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In Miami, fishing for small fish and peacock-bass is so similar that you can adopt the same strategy for all species. In any case, most of them, peacock-bass included, are Cichlids, so it's no surprise that their behavior is similar. The only thing that will change is the size of the lures used and the corresponding rod, although for the latter, a rod that can do both is preferable to avoid clutter.
Peacock bass is a predator of other species, so it makes sense to use different lures for predators than for prey. Cichlids are territorial fish that often live in pairs. They spend most of their time in their resting place, and only leave it to attack prey or repel intruders.
Strategy
As a result, there are two complementary strategies. The first is to catch fish on sight. The difficulty in this case is to be discreet, and to make the lure pass as naturally as possible into the field of vision of the fish spotted.
The second is to fish blind, i.e. without having seen any fish. This second approach may prove unsuccessful or ineffective, given the size of the area to be covered, but with experience, you'll be able to recognize which areas to focus on.
Exploration / observation
If there were only two words to describe street fishing in Miami, they would definitely be Exploration and Observation! Exploration and observation are the only way to find fish, and maximize your chances of catching them! The canals are man-made bodies of water, with a monotonous depth and configuration, simply a straight line.
Fishing such places is quite confusing, but with experience, you can quickly move from one potential spot to another, without wasting too much time on areas less likely to hold fish.
Mornings are not the best time, and it's best to plan your outings for the afternoon and evening. In the afternoon, the fish are generally resting in their territory, while in the evening they can be seen marauding, when activity peaks.
The search for these species represents a real challenge, forcing you to travel great distances to hope to come across the desired species. When looking specifically for small fish, I recommend not neglecting small, shallow channels. In fact, these species appreciate this type of spot and can be located quite easily, while remaining discreet as the fish are very shy there. What's more, peacock-bass, their predators, don't venture too far into this type of environment, so they're safe there.
As for fishing spots, it's so random that it's impossible to recommend some more than others. The main thing is to keep a discreet eye on the edges, as these are where they live.
Finally, to perfect this approach, you need the right clothing and I recommend keeping your lures close at hand, ideally in a small box that you can slip into your pocket. As fishing is partly sight fishing, it's a good idea to be able to change lures quickly, depending on the species you're watching.
This approach is of course valid everywhere, even in France, where you may come across a chub or a perch, and one of the keys to success will be to adapt quickly to the species you see.
