The first time I caught a Peacock Bass; I wasn’t even sure that’s what it was. I thought it might be some kind of Cichlid, which is actually what a Peacock is, fourteen different types of Peacock Bass exist. It used to be a rarity to catch Peacocks north of Broward, but here I caught something that resembled a tiny Peacock Bass in Lake Wellington. Now, we regularly catch tons of fish, so much that sometimes the Peacocks make it difficult to catch largemouth bass. Either way, fishing for Peacock Bass in South Florida has become a new pastime.

If you come across a school of Peacock Bass and they like your lure, you will catch so many fish your arms will get tired. One day we were out on my friends boat and we were trolling past the shoreline where it opens up into a larger body of water, the inline spinnerbait that he was using was struck with a lot of force and the first Peacock was reeled in. The next Peacocks attacked just as aggressive, ripping at the lure until nine fish had been landed. The only thing that prevented more from being caught was the time.

Our most successful adventures usually involve live shiners, bait stores across the area will offer these little fish by the dozen. We hook the bait on the top, just behind the fin or through the mouth and sometimes the hit is immediate. When Peacock bass strike, you will know it, as the bite is fierce. Although the fish are often aggressive, biting anything, however the action can sometimes be slow. 

Fishing is not called catching for a reason, sometimes the bite will be non existent, but this does not mean that fifteen minutes could lead to a feeding frenzy worth the effort. You always have to be ready. Pictures of Peacock bass are often treasured due to the exotic look and vibrant colors.

Obviously when fishing, we don’t know what is going to bite the line. I fish from all different locations, from the boat and shoreline, small disgusting lakes and canals to the best lakes you could dream of, and the truth is fish bite anywhere. You never know when you will leave with a trophy. I like to fish with light spinning rods because I like to catch everything, and keep it simple. I used to fish with all the bait casters, but to each their own. Drone fishing is even starting to take off.

 One of those fish you will often see when walking along the shoreline is the Snakehead. These huge, disgusting looking fish resemble pythons and will chase everything from top water poppers to spinnerbaits. For simplicity, one of my favorite lures is the beetle spin, catching a variety of fish on this lure is easy. Clown Knife fishing is becoming very popular as well.

I have been fishing around golf courses and canals that have been crawling with big Alligators since I was a young kid.  I used to fish in my apartment complex in Orlando and an alligator would follow me around the small pond, looking for my catch. In that same area, Turkey Lake, I lost a massive bass off the dock of the complex. I also was standing inches away from a curled up water moccasin at some point. People are often wading around canals and swimming in these areas with large gators present. Nature is always closer than you think in Florida.

Florida Peacock Bass fishing is fun and anywhere in Florida is an interesting place to come fish. South Florida is a perfect location for species like the Peacock bass to thrive, the fish are inching their way up north, while becoming larger in locations where they are established. The introduction of non-native species always has unintended consequences, you might luck out by catching a large Peacock the next time you are in South Florida.