Largemouth bass

Upper jaw extends beyond the rear edge of the eye, and the first and second dorsal fins are separated by a pronounced dip.

Black bass distinguished by the jaw extending behind the eye and the deep separation between dorsal-fin sections.

1–5 lb; Florida trophies over 10 lb.

About 2.5 ft and 22 lb.

Adults eat a wide variety of fish, crustaceans and larger insects; juveniles shift from zooplankton to small fish as they grow.

Spawns in spring in the reviewed Florida account; males fan a nest and guard eggs and fry. This timing is not asserted for Puerto Rico.

Found in Puerto Rico. Start in Puerto Rico reservoirs, rivers or canals where the species is documented, then focus on structure, shade, current breaks and bait activity appropriate to that fish. Habitat reference: Lakes and rivers, commonly along vegetation or underwater structure; schooling fish may also occupy open middle-lake water.

Lakes and rivers, commonly along vegetation or underwater structure; schooling fish may also occupy open middle-lake water.

Freshwater lakes, reservoirs, rivers or canals; depth use varies strongly by species, cover and water temperature.

Start around shoreline cover, drop-offs, current breaks or visible bait and then adjust deeper as light/temperature changes.

Water: freshwater.

Use local water level, clarity and temperature as the primary seasonal clues.

Early morning and late afternoon are reliable starting periods; shade and current can extend activity through the day.

Tide is usually irrelevant inland; focus on river/canal current, inflows, wind-driven bait and water level.

Choose sea state, wind and visibility that let you hold position and handle the fish safely. Avoid treating rough weather as a feeding advantage.

Live wild shiners.

Plastic worms, swimbaits, spinnerbaits, topwater frogs and crankbaits.

Medium-light spinning rod, 8–10 lb line, 8–12 lb leader and a #4–1/0 hook or small jig is a versatile start.

About #6 to 2/0 covers many freshwater species; catfish and larger predators may need larger/stronger hooks.

4–12 lb line is a common light/medium start; use 15–30 lb around heavy cover or larger fish.

Often 6–15 lb mono/fluoro; heavier leader is useful around abrasive cover or toothy fish.

Work lures around grass lines, lily pads, docks and drop-offs; in Puerto Rico, reservoirs like Lucchetti, Guajataca and Dos Bocas hold bass.

Let it go quickly if you're not keeping it.

Good eating — a common food fish where it's caught.

Good table fare when bled, iced and cooked fresh.

After positive identification, current freshwater-rule confirmation and any water-quality advisory check, chill the fish promptly. Scale or skin as appropriate, gut or fillet with clean tools, remove bones/bloodline as desired and keep the edible portion cold.

If legally retained from water without an applicable consumption advisory, cook fish to 145°F (63°C) under FDA seafood guidance; flesh should be opaque and separate easily. Frying, baking, grilling or steaming can be chosen by cut and texture.

Use wet hands and pliers; catfish spines and some sharp fins can puncture skin. Follow local water-quality advisories before eating.

Rules: Largemouth bass — Puerto Rico freshwater limits: 12 in total length minimum; 10 per person per day. DRNA quick-guide freshwater baseline. Reservoir-specific administrative orders can change quotas or sizes.

Avoid needless kills and follow protected-species, area and season rules.