Peacock bass fishing, or fishing for the butterfly peacock or speckled peacock, is exciting freshwater fishing. These bass are natives of the Amazon River of South America and can also be found in the waters of Colombia, Venezuela, the Dominican Republic, Malaysia, Panama, Singapore and warmer locations in the USA. 

The peacock bass fishing began when this species of bass was intentionally put into the freshwaters of Florida by fish and game officials to help rid their waters of fish such as the Oscar, Midas cichlid, and the spotted tilapia. Due to the warm water conditions in particular areas of Florida, the butterfly peacock bass have flourished. These tropical fish cannot survive in lower water temperatures.

Peacock bass fishing started after these fish were dropped into the warmer freshwaters of Florida in 1984 by fish and game officials to go after environmentally destructive fish like the Oscar, Midas cichlid, and the spotted tilapia.  Due to the warm water conditions in particular areas of Florida the peacock bass have vigorously grown in population. The peacock bass love temperate locations and cannot tolerate colder water temperatures.

Scheduling a peacock bass fishing trip with one of the many guides in Florida is affordable and relatively easy.  The serious peacock bass fisherman should consider planning a trip of a lifetime to the Amazon River or to the lakes and rivers of Venezuela.  This is the ultimate in peacock bass fishing.  Imagine fishing with the sounds of the jungle in the background and parrots and monkeys greeting you at every turn.

The peacock bass can be hooked by fly fishing, artificial or live bait fishing.  They prefer live bait and can be located during daylight hours.   It is recommended to use a fly rod with 5 or 6 weight depending on where you are fishing.  Good reels, high quality line with fast action rods and sharp hooks to penetrate quickly are necessary.  Fly fishing equipment can be provided by the guide if preferred.  A good pair of Polaroid glasses will allow you to spot these beautiful fish as they hit. The fierce and powerful peacock bass guarantees the thrill of an exciting fishing battle. Each day will provide an angler with a chance hooking up to 10 or 20 of these fish and bagging at least one 15 pounder.  

The emotional excitement of peacock bass fishing is invigorating.  The excitement of hooking up to this aggressive fighter and landing it is worth the cost of the trip.
After successful day of peacock bass fishing imagine taking home a keepsake replicate of this prize catch?  The locals can produce such a lifelike replica of your catch that often they are better than most traditional skin mounts.  The fisherman need only provide the taxidermist with a photo and measurements and he will produce a beautiful souvenir for you to take home.

You may have taken Florida fishing trips all your life and be a native Floridian, but if you have not had the thrill of hooking up to a renown fighting peacock bass you haven't fished!