Many anglers ask “Is there Peacock Bass in Lake Okeechobee Florida?” There is NO peacock bass in Lake Okeechobee. Peacock bass resides in South Florida, the lake is shallow and the water temps get to cold during the winter months. Lake Okeechobee provides the best environment for trophy largemouth bass.
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Where is the best peacock bass fishing?
In today’s world, Brazil is far and away the best choice. Politically stable and friendly to tourism, anglers can find eight months worth of superb fishing for giant peacock bass in Brazil’s central Amazon lowlands. But it is such an enormous place, that even this is an oversimplification.
What time of year do peacock bass spawn in Florida?
April and May are prime months to hit the spawn during the springtime. As the water temperatures begin to rise, get out during the full moon and look around for signs of spawning. After the springtime spawn, you can also catch peacock bass spawning all throughout our summer months.
Where is the best peacock bass in Florida?
The best peacock bass fishing resides in Miami-Dade County. Miami, FL is home to some of the most aggressive and largest peacock bass in the nation. Anglers of all ages can come to enjoy catching fish of all sizes. If you are looking for a trophy Florida peacock bass, Miami, FL is the place to visit.
What is the best bait for peacock bass?
Tackle and Bait: Butterfly peacocks prefer live fish or fish-imitating lures, rather than plastic worms commonly used for largemouth bass. The best bait for butterfly peacocks is live shiners, but artificial lures also work well, including topwater plugs, jigs and crankbaits.
Is peacock bass good to eat?
Their eating quality is very good. Their flesh is white and sweet when cooked, and has very little oil, making it similar in taste to snapper or grouper. Also, they are not excessively bony.
What is the largest peacock bass caught in Florida?
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) fisheries biologists certified a new state record butterfly peacock bass weighing 9.11 pounds and measuring 23 5/16 inches long, caught by angler Felipe Prieto from Hialeah.
How big do peacock bass get in Florida?
The speckled peacock bass is the largest of the species and grows to just over three feet; the smallest, the royal peacock bass, grows to a maximum length of one foot, 10 inches. Fishing for the largest peacock bass in Florida can be difficulty because it has known to be an aggressive fish.
How far north are peacock bass in Florida?
Locations. Florida’s Peacock Bass population extends from Palm Beach County in the north to just short of Key Largo in the south. One the west, Krome avenue is pretty much as far as you’ll find them. They probably exist west of Krome, but you’ll be in the everglades at that point.
What is the best time of day to catch peacock bass?
The topwater lures work the best during the morning or late afternoon. The most important thing to remember in Peacock Bass fishing is that these fishes are robust; they strike harder and give a spirited fight. Peacock bass remains active during the day but can be caught morning and early evening.
How do you target peacock bass in Florida?
How do you catch peacock bass in Florida?
What lakes have peacock bass in Florida?
Dade County is loaded with great places to catch peacock bass, but few are as great as the Miami Airport Lakes. Travel south of the airport, and you’ll find places such as Blue Lagoon Lake, Lake Mahar, Red-tailed Hawk Lake, and more.
How do you target peacock bass?
The best ways to target Peacock Bass are with light spinning or fly gear. They are known to obliterate life in waters they are introduced to, meaning they will take a variety of different bait. Live bait is their favorite, but they also like plugs, spoons, streamer flies, and popping bugs.
What’s the world record peacock bass?
The new world record peacock is 37″ long with 25″ of girth, beating the old world record by 4″ in length, 2″ in girth and a full pound in weight. For many ardent Peacock Bass fishermen, the long standing 27 lb.
What color lures for peacock bass?
Any color variation with white or silver (for more flash) on the bottom is ideal. Fish and frogs have white undersides and would look like a perfect meal to a peacock bass.
What is the best time of year to fish Lake Okeechobee?
Lake Okeechobee is one of the most popular lakes for trophy bass fishing. Knowing the best times to fish this premier lake can make a big difference in your catch rates and success. The best time to fish Lake Okeechobee is November through June for the best combination of great fishing and reduced crowds.
How old is a 10 pound bass?
In a Florida study, 822 trophy bass (10 pounds and up) given to taxidermists showed a mean age of 9.7 years. That’s a growth rate of about a pound a year.
Can you keep and eat peacock bass in Florida?
The fish spawned at the FWC’s Non-Native Fish Research Lab. “Using three stocks increased genetic variability, and fish were stocked only after being tested by both the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Auburn University to ensure they were disease and parasite free.” Peacock Bass are edible, however, their real value …
Can you eat peacock bass raw?
Can You Eat It Raw? The peacock bass is a relatively clean fish in comparison to others and it would be safe to eat. However, that doesn’t mean that it would taste as good raw as it would when cooked. Because of the lack of oil in this fish, it would taste best when cooked along with some herbs and spices.
What do peacocks taste like?
Both the peacock and peafowl are said to taste like chicken. Some claim that once brined, the meat will taste like a turkey, while others will compare it to the meat of a guinea fowl. From what I have heard, peacock tastes closest to pheasant or turkey.
Are peacock bass hard to catch?
One of the hardest fighting species of freshwater fish is the peacock bass. This beautiful looking fish is great fun to catch because when it bites it hits hard, and then fights long and hard. If you’ve ever considered trying your hand at catching these awesome fish, here are some helpful suggestions.
Are butterfly peacock bass in Florida?
Range: Introduced by FWC in large coastal canals of southeast Florida in 1984; low water temperatures and intolerance of saltwater prevent this species from becoming abundant outside of coastal Miami-Dade and Broward counties. Native range lies within the Amazon River basin of South America.
What is a trophy size peacock bass?
Anything over 5 pounds is a trophy peacock bass. The size of that fish is incredible.
Why did Florida introduce peacock bass?
Scientists introduced butterfly peacock bass to South Florida in 1984. Scientists needed a fish to combat the booming populations of invasive species such as spotted tilapia and Oscars that had escaped from breeding ponds during hurricanes and people releasing them into the wild.