Florida: light, strong tackle for peacock-bass fishing

Small but mighty! © likid fishing

The peacock-bass is a very combative fish that can be fished with small lures. It's not easy to find the right balance between casting quality and solidity when it comes to lures. Let's take a look at the ideal combo.

Rod and reel

In general, the lures used for peacock-bass butterfly fishing, found in Florida, range from 5 to 10 grams. As a result, you might be tempted to go for an ML-powered rod, but I'd recommend going for an M or even MH model. In fact, the combativeness of the species and the presence of aquatic vegetation mean that fish must be brought in with a certain authority.

La difficulté est de choisir entre légèreté et robustesse.
The difficulty lies in choosing between lightness and sturdiness.

In all three cases, the rod will do the job, it's just that you give yourself a better chance of success in combat with a more powerful rod, to the detriment of comfort and precision. A spinning or casting model is appropriate, on this point it's really a personal choice according to your preferences.

As far as the reel is concerned, there's no need to follow any particular instructions. The main thing is that it should be in proportion to the rod you've chosen. A medium to fast ratio and a standard drag are more than sufficient.

Line

As far as the rod is concerned, you can go light and it's really pleasant to catch such fish on such equipment. However, when it comes to line, you'll need something solid, as peacock bass are not gentle with it. You'll need a minimum 25 lb braid, even if this diameter will reduce the casting quality of small lures, but it's necessary!
As for the leader, a 25-pound fluorocarbon is not too much. It can withstand the abrasion of rocks and vegetation, which is often where the fight ends.

Fishnet

A small landing net, street fishing size, is an accessory to consider. Fish are easy to catch by hand, but for retrieving them from steep and/or overgrown banks, it's an invaluable aid.
Une épuisette est toujours utile !
A landing net is always useful!

Polarized glasses

Last but not least, a good pair of polarized glasses is a must, as some fishing is done by sight.
All in all, this equipment can be likened to that used for light black-bass fishing.
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