The Spotted Peacock Bass, along with all peacock bass, is a tough fighting fish.

The Spotted Peacock Bass is a voracious predator and highly aggressive at defending its young, its territory and seeking out a meal. They feed almost exclusively on fish, though they will strike worms and other bait that largemouth will strike.

If it is not part of the Peacock bass’s normal food range, fish to appeal to their instinct to defend their territory. The Spotted Peacock Bass is a daytime feeder only and they need the suns energy to get them moving in the morning. Unlike other native bass of North America, the peacock bass is slow and lethargic in the morning and become more active and aggressive as the sun comes out. Only when the water and sun become too strong does it seek cooler water.

Killer Instinct

When the Spotted Peacock Bass, no pun intended, spots its prey, it attacks quickly and in force. It does not nibble at its prey, but gulps it down in a lightning strike and then takes off.

Peacock Bass strike baits out of two instincts: 1) out of hunger and 2) out of a protection of their territory ad their young and they will aggressively chase down prey or fish that comes into their territory. They are also strong defenders of their young.

Territorial

Being territorial, it is easy to catch them if you know where they are as a good lure that passes by will elicit a strike out of the instinct to protect their environment. Use lures that make noise and stand out when they are guiding their young and all you have to do is fly the lure through their territory close to them and it will strike with force.

The best way to grab their attention are a colourful 12-inch long lure or baitfish. Appeal to their instincts and you will be very happy with the results. Peacock Bass offer a much more aggressive fight than any largemouth or smallmouth bass can offer.

Hard Fighting

The Spotted Peacock Bass, along with all peacock bass, is a tough fighting fish. Pack the wrong gear and you will go home without any fish. Don’t bring the right weighted tackle, and you will go home without fish. Bring all the right gear and don’t bring any spare equipment, and you may go home empty.

It takes a lot more time and effort to bring in a lunker size spotted peacock bass. Lunker peacock bass can reach close to 30 pounds. This fish requires heavy duty tackle. They are hungry and strike their food hard. Using heavy tackle is no guarantee that you will not end up breaking a rob or reel.

As most of the large peacock bass are found in South America, including Brazil and Peru, this is one of the top destinations. However, most good fishing spots are remote so breaking your gear could end your trip early. Pack double. Florida peacock bass fishing is different as it is easier to get spare equipment but check with the local tackle shop on what to expect and which tackel to use.