Regardless of how much water there is in the glades right now, the black bass bite has been nonexistent:  fortunately the Peacck bite has been crazy.  A local guide has caught over 100 peas in 4 hrs and not one single black bass.  They seem to focus on small hard stickbaits like Rapala # 9  or torpedo type baits.  As bad as the bass fishing is right now in south Florida, the Peacock are on fire!  Fish close to the weed edges and look for big rocks along the edges.  Strikes have been violent!  They are not everywhere, but moving in packs, so don’t focus in one area too long.  When you find one, you may get multiple fish in quick succession.  We are so lucky to have these fish in our waters.

I've long wanted to catch a pea!

I really want to go down there and fish for them.

1 hour ago, Born 2 fish said:

I really want to go down there and fish for them.

 

Very different from a black bass bite.  The strike is very violent, with them taking a long run immediately, and then going airborne several times and flipping in mid air.  They are just so much fun to catch.  On a quiet lake you will all of sudden see an explosion of water from a wolf pack of Peas attacking baitfish.  These are the Pitbulls of the freshwater world.  Unlike largemouth, they love hot water, something we have plenty of right now.  Love Florida Fish and Game for introducing these to help control the Oscars and Mayans that were breeding like crazy!  

21 hours ago, geo g said:

 

Very different from a black bass bite.  The strike is very violent, with them taking a long run immediately, and then going airborne several times and flipping in mid air.  They are just so much fun to catch.  On a quiet lake you will all of sudden see an explosion of water from a wolf pack of Peas attacking baitfish.  These are the Pitbulls of the freshwater world.  Unlike largemouth, they love hot water, something we have plenty of right now.  Love Florida Fish and Game for introducing these to help control the Oscars and Mayans that were breeding like crazy!  

It’s definitely on my to do’s list next time I’m in south Florida.

On 10/6/2024 at 11:34 AM, Swamp Girl said:

I've long wanted to catch a pea!

Sounds like you just left state where you could’ve done it ! 

28 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

Sounds like you just left state where you could’ve done it ! 

 

I know, but I was too busy to cast. Sigh.

7 hours ago, Swamp Girl said:

 

I know, but I was too busy to cast. Sigh.

 

you have to be below West Palm Beach or will will not find any Peacock.  The winter cold spells will kill them when water temps get into the 60’s.  That is why they don’t grow into the 20 pounders of the Amazon.  After a cold spell they will be belly up everywhere . Only the ones finding an underwater spring with 70* water temp live.

That’s awesome, love me some peacocks. Fled tampa yesterday due to hurricane milton, staying with my friend on Lake Ida, hope to catch a few. Caught this guy last year, they are very aggressive and tons of fun.

Ida is loaded with Peas.  I have fished it many times.  Caught some beauties in that west canal just north of the main ramps.  Would love to catch a big clown in those same waters.

Where are you located? I’m in southwest Florida. Peacock bite seems really off for whatever reason.

On 10/8/2024 at 11:36 PM, geo g said:

Ida is loaded with Peas.  I have fished it many times.  Caught some beauties in that west canal just north of the main ramps.  Would love to catch a big clown in those same waters.

My buddy live on that canal. I wound not having much time to fish on my visit but I managed to catch 3 peacocks off of his pier, they were running small, around 10 inches or so. He tells me clown knifefish are very difficult to catch on artificials, live/dead bait is how they are primarily caught.

2 hours ago, woolleyfooley said:

Where are you located? I’m in southwest Florida. Peacock bite seems really off for whatever reason.

A friend that is a guide has caught over 100 in four hours on the Alley.  They are moving around in packs, so once you catch one you will catch a bunch.  His biggest have been around the bridge pilings.  You have to cover ground to find them.

 

I live in Davie on the east side of the glades.

On 10/16/2024 at 8:23 PM, geo g said:

A friend that is a guide has caught over 100 in four hours on the Alley.  They are moving around in packs, so once you catch one you will catch a bunch.  His biggest have been around the bridge pilings.  You have to cover ground to find them.

 

I live in Davie on the east side of the glades.

Interesting. Maybe they all headed east to get away from hurricane Milton. 😂

6 hours ago, woolleyfooley said:

Interesting. Maybe they all headed east to get away from hurricane Milton. 😂

Like I said in the report, they are not everywhere on the Alley but in packs.  The packs are moving in groups, so when you catch one you may catch a bunch.  The pack is constantly on the move and may not be there an hour later.  You have to keep moving looking for the signs of Peas.  They are much more active than black bass.