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South Florida Peacock Bass Information
The South Florida Butterfly peacock bass has become an extremely popular freshwater game fish. The peacock bass was introduced to the waters of south Florida back in 1984 by the fish and wildlife commission in order to aid in controlling the ever-growing number of exotic species of fish that were let go into our canals by their owners once they became too big for their tanks. The commission released 20,000 butterfly peacock fingerlings that were stocked into the major canal systems of southeast Florida. The initial stocking took place between 1984 and 1987, procured again by the FWC. Peacock bass are natural predators of the illegally introduced and abundant exotic fishes such as the African spotted tilapia and numerous other species of cichlids that had overrun sections of the canals in the metropolitan Miami-Ft. Lauderdale area.
The project has been extremely successful, and butterfly peacock bass in South Florida currently represent a multi-million dollar sport fishery in the state. These fish were only introduced by FWC staff after many years of careful research. Fisheries scientists and biologists are opposed to introductions of exotic fishes that have not been thoroughly studied. A species that has been beneficial in one location may be harmful if introduced elsewhere if the conditions are not right. All introductions need to be scientifically evaluated before any species is released into a new area. Because of careful planning and preliminary evaluations, Florida’s butterfly peacock fishery has been cited as a model program by several state, national and international environmental groups. In light of this success, it is important to re-emphasize the caution with which this introduction was approached. The butterfly peacock is a justified exception to the FWC’s general rule of prohibiting introductions of exotic fishes.
The peacock bass in South Florida are readily caught by bank fishermen as well as by anglers using boats. Peacock bass can be cought on a wide variety of tackle and live bait that range from shiners to artificial lures such as a Rapals. Fly fishing is also popular when fishing for the peacock bass in South Florida. Butterfly peacock bass prefer fast moving lures as opposed to slow ones like their counterpart the largemouth bass. They very rarely are caught on plastic baits like the largemouth bass.
Peacock bass fishing is typically good throughout the year; however, most of the larger butterfly peacock bass are caught between February and May. The peacock bass prefer areas that provide cover such as bridges, culverts and other man-made structures generally are productive fishing spots for the Florida peacock bass. You can also find the peacock bass in fallen trees, canal ends, turns and intersections. Nearly all peacock bass in South Florida are caught during the daylight hours.
The current dfaily bag limit for a butterfly peacock bass in South Florida is two fish per day. Only one of the fish may be greater than 17 inches long. This 17-inch length regulation provides added protection to the larger fish. Thich is essential in maintaining a high quality sport fishery. As the popularity of peacock bass fishing in South Florida continues to grow it may be necessary to even consider more restrictive regulations and different daily bag limits to protect our fishery. Maybe going to one fish per angler per day would help.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) encourages anglers to practice catch-and-release when fishing for butterfly peacock bass in South Florida. Overall, this species is a hearty fish and nearly 100 percent will survive after being caught and released, if properly handled of course. Some say that the peacock bass does not survive as well in live wells or as long out of water as do the largemouth bass. It is imperative that they be released quickly to maximize their chances for survival.
Get out on the water and enjoy the world class peacock bass fishery that South Florida provides to its anglers!