Southwest Florida Peacock Bassin’ | Kayak Fishing Charters

My favorite time to fish in Southwest Florida is right upon us, spring! Our waters are filled with life as the warmer temperatures bring out the best our fisheries has to offer. The world class tarpon starts to migrate through our passes and inshore waterways, while the snooks start to stalk the shallow sandy beaches! But, throughout our freshwater canals and lakes, we have one species that often gets missed, the peacock bass! 

The peacock bass is considered an invasive species here in Florida, originally introduced to South Florida specifically Miami-Dade and Broward county, by the FWC in 1984. This fish quickly became a popular game fish for anglers. As the years went by the peacock bass began making its way further north and west. Today the popular sportfish can be found all the way up to Palm Beach County on the east coast and Lee County on the west coast of Florida. Here in Southwest Florida we are fortunate enough to have this amazing, colorful and drag screaming fish in great numbers! The canals systems throughout Collier County offer the best peacock bass fishing in this area! 

From top water blow ups to aggressive live bait strikes, the peacock bass offers it all! This freshwater species puts on a show like no other freshwater fish in the state of Florida. The peacock bass can be targeted using almost any baitfish presentation. Some of my favorite presentations include small paddle tail soft plastic swimbaits, hard jerk-baits and my favorite topwater prop baits, like the Whopper Plopper or Heddon Torpedo. In addition to artificials, live bait can also be very productive, specifically live freshwater shiners. 

Peacock bass can be targeted pretty much year round, during the winter months cold fronts do make it difficult, since they are a warm water fish. The ideal time is definitely spring and summer. Peacock bass prefer water temperatures between 75 and 80 degrees. Beside the ideal weather and warm water temps, I have found that the secret weapon for peacock bass fishing is to target them on the kayak. The kayak makes it an easy and effective way to work the entire canal system without missing a pocket or lay down tree that might hold a trophy fish. Using a kayak also allows you to be stealthy when fishing near structures. Ultimately a kayak gives you an advantage when targeting these fish in small bodies of water. Taking the time to breakdown and pick through an entire shoreline is the way to go when targeting peacocks bass! 

If you live or visit Southwest Florida you have to try peacock bass fishing. South Florida is the only place within the continental United States that offers the opportunity to catch these colorful and exheriating fish. With that being said it makes it a one of a kind fish for all anglers. If you’re interested in catching or learning more about the peacock bass or any other inshore or freshwater species, make sure to click here. We’ll gladly help you catch your first peacock bass in the best way possible, from a kayak! Also, don’t forget to mark your calendars for the Nautical Expo going down this May, from boat vendors, fishing seminars, delicious foods and much more, don’t miss out! Hope you guys enjoyed learning about the peacock bass, until next time! Tight Lines!