Peacock Fishing Craze

Peacock Bass, a fish native to the Amazon and other freshwater rivers in South America, was put in the freshwater canals of South Florida in 1984 and has become a game fish sought out by fisherman across the country.  These fish are great fighters and even jump, reaching sizes of 24" and occasionally bigger.  These fish have beautiful colors including a bright red, green and yellow with the big spot on the tail resembling that tail feather of a peacock, giving these fish their name.  

These fish can be caught the easiest with live bait including jewel cichlids and shiners, but lures work too.  The best lures to use for peacock are poppers, jerkbaits, small spoons, and rattle traps.  Basically any lure that is flashy and emites a sound.  

My favorite way to fish for these fish is either to drift with a live bait.  The peacock come out of the grass and attack the bait or lure.  Also, I like to use a split shot with a bait about 1' away from the split shot, the peacock will hammer the bait in the open

These fish are caught most frequently

during the spring and summer months because this is when these fish are spawning.  They become much more aggressive and they guard their nest viciously.  

Here are a few spots for peacock bass: 

1) SW 136th St

Miami, FL  33176

United States

2) 18104 SW 89th Pl

Miami, FL  33157-5988

United States

3) Franjo Rd

Miami, FL  33157

United States

These are great fighting, fun to catch game fish, that are only found in South Florida in North America.  People come from all over to get their hooks into one of these fish.