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SouthEast Florida
PEACOCK
Bassin'
Peacock
Bass Fishing in America can only be found in South Florida (lucky us).
These fish provide some of the best Bass Fishing action in the world. An
average Peacock will fight twice as hard as a Largemouth of the same size.
In addition, they spawn in the summer (when Largemouth are resting) and feed
voraciously in the heat of the day). A member of the Mayan Cichlid fish
family from South America, the Peacock was transported here in the early 1980's
to control the burgeoning exotic fish growth (other types of Mayan Cichlids) in
the canals of South Florida. It has worked well. To date, evidence
suggests that they have not interfered with the Largemouth population, and have
helped control the exotic fish population. They are, in my opinion (which
is the one that counts) a welcome addition to South Florida. What is
interesting is that they WILL NOT live in water under 60 degrees. Many
died in the winter of 2001 when it got so cold. However, they are coming
back fast - as are the Oscars (an UGLY South American non-native fish-tank fish
that eats anything - including my $20 crankbaits).
Terry (left)
had a great place to fish for Peacock Bass in his backyard until the freeze of
2001 wiped out EVERY single Peacock in his pond. We commonly caught them
on Rat'l Traps, Chug-Bugs, and Buzzbaits. His biggest there went over 6
pounds (on a chug-bug).
One of the best places in South Florida for Peacock Bass is Airport Lakes down in Miami. Captain Alan Zaremba (left person in picture below) can regularly be found guiding in this mecca for Peacock's(below). This is an 8 pound peacock caught in March of 2003.
E-mail him at SFLPEACOCK@aol.com
Drew Gregg at Airport Lakes (left). It is not uncommon to get a slam at Airport Lakes including a Largemouth, Peacock, and Snook as we have many times. Also, the lake is full of Tarpon. That is what makes it so exciting. While I have never caught a Tarpon there (I have a 143 pounder on the wall at home), I know many people who have hooked them. Also, you can see them swimming around quite often. Often, you never know what's on your line until it's close enough to see. The best bait's there are topwater. Poppers, torpedos and Zara spooks work well.
Drew's fishing trip to the Amazon in Brazil produced the fish of a lifetime - an 18.5 pounder caught on topwater. He also caught MANY others. Each person averaged about 5 fish a day over 10 pounds as well as many other small ones.
He went in September with Capt. Alan Zaremba. Alan regularly posts his excursion schedule and rates on the message board. Please check for the latest information
(No - it's not your head - apologies for the photo's. Drew is a better fisherman than cameraman.)