs in the morning around lily pads and vegetation, to Texas-rigged worms and jigs when they move to deeper cover. Peacock bass require a different approach entirely — these aggressive fish love fast-moving baits like spinnerbaits, small crankbaits, and topwater poppers. They're sight feeders and incredibly territorial, so we'll often be making precise casts to specific targets like downed trees and rock piles. Crappie fishing is all about finesse and finding the schools. We use light tackle with small jigs, minnows, and tiny spoons, working them slowly around brush piles, docks, and creek channels where these fish love to congregate. All tackle is provided, but if you have favorite rods or specific baits you like to throw, bring them along. The guides know these waters inside and out — which points hold fish during different wind conditions, where the thermoclines set up in summer, and which grass beds are most productive based on recent weather patterns.
Largemouth bass are the bread and butter of Florida fishing, and these waters consistently produce quality fish. During spring months, you'll find them shallow and aggressive as they move into spawning areas, making for some of the most exciting fishing of the year. Summer bass go deeper but are still very catchable if you know where to look — think main lake points, creek channels, and anywhere with good structure and current. These fish can push well into the 5-8 pound range, with trophy potential always there. What makes Florida largemouth special is their year-round activity — even in winter, when northern lakes are locked under ice, these fish are still feeding and fighting hard.
Peacock bass bring a whole different energy to the trip. These South American natives have made Florida home and provide some of the most aggressive strikes you'll ever experience. They're ambush predators that hit baits with authority and jump like tarpon once hooked. Peacocks prefer rocky areas, canal systems, and anywhere with current breaks. They're most active during warmer months and are known for their beautiful colors and bulldogging fights. A good peacock bass will go 3-5 pounds, but they fight like fish twice their size. The key with peacocks is speed and accuracy — these fish are smart and spooky, so your first cast to a piece of structure is usually your best shot.
Crappie fishing in Florida is world-class, especially during the cooler months when these fish school up tight in deeper water. Spring brings the spawn, when crappie move shallow and become incredibly aggressive around cover. These fish are excellent table fare and provide non-stop action when you locate a school. Florida crappie, often called specks, can reach impressive sizes — 2-3 pound fish are common, with some pushing even larger. They're structure-oriented fish, so we'll be working brush piles, fallen trees, docks, and creek bends where they like to hold. The bite can be subtle, so we use sensitive tackle that lets you feel every tap and nibble.
A full-day fishing trip with HWS Fishing Team gives you the complete Florida fishing experience — time to work different techniques, explore various spots, and really understand how these fish behave in different conditions. You're not just catching fish; you're learning patterns and techniques that will make you a better angler long after the trip ends. The combination of three different species keeps things interesting all day long, and the expert guidance means you'll be fishing efficiently and effectively from the first cast. With only two anglers per trip, you get the personalized attention and instruction that makes the difference between a good day and a great day on the water. Florida's fishing is legendary for a reason, and this trip puts you right in the middle of it all. Ready to see what these waters can produce? Get your spot locked in and prepare for a day of serious fishing.
Hit the Florida waters in style aboard this sleek 2014 Skeeter ZX20 bass boat, your ticket to prime crappie and bass action. This 21-footer packs serious punch with its 250HP Suzuki engine, cutting through the water at speeds up to 65 knots to get you to those honey holes fast. Built for serious anglers, she's equipped with everything you need: a fish finder to locate schools of crappie and bass hideouts, GPS navigation to mark your best spots, and a wireless trolling motor for stealthy approaches that won't spook the fish. The onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during the 9-hour adventure. Perfect for flats fishing and getting into those shallow, productive areas where the big ones lurk. With room for 2 anglers, you'll have plenty of space to work your favorite lures and fight trophy fish without bumping elbows. Whether you're casting for largemouth along the weed lines or jigging for crappie around structure, this boat delivers the performance and features to make your Florida fishing day productive and comfortable on the water.
Pomoxis NigromaculatusOur Florida crappie, or "specks" as locals call them, typically measure 7-12 inches and make up in numbers what they lack in size. These schooling fish hang around submerged structure, brush piles, and deeper vegetation during the day. Early spring when water hits 62-68 degrees is spawning time and your best bet for action. What makes crappie special is the eating - sweet, white, flaky meat that's hard to beat at the dinner table. Dawn and dusk are prime feeding times when they move shallow. Pro tip: use a small jig or live minnow under a bobber, and once you find one crappie, work that area thoroughly. They travel in schools, so where there's one, there's usually a dozen more.
Micropterus SalmoidesFlorida's largemouth bass typically run 12-24 inches and 1-4 pounds, but we see bigger ones regularly. These green fighters love shallow, weedy areas around structure like fallen trees, docks, and vegetation lines. Spring through early summer is prime time when they're spawning and aggressive. What makes them special is that legendary fight - they'll jump, run, and give you everything they've got. Plus, they're excellent eating when cleaned properly. Here's a local tip: try throwing red lures near cover during the warmer months. Bass are naturally attracted to red, and in Florida's tannin-stained waters, it really stands out. Focus on the edges where clean water meets the weeds.
Cichla OcellarisSouth Florida's peacock bass are aggressive predators that average 12-14 inches but can push much larger. They're not actually bass at all - they're cichlids from South America that love our warm canals and lakes. You'll find them around rocky structure, bridges, and canal intersections in clear, slow-moving water. March through June and September through December are the hot months. What guests love most is their attitude - these "freshwater bullies" hit hard and fight dirty with powerful runs. Here's the trick: forget the plastic worms that work on largemouth. Instead, throw live golden shiners or bright topwater lures during daylight hours when they're actively hunting.
Florida