[Drifter]

Surprised I didn’t see ya. I did the same thing.

 

[Jim Hazlett]

I wonder why they don't get as big as the ones from the amazon basin? Such a cool beautiful fish.

 

[Caddis]

I've wondered the same thing @Jim Hazlett

 

[lemaymiami]

They're getting bigger... our state record was around 9lbs and I believe someone's beaten it. The peacocks stocked here in Florida are at the extreme north end of their possible range so probably don't grow at all in winter. The ones down in the jungle grow constantly year 'round - and probably have a much better food source than where we are... That's just a guess on my part, but I'm pretty sure it's close to the mark...

 

[Jason M]

I've wondered the same thing @Jim Hazlett

Different species. Florida has butterfly peacock bass. The large ones are the tucanare or temensis species. My spelling might be off there.

 

[krash]

After you have had you fill of Peacock, Ciclids, Oscar, Jaguar's.. you'll find your self wanting more and need to head a little North into Broward and Palm Beach to stalk Snakeheads, Klwon Knife fish, and some Hybrid-stripped bass.

Then you'll realize Inshore salty stuff is the place to be.

 

[Megalops]

I used to fly fish the canals for peacocks in Ft. Lauderdale. Fun fish to catch and also oscars.

Back in the day I used to work at Busch Gardens in their zoological department when I was at USF. We used to hold all the contraband animals for the Tampa area. One summer we had a tank full of juvi Nile Perch. Not tilapia, but the monsters that could grow to 7 feet from Africa. Had those crazy mirrored eyes. Anyways, they sure would be fun to catch. This state is over run with everything else anyways.

 

[crboggs]

Peas are a ton of fun on a 6wt or below.

 

[lemaymiami]

Still can’t wait to get someone hooked up on a good peacock with only a. 5wt rod…

 

[Nvalavanis]

The oscars and peacocks are an absolute blast on a 3wt and have even caught them on a 1wt when you don't have to cast far. The peacocks are unbelievably fast. Like a freshwater tuna when they eat

 

[Jason M]

I used to fly fish the canals for peacocks in Ft. Lauderdale. Fun fish to catch and also oscars.

Back in the day I used to work at Busch Gardens in their zoological department when I was at USF. We used to hold all the contraband animals for the Tampa area. One summer we had a tank full of juvi Nile Perch. Not tilapia, but the monsters that could grow to 7 feet from Africa. Had those crazy mirrored eyes. Anyways, they sure would be fun to catch. This state is over run with everything else anyways.

I'm not saying you absolutely should have dumped those Nile Perch in the Hillsborough River but maybe, lol.

The funny thing is the rumor has always been that's what the tilapia that got dumped were supposed to be and not tilapia.

I'd love to fish for Nile perch and big Barramundi.

 

[Denduke]

+1 On the FtLauderdale area. The canals around/between BocaRaton and DelRayBeach offer some bank access at bridges. Boating them and up to the LakeIda has Peas, FeatherBacks, MyanCichlids, etc.
The Clown was not fly caught. Been down there for 2 trips still no joy; Clowns on fly.

 

[BellyWalker]

Such a cool trip! I have been talking about it for years.

 

[Denduke]

BTW, the iguanas are “taste like chicken and no limit”.

 

[Flyman28]

Was it " Take your Daughter fishing day?"

 

[Denduke]

Pretty much. Not everyday but she makes all the trips happen. A few...

 

[Flyman28]

That's awesome!!

 

[James Humphrey]

Yeah my son and I have discussed hitting those canals for a day trip, any other good spots to launch down there? On the way down to the keys we stopped off the Tamiami Trail for a few hours to fish and I caught a pretty big Oscar. Was kind of surreal to catch a fish you'd normally see in a pet store lol.

We didn't catch any peacocks tho, saw them but they weren't biting. Definitely on the bucket list to catch a peacock.

Could you post a map link to the spot you launched? I don't remember seeing any exits off Alligator Alley to do that.

There are a few ramps on both sides of I 75. Do your homework bro. Google earth is that good.

 

[krash]

One thing to be aware of with many of the ramps on the Alley is that there is no turn-around, If heading East or West when you leave you will still be heading the same direction. Some people cross over in the median but if its been rainy it is easy to get stuck, there are paved turn-arounds but are "signed" for official use only and you could be ticked if caught u-turning on them. You may have to drive a few miles to the next legal turn around area.

 

[lemaymiami]

Here are the two legal turnarounds that we use... The first isn't obvious but the rest area and ramps at MM 35 does include a turnaround (both ways...). The next one is at MM 50 - the Miccosukee service center... Past that your only turnaround are the few rest areas...