Top 10 Must Have Lures for Catching Fish in Florida Waters

I put together a list of lures that are the 10 must have baits to fish Florida lakes, ponds, and rivers. From Texas Rigs to frogs to worms - these baits allow you to fish grass and heavy cover from the bank or the boat.
Grab a River Rat MonsterBass shirt bit.ly/3yx7YZi
The Ace stick worm bit.ly/2HMeYqU
Tungsten Weights bit.ly/3srNsD4
Owner Worm Hook bit.ly/2UCE8ev
Worm weight stoppers bit.ly/2TUKuW2
Scum Frog Launch Frog bit.ly/3fX7EHc
XD III Baitcaster bit.ly/2ZJMLtP
Swimming Worm bit.ly/3408bTu
Magnum Fluke bit.ly/3oa1OcA
Berkley Slobberknocker bit.ly/3kFNYPN

[@rustyreidfishing3334]

“ Florida is its own country”. You sure got that right!

[@IBenFishin]

and we love it that way!

[@frankiehollis9808]

❤️ FACTS. We are our own country

[@MrHabitat009]

That’s some Florida gold info. As a lifelong resident I agree 100% on these picks

[@LowBrowFishing]

In deep south shallow lakes, you have to get used to throwing darker colors. I'm always thinking black/blue and junebug as my starting colors when I head out. Green pumpkin just doesn't do well in my area, even though the water is gin clear. If I'm throwing green, it generally has a good bit of orange and purple/blue mixed in.

[@mikeybalzz]

It is funny on the house some of those clear lakes they like some baits that are not exactly natural looking

[@catfish308]

A fluke is my go to bait when I can’t buy a bite here in FL. Heat of summer to those few winter days, hate fishing it but it catches fish. My PB is on a fluke.

[@BOOTEDUPFLORIDAOUTDOORS]

Floridian here, junebug red is a great color too

[@dustinharris8828]

I live in NE Florida and you pretty much nailed all the baits you need down here 😂 but I personally I prefer a heavy rod over a medium heavy just for that extra power. I snapped my medium heavy rod in half about a foot up from the reel 2 weekend ago when I hooked a 6lber on a 7in burner worm 1/4oz tungsten in some reeds then had to hand line her to get her in the boat😂 if you ever wanna come fish up in NE Florida I know some good lakes!

[@johnlong8157]

I'm with you on the heavy over medium heavy also. Prefer the extra power myself !!!!

[@Steve13lb12oz]

For Kissimmee grass, reeds, pads, arrow pads, docks…..I’m with Mikey on the med hvy. When fishing hydrilla (which I do 90%), yes I go with hvy and x-hvy for hydrilla mat punching

[@bobbystiles-h3w]

thanks for sharing. I watched this a few times and I'm catching them in Florida with these baits.

[@oldeschoolbob1022]

Thank you. I think this is a solid list. I'm mainly a bank / pond guy, so I usually have a swim jig with me. Jigs have been really good for me so far this year, and they give me a lot of versatility when I'm limited in how much gear I can carry. I do throw a lot of Green Pumpkin, but there's almost always some blue or purple flake mixed in with it. Nice to see you back here in Florida, even if it's only for a short trip. Good luck out there!

[@FullTimeFishing]

Hope everyone reading this catches their pb this month!

[@FreedomFishing]

Same to you 🤙

[@jobrandofishing]

You to man 👊

[@FullTimeFishing]

@@jobrandofishing Thank you!!

[@Tzv3s1397]

Just did twice past 2 days in a row drove down to Florida from Boston

[@FullTimeFishing]

@@Tzv3s1397 dude I’m jealous!

[@pennysgarage]

EZ swimmer, any size. Magnum Trick Worm, watermelon red 👌

[@Snoopy34491]

Best worm for Florida lakes. Hands down.

[@TannerMartin-g4e]

I’m from south Florida around the Sarasota area, these picks are amazing. But include red shad and your set

[@mikeybalzz]

I like it some of those old school colors are absolutely Classics and not as many people throw them anymore

[@TannerMartin-g4e]

@@mikeybalzz yup. As well as a rooster tail. But do you know why it is so hard to set a hook with a rooster tail? It seems like every bass spits the hook out once it hits land.

[@witchdoctor813]

Great list. The devil's Horse and Swim jig are also great Florida lures

[@mikeybalzz]

i love me that devils horse!!! old man fishing but it catches bigs!

[@johno7435]

@@mikeybalzz old man fishing 😂you must be referring to Roland Martin - he loves the Devil’s Horse 😉

[@Steve13lb12oz]

¡O Dios Mio Miguel Grande Balzzzzz! I’ve fished Florida for the past 50 years and you just summed up all of my knowledge in about 15 minutes. Best fishing content on the web! Gracias

[@stephenwilliams6556]

I am glad to see that I have learned so much about Florida fishing from you. I love to use every last one of those baits. Great choices

[@mikeybalzz]

👊

[@thebraveangler]

I dig bro! It took me a while to understand bass fishing in Florida when I first moved here. In fact, I went on a 4 year loosing streak. This video would have come in clutch years ago! great content.

[@chrischrist7982]

Awesome 💯👍

[@mattthomen1608]

I like the doa pt-7.its a single hook weedless spook w a internal rattle in a foam insert that floats the plastic.i use the crank clip and 65lb braid. It will turn without forward motion, and draws some big strikes.the clip adds range of motion like deep cranks.and u can swap colors fast for another chance when targeting blow ups.

[@mikeybalzz]

I’m not familiar with that one but that is 100% a solid idea I think I used to have one made by scum frog or something that was basically like a floating frog weedless book that was pretty bad ass but the design was flawed

[@RyanSmith-fb8rf]

These are killer they sell them in the saltwater plastics isle and not many people throw them

[@mattcabrera4503]

@mikeybalzz best part is pt-7 stands for poodle turd lol. I know mark Nichols who owns and designs the doa lures company. Hell of a snook and tarpon guy here in Stuart. He also has a 10 inch snake worm that coils when sitting still. Kills on bedding fish

[@BeyondHeadwaters]

Yeap, yeap, yeap, yeap and yeap....Florida Fishing SOP....Thanks Mikey for another very informative video

[@pampa003]

MikeyBalzz you are just about the best bass fishing teacher on the tube. Thanks for sharing. Give your friend a good scratch for me.

[@smallfishrock]

Thanks for this Mikey! the spanish accent is on point btw. Florida was a whole new beast when I moved down from Massachusetts. Lot of your videos helped me figure it out. you da man

[@mikeybalzz]

that's awesome man! thanks!

[@johno7435]

I have been neko rigging the olive Yamamoto D shad here in Florida including on Stick Marsd and have slayed them lately!

[@kenmccarthyfishing]

Thank you Mikey 👏👏❤️

[@FullTimeFishing]

Dude I would LOVE to fish in florida this time of year. My goal next year is to come down in January/February.

[@scottankers6690]

Good and timely info for me. I'm headed down to FL to fish around the Harris Chain Lakes at the end of March.

[@mikeybalzz]

good luck - perfect time of year!

[@dagger281]

Heading to Vero Beach next week! Thanks for the heads up!😁🤘

[@TheIllestModa]

You should come to AZ some time. Got a place for you if needed lol. One love

[@Altered76]

Those are not just Florida baits. That same exact list works well for North East Texas also. Although I would have to slip on a Jig as one of the best all around versatile baits to have. 😜😎👊🏼

[@fjkaiser]

Brother more great advice!!!Thanks tight lines

[@e.1228]

Will definitely try the magnum fluke!! Thanks 🤟

[@mikeybalzz]

it's fun man - florida glide bait fishing basically

[@pennysgarage]

I punch with the Green Meanie too 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@Mr._Chievous]

i lost 3 frogs in a 40 minutes in a small patch of florida lily pads last week. i kept throwing them because a had a couple bass hit them. ran out of frogs, dammit.

[@billyhaney5002]

Great information, thanks for sharing .

[@colinmattson7959]

Love the videos thank you sir

[@timmcmaster6435]

lotta great info there homes 👍

[@daviddriscol8018]

Great video's!!! Thanks

[@sapper3082]

What are your thoughts on the donkey rig? GOing to try it on the St. Johns tomorrow, Deep creek...we are in spawn / post spawn time late March.

[@wynnfamilyfishing1519]

What are your favorite EZ swimmer colors for Florida? I know you mentioned the Hammond's Herring, but if you could only take 2 bags, what colors would they be? Never used them but I'm gonna pick some up. Thanks as always!! 👍🏻

[@FreedomFishing]

Will be in Florida this time next year for some fishing & relaxing. Plan on bringing a H, MH, M, a BFS, and some custom 7" flukes. They absolutely love that diving and darting, dying baitfish action.

[@mikeybalzz]

that'll be sweet!

[@FreedomFishing]

@@mikeybalzz Man I can not wait! We will have our own dock for the week. Now to find a guide or a weekly boat rental.

[@mikeybalzz]

@@FreedomFishing where are you going to be? i may know a somebody

[@FreedomFishing]

@@mikeybalzz We will be on lake Gibson. Willing to travel anywhere within 2 hours, and we will pay as well.

[@mikeybalzz]

@@FreedomFishing Reach out to my buddy Garrett Rocamora - he runs trips all over there and especially the Kissimee Chain which isn't far. Absolute hammer!

[@mikeschulz5070]

I will be going that way to Orlando in a week and a half. Coming from Chicagoland area. And yes my rods are coming.

[@mikeschulz5070]

Thanks for the tips. A lot different than what we use in our area. Ned’s, dark sleepers. Small plastics. Smallmouth most of the time.

[@oldeschoolbob1022]

@@mikeschulz5070 No smallmouth down here; one of the few downsides to Sunshine State fishing. We do have some ponds where you can throw spinning gear and lighter baits; I regularly throw a 6-pound spinner when I can get away with it. When the vegetation or cover gets thicker, though, it's time to scale up your tackle. I had success earlier today with a simple 6-inch Trick worm style Texas Rig. I haven't been able to buy a bite with a stick bait in that pond; I switch to the skinny worm, and boom. We're renowned for our power fishing, but finesse can work here as well. Good luck out there!

[@mikeybalzz]

good luck bud and have some fun!

[@johndesalvo3348]

You only need to know some Spanish in portions of South FL and to a lesser extent in Central Florida. No Spanish needed in North Florida...any more than in neighboring States

[@phillamoore157]

Interesting....not one crankbait, spinnerbait, or jig. That's a first. But, love the simplicity of using the plastics and a frog. I'm used to the clear deeper lakes from up north, so it's a really BIG adjustment trying to fish all the weeks, and submerged vegetation which is a complete sh*t-show for me right now. So, I'm trying to find a way to fish all the vegetation, without cleaning a half the lake off my bait each cast. That get's old quick. Someone said lipless rattltrap, but I must be fishing it wrong, because that comes back with as much vegetation on it as a squarebill crankbait (which has otherwise been a good bait). I'm the guy all the people on the lake look at and say "he ain't from around here". BUT....I'm having fund and catching a few here and there. But, I'm definitely looing for an easier way. Obviously, I'm going to have to learn how to fish a weedless frog, so I picked up a Spro, and I've got a texas rig setup. But, I was hoping for a few more options.

[@FrankLadd]

My sister only fishes fresh water with a black plastic worm and catches as much or more bass than anyone else in the boat. Funny how your stick bait looks like a black plastic work worm, not what we call a stick bait, which looks like a floating Rapala. Florida is different and when I left I had to learn how to fish all over. Really great advice on Frogs, spooks, and paddle tails too; great video!

[@harinyamancing7838]

terima kasih sahabat...

[@youtubzkoz]

Have you tried the Vato rig with the weedless swimbait? Dropshot weight on the hook. Does the same as the bullet weight but better imo.

[@mikeybalzz]

no i haven't, what is it exactly?

[@youtubzkoz]

It's basically a Texas rigged swimbait like the ez shad with a small dropshot weight free hanging on the hook instead of a bullet weight in front. Super weedless. Griff from the hookup tackle has a video on it.

[@mikeybalzz]

@@youtubzkoz will check it out. i use a belly weighted hook quite a bit and i've run smaller swimbaits on a tokyo rig and dig those setups.

[@youtubzkoz]

It's free swinging so it has a bit of rock and roll but won't mess with the line. You can easily change the weight up too if you need heavier or lighter.

[@coreymckennedy]

Good video bud

[@mikeybalzz]

Appreciate you tuning in bro!

[@ReelRobFishing]

@mikeybalzz fishing you should do a bank fishing videos and lure recommendations

[@bigmikefishingchonicles9950]

Hey mike have you ever been to the Potomac river

[@mikeybalzz]

No I have not seems like a cool place with all the grass those title waters are super challenging though

[@bigmikefishingchonicles9950]

@@mikeybalzz since it's a grass base river can I use some of the same thing you talk about up here

[@outdoorguy845]

Every time I go bass fishing in Florida either with or without a guide the fishing sucks. I come home to the Northeast and catch 2 to 4 pounders.

[@dawnparker2014]

Great video and great tips. I have a question for you, why do I only catch dinks with a wacky rig? Thanks Mikey

[@mikeybalzz]

It catches a lot of numbers but I catch some great big ones mixed in as well. Have you tried adding a little nail weight to make it sink a little more?

[@dawnparker2014]

@@mikeybalzz I have not but will this weekend. Great tip!

[@jdean1851]

BE LIKE MIKEY! WAY2GO!

[@astrophysicistguy]

Ok, so here’s a question for you … if you were going to spend an entire year and the only waters in Florida you planned to fish were headwaters and maybe Stickmarsh & KVille, how would you change you list of top baits to have?

[@mikeybalzz]

I'd mix in a trap, spook, and switch to a popping frog rest would stay the same.

[@astrophysicistguy]

@@mikeybalzz great! I always have those 2 tied on as well, thx!

[@trevoryates8345]

Florida is all I know

[@outdoorguy845]

The problem I see in Florida is the fish are freaking weak. The bass are very sensitive to cold and weather conditions. Here in the Northeast the bass are much tougher because they have to survive harsh Winters.

[@vincentlivoti4184]

Hi Mikey great tips man. I will be spending a week down at the end of August in Indian River in Stewart Florida. Fishing from shore and will be doing a charter at least once to be on a boat. Any tips you could give me? I know it's hot in August, hope the fishing won't suck. Appreciate any help.

[@mikeybalzz]

Get up early and stay out late. She's pretty hot that time of year. Right after the afternoon summer storms can be fire too.

[@vincentlivoti4184]

@@mikeybalzz mostly throwing soft plastics? Depending on the cover can you throw spinnerbaits buzzbaits chatterbaits

[@mikeybalzz]

@Vincent Livoti yea and floating frogs unless u find some more open water to access from the bank. That time of year all the grass is all grown up so things are pretty thick.

[@vincentlivoti4184]

@@mikeybalzz I will get me some of the Gambler Hollow points to use then.

[@mikeybalzz]

@Vincent Livoti perfect. Good luck on the trip!

[@TheIllestModa]

Do you ever try a Tokyo rig rather than a regular punching set up? I’m kinda curious on your thoughts.

[@mikeybalzz]

i do but i prefer that around a little harder cover - around the grass it seems to hang pretty bad.

[@jamiecoxe7327]

Florida has a lot of different types of water. This video is very fresh water focused. In Jacksonville, the fishing is very different, and most of these lures won't work.

[@bengeorge2169]

Hey man, quick question. I’m a Florida angler myself, the big EZ has been an amazing bait for me the last almost 10 years now. My question is I see you rig yours on a regular wide gap with a bullet weight, rather than a keel weighted swimbait hook, is there a reason why? I would appreciate any insight, thank you man!

[@mikeybalzz]

So I do belly weight especially during the spawn but if they're biting it buzz it I think rig it. It saves baits because they don't cote out when u miss a fish but it does sacrifice that parallel fall.

[@bengeorge2169]

Thank you man I really appreciate you taking the time to respond

[@JoseEspinoza-gb6rs]

A lot of ppl sleep on the fluke. I love it honestly. You’ll catch a lot of dinks but them biggins eat it as well.

[@davecfishing7907]

love flukes bout as good as a senko, the big flukes get donks

[@paulgiannetto5317]

Hey Mikey didn't count 10 lures?

[@shawnaustin8957]

👍👍

[@nofx21081]

lol I’m in Davenport Florida I can’t remember the name of the lake. But it’s funny, black and blue I think is the least soft color I have didn’t know what to send down with my in-laws. Don’t even have a bait caster

[@FishingWithFred]

Pretty much when you go to Florida it’s the bees kneees

[@jimwarden9617]

Hey Bog! Snagless-Sally…

[@mikeybalzz]

that's an old school goody right there!

[@jamessipes122]

Mike, what color is the fluke?

[@mikeybalzz]

arkansas shiner bit.ly/3oa1OcA

[@Ryanwills7]

what color fluke is that

[@mikeybalzz]

arkasas shiner

[@keith_turner44]

What reels are in this vid?

[@mikeybalzz]

it's a mix of shimano slx and old shimano curados.

[@samchristo1745]

Yeah, that magnum fluke is a 50-50 bait though lol I’ve caught some monsters and have lost some monsters on it.

[@barryhowell9]

#mikeyballz you get the Fla. teacher of the year award🏆 !!!!! Keep upon those #bigz! Where’s #bikinigirl ??? Lol

[@mikeybalzz]

👊

[@440-fishermandrock8]

I've never fished anywhere except Ohio UNFORTUNATELY. Still use a lot of the same baits tho ✌️ ☮️

[@mikeybalzz]

there's definitley some shallow water universals.

[@coty7228]

The shoes bro…..what’s the name of those blue shoes.

[@mikeybalzz]

ahhaha they're some generic kicks i got off of amazon. they match blue balzz 😂

[@coty7228]

@@mikeybalzz I like-em……..I like-em a lot 🤣

[@tonyduran4764]

Pay Mikey comment

[@mikeybalzz]

my man!

[@swamp_rat_fla1126]

Devil’s Horse 👺

[@laynewicks6776]

I say get rid of Disney to have room for more water😎

[@bobrhine9057]

The video says it all...time to get the boat cranked up and hit Headwater or Garcia....

[@mikeybalzz]

Yes sir!

[@dannypabon2973]

I AM NEW TO BESS FISHING. WHY THE WEIGHTS?

[@outdoorguy845]

Very good video. Here in the Northeast I'm killing Bass with green pumpkin. So that's what I brought the Florida. I'll have to get some purple black

[@MichaelScottFishing]

LOOKS LIKE TOHO...

[@vinnylivoti9567]

Great tips Mikey, I will be heading down to FL to do some fishing so the tips are a big help. One thing I see Shaw Grigsby do is he pegs the head of the worm with a toothpick through the eye of the hook, unless you use an Owner screwlock hook. Helps keep the worm or stick bait from sliping down the hook, balling up and missing a fish. Shaw also says the wood toothpic helps hold some bait scent!

[@rok7980]

Mikey, great info. I notice you use a 3/16 oz weight on your gambler fat ace and burner worms. I normally do not use weight. I am always scared the presentation will sink to the muddy bottom of Florida lakes where the fish cannot find it. Do you just keep it moving at a good clip to keep it from sinking? Thanks. Tight lines Brother!

[@mikeybalzz]

Yeah I do keep it moving pretty fast and I fish it with my rod tip up if I'm fishing super thick grass then I will do it weightless to try to keep it up on top of the grass

[@zachg5356]

If you were going for strictly bigs which would be your top 3? I need to add that mag fluke. Thanks Mikey love the content. Especially the Florida stuff. Like you said we are our own little world down here. You ever fish Rousseau or Talquin? I need some bigs for an online tourney. How about Panasoffkee? Thanks again Mikey.

[@mikeybalzz]

used to fish rousseau a bunch if you go way back in the vids there's a ton of them from there. might want to play with a glide bait a bit, i always like flipping up there, and sight fishing can be killer for bigs too. that big fluke is solid in the stump fields as well.

[@zachg5356]

@@mikeybalzz thanks Man!! I'm gonna have to check out those throwback videos.

[@simonzehr5273]

Is there any way I can reach out to you?

[@mikeybalzz]

shoot me a message on insta or fb