FRESHWATER

from Coastal Angler Magazine | April 2023 | Miami Edition

How To Rock a Walking Stick

by Captain Tony Tojdowski

April takes its name from the Latin word “aperine,” meaning “to open,” just as the mango blossoms and hungry shes’ mouths do this time of the year. e Romans named April a er the goddess Aphrodite who was born from the seas foam. Well, if the Romans lived in South Florida in this day and age they might have called this month “piscari on” Latin for “Fish On”! O en considered the best time to target large peacock bass and other freshwater exotics, travelers from across the United States ock to South Florida to escape the Northern cold and to try to land their “PB” or personal best peacock bass.

Large peacock bass can still be found spawning near the shores edge. Look for lighter colored rocks as the sh rid these rocks of any algae or moss growing on them in preparation to lay their eggs. Once a female has spread the eggs evenly across the rocks surface, the sun gently warms the eggs until they are ready to hatch. is cycle takes about two to three weeks. Until the eggs hatch, the male and female will guard the eggs like Roman gladiators, attacking any sh that gets too close.

My favorite lure to throw at them is a brightly colored feather tipped jig head. I try to target the larger of the two parents making sure to leave one parent guarding the eggs. If both parents are pulled from the nursery, results can be catastrophic for the undeveloped eggs. O en, a midas cichlid will be watching and waiting close by for the opportunity to eat some fresh cage free eggs.

I o en sh with clients who say a er a day of catching multiple 20 inch plus sh, how special the shing is here in South Florida. A typical fourhour charter will result in 30+ sh with 2 to 3 in the wall mounter category. April is indeed a special time of the year here in Miami and should not to be missed, especially if you’ve never caught a peacock bass.

Captain Tony Tojdowski

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