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A BREED APART: Though its basic anatomy closely resembles
that of the largemouth bass, the peacock bass is actually not a
member of the bass family. It belongs to a family of fish known as
cichlids. Like large-mouths, the peacock prefers to ambush
unsuspecting prey from a stealthy vantage point and demonstrates a
gluttonous appetite.
Florida Peacock Bass Description
The body shape is similar to that of a largemouth bass. Body color is
generally golden with three black vertical bars and a black spot with a
silver halo on the caudal fin but have highly variable color patterns. In
older fish, the bars tend to fade and may be completely absent in fish
larger than 3 pounds.
Florida Peacock Bass Season
Florida Peacock Bass fishing is a year around fishery so you can plan a
trip for anytime of the year. If you asked what is the best time to come,
the answer would be between the middle of February to the end of May.
During this time of the year you will have the best chance at a large
butterfly peacock bass.
The similarity ends there, however. The peacock bass is much more
eye-appealing than its North American counterpart, colorfully
adorned in varying shades of green, blue, orange and gold.
“Don’t let this Fancy Dan appearance fool you, though” says Hall
of Fame angler Spence Petros. “Peacocks are far more aggressive
than large-mouths, often pursuing lures or prey larger than
themselves. They routinely break lines, shatter rods and destroy
tackle that would subdue the toughest largemouth. The peacock has
evolved as a world-class game fish, flourishing in an environment
filled vicious piranhas, Volkswagen-size catfish, 12-foot long
armor scaled piraracus, alligators and an assortment of other
unsavory characters possessing fangs, stingers, toxins and
never-ending appetites.”
Peacock bass are bass are known as pavon in Venezuela and Colombia
or tucunare in Brazil and Peru. While four distinct species are
generally recognized, some fish biologists suggest that a dozen or
more varieties might actually exist throughout South America.
A common characteristic shared by all peacocks is the black
circular “eye spot” - dramatically rimmed in gold - on the base of
the caudal fin. This spot closely resembles the tail plume of a
peacock fowl. Hence, the name peacock bass became the perfect
moniker.
Actively breeding male peacocks bear a prominent hump on their
head. This is used as a battering ram in battles with other males
and to protect fry and territory. Some speculate it might be a fat
deposit that the male uses to nourish himself when guarding fry
and not feeding.
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