So. Florida Bass & Peacock bass spawning season?

[GonzoFishing]

Anyone know when Bass and Peacock Bass spawn in the SouthEast Florida area? Someone mentioned that LMB spawn once a year and Peacocks twice a year but I dont know when. Thanks

[George Welcome]

LMB:

Spawning Habits - Spawning occurs from December through May, but usually begins in February and March in most of Florida when water temperatures reach 58 to 65 degrees and continues as temperatures rise into the 70s. The male builds saucer-shaped nests 20 to 30 inches in diameter by placing its lower jaw near the bottom and rotating around this central location. Bass prefer to build nests in hard-bottom areas along shallow shorelines or in protected areas such as canals and coves. Depending on her size, the female can lay up to 100,000 eggs, which are fertilized as they settle into the nest. After spawning is completed, usually five to 10 days, the male guards the nest and eggs and later the young (sometimes called fry) attacking anything that approaches the nest. The female bass stays near the nest or may swim a short distance and remain listless for up to a day. After hatching, the fry swim in tight schools, disbanding when the small fish reach a length of about one inch.

Look for the strong possibility of two spawns of LMB per year where you live.

Peacock:

SPAWNING HABITS Typically spawn from April through September with a peak in May and June; both adults prepare a flat, hard surface near shore, then lay between 4,000 and 10,000 eggs; young are guarded by both parents, sometimes for several months; males commonly develop a nucchal' hump on foreheads when reproductively active.

[GonzoFishing]

Thanks George! I have a feeling 09 is going to be a good year for me!  

[gar-tracker]

There can be up to 4 spawns with fish spawning at any given time in Florida. Water level and weather comes into play throwing the book out the window at times.

[South FLA]

The spawn in S. FL can be all over the place I usually see peak activity in Late Jan to Feb.  

Peacocks a bit later when it gets warmer in early March.  

Have seen multiple spawns though.

[kiko13]

Good info here: http://www.flyfishpeacocks.com/info.htm

Plus....Mark is a great (inexpensive) guide. I will be fishing with him in December and February.  8-)

Ernie

[avid]

The only time in the past 5 years where I could identify a peak spawn on my local treasure coast lake was in January of '06.  The typical spawn sites were crowded with visible nests.  All other years the spawn was spread out over several months, with no real peak.

[GonzoFishing]

Thanks for the info everyone! Definetly a nice perk of living in Florida  

[regretlove]

Here's another site with good info-

http://www.floridamarine.org/

[teh_bass]

i cant wait for the peacock to start coming out again my lake is small but LOADED with peacock bass huge ones too since no one fishes for them except me YAYY!!!!!

[GonzoFishing]

i cant wait for the peacock to start coming out again my lake is small but LOADED with peacock bass huge ones too since no one fishes for them except me YAYY!!!!!

I'm stoked too! I have a few spots I think should produce for me. Any lure suggestions?

Hey, thanks for the links jf111 & kiko13. Good info! I'd love to book a trip with Mark but times are tough  

But, thats the good thing about So. Florida, you dont have to go far to find good fishing. Thanks everyone

[teh_bass]

Well the Peacock bass in my lake are right behind my house i dont even gota go on a boat i see them from the shore. I usually just use a peacock minnow or a chatterbait or on occasions even a Rat-L-Trap Small one though not a big one ill get some pics up

just remind me lol