Peacocks In Paradise

A Tale Of Personal Best Catches

I had forgotten how early 5:00 AM is. Claudia and I are driving to the Everglades this morning to meet our favorite fishing guide, Captain Debbie Hanson. Our original plan was to fish for Florida Largemouth Bass closer to the condo, allowing us to sleep a little longer. However, Debbie mentioned that the Peacock Bass bite was in full swing, and we would have a chance to catch our personal best if we opted for the Everglades. So, we decided to take the shot.

To meet Debbie at 7:30 AM, I set two alarms for 5:00 AM. Of course, I woke up every hour, anticipating the alarm. Since retiring, I dislike waking up to an alarm. I have read that the reason for this is that retirement involves a shift in daily routines, including sleep patterns. This can disrupt the body's natural circadian rhythm, making it more challenging to wake up. That explanation makes sense to me, so I am going with it. When the alarm went off, I woke to find Claudia had already gotten up and had coffee brewing.

As hard as getting motivated so early can be, we were both psyched to see Captain Debbie again. Fishing with her has become an annual event.

Captain Debbie is a freshwater guide based in Estero, Florida, and an award-winning outdoor writer. Her articles cover freshwater and saltwater fishing techniques and have been published in Florida Game & Fish Magazine, BoatUS Magazine, USA Today Hunt & Fish, and Gulfshore Life Magazine. Debbie is passionate about engaging more children and women in the sport. Claudia and I have fished with Debbie for several years, and we view her as a friend and our favorite guide. Debbie’s dedication to involving women in fishing makes her an ideal match for Claudia, while her extensive knowledge makes her the perfect guide for me. Claudia even wears some of Debbie’s SHEFISHES merchandise when we go fishing. If you ever visit Southwest Florida and want a great experience on the water, I wholeheartedly recommend Captain Debbie.

The drive to our rendezvous location is in the dark. The sunrise over the Everglades is just as impressive as last year, and the traffic isn’t too bad. Debbie was there when we arrived. We parked the car and transferred some gear into Debbie’s truck, and she drove the last few miles to the launch location.

This year, we are dismayed by the amount of random trash left by anglers at the boat launch site. We saw the typical beer bottles, plastic bags, and even a tire, all discarded without regard for the environment. Trash can harm wildlife, especially discarded fishing line and hooks, which can cause injury. Litter also pollutes the waterway and can damage fragile aquatic ecosystems. I believe every angler is responsible for leaving a minimal mark on the environment. Pack out whatever you pack in; there are no excuses.

Of course, we had high hopes that the day would bring us a personal best catch. But during the drive down, I reflected on how blessed I am to be able to fish with my wife. There is something about fishing together that strengthens our marital bond. Waiting for a bite and celebrating each other’s success fosters intimacy and teamwork that can translate into different aspects of life. It is also a chance to share an adventure. Being in nature, away from electronic distractions, allows us to soak in the scenery and appreciate the outdoors. Every fishing trip creates memories we can cherish when fishing is no longer possible.

On this trip, we had the chance to try Renegade Fly Rods. Renegade Tackle Company is a new sponsor for Debbie, and she had a 9-foot Renegade Gray Series 5-wt rigged for Claudia, along with a 9-foot 7-wt Renegade White Series for me. The Gray Series is a medium-fast action rod, while the White Series is a medium action rod with a reinforced fighting butt designed for larger fish. My Orvis Helios F is also a medium-fast action rod, so I was eager to compare it with the Renegade.

Renegade Tackle Company is a business located in Southwest Florida, with its main office in Alva. They claim to focus on the “needs of the angler” with “No B.S..” Anglers design the rods for anglers, and they come with a lifetime warranty. Based on my experience, their rods are pretty forgiving and light enough to make precise challenging casts. I cast the 5-wt and 7-wt, and there was a definite difference between them (as expected). The 7-wt felt like it could handle more, and I preferred that feeling. If I ever need another rod, I would not hesitate to consider a Renegade. But, to be perfectly honest, I would give my Helios higher marks (it is twice the price though).

My goal for the day is for Claudia to catch another Peacock bass. She caught one last year, and I hoped she would catch another this year. I am committed to being happy just to be on the water with her and to see whatever comes my way.

The basic pattern we adopt is for Claudia to cast in open areas while I cast when either a roll cast or steeple cast is needed. We are canal fishing in the Everglades, so the terrain changes pretty frequently. Claudia fishes once or twice a year; however, I am always amazed at how quickly her muscle memory kicks in. She isn’t making 100-foot casts but effectively lays out 40-45 feet of line. I throw a 60-foot cast with roughly 75% precision, but I must work at it. My biggest challenge is rushing my back cast.

Peacock bass were introduced to South Florida between 1984 and 1987 by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to control invasive fish populations, particularly Oscars and tilapia. These fish, native to the Amazon Basin, thrive in the warm waters of South Florida's canals and have become popular sport fish. Technically, they aren’t bass; instead, they are non-native members of the cichlid family. They are prized for their golden hue and black spots, making them a rare catch for most anglers. Spring (March to May) is often considered one of the best times for Peacock Bass fishing. As temperatures rise, these fish become more aggressive and actively spawn, which makes them more susceptible to anglers' lures or flies. Peacock bass are susceptible to low water temperatures and cannot survive in waters below 65 degrees.

If you're heading to Florida to fish, the two freshwater species that should be on your punch list are Florida Largemouth and Peacock Bass. Both are exceptional fighters and a thrill to catch.

The trick to catching peacocks lies in the strip. These fish are very aggressive, and you must trigger their predatory instinct. Captain Debbie recommends starting with a sharp initial strip followed by a fast, erratic retrieve. The more you can mimic a distressed fish, the more interested the Peacock will be. Poppers or streamers are good choices for flies. Today, we fished sub-surface with Clouser-style flies that feature attractive flash and colors.

Claudia was doing well at finding the rhythm of her casting, while Debbie positioned the boat to provide maximum space for a back cast. We were sight fishing the limestone shelves, knowing that peacocks were likely hiding underneath, ready to strike.

The bedrock of the Everglades is primarily limestone, a highly porous and permeable sedimentary rock. The water in the Everglades flows slowly across the wide, shallow limestone shelf, a phenomenon known as sheet flow. This porous limestone is a natural reservoir that stores water for extended periods, even during dry seasons. The ebb and flow of water, influenced by the limestone shelf, shapes plant communities and animal habitats throughout the Everglades. Although canals and levees have been created to manage water flow, they have also altered the natural flow patterns and negatively impacted the ecosystem by changing water chemistry and creating deep, pooled areas, some of which may be too deep for diverse plant communities to thrive. Peacocks love to hide under these shelves.

Claudia did a great job casting her fly onto the top of the limestone, gently slipping it off the shelf and allowing it to sink for a moment before beginning the strip. After about half an hour, she was rewarded with a couple of Peacocks chasing her fly. They quickly darted out to attack, bump the fly, or swerve off at the last minute. Watching the drama unfold through the clear water was exciting. "Strip, strip, strip, "Debbie would say. "Did you see that? He came out to play. “

One occasion, we saw a Peacock aggressively move and crush Claudia’s fly like a freight train. She set the hook, and the dance had begun. Captain Debbie is excellent at talking an angler through the dance. Tip up, keep the pressure on, and move it toward the net; it's easy now. Her voice has an excellent tone that helps keep an angler calm and results in landing more fish.

Claudia followed the directions well, and the Peacock was safely captured in the net. It was a male, measuring about 12 to 14 inches long, displaying gorgeous colors. We took the obligatory picture and then released the fish. Claudia had just landed the second Peacock of her life, setting a new personal best.

I had a day with five species. I caught a couple of Peacocks (one was 16 inches and a personal best), a Florida Largemouth Bass, a Myan Cichlid, an Oscar, and a couple of Jaguar Cichlids. I was casting to some tight spots and also caught a few branches. Luckily, I only lost one fly.

We ended the day feeling good. Captain Debbie drove us back to our car, and we drove back to Fort Myers. We talked about the day and relive many of the experiences. We shared our pictures of each other and committed to another outing with Debbie next season.

In my book, it was a great day. Fishing with our favorite captain, watching my wife dance with and successfully land a personal best Peacock, and having some luck myself made for a wonderful memory. Plus, I got a chance to try out Renegade rods.

With this adventure in the rearview mirror, I considered our next trip to chase the salmon run in New York’s Salmon River. That will be a first for both of us, and I do not doubt we will create a wonderful memory to cherish as we grow older together. It is going to be awesome!