Lee Bailey Jr / Baby Buzzbait

Lee is a retired Bassmaster Elite Series Pro.

Features and behaviors of Peacock Bass

Peacock Bass Anglers Guide

Peacock Bass Anglers Guide will show you that Peacock bass are known for their aggressive behavior and predatory instincts, making them a challenging target for sport fishermen.

The Peacock bass is a tropical freshwater fish native to South America, known for its bright colors and aggressive behavior, making it a popular target for sport fishing. It can grow up to 20 inches and weigh up to 20 pounds. It is a predatory fish that feeds on smaller fish, crustaceans, and insects. With them highly prized as game fish, the Peacock bass is widely introduced in other countries for recreational fishing.

Peacock Bass Anglers Guide Identifier

Peacock Bass Anglers Guide

The appearance of the Peacock bass is characterized by the following features.

  • Bright colors: Peacock bass can range from green, blue, yellow, and brown to orange, red, and black. The coloration can change depending on the fish’s mood and surroundings.
  • Colorful markings: These fish have vibrant and colorful markings on their bodies, including spots, stripes, and ocellated (eye-like) spots.
  • Predatory look: Peacock bass has a distinctive predatory look with a large mouth and sharp teeth.
  • Fusiform shape: They have a streamlined silhouette, which helps them swim quickly and maneuver easily in the water.
  • Dorsal fin: They have a large, triangular dorsal fin, which helps them maintain stability when swimming.
  • Variable size: Peacock bass can vary widely depending on the species, with some species growing up to 20 inches in length and weighing up to 20 pounds.
Diet:

Peacock bass prey on any species that catches their eye, but those in which they seem most interested are tilapia, crayfish, tadpoles, mosquito fish, minnows, and guppies. Also, they will eat their own young when other fish are scarce.

Habitat:

A trophy peacock bass is one in the 5+ pound range. You can find peacocks in canals and lakes near underwater structures, bridge pilings., and rocks.

Angling:

The best bait for peacocks is live shiners, but artificial lures also work well, including topwater plugs, jigs and crankbaits. Light spinning tackle is recommended in canals for this open-water fighter.

Most anglers choose live bait for peacock bass fishing, but artificial lures can be used. The most common lure of choice is topwater lures or hard-jerk bait. Also, many anglers have a blast catching peacock bass on hair jigs and small spinnerbaits.

Early mornings and late afternoons are typically the most productive times, as peacock bass are known to be more active during these periods.