I lost my job last week. Well, I know where it is, they just don’t need my services anymore. My son and I were talking about all of my new free time and he said “we’ve still never caught a peacock bass” and I love his priorities.
We live in the Tampa area and I would love to put together a day trip to check off a peacock bass for him. Any recommendations would be appreciated!
Yes , go with Justin Nguyen,mit is his specialty! You’ll catch tons! Super guy and cooks a meal!
Thanks! I will save his information for later. For now, can’t afford to do a charter so looking for more DIY. We like to figure things out so any general locations of ditches, canals, ponds, whatever where we can start is what I am looking for. Maybe Ft. Myers area is closest to their range from here?
They are all over South Flordia. Don’t know how prevalent on the west coast. If you drop your skiff in the ramps off the alley (east side) I’m sure you’ll find some…
Don’t save an hour of driving for the sake of saving an hour of driving. Head across the tamiami trail and look in pretty much any body of water from the west side the trail to Miami.
There are people claiming of getting them on the west coast but I’ve heard of a few rough experiences from some of my charter clients. Especially considering it would’ve taken another hour or two in the car to be covered up in them.
Golden Glades seems to be pretty reliable. There was an article about it in Florida Sportsman in the last couple years.
I’ve also heard that Cape Coral has some and have seen pics but that seems less reliable.
Are you fishing out of a boat? When I lived in South Florida, the Lake Ida area in Delray Beach and Lake Clarke in WPB were very good. The canals attached to these areas were better for Peacocks. Also, Lake Wellington in Wellington, FL has a good Peacock population. But, to use the ramp, you have to be a resident. Kayak launches are okay. A small Rapala Shallow Shad Rap in Perch or Crawfish color were my go to lures for Peacocks. A small Storm Chug Bug was my top water choice.
Great, thanks! Yes I could take the boat. I’ll research these areas!
No advice on Peacocks, but best wishing on your situation.
Same here. Praying for your job situation.
Good luck on those peas!
May as well drive towards SE side of the state. Canals around Lake Ida, Kendall Lakes, etc. Not worth the time to save an hour or two of driving for peacocks that are far and few between on the West Coast.
I hope you find a job soon, sorry about suggesting a guide, didn’t put two and two together. On the other hand, you have a skiff and a son to explore with💪
Thank you!
I appreciate it! Everything happens for a reason!
Thanks and no problem at all! I am definitely a believer in hiring guides, especially in unknown areas. My son and I just hired a trout guide in North Georgia a few months ago to fine tune some of the stuff we’ve been learning up there over the last few years. Hired a guy and was very transparent that we wanted to learn very specific things like how to read the water better, mending, roll cast and rigging. The guide was awesome, well worth the money to shortcut some of our learnings to apply next time we are up there.
I live in NEFL but go to Ft Lauderdale area often, and fish for peas whenever I go.
I will randomly pull into bank parking lots, churches, stores, etc and just start blind casting in canals and lakes/ ponds (doing it legally- as long as they are not posted no fishing… and not using parking during operating hours).
I have gotten peas in every one. Many are 10-15 inches… but they are all over.
LMB are by catch.
SEFL is where the peas live.
