When do Peacock bass spawn in Florida

I consider the best time of year to catch a Trophy is during their annual spawning season. Down here in South Florida, the peacock bass spawn can be around late February to about the ending of April. 

These freshwater bruisers are ready to spawn annually once they reach about 10-12 months of age. The Florida Butterfly Peacock bass (Cichla ocellaris ) chooses a partner and goes off together to find a home to nest and lay eggs.

Last update on 2022-11-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Best Lures to use for spawning peacock bass

When peacock Bass is spawning, they will hit about anything; I have caught them with a single hook in a pinch. But the lures I like using can sink down and not float up.

Bucktails are great for this; additionally, The trusty lipless crankbait is dynamite, the rattle sound that lure makes drives them to be very angry. Color choice in lures when targeting Peacock Bass Spawning makes no difference based on my experience; they are there protecting their nest.

Just remember, ask your self is it worth bothering that pair of fish which is 2 pounds? It’s ok to pass them up and let the fish do their thing to ensure more Peacock Bass for the future.

Last update on 2023-07-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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Where do peacock bass spawn in Florida?

The peacock bass can be found around these typical structures; this is what the Peacock Bass uses for spawning. They usually like a sandy shallow section of the lake or canal bottoms with a system likes these below.

The locations are also shared with all the invasive species we have in Florida. You can find our Florida Non-Native Exotic Invasive Fish Species Guide helpful for learning more about exotics in Florida.

This Peacock bass habitat is what you usually see in South Florida lakes, ponds, and canals. They will nest on items like PVC pipes, tires, shopping carts, concrete blocks, natural stone, and lime rock.

Pipes

Downed Trees

Shopping carts

How to identify Male Peacock during spawning

When Butterfly Peacock bass spawn, it’s straightforward to tell which one is which. The male will develop a hump “Knothead” on the forehead of tissue while he is spawning. I also have noticed that when Butterfly Peacock is spawning, their dorsal fin changes into black vs. colorful.

Should you target Spawning fish?

I know first hand that there is nothing like pulling up to your favorite canal or lake and see two drop-dead beautiful colorful peacock bass on a spawning bed. There is no doubt! You get excited to catch them but first, a few things to think about.

Those fish there lay thousands of eggs when spawning and are working night and day to fend off would-be thieves of their future fingerlings. I think it’s a good thing to inform potential anglers about this; I learned this myself from an old fisherman when I started fishing in South Florida when I was a teenager.

The way I see it is if you must catch that trophy butterfly peacock bass on a bed, please only catch one, not both fish. Why? The reason is if you catch both, there will be no one home to guard their eggs.

Sure they will come back to the spawning bed, but by that time, the countless exotic fish species like the spotted tilapia in Miami have possibly cleaned out the house and ate all their future undeveloped Baby Peacock bass.

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