Peacocks Provide Hot Action In South Florida

By David A. Brown
Special to BassFan

Glaring red eyes, flame-colored fins, a beastly attitude and a brutal blend of power and endurance — such is the allure that draws thrill-seeking anglers to Amazon tributaries brimming with peacock bass. Anyone who’s made the long trip will attest that these fish more than live up to the hype; but what if time and budgets preclude a South American angling adventure?

Don’t fret; just replace the word “American” with “Florida” and you’re in business.

Indeed, while most of the sunshine state sees temperatures dipping lower than the peacock’s tolerable range, the lower third offers the habitat, forage and balmy climate in which these non-native brutes thrive. How’d they get here? For that, let’s first look at a problem for which peacocks were hired to fix.

Invasive Explosion

Florida’s reputation as a world-renowned sport-fishing destination has been enhanced by a group of non-native species generically termed “exotics.” Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has documented 34 exotic species in South Florida waters; all with breeding populations.

Cichlids dominate this hodgepodge, with specific flavors ranging from the widely distributed Mayans with their bluish-black striping, to the brilliant red/orange Midas, to the fierce jaguar guapote and the various tilapia (Mozambique, spotted, blue, African jewel). With stunning appearances, voracious appetites and more fight than a ticked-off pit bull, these tough little dudes of mostly South American origin might sound like a wonderful addition; but while they do add a popular sport-fishing element, state fisheries managers take exception to their presence.

Initially spawned as aquarium residents, these resilient fish entered South Florida’s interconnected flood control network of canals and lakes primarily through illegal dumping. Now well-established and fiercely territorial, these exotics bring a super-charged aggression that competes with native species like bluegill and largemouth bass for feeding and nesting areas.

There’s no denying the negative impacts, but fisheries biologist Kelly Gestring, who specializes in non-native species for the FWC, said there’s a clear upside for anglers looking for something unique. He said the state has long hoped that encouraging liberal harvests might eradicate (or at least control) the exotics.

“FWC endorses the consumptive use of these exotics,” he said. “They’re an unwanted but available resource that we want anglers to take advantage of by catching them and taking them home to eat. There’s no size or bag limit, so you can keep as many as you’d like.

Unfortunately, there’s simply not enough sustained fishing effort to make much of a dent in these highly-prolific exotics. And that’s where those glaring red eyes enter the scene.

The Enforcers

In the 1980s, the FWC introduced butterfly peacock bass into the South Florida canals as a secondary predator to bolster the native largemouth bass’ efforts in exotic consumption. Actually part of the cichlid clan themselves, peacocks instinctively target smaller cichlids just like they would in their native waters. Sure, they eat some bluegill and other indigenous species, but they definitely have a taste for the stuff Florida does not want in its waterways.

Now, we can’t say that peacock bass have eradicated unwanted exotics, but they have certainly dented the numbers. Moreover, they’ve created a bonus fishery — a taste of the Amazon right here in North America. You won’t find Florida’s peacocks matching the 20-pounders common to Brazilian tributaries, but 5- to 7-pounders are common with the occasional double-digit canal fish.

“Butterfly peacocks were stocked primarily as a biological control and secondarily to provide some sport-fishing benefit, and they have been successful in both,” Gestring said.

Dropping peacocks into South Florida canals was a fairly smooth introduction; and fortunately, these feisty predators present little threat to native bass. Generally preferring different habitat, peacocks mostly follow a different daily regimen.

“Largemouth bass like the cooler parts of the day — early mornings and evenings — but coming from warmer environments, peacocks and other exotics are most active during the hottest part of the day,” said South Florida peacock specialist Alberto Knie. “With peacocks and any of the exotics, the more uncomfortable the conditions are for you, the better the fishing generally is. The exception is the really big peacocks; they tend to be more active early in the morning and late in the afternoon.”

Find the Fish

Due to their low tolerance to cold weather, peacocks rarely venture farther north than Naples on the Gulf Coast and Pompano Beach on the Atlantic.

You can find a mix of exotics just about anywhere throughout the South Florida canals, but they tend to prefer hard edges of natural limestone or concrete. Most exotics are sight-feeders, so they’ll move throughout the water column as needed with sunlight and clarity.

“As most cichlids are predatory fish, they do not want to use more energy than necessary, so they’re often found near limestone or concrete points where they can ambush prey,” said Hai Truong of Urban Angler Miami guide service. “Avoid waters with foul smells, dead animals or minimal movement.”

Knie agrees and notes that the rocky edges hold more heat than the sand/mud banks sprouting largemouth-friendly vegetation. The state’s canals are bordered by public and private property, so boaters have a mobility advantage. However, adventurous types enjoy fishing on foot — often ducking under tree limbs and traversing uneven terrain to find those secluded little stretches where the big ones stake their claims.

If you go this route, bear in mind that while most Floridians are generally friendly types, some of the locals are less hospitable and a few can be downright threatening. Word to the wise: watch out for alligators, cottonmouth water moccasins and fire ants.

To Feed and to Fight

Live shiners, free-lined or corked, will charm peacocks; but artificials allow you to cover more water and control the fish-tempting ruse. Notably, peacocks usually snub soft plastics, so stick with hard baits. Truong likes swimbaits and suspending twitch baits that hit 1 to 3 feet for peacocks. He’ll use lipless crankbaits when peacocks sit deeper and small flies like a Clouser when the fish are up higher.

Knie favors slow-sinking slash baits for peacocks because he can aggressively work the bait into the strike zone, kill it for a vulnerable pause and then make the bait simulate fleeing prey when a “pea” reacts. Topwaters also have a place in this game — especially during those early morning and evening hours, as well as anytime the peacocks chase baitfish topside.

Bank-walking means limited gear, so Knie rigs his leader with a Tactical Anglers Power Clip, which allows him to quickly change baits without clipping and retying knots.

“Fishing on foot makes the hunt more enjoyable and it allows you to make a better visual presentation,” Knie said. “It’s important to move around (“prospecting”) and be ready to switch lures at a moment’s notice.”

Seven-foot medium spinning or baitcasting outfits will handle most any peacock you find in South Florida. Given this fish’s propensity for big runs and relentless fights, you don’t want a locked-down drag. Control your fish with rod angles and consistent pressure, but unless you have to steer him away from a dock, tree or bridge piling, let the fish run down his batteries and then scoop up one of the most beautiful and impressive fish you’ll ever hold.

(Note: Butterfly peacock bass are a protected species. Daily bag limit is two fish, only one of which may be over 17 inches in total length.)

For more on Florida’s peacock bass opportunities, visit http://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/freshwater/nonnatives/butterfly-peacock.