Sunshine bass
Type: Temperate Bass
Appearance: Sunshine bass were first produced in Florida by state hatcheries, and all sunshines are still hatchery-produced and stocked. This is because they are a hybrid of a female white bass and male striped bass that does not occur naturally. Sunshines often have broken stripes on the front half and straight lines on the rear half of the body.
State record: 16.31 lbs.
BigCatch: To qualify your catch needs to exceed the listed weight OR length (not necessarily both).
Habitat: Sunshines occur where they are stocked by the FWC--typically in public lakes or waters with an abundance of shad.
Behavior: Sunshines are voracious feeders and consume any kind of small fish including threadfin and gizzard shad. Young fish also feed on mayflies and crustaceans. Sunshines travel and feed in schools with peak activity in early morning or evening.
Tips: Live threadfin or shrimp are by far the most effective bait for sunshine bass. Artificial lures such as crankbaits, bucktail or feathered jigs, spinners and spoons also do well.