Fort Lauderdale Lake Peacock Bass Capt Lou

Everglades Peacock + Largemouth Bass (4HR)

When you think about Florida bass fishing, the Everglades should be at the top of your list. This isn't your typical lake fishing – we're talking about a world-class fishery that produces some of the most aggressive largemouth bass and exotic peacock bass you'll find anywhere. I've been guiding these waters for years, and I can tell you there's nothing quite like watching a peacock bass explode on a topwater lure in the heart of the Everglades. This 4-hour adventure is designed for anyone who wants to experience real Florida bass fishing without the hassle of figuring out tackle, techniques, or where to fish. Whether you're a complete beginner or someone who's fished other places but never tackled the Everglades, I've got you covered with everything you need for a productive day on the water.

What to Expect on the Water

We'll meet up near the Fort Lauderdale/Everglades area or down in the South Everglades – I'll send you the exact location once we get your booking confirmed. The beauty of this trip is that we're not locked into one spot. I know these waters like the back of my hand, and part of what makes this a top-rated experience is my ability to read conditions and move to where the fish are biting. Some days the largemouth are crushing everything in the shallow grass beds, other days the peacocks are schooled up around structure in deeper water. That's the fun of it – we adapt and stay on the bite. You don't need to worry about bringing anything except yourself and maybe a hat and sunglasses. I provide all the rods, reels, and tackle, plus bottled water and ice to keep you comfortable. If you want to up your odds even more, I can bring live shiners for an extra fee – these things are like candy to big bass, especially when the bite gets tough. The whole vibe is laid-back but focused. We're here to catch fish and have a good time doing it.

Techniques & Tackle

The Everglades isn't like fishing a regular lake – the structure, vegetation, and water levels change constantly, which means we need to stay flexible with our approach. I'll have multiple rod setups ready depending on what we're targeting and where we find them. For peacock bass, we might throw spoons, jigs, or live bait around rocky areas and canal edges where they like to ambush prey. These fish are sight feeders and incredibly aggressive, so once we locate a school, the action can be non-stop. Largemouth bass in the Everglades are different beasts entirely – they're used to eating just about anything that moves, from shiners to small birds that fall in the water. We'll work topwater baits early, then switch to soft plastics or live bait as the day progresses. The grass beds here are legendary for holding big bass, but you need to know how to fish them without getting hung up every cast. That's where my coaching comes in handy – I'll show you exactly how to work each lure, when to set the hook, and how to fight these fish in heavy cover. The gear I provide is specifically chosen for Everglades fishing, so you're not dealing with tackle that's too light or techniques that don't work in these conditions.

Target Species

Largemouth bass in the Everglades are something special. These aren't your average pond bass – they're thick, healthy, and incredibly strong from living in such a rich ecosystem. The average fish runs 2-4 pounds, but 5-8 pounders are caught regularly, and double-digit bass are always a possibility. What makes Everglades largemouth so fun to catch is their aggression and the variety of ways you can target them. They'll hit topwater baits with explosive strikes that'll get your heart pumping, or they'll inhale a live shiner so subtly you barely feel the bite until you try to reel in. The best fishing is typically fall through spring when cooler water temperatures make them more active, but even in summer, early morning trips can produce excellent results. These bass have seen every lure imaginable, but they're still suckers for a well-presented bait in the right spot.

Peacock bass are the exotic stars of South Florida fishing, and the Everglades population is as good as it gets outside of their native South America. These fish are pure muscle and attitude – when a 3-pound peacock hits your lure, it feels like you hooked a fish twice that size. They're incredibly visual predators with amazing eyesight, which makes them both challenging and rewarding to catch. Peacocks love structure – rock piles, canal walls, downed trees – anywhere they can ambush baitfish. They're most active in warmer water, so summer and early fall can be absolutely phenomenal, but they bite year-round in South Florida. What really gets people hooked on peacock bass is their fighting style. They jump, they run, they shake their heads violently trying to throw the hook. It's like fighting a small tarpon, and their beautiful colors make every fish a trophy worth photographing.

Time to Book Your Spot

Look, I could talk about Everglades fishing all day, but the real magic happens when you're out there with a rod in your hand. This 4-hour trip gives you a genuine taste of what makes South Florida bass fishing so renowned among anglers worldwide. You're getting access to waters that produce both quantity and quality, plus the hands-on instruction that'll make you a better angler whether you fish with me again or head out on your own someday. The fact that we can target two completely different species in one trip – native largemouth and exotic peacocks – makes this a customer favorite that offers something for everyone. I keep the group small at just 2 people max because that's how you get the personalized attention and coaching that turns a good day into a great day. Ready to see what all the fuss is about? Let's get