Peacock bass. The mere mention of their name brings to mind visions of traveling through the Amazon in a dugout canoe, targeting dark pockets along heavily vegetated banks followed by one of the most challenging fights of your angling life. But you can also find this exotic trophy a lot closer to home – in South Florida. You can put it on your bucket list instead of your wish list. With that in mind, the question shifts from “if I ever” to “how will I.” Although Amazon is famous for producing big, hard-fighting peacock bass, it is not an option for many anglers. Luckily, it is not your only option. Thanks to the Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission, which first introduced the species to Southern Florida waters in the 1980s, they now thrive in Miami’s canal waters. Much cheaper and more attainable trip. But knowing where you can fish for peacock bass is only the first step to adding one to your trophies list; you also need to know how to catch them. No worries, we are more than willing to share some of our secrets and tips with you.

PEACOCK BASS APPEARANCE

Peacock looks somewhat similar to largemouth in shape but is drastically contrasting via the color and pattern. Peacock bass is typically yellow/greenish with three large vertical black bars that run vertically down the sides. Peacocks also have a very distinctive black spot with a yellow hallow that circles the area. In many instances, you will catch a peacock with a vivid red eye. They indeed are a remarkable specimen.

WHERE TO CATCH PEACOCK BASS

As stated earlier, the canals and ponds in & around Miami, Ft. Lauderdale & Palm Beach hold plenty of butterflies & speckled peacock bass. There are several areas specifically known as peacock hot spots, but almost anywhere you can cast a line is possible. A growing number of anglers choose to slip a kayak into calm waters and paddle along, tossing a lure in likely hot spots. Others walk the shoreline and sight fish, throwing a lure or bait to those they see in the shallows. In either case, you want to seek out shallows where they establish beds for breeding or structure where they will be ambushing prey. Experience has shown that although they are not a real bass, they often live side by side with the native largemouth – docks, bridge pilings, retaining walls, and even bends in the canal are all places you will want to explore.

Catching peacock bass in Florida canals

PEACOCK BASS GEAR

Fishing for peacock bass does not require any specialized gear. If you have ever fished for largemouth, you probably have everything you need to land and peacock.

Rod/reel – a quality medium fast-spinning outfit in the 6′ to 7′ range will do the trick. If using live bait, opt for a medium action set up, bumping up to a fast action if using lures.

Line: 15-20 lb braid. A 20-30lb clear fluorocarbon leader will work just fine.

Bait: golden shiners are the go-to local live bait and are available at most area bait shops, or you can also catch bait locally, including multiple species of panfish. Regardless of which you select, make sure you keep it alive and fresh as peacock bass are hunter predators and prefer active dinners. The preferred way to catch golden shiners is by castnet. Be sure to watch where you cast because there is quite a bit of garbage in south Florida’s random canals.

Lures: you do not need a lot of artificials, but it is essential to have an assortment that will allow you to target peacocks in various water depths. Surface poppers, propeller lures, sinking, suspending, and floating lures can all be productive depending on the time of day/year and water conditions. Be sure to have multiple color patterns as well, especially those that resemble shiners or panfish. I love a little white bucktail or a Down South with a 1/4 ounce Mission Fishin jig head.

Misc.: split shot, bobbers, and corks

Hook: 1/0 or 2/0 circle hooks. The hook size will depend on the bait size.

HOW TO CATCH PEACOCK BASS

Once you have your gear ready and have found likely water, it is time to start catching fish. When it comes to Florida peacock bass, you have a few different options depending on the type of water and whether you are using a lure or live bait.

• Freelining – there are no more productive means of landing big peacocks on live bait than simply freelining. Tie the leader directly to mainline using a Uni to Uni knot, run the leader to a 1/0 to 2/0 hook without any hardware, hook the baitfish. You may need to add a small split shot in the canals to slow the bait when the current is fast.
• Sight Fishing – walking the edges of a canal or park pond and locating fish in the shallow areas is one of the more popular means of catching peacocks because it works and keeps the process as simple as possible. It’s also exhilarating watching an aggressive pea pursue its food. You may also find them on beds; be sure to handle with care and get them back in the water quickly, especially when bed fishing.
• Casting– Finding fish in deeper water work best when working lures across the bottom. Working a lure with a lot of action will entice almost any peacock in the area to check out the commotion. Depending on where you are, the water can range from a few inches to 8-10 ft in depth. Be prepared to fish anywhere the fish may be.

Bobber or cork – tossing out your favorite live bait suspended under a bobber or cork can produce big fish, and the excitement experienced when your float disappears, and the line starts a run.

Shared via Salty Scales – continue reading here.

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