Big Catch Eligible Species
PLEASE NOTE: These are NOT State Record sizes. Current State Records are available HERE .
The following species are eligible for a Big Catch Certificate from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Check the specific species for the Big Catch qualifying sizes. Remember you only need to exceed the length OR weight stipulated for adults or youth (under 16 years of age) to qualify. All fish must be caught legally, including a proper freshwater license or exemption, in Florida waters using an active hook-and-line method (bush hooks, snatch hooks, set lines, trotlines are excluded). A Big Catch Poster with these minimum qualifying sizes is also available, with illustrations of each fish to help you identify them. You can determine their range in Florida by visiting the Fish Range Finder.Also find out about our challenging multi-species Bass Slam, Panfish Slam, and Cichlid Slam on the Slam Page!
Black Bass
Florida Bass/Largemouth Bass
Florida State Record: 17.27 lbs. |
Uncertified Record: 20.13
Big Catch Sizes by Category:
| Category | Minimum Weight | Minimum Length |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | 8.00 lbs. | 24 in. |
| Youth | 6.00 lbs. | 18 in. |
SPECIAL TROPHYCATCH REWARDS PROGRAM
Black bass catches over 8 pounds are now eligible for a TrophyCatch award. TrophyCatch recognition is divided into three separate categories:
- Lunker Club (8-9.99 pounds)
- Trophy Club (10-12.99 pound)
- Hall of Fame Club (13 pounds or greater)
Lure: Soft plastic worms and flukes, top water frogs, rattle traps, crankbaits, spinner baits, or swim baits
Tackle: A wide variety of tackle can be used depending on the habitat you are fishing. In open water, medium spinning or baitcasting gear with light line is fine, but in heavily vegetated areas, medium heavy to heavy baitcasting gear with 15 to 50 lb test line may be necessary to get the bass out of the heavy cover.
Habitat: They are commonly found along vegetation, or underwater structure, but schooling bass are also found in the middle of lakes.
Additional Information:
Shoal Bass
Florida State Record: 5.95 lbs.
Big Catch Sizes by Category:
| Category | Minimum Weight | Minimum Length |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | 2.00 lbs. | 16 in. |
| Youth | 1.50 lbs. | 12 in. |
Bait: Grubs
Lure: Soft plastic crayfish imitation lures, spinnerbaits, jerkbaits, or small crankbaits
Tackle: A medium action spinning or baitcasting rod, 6 to 7 feet with a quick tip and 8 to 12 lb test line.
Habitat: They are commonly found in high-gradient streams and rivers with fast-moving, clear water. They are closely associated with rocky shoals and riffles
Additional Information:
Spotted Bass/Choctaw Bass
Florida State Record: 3.93 lbs.
Big Catch Sizes by Category:
| Category | Minimum Weight | Minimum Length |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | 2.00 lbs. | 16 in. |
| Youth | 1.50 lbs. | 12 in. |
Bait: Crayfish, minnows, shiners
Lure: Jigs, crankbaits, spinners, small plastic worms, or crayfish
Tackle: A 6.5 to 7 foot medium light to medium rod with fast action and 8 to 12 pound test line. Flourocarbon line or leader line reccommended for clear water.
Habitat: They prefer small to medium streams and rivers with clear, slow-moving water, and gravel or rock bottoms. They are seldom found in natural lakes, and they do not enter brackish water.
Additional Information:
Suwannee Bass
Florida State Record: 3.89 lbs.
Big Catch Sizes by Category:
| Category | Minimum Weight | Minimum Length |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | 1.50 lbs. | 14 in. |
| Youth | 1.00 lbs. | 11 in. |
Bait: Crayfish
Lure: Small crayfish-colored spinnerbaits, crankbaits, plastic worms, or jigs
Tackle: Light to medium spinning gear and 6-12 lb line on a 2000 to 2500 series reel.
Habitat: They are a riverine fish which are often found in moderate to swift currents near limestone or woody structure.
Additional Information:
Panfish
Black Crappie
Florida State Record: 3.83 lbs.
Big Catch Sizes by Category:
| Category | Minimum Weight | Minimum Length |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | 2.00 lbs. | 14 in. |
| Youth | 1.50 lbs. | 10 in. |
Bait: Drift Missouri minnows or freshwater shrimp
Lure: Jigs or beetle spins
Tackle: Live bait beneath a float with a #4 hook and small split shot or a bright 1/16-oz. to 1/8-oz. jig or hal-flies.
Habitat: Their nests are fanned by males over gravel or muddy bottoms in depths of 3-8 feet, with big fish being found deeper.
Additional Information:
Bluegill
Florida State Record: 2.95 lbs.
Big Catch Sizes by Category:
| Category | Minimum Weight | Minimum Length |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | 1.00 lbs. | 10 in. |
| Youth | 0.75 lbs. | 8 in. |
Bait: Live worms, crickets, mealworms, freshwater shrimp
Lure: Small jigs, spinners, or soft plastics
Tackle: Light spinning or spincast gear with 4-8 lb test line. Small wire hooks and split shots for bottom fishing, bobbers to suspend the baits.
Habitat: They concentrate in water less than 6 feet deep. Anglers may find 30-40 shallow nests scooped out in sandy areas.
Additional Information:
Flier
Florida State Record: 1.35 lbs.
Big Catch Sizes by Category:
| Category | Minimum Weight | Minimum Length |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | 0.50 lbs. | 8 in. |
| Youth | 0.40 lbs. | 6 in. |
Bait: Small minnows, crickets, and live worms
Lure: Small silver spoons, small crankbaits, and spinners
Tackle: Light spinning or spincast gear with 4-8 lb test line. Small wire hooks and split shots for bottom fishing, bobbers to suspend the baits.
Habitat: They can often be found in swamps, ponds, creeks, and canals with dark tannic water, dense aquatic vegetation.
Additional Information:
Redbreast Sunfish
Florida State Record: 2.08 lbs.
Big Catch Sizes by Category:
| Category | Minimum Weight | Minimum Length |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | 0.50 lbs. | 9 in. |
| Youth | 0.40 lbs. | 7 in. |
Bait: Live worms, crickets, mealworms, freshwater shrimp
Lure: Small jigs, spinners, or soft plastics
Tackle: Light spinning or spincast gear with 4-8 lb test line. Small wire hooks and split shots for bottom fishing, bobbers to suspend the baits.
Habitat: They can often can be found in backwater areas with less flow, especially where there are sandy bottoms.
Additional Information:
Redear Sunfish
Florida State Record: 4.86 lbs.
Big Catch Sizes by Category:
| Category | Minimum Weight | Minimum Length |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | 1.25 lbs. | 11 in. |
| Youth | 1.00 lbs. | 8 in. |
Bait: Live worms, crickets, mealworms, freshwater shrimp
Lure: Small jigs, spinners, or soft plastics
Tackle: Light spinning or spincast gear with 4-8 lb test line. Small wire hooks and split shots for bottom fishing, bobbers to suspend the baits.
Habitat: They prefer hard bottoms, congregating in deeper water than bluegill.
Additional Information:
Spotted Sunfish
Florida State Record: 0.83 lbs.
Big Catch Sizes by Category:
| Category | Minimum Weight | Minimum Length |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | 0.50 lbs. | 7 in. |
| Youth | 0.40 lbs. | 5 in. |
Bait: Live worms, crickets, mealworms, freshwater shrimp
Lure: Small jigs, spinners, or soft plastics
Tackle: Light spinning or spincast gear with 4-8 lb test line. Small wire hooks and split shots for bottom fishing, bobbers to suspend the baits.
Habitat: They can be found throughout Florida's lakes and rivers, but are deliberately targeted most by stream anglers in the northern part of our state.
Additional Information:
Warmouth Sunfish
Florida State Record: 2.44 lbs.
Big Catch Sizes by Category:
| Category | Minimum Weight | Minimum Length |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | 0.50 lbs. | 9 in. |
| Youth | 0.40 lbs. | 7 in. |
Bait: Live worms, crickets, mealworms, freshwater shrimp
Lure: Small jigs, spinners, or soft plastics
Tackle: Light spinning or spincast gear with 4-8 lb test line. Small wire hooks and split shots for bottom fishing, bobbers to suspend the baits.
Habitat: They inhabit swamps, marshes, shallow lakes, slow-moving streams, and canals with soft, muddy bottoms. They stay around aquatic vegetation, stumps and snags, and under the banks of streams and ponds. They have more tolerance for muddy water than most species.
Additional Information:
Temperate Bass
Striped Bass
Florida State Record: 42.24 lbs.
Big Catch Sizes by Category:
| Category | Minimum Weight | Minimum Length |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | 12.00 lbs. | 30 in. |
| Youth | 9.00 lbs. | 22 in. |
Bait: Herring, shad, menhaden, or eel
Lure: Baitfish-like lures, such as heavy jigs, sinking or floating lures in white, chrome or chartreuse
Tackle: Heavy tackle with 3- to 4-oz. weights
Habitat: They need long stretches of flowing water to reproduce successfully.
Additional Information:
Sunshine Bass
Florida State Record: 16.31 lbs.
Big Catch Sizes by Category:
| Category | Minimum Weight | Minimum Length |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | 5.00 lbs. | 20 in. |
| Youth | 3.50 lbs. | 15 in. |
Bait: Live threadfin or shrimp
Lure: Crankbaits, bucktail, or feathered jigs, spinners, or spoons
Tackle: Medium spinning or bait casting gear with 8 - 15 lb test line. Depending on their activity level, they can be caught on three way rigs trolling using a drop weight, drifting or anchoring.
Habitat: They occur where they are stocked by the FWC--typically in community lakes or waters with an abundance of shad.
Additional Information:
White Bass
Florida State Record: 4.69 lbs.
Big Catch Sizes by Category:
| Category | Minimum Weight | Minimum Length |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | 2.50 lbs. | 15 in. |
| Youth | 1.75 lbs. | 11 in. |
Bait: Live minnows
Lure: Jigs, spinners, crankbaits, or soft plastics
Tackle: Light tackle
Habitat: They inhabit freshwater lakes, reservoirs, and rivers; favoring clear, moderately large waters with abundant prey and seasonal spawning in shallow tributaries
Additional Information:
Catfish
Blue Catfish
Florida State Record: 73.60 lbs.
Big Catch Sizes by Category:
| Category | Minimum Weight | Minimum Length |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | 25.00 lbs. | 36 in. |
| Youth | 18.75 lbs. | 27 in. |
Bait: Cut bait with high oil content and strong scent such as chicken livers or stink baits
Lure: Deep-diving Crankbaits
Tackle: Bush hooks trotlines, or rod and reel rigged with large hooks and heavy lead sinkers
Habitat: They occur in big rivers and in the lower reaches of major tributaries. They prefer clearer, swifter water than other catfish, and are usually found over sand, gravel or rock bottoms.
Additional Information:
Brown Bulhead
Florida State Record: 7.02 lbs.
Big Catch Sizes by Category:
| Category | Minimum Weight | Minimum Length |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | 2.00 lbs. | 16 in. |
| Youth | 1.50 lbs. | 12 in. |
Bait: Worms, chicken livers, insects, dough baits, hot dogs, corn, cheese
Lure: Soft plastics
Tackle: Light tackle with 6 to 10 lb test line. A split shot or dropper rig on the bottom with a small and stout hook.
Habitat: They generally inhabit still or slowly-flowing warm waters in ponds, lakes, reservoirs, large rivers and sluggish streams.
Additional Information:
Channel Catfish
Florida State Record: 44.50 lbs.
Big Catch Sizes by Category:
| Category | Minimum Weight | Minimum Length |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | 12.00 lbs. | 25 in. |
| Youth | 9.00 lbs. | 19 in. |
Bait: Chicken livers, worms, shrimp, cut bait, crawfish, stink baits, dough baits, or hot dogs
Lure: In-line spinnerbaits, jigs
Tackle: #2-#4 hook and a heavy split shot sinker
Habitat: They primarily inhabit freshwater rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and ponds; favoring deeper channels, pools, and areas with submerged cover.
Additional Information:
Flathead Catfish
Florida State Record: 69.90 lbs.
Big Catch Sizes by Category:
| Category | Minimum Weight | Minimum Length |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | 25.00 lbs. | 36 in. |
| Youth | 18.75 lbs. | 27 in. |
Bait: Sunfish, shad, suckers, or cut bait
Lure: Deep-diving Crankbaits, soft plastics
Tackle: Heavy tackle
Habitat: They prefer long, slow-flowing, moderately-turbid rivers.
Additional Information:
White Catfish
Florida State Record: 18.88 lbs.
Big Catch Sizes by Category:
| Category | Minimum Weight | Minimum Length |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | 5.00 lbs. | 22 in. |
| Youth | 3.75 lbs. | 16 in. |
Bait: Live worms, shrimp, chicken liver, cut bait, hot dogs, crawfish, or stink baits
Lure: In-line spinnerbaits, jigs
Tackle: Medium spinning or bait casting gear with 8-15 lb line works fine.
Habitat: They are found in rivers and streams and in slightly brackish coastal waters.
Additional Information:
Yellow Bullhead
Florida State Record: 5.05 lbs.
Big Catch Sizes by Category:
| Category | Minimum Weight | Minimum Length |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | 1.50 lbs. | 14 in. |
| Youth | 1.00 lbs. | 10 in. |
Bait: Live worms, crickets, chicken liver, stink baits, cut bait, hot dogs or dougballs
Lure: Soft plastics
Tackle: Light to medium spinning or baitcasting gear with 6 to 10 lb test in most situations.
Habitat: Their habitat is variable and includes vegetated areas of clear, shallow lakes, reservoirs, ponds, and slow-flowing streams. They are more tolerant of polluted environments than most other members of the catfish family.
Additional Information:
Other Native
American Shad
Florida State Record: 5.19 lbs.
Big Catch Sizes by Category:
| Category | Minimum Weight | Minimum Length |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | 3.00 lbs. | 18 in. |
| Youth | 2.25 lbs. | 13 in. |
Bait: Fish roe
Lure: Small jigs or spinners
Tackle: Sabiki rigs
Habitat: They occur from rivers to offshore waters.
Additional Information:
Bowfin or Mudfish
Florida State Record: 19.00 lbs.
Big Catch Sizes by Category:
| Category | Minimum Weight | Minimum Length |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | 8.00 lbs. | 28 in. |
| Youth | 6.00 lbs. | 21 in. |
Bait: Live minnows and worms, or cut bait
Lure: Soft plastics, jigs, spinnerbaits, or chatterbaits
Tackle: Medium to medium heavy spinning or baitcasting gear with a minimum of 10 pound test line.
Habitat: They prefer swamps, or backwaters of lowland streams. They live in warm, poorly oxygenated waters.
Additional Information:
Chain Pickerel
Florida State Record: 6.96 lbs.
Big Catch Sizes by Category:
| Category | Minimum Weight | Minimum Length |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | 3.00 lbs. | 22 in. |
| Youth | 2.25 lbs. | 17 in. |
Bait: Live minnows, shiners, or frogs
Lure: Jerkbaits, flukes, spoons, and spinnerbaits. Artificial baits in chartreuse and white, bright orange, yellow, black and yellow, gold, silver and fire tiger are excellent choices for color, using the bright colors in stained water and more natural colors in clear water.
Tackle: Medium to medium heavy spinning or baitcasting gear with a minimum of 10 pound test line. When specifically targeting chain pickerel, a heavier florocarbon leader line or even a light wire leader will help prevent bite offs.
Habitat: They are normally found in vegetated lakes, swamps, and the backwaters of small to large rivers.
Additional Information:
Florida Gar/Spotted Gar
Florida State Record: 9.44 lbs.
Big Catch Sizes by Category:
| Category | Minimum Weight | Minimum Length |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | 4.00 lbs. | 28 in. |
| Youth | 3.00 lbs. | 21 in. |
Bait: Live shiners, shad, or minnows, and cut bait
Lure: Soft plastics, jigs, or topwater lures
Tackle: Medium to medium heavy spinning or baitcasting gear with a minimum of 10 pound test line. When specifically targeting gar, a heavier florocarbon leader line or even a light wire leader will help prevent bite offs.
Habitat: They inhabit streams, canals, and lakes with mud or sandy bottoms near underwater vegetation.
Additional Information:
- Species Profile
- FWC Florida Range Map
- USGS National Range Map - Florida Gar
- USGS National Range Map - Spotted Gar
*FWC Florida Range Map - Spotted Gar (bottom)
Longnose Gar
Florida State Record: 41.00 lbs.
Big Catch Sizes by Category:
| Category | Minimum Weight | Minimum Length |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | 15.00 lbs. | 40 in. |
| Youth | 11.00 lbs. | 30 in. |
Bait: Live shiners, shad, or minnows, and cut bait
Lure: Soft plastics, jigs, or topwater lures
Tackle: Medium to medium heavy spinning or baitcasting gear with a minimum of 10 pound test line. When specifically targeting gar, a heavier florocarbon leader line or even a light wire leader will help prevent bite offs.
Habitat: They inhabit slow rivers, backwaters, brackish estuaries, and quiet vegetated waterways
Additional Information:
Cichlids (Nonnative)
Blue Tilapia
Florida State Record: 10.09 lbs.
Big Catch Sizes by Category:
| Category | Minimum Weight | Minimum Length |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | 5.00 lbs. | 18 in. |
| Youth | 3.75 lbs. | 13 in. |
Bait: Hot dogs, Bread, dog food, corn, or live worms
Lure: Tiny jigs, flies, small inline spinners
Tackle: Medium spinning or baitcasting gear with 8-15 lb test line.
Habitat: They can be found in fertile lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, and canals. It is tolerant of saltwater and found in some near shore marine habitats.
Additional Information:
Butterfly Peacock Bass
Florida State Record: 9.11 lbs.
Big Catch Sizes by Category:
| Category | Minimum Weight | Minimum Length |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | 4.00 lbs. | 18 in. |
| Youth | 3.00 lbs. | 13 in. |
Bait: Shiners
Lure: Top-water lures, minnow imitating crank and jerk baits, and marabou jigs
Tackle: A 6 to 7 foot medium action spinning or baitcasting rod with 6 to 12 pound test line spooled on a 2000 to 2500 series or similar sized reel.
Habitat: They can be found in warm, slow flowing canals, ponds, lakes, deep rock pits, and lateral canals and are frequently found in shady areas around bridges, culverts, canal intersections, bends, dead ends, and near fallen trees. They cannot tolerate water temperatures below 60oF or salinities greater than 18 ppt.
Additional Information:
Jaguar Guapote
Florida State Record: 2.78 lbs.
Big Catch Sizes by Category:
| Category | Minimum Weight | Minimum Length |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | 1.50 lbs. | 13 in. |
| Youth | 1.00 lbs. | 10 in. |
Bait: Live worms
Lure: Beetle-spins, crankbaits, soft plastics, or spinnerbaits
Tackle: A light to medium action spinning rod, 6 - 6.5 feet, with quick action and 6 - 8 lb test line on a 1000 - 2500 size reel.
Habitat: They are currently found in southeast Florida box-cut canals and are tolerant of poor water quality. In their native range they occupy a variety of habitats including rivers and lakes with muddy, sandy, and rocky bottoms.
Additional Information:
Mayan Cichlid
Florida State Record: 2.37 lbs.
Big Catch Sizes by Category:
| Category | Minimum Weight | Minimum Length |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | 1.00 lbs. | 11 in. |
| Youth | 0.75 lbs. | 8 in. |
Bait: Live freshwater shrimp, minnows, live worms, and crickets, or cut bait
Lure: Small jigs and brightly colored lures
Tackle: Light spinning gear with 6- 10 lb test line.
Habitat: They are very adaptable and live well in variety of habitats including canals, rivers, lakes, and marshes. They also tolerate a wide range of salinities.
Additional Information:
Oscar
Florida State Record: 2.34 lbs.
Big Catch Sizes by Category:
| Category | Minimum Weight | Minimum Length |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | 1.25 lbs. | 11 in. |
| Youth | 0.75 lbs. | 8 in. |
Bait: Live freshwater shrimp, minnows, live worms, crickets, cut bait, bread, or dough balls
Lure: Soft plastics, plugs, spoons,or sinking flies
Tackle: Light spinning gear with 6- 10 lb test line
Habitat: They are most often found in canals running through marsh habitats, although they can also be found in lesser numbers in coastal canals, ponds, and lakes.
Additional Information:
Contact Us
For program or prizing questions please email us at [email protected] or call 1-855-FL-Trophy (1-855-358-7674). For non-TrophyCatch questions try MyFWC.com.
This program is brought to you by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), and our conservation partners. The FWC mission is "Managing fish and wildlife resources for their long-term well-being and the benefit of people." These programs collect valuable data through citizen-science, encourage fishing and conservation and bring enjoyment to Florida anglers.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Division of Freshwater Fisheries Management, 620 S. Meridian St., Tallahassee, FL 32399. Copyright 2013. All rights reserved. Fish images by Duane Raver, Jr. and Diane Rome Peebles. Read about privacy - Read our terms