How To Catch Peacock Bass

Description: 

​Peacock bass (or Brazilian tucunaré) (Cichla) is a genus of large cichlids, predatory freshwater fish native to the Amazon, Orinoco basins, and Guianas rivers in tropical South America. They are sometimes referred to in English by their Brazilian name, tucunaré, or Spanish name, pavon. Despite their common name and superficial similarity, they are not closely related to the black bass family members, such as the North American largemouth bass and smallmouth bass. 

Identifying Peacock Bass

A prominent characteristic of this species is that they are generally light to dark yellow in body color with a bright orange color on their fins. Vertical black bars formulate lines on both sides of the fish. The underbelly generally is light or almost white. Peacock bass, like the largemouth bass upper jaw, also reaches far beyond the rear margin and is hinged.

Florida, Panama, and Brazil rank as the TOP Destinations to explore and catch trophy peacock bass in the world!

Please read about the hard-fighting Peacock bass below, then leave a review or email us any questions you may have.

All about the Florida Peacock Bass. The butterfly peacock (also called peacock bass) is a prevalent freshwater game fish introduced to South Florida in 1984. It is readily caught by shoreline and boat anglers using various tackle and bait, ranging from live shiners to artificial lures and flies. Peacock bass in South Florida prefer live fish and fish imitating baits often used by largemouth bass anglers, but they rarely hit plastic worms commonly used to catch largemouths.

The Introduction To South Florida

After carefully documenting facts and reviews by experts nationwide, the FWC introduced the exotic species. FWC imported Butterfly peacocks from Brazil and Peru. Then spawned at the FWC’s Non-Native Fish Research Lab, using three stocks to increase genetic variability. After being tested by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Auburn University to ensure they were disease and parasite-free, they stocked.

Today the butterfly peacock fishery extends through 330 miles of canals in Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties and is self-sustaining. Since additional stockings are not needed, the program has no ongoing cost. Yet, it generates about 286,000 hours of angling enjoyment annually and provides nearly $5 million annual economic benefit.

Species of peacocks

There are 15 species of Peacock Bass, which all vary in size. The most common in the United States is the Butterfly Peacock bass, a medium-sized species ranging from 6 to 15 pounds. The largest species is the Speckled Peacock Bass which can grow over 36 inches. Speckled Peacock Bass were introduced to South Florida around the same time as the butterfly, but none survived.

Speckled peacocks haven’t been seen in South Florida in over 16 years and are illegal to catch. The smallest is the Royal Peacock Bass, which grows to a maximum length of 10 inches.

Where and When To Target Peacock Bass

These beautiful fish are caught anywhere south of Palm Beach County. Generally, the best peacock bass fishing is done in Miami, especially for larger ones. Though, fishing trips in Palm Beach are trendy because of the chance of catching another exotic, the clown knife fish.

When peacock bass fishing in Miami or Fort Lauderdale, you have a high probability of catching common saltwater species that made their way into freshwater systems, such as tarpon and snook. Peacock Bass fishing trips are made throughout the year, but typically there are two peak seasons, between March and June and September and December. The most significant fish heavier than four pounds are captured at these times.

Tips From The Local Experts

Shaded areas provided by bridges, culverts, and other structures generally are productive fishing spots for this exotic species, along with fallen trees, bridge pilings, canal ends, drop-offs, lily pads, bends, and intersections. During daylight hours is when nearly all butterfly peacocks are caught. The easiest way to catch butterfly peacocks is by using live bait.

A favorite choice is a small golden shiner about three inches in length. Referred to locally as a “peacock shiner.” Anglers can fish these with a float or free-lined while casting or slow-trolling with an electric motor along canal edges. A small split shot weight may be required to fish the shiner at the proper depth.

Peacock bass can be readily accessed from canal banks or boats, with prime fishing during daylight hours since they rarely bite in the early morning or at night. Focus your effort in rocky areas near a structure, and use topwater plugs, minnow-like crankbaits, or small golden shiners. Light tackle works best. The best fishing holes are known by contacting local bait and tackle shops and reading fishing reports and fishing guides. 

Strick Rules and Laws

The bag limit is two fish per day, with only one longer than 17 inches. Butterfly peacocks over 18 inches or 5 pounds are eligible for the Big Catch program. The FWC now has a Peacock Fishing brochure available in PDF format. Additionally, we get asked about having a valid fishing license. If you have a Pennsylvania fishing license do I need to purchase a Florida license? The answer is yes, each state offers an out-of-state temporary license for these times!

BEST LOCATIONS TO FISH

The best and most up-to-date fishing reports for butterfly peacocks are available from Peacock fishing blogs. A few tackle shops cater specifically to butterfly peacock anglers. There also are several professional guides who specialize in fishing for this species. Experienced guides help to visit anglers and those who want to learn the basics quickly.

They provide information on the best canals and lures to fish. For first-time, non-guided butterfly peacock anglers, it recommended checking with local freshwater tackle shops for the best locations and baits to use. The highest-ranked fishing guides in the areas are listed here.

Top Cities in Florida to find Peacock bass:

Miami, Naples, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, Hollywood, Homestead, Miramar, Plantation, Pompano Beach

These maps also are available in Acrobat PDF format on our fisheries publications site.

Things to Avoid

Coldwater temperatures are the most critical factor for butterfly peacock bass in Florida. Laboratory temperature studies have documented that peacock dies in water colder than 62 degrees. The first attempt to study peacock bass in the 1960s failed due to low pond temperatures. In the early 1980s, the discovery of coastal southeast Florida canals being warmer than other waters during the winter, and some rarely dropped below 65 degrees.

The main reason for this is the Biscayne Aquifer which lies just a few feet below the ground. During winter, the warmer water flowing from this aquifer into canals creates warm temperatures critical to the survival and success of many exotic fishes. The butterfly peacock is no exception. In fact, of all exotic fishes currently established in Florida, the peacock bass is the least tolerant of low water temperatures.

Peacocks have been through winter and reproduced every year since their introduction in 1984. With no additional stocking of fish needed since 1987. Although peacocks occasionally experience partial winterkills, coastal southeast Florida canals provide conditions that should permanently support a high-quality sport fishery for this important species.

Unlike their relatives, butterfly peacock doesn’t venture into saltwater. They are restricted by salinities similar to those tolerated by largemouth bass and snakehead. This intolerance to saltwater and cold water temperatures prevents butterfly peacock bass from becoming widespread outside the metropolitan South Florida area.

When it comes to live bait fishing for peacock bass, you have several options for fishing it. Live bait can be very productive in catching bass in general. One of the most common techniques to catch peacock bass in Florida with live bait is domestic shiners. It is one of the best ways to put large numbers and trophy size peacock bass in the boat.

Shiners can be used for free lining, meaning no use of a bobber. Anglers may use a Carolina rig style with lead and leader and conventional with a bobber. Local baitfish are the common forage for peacock bass.