Peacock Bass fishing

RICK GOINES

Adam Brosius is my South Florida Water Management District canal Peacock Bass expert. Last year “Tight Lines” devoted several interesting columns to Adam and his Peacock Bass fishing in south Florida canals. Adam is an interesting guy. As well as a great fisherman, Adam is a renowned trivia expert, and appeared on Jeopardy with Alex Trebeck several years ago. Is that cool or what?

When I started planning my Florida trip, I got word to Adam that I wanted to do a little canal hopping with him, and chase some of those beautiful Peacock Bass. Last Sunday, I got together with Adam and his friends, Chris and Willie. We headed for a canal in south Miami. The bait man was glad to see us since we loaded up on his farm raised baitfish.

We were fishing from a 21 inch Carolina Skiff, so I felt right at home. Adam knows I don’t have good sea legs, so he procured a portable, sturdy, comfortable boat chair for my ample hindquarters. We dropped the boat in the water and discovered a minor motor problem that sent two of the guys to a local marine supply store. I sat in the boat at the boat ramp and caught five Peacock Bass during the 15-20 minutes they were gone. I was thrilled!

It’s still a little toasty in south Florida this time of year, so I slathered up with sun block. The guys were quick to tell me not to put my lotion covered hands in the bait bucket because the sunscreen chemicals would kill the bait. Duly noted! didn’t know where we were, but the large building next to the canal was rather impressive. I guess it was. We were at the back of the rather exclusive Falls Mall in south Miami, and that impressive structure was the back of Bloomingdale’s. Adjacent to that was a Macy’s. Only in south Florida can you catch game fish in a canal at the back door of a multi-million dollar mall.

Adam was our official bird dog on the bow of the boat. He would see a big Peacock Bass and signal the boat driver to stop. We only stopped for large fish. Too many big ones are out there to waste time messing with the little guys. Rods were baited and ready for action. Sometimes the boat was still moving when one of the guys hooked a fish. The action was fast and furious. It was a casting lesson for me. These guys were good. They rarely missed their target. I have fished with minnows for 50 years, but learned something from these guys. Frisky, lively minnow or not, they gave the bait a lot of wrist action and motion. The guys had to remind me several times to wait until my bait had sunk before helping it do the funky chicken. It seemed the more motion, the quicker and harder they bit. Since a lot of it was sight casting, you could see the fish “nail” your bait. Very exciting!

Structure of any kind was holding fish. We caught several under a bridge, returned later and caught several more. I took a break, kept my line in the water, was eating a sandwich, and of course with my hands full of food and drink, a Peacock about pulled my rod in the water. Never fails, fill your hands with food and drink, and you WILL get a bite. I guess that is one of the “Murphy’s Law,” fishing version.

I would say we navigated about a mile in the canal. I did not see another person fishing, and only several other boats, one out for a Sunday cruise, and a group of young folks water skiing. Adam says they work five different canals on a regular basis. He says they can catch Peacock Bass pretty much year round.

I caught a tiny largemouth bass, and Adam said some days the largemouth bass are very active and cooperative. Peacock Bass baits would also appeal to the largemouth’s diet. As far as artificial offerings, Adam says the loud, noisy, vibrating rattletrap works well, and top water lures also do the trick, used best at dawn and dusk. Some fish distance themselves from noise and commotion, but the Peacocks seem to gravitate to it. The men called this an average outing.

Nothing average about it to me. I thought it was fantastic!

Great trip guys! Thanks for including me.

If you are reading this before 5:30 PM Friday, November 13th, you still have time to sign up for the 2009 TASS Fall Speckled Trout Tournament and Toys for Tots drive at Roberson & Dupree Shoe Store, downtown Tarboro, but you better hurry.

Hotspot of the Week: Trout, trout, and more trout is the name of the game. Belhaven and CB Marina seem to be very productive. It is rumored that a selfish few catch their 10 fish keeper limit, hide them on land, and go back out to catch more. Shame on you! Ten nice keeper size trout a day is a gracious plenty for anybody. Wayne Harrell summed it up pretty well when referring to these overfishing, greedy buttheads when he said, “That is our grandkids’ fish they are catching.” Well said, Wayne!

I believe that 95 percent of the people on the water are doing the right thing. Every fisherman out there should be good stewards of our waterways, doing everything in their power to preserve and protect our fishable waters and beautiful natural resources, and that includes adhering to fishing rules and regulations, not sometimes, but ALL the time.

If you wish to report a wildlife violation, call 1-800-662-7137. Suggestion! Write this number down, and put it in your wallet or tackle box in case you need it. Don’t tell me you like to mind your own business, if you enjoy fishing this IS your business!

Send me those stories, photos, tall tales, and passable lies at CarolinaAngler@Gmail.comSee you on the water, my friend!

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