Black crappie--also known as
speckled perch or speck--is a popular game species and the only crappie variety native to Florida.
About 50 anglers wait patiently for bass,
speckled perch, and even a gar to tentatively tug on their lines.
In fact, there will be captains of bluewater battlewagons dropping tiny jigs next to pilings many miles from the ocean in hopes of catching enough
speckled perch to scratch their itch to fish.
Not only are the
speckled perch ganging up like crazy in mid lake areas in Crescent and Santa Fe, but February is one of those months that make big bass dreams come true.
These small lures and light line are used to catch
speckled perch or black crappie on Lake Talquin.
In the Everglades, especially along the Tamiami Trail, miles of freshwater canals will produce plenty of action from largemouth bass, a few peacock bass and plenty of freshwater gar, mudfish, bream, bluegills, warmouth,
speckled perch and a host of cichlids.
Working our way from freshwater out, only the
speckled perch aren't at their peak in May.
Travis Benjamin admires a
speckled perch caught recently on Lake Okeechobee.
A true
speckled perch rig, completewithl5-foot Bream Buster pole, a small cork and splitshot fished right over the tips of the jetties at high tide can set you up for a big family fish fry pretty quick.
The general Florida limit for black crappie (
speckled perch) is 25 per person.
Freshwater fishermen can target hungry largemouth bass and plenty of panfish including a few
speckled perch. During December, these fish may feed all day long instead of early or late in the day which is the norm during the summer months.
Speckled perch are not only fun to catch and good to eat, they are numerous in Florida.