Lake Ida, Florida
 

Went after peacocks last week in the west palm area. Got bass/catfish/peacocks and hybrids. We hit into about 20 hybrid anywhere from 1lb up to 4lb. I was anticipating a much better fight in the hybrid bass from what I read. They fought, but compared to the same size smallies I would say the smallies are a much better battle. Granted the tackle/line strength have a huge influence on the battle. Either way Fla has such sweet fishing options with much less pressure than us in NJ. Always worth the trip down there to fish.

Re: Lake Ida, Florida
 

hybrids in nj fight way harder than the ones in florida. THose "sunshine bass" just don't have the fight those guys at spruce run do. Peacocks are insan i cannot wait to go back!

Re: Lake Ida, Florida
 

I was going to ask if someone thought that the hybrids in Fla don’t fight the same. Maybe the warmer water? The did fight, but not any better than largemouth. Peacocks are great, especially when they are just boiling the surface and eating like mad. The peacocks love the hot water. Great fishing down there.

Re: Lake Ida, Florida
 

They fight exactly the same. I have a spot in Florida where I catch 24"+ sunshine bass and they fight exactly the same as the hybrids in NJ. The fight way harder than any smallmouth or largemouth.

They are slightly different than hybrids in the rest of the country. "Sunshine bass” are hybrids produced by a male Striped Bass and female white bass, and a “hybrid/wiper” is a male white bass x female striper.

Re: Lake Ida, Florida
 

Are there any notable differences in wipers vs sunshine bass? Any reason florida seems to exclusively hatch and raise them? It doesnt seem like other places raise and stock them that way?

Re: Lake Ida, Florida
 

Not really. The sunshine are only stocked in Florida, ad ID imagine it has to due with tolerance for high water temps.

Re: Lake Ida, Florida
 

I never caught any here in NJ, I was just anticipating a better battle. The fought ok, just not as much as same size NJ smallies to me. I was happy reelin them in, it’s a new species for me. The targeted fish was peacocks, and those fight nice.