When most fishermen hear the word bass, they think of largemouth bass. That’s not so in Miami, Florida. There, the hard fighting Peacock Bass is king.

Thirty years ago, this game fish could only be caught in the freshwater tributaries of Central/ South America, Puerto Rico, Hawaii and the US Virgin Islands. In 1984, the State of Florida introduced Butterfly Peacock Bass to the lakes and canals of South Florida to help control the spread of invasive species of exotic tropical fish. Today, the Peacock Bass is a tourist attraction that lures anglers away from very expensive and time consuming trips to the Amazon River in Brazil.



I am no exception. After years of reading about the peacock’s aggressiveness, jumping ability and tenacity when hooked, I took a guided trip earlier this month. The peacock bass guide, Steve McDonald (www.bassmasterguideservice.com) met Capt. Rick, an Islamorada, Fl. Charter Boat Captain and myself at a launch ramp adjacent to the Miami International Airport. Within minutes, we were pitching live minnows at bedding Peacock Bass in a canal that parallels the Florida Turnpike. It wasn’t long before the first of many peacocks struck with the quickness of a rattlesnake. The fight is awesome! It can be compared to that of a snook three times as large. Capt. Rick and I caught some, and lost some, but at the end of our brief outing, we were thrilled with catching and releasing a dozen or so fish that weighed up to four pounds each.

While Peacock Bass fishing is similar to catching largemouth, there are some noticeable differences. First, they bite better (than largemouths) when the sun is up, and not so much between dusk and dawn. Secondly, they’re often seen swimming in pairs, so when one is caught, cast again to catch the mate. These tropical fish will hit almost any largemouth bass lure, but tend to shy away from soft plastic worms. Very fast moving top water lures and live minnows were the best baits.

According to information provided by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the state record Butterfly Peacock Bass s is 9.08 pounds. Some weighing up to 12 pounds have been caught, but were not certified. In addition, thirteen of sixteen current IGFA All Tackle World Records were taken from Florida waters.

If catching a Peacock Bass is on your bucket list, you can do it in a single day! Hop on an early flight to Miami and have your guide pick you up at the airport. Fish for half a day, and fly back to Charlotte in time for dinner!

Tips from Capt. Gus! Unlike largemouth bass, Peacocks typically feed during daylight hours only.

Fishing Report: The recent cool spell has caused shad and other bait fish to move to the back of creeks and coves. Those fishing at dawn and dusk will catch surface feeding bass on top water lures. Schooling bass are also being caught throughout the day on rip-rap points and over shoals. White perch catches are being reported in water from 25 to 50’ deep on Sabiki flies tipped with live or Gulp minnows. Fishing for catfish is good to very good. Best bets are anywhere you see shad schools on the surface.

Upcoming Events: Free Seminar: How to Use Sonar and Down Scanning Electronics to Locate Fish and Under Water Structure on Lake Norman. Jake Bussolini and I will conduct this informative session on October 16th beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Gander Mountain, Exit 36, Mooresville, NC. For additional information, call 704 658 0822.

The water level on Lake Norman is approximately 2.3' below full pond. Mountain Island Lake is 3.1' below full. Surface water temperatures are in the mid to high seventies, depending on location or proximity to a power plant.