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View Full Version : South Florida (Nov 5 to Nov 8): Bullseye Snakeheads, Peacocks Bass, Sailfish, Kings,

JDTuna
11-11-2016, 11:06 AM
I decide to finally take a few days and head down to South Florida to see friends and do some fresh and saltwater fishing. I lived in the area for about 9 years for college and grad school, and hadn't been back to visit in years. The plan was to bank hop various canals and condo ponds looking for bullseye snakeheads and peacock bass. Then, I was set to either fish for swords or sails on Mon/Tues, depending on the weather.

Freshwater:

I brought a reel with me, and i stopped at Bass Pro to pick up a cheap rod and a few lures. I headed to a canal that used to hold large snakeheads. I saw a few that wouldn't eat and spooked when they saw me, so I decided to move on.

Next spot was a pond that held good numbers of snakeheads and largemouth. Since it had been 8 years since I'd fished it, I didn't remember exactly where it was. A little guessing and Google mapping and I found it. After a few casts, I saw the wake behind my topwater and subsequent explosion of a snakehead. Unfortunately, the fish missed the hooks. However, a few minutes later, I found another fish that annihilated my topwater and was hooked solid. The fish fought hard, pulling drag and tailwalking like a tarpon. It ended up being a pretty good one. After a few pics, the fish was safely

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k320/JL1981/Mobile%20Uploads/20161105_182309_zpsmlvh7kfj.jpg

I didn't end up having a lot of time to bank hop the rest of the trip. I stopped by a canal on a way to my friend's house that had held peacocks. Sure enough, they were still there eager to hit plugs.

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k320/JL1981/Mobile%20Uploads/20161106_123547_zpstmdldvlm.jpg

I managed to stop by the snakehead spot before I had to head back to NJ and had a bunch of blowups and landed and released another nice snakehead, and had a decent largemouth slam the lure.

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k320/JL1981/Mobile%20Uploads/20161108_170930_zpsbkdoxy6d.jpg


With regards to snakeheads, much of the negative press is a bunch of hype and fiction. They have been in a small section of Fort Lauderdale for at least 20 years. Florida Fish and Wildlife's invasive species lab has researched the species, and determined they have caused no harm. They are an incredible gamefish that blast topwaters, fight very hard and are very spooky. It takes some specialized techniques to catch them consistently. Definitely one of my favorites in freshwater.

Saltwater:

Monday and Tuesday both ended up being too windy and rough to get offshore for swordfish so we stayed close and kite fished for sails. Monday was very rough, with 30kt E/NE winds. We still managed some fish and I caught 1 sail and missed another, got a bunch of King mackerel, mahi mahi, barracuda and false albacore. Tuesday was a little nicer, and I ended up releasing a sail and catch cobia, blackfin tuna, and bunch of skipjack and false albies. Lots of variety and a great trip!

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k320/JL1981/Mobile%20Uploads/20161107_153124_zps869zlvus.jpg

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k320/JL1981/Mobile%20Uploads/FullSizeRender6_zpsigpghfir.jpg

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k320/JL1981/Mobile%20Uploads/20161109_075701_zpswq508gav.jpg

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k320/JL1981/Mobile%20Uploads/20161107_183854_zps2rprzdwk.jpg

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k320/JL1981/Mobile%20Uploads/20161107_150430_zpsg0kkxacj.jpg

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k320/JL1981/Mobile%20Uploads/20161108_174539_zps1ny1x7oz.jpg

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k320/JL1981/Mobile%20Uploads/20161108_174415_zpsnmyutk74.jpg
Cuz
11-11-2016, 11:35 AM
A dream trip for most. Very kool style of different kinds of fishing. Great pictures.
I use Reel Deal Fishing Adventures for peacocks and clown fish. They are near Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. 561-706 8013 or 561 951-2790. Hard core guides that are gentlemen.
bunker dunker
11-11-2016, 01:02 PM
great job!!!!!! that book should be awsome.
Andrushkin33
11-11-2016, 01:23 PM
Another solid trip under the belt.

Looks like you decided to knock off a full bucket list of fish in one year JD.

Simply put. Awesome.

Andre
NJSquatch
11-11-2016, 01:49 PM
outstanding....peacock bass have been on the top of list for a while now...i really need to do something about that....
JDTuna
11-11-2016, 02:02 PM
outstanding....peacock bass have been on the top of list for a while now...i really need to do something about that....

Well, lets plan a weekend and head down. Ive fished them for years down there, so we can get them no problem. Winter can be iffy, depending on how cold it gets but maybe a weekend between March and May.
Jigman13
11-11-2016, 02:18 PM
Pretty epic mixed bag. Sails and peacocks are def on my bucket list. Awesome job squeezing it all in! That snake head looks pretty crazy too. Lengthy
Chrisper4694
11-11-2016, 07:10 PM
Freaking awesome
Lard Almighty
11-11-2016, 07:37 PM
Looks like an incredible trip! I should have loaned you my GoPro, it would have made a hell of a video!
FASTEDDIE29
11-13-2016, 03:17 PM
Living the dream! Phenom mixed bag dude! Your making me hungry! LOL!!!:D
NickM221
11-15-2016, 06:31 PM
That looks like an awesome time! I'm hoping to do a similar trip in December. Hopefully I have as good luck as you did!
JDTuna
11-16-2016, 09:46 AM
That looks like an awesome time! I'm hoping to do a similar trip in December. Hopefully I have as good luck as you did!

Very nice! Where are you fishing?
Delawareriver
11-18-2016, 07:59 AM
I abesoultly loved the canals when I had my day visit to ft lauderdale. Walking the banks trying to spot the bullseye before they spotted you was a challenge for sure. You could see them thinking, many of them dived into cover before turning and trying to peak out to see you. I truly don't believe I've ever seen a fish as intelligent as those snakeheads. I only has my bow and only managed to stick 3 out of probably 20 I saw. Next time definitely taking a rod to catch a few and then chasing peacocks. Good job!
unclegary47
11-19-2016, 11:49 AM
Very impressive report! Looks like one hell of a great trip. Check your pms.

Good Fishing UG
JDTuna
12-01-2016, 09:36 AM
I abesoultly loved the canals when I had my day visit to ft lauderdale. Walking the banks trying to spot the bullseye before they spotted you was a challenge for sure. You could see them thinking, many of them dived into cover before turning and trying to peak out to see you. I truly don't believe I've ever seen a fish as intelligent as those snakeheads. I only has my bow and only managed to stick 3 out of probably 20 I saw. Next time definitely taking a rod to catch a few and then chasing peacocks. Good job!

Thanks man. They spook very easily...more so than trout or even bonefish. The other thing is 90% of the time you get one shot at them. If they blowup on the lure, even if they don't get hooked, it's rare that they'll give you a second shot. When you do get the hooks in them, pound for pound they are one of the hardest fighting fish in freshwater that I've caught. Nice, drag screaming runs coupled with gill rattling jumps and tailwalking. Lastly, all the research shows they have not had any negative effect on the ecosystem in South Florida in the 20 years they've been there. One of my favorites for sure.
Rich196
12-01-2016, 03:15 PM
HOLY crap, Your everywhere...LOL And catching MUCH fish as always... Way to go.
ReelErIn
12-09-2016, 02:36 PM
Nice trip I think I'll drive down the end of Jan.http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj295/reelerin/upjpg.jpg (http://s275.photobucket.com/user/reelerin/media/upjpg.jpg.html)