Fly Fishing for Peacock Bass

What another good day for fly fishing in the urban canals for Peacock bass. Today, I took out Spencer and his wife Donna from Kansas. We started our day by throwing some custom-made flies that look like the exotic species in our lake and canal system, which the peacock bass likes to feed on. We had a few follow-ups but no takers to start with; finally, we changed to a fly that Spencer ties, and boy, did the fish really like that one. By the way, Spencer, thank you for the flies you gave me. They will get well used. Donna was also really good at fly fishing. They both caught peacock bass, as the picture above shows.

I can’t wait to have these two back again!

What makes Peacock fishery incredible

The base of all fisheries is accessing; the best part of this fishery can’t be enjoyed, so get into virtually anywhere. In addition, the South Florida freshwater fishery doesn’t discriminate against skill level. So whether you just want to start fly fishing or are a seasoned angler, there’s fun.

Also – from deep in Everglades HolidayNational Park, you won’t see another person all day. The diversity of environments is unbelievable in most urban and residential neighborhoods (that hold some of the giant peacock bass).

The Gear

Rods:

A 5, 6, or 7-weight, 9-foot, faster action rod is what you want to look at.

At the top end of the weight class, a 7-weight is a heavier rod that can double as a great cross-over saltwater rod. In addition, the 7-weight lets you throw larger flies in windy conditions. The downside to a 7-weight is that it’s a lot of fly rods for the smaller fish but comes in handy when you hook into a good one.

I feel that a 7-weight gives you the best all-around freshwater fishing experience. I allow you to throw a good-sized fly while still offering the fighting ability while catching smaller fish.

The 6-weight rod setup is entertaining. However, for better casters/anglers, work is a little more challenging. Nevertheless, this is an excellent option for a sportier fight to throw larger flies.

The best all-around standard 9-foot rod will be the best as far as length goes. However, you can go to a shorter 8’6″ rod for specific maneuverability, fast loading, and throwing larger flies.

Reels

It is okay to drop a little more coin on the rod and slightly less on a reel. However, in most common freshwater situations, reels do not utilize the full drag capabilities they tend to have.

A nice full CNC machined aluminum reel for durability and ruggedness is one of the main things I would look for.

If you are visiting South or Central Florida for work or vacation and want to experience the best bass fishing to offer, please give us a call. We can be reached (888) 629-BASS or email us.

Capt Brett
bretti@bassonline.com
888-629-2277
www.hawghunter.net
www.flpeacockbass.com