Hi all,

 

Today I was trying a different setup for bank canal fishing. I was getting nothing so I start to cast while heading back to the car. Something hit the bait hard and started to bend the rod tip. It felt like I had a machine gun on the other end. After a couple of turns of the reel I heard a ping and the line went limp. I was utterly demoralized . I wish I could have at least seen what it was.

 

Any thoughts? Part of me thinks it might have been a big peacock. Any of you guys that fish the canals might know what it was?

 

Another question, since the water in some of the Miami canals are so stained, think I could get away with straight braid?

 

Setup:

Rod 7ft Shimano Teramar Medium

Reel Shimano CI4 2500 Spinning

Line 15lb Power Pro

Leader: 12 lb Fluoro

Lure: Mirror Lure suspending twitch bait

 

Location: Dnake Creek Canal behind the N. Miami Beach Library

 

Thanks in advance!

 

 

More than likely you had a mayan cichlid on the line. What you described is exactly how they fight. It was probably a very nice one.

A peacock bass would do repeated surges. A mayan you feel that tell tale machine gun feeling on the rod tip.

A peacock bass would do repeated surges. A mayan you feel that tell tale machine gun feeling on the rod tip.

Thx Lou

More than likely you had a mayan cichlid on the line. What you described is exactly how they fight. It was probably a very nice one.

I still feel bad loosing the lure but thats part of fishing I have to accept lol

If you ever want to fish in a park feel free to pm me ^^

Always fun to share notes on locations

Totally agree probably a cichlid...  Theyre a powerful fish pound for pound... 

ciclids do fight pretty hard IMO bettrer than a peacock, peas are over rated but a real fun fish to catch sight fishing..  med terramer, coud have been a small jack or small tarpon.  even a small snook would be like catching  bass.

Probably a brackish water fish, I'd rule out tarpon and snook, they hit more like a bass, engulf the bait.  A snapper(cubera)  woulnd't surprise me.  Slashers like pike, cuda mackerel hit very hard, my off the wall guess. 

Since you mentioned it was Miami Beach, I'm guessing that's brackish water. I really think it could be a jack. I've only caught one from the canals, but it's like a jackhammer on the other end.

 

If it was strictly fresh water, maybe a mayan like mentioned above.

Since you mentioned it was Miami Beach, I'm guessing that's brackish water. I really think it could be a jack. I've only caught one from the canals, but it's like a jackhammer on the other end.

 

If it was strictly fresh water, maybe a mayan like mentioned above.

 

Boston is that you!! Man... its been awhile since I have seen you post!! 

Boston is that you!! Man... its been awhile since I have seen you post!!

Lou what's up! I couldn't resist dropping back in. I'm back in Florida finally. Hope you've been good!

Lou what's up! I couldn't resist dropping back in. I'm back in Florida finally. Hope you've been good!

I have been good, welcome back to FL.