Targeting Exotic Species in Florida

If you're looking for a change of pace, targeting species you've never caught is always fun, which often means leaving the country or even the continent. This is a common thought for anglers looking to make a dream bucket-list fishing trip, but there are alternatives if you don't want to travel that far.

If you don't want to leave the country, you can target exotic species such as snakehead, peacock bass, and clown knifefish in Florida. It's a burgeoning fishing scene in the canals on the state's East Coast that keeps Capt. Justin Jones busy. He guides for these species, primarily targeting them like he does when he takes guide clients to Lake Okeechobee for trophy largemouth bass.

Breaking Down the Fishery

According to Jones, each species acts differently throughout the year, but it's possible to catch them any month. While these are the primary targets, there are even more exotic species in the waters.

"We mainly target peacock bass, snakehead, and clown knifefish, but you can also catch all kinds of cichlid species," says Jones. "The clown knifefish aren't all the way down to Miami yet, but the snakeheads and peacocks are pretty much from West Palm Beach to the Everglades."

Part of the draw to catching clown knifefish and snakeheads is their limited range in America. "Florida's the only place people can catch clowns without traveling to Southeast Asia. It's a world-class fishery here for those that don't want to travel that far," he said. "I've had clients from all over America come to target them, even several from Europe. As it's Florida, it's easy for people to sneak away for a day during their family vacation for a unique fishing trip."

Targeting Clown Knifefish

One of the most unique species of the bunch is the clown knifefish, an eel-like species unlike any American fish. Understandably, it's one of the most requested targets from clients booking Jones for a trip.

"I get a lot of calls for them because they are so different looking," Jones begins. "They swim backwards, so when you hook one, it feels like you're snagged because they pull so hard and go away from you. Then, all of a sudden, they'll come out of the water and jump like a tarpon. They are known for their acrobatics as they shake their heads."

The state record sits at 16 pounds, but Jones says most average between 5 and 10 pounds, and they all have a beautiful shine. They're also very aggressive and will bite various lures that work for bass.

"They spawn shortly after bass do and then disappear from the shallows during the summer, suspend more, and become more of a nighttime feeder," he said. "They suspend around bridges during the day, and the best way to target them is with a small swimbait on a jighead, similar to catching spotted bass. They also like a jerkbait, jighead minnow, and a big glide bait."

For jerkbaits and glide baits, Jones spools up with Seaguar InvizX fluorocarbon on baitcasting reels, but uses a combination of 15 lb Seaguar Smackdown braid with a leader of 15 lb Seaguar Pounce fluorocarbon leader on his spinning gear for small swimbaits and minnows on a jighead.

"I've been impressed with how strong Pounce is," he says. "The clown knifefish have two small fang-like teeth on the bottom of their mouth, and even though they're not very big, they can still cut your line. If you aren't using a good fluorocarbon or try too light of line, they'll cut you off when they shake their head and jump."
Peacocks in America

South America is known for giant peacock bass exploding on topwater baits, and while the American versions don't quite get as big, they are plentiful and just as hard-fighting in Florida. 

"You can catch them year-round, but one of my favorite times to do it is when many people stop targeting them in the colder months," he said. "They'll get around bridges and any structure on the bottom, and you can catch them on a blade bait. We catch a lot of them all year, between two and five 5 pounds, and a huge one is about eight 8 pounds, but they are so much fun and pull so hard."

When the water is warmest from late Spring to late Summer, peacock bass will be shallow and spawning, and you can catch them in several ways. "They're a hot weather species and become very active in shallow water until around August when they pull off the bank," he said. "Then, it's just like fishing for largemouth bass, and we catch them on crankbaits, glide baits, and jerkbaits away from the shore. Compared to largemouth, the main difference is that they don't like plastic worms, but you can catch them on soft swimbaits."

The Snakehead Bite

Snakeheads have made their way to different regions in America, with the northern snakehead taking hold in the Mid-Atlantic, but in Florida, it's the bullseye snakehead.

"The ones we have are a completely different breed, and instead of being short and fat, they're much longer and skinny. But, they're just as mean and aggressive," said Jones. "You can catch them most of the year, and what's crazy is how shallow they live. I'm talking about inches of water right on the bank."

They will eat moving lures like ChatterBaits and spinnerbaits, but fishing a frog for them on braided line is one of the most consistent bites. Jones prefers 50 and 65-pound Seaguar TactX braided line for his snakehead fishing.

"When you hook them, they do the whole deathroll, and you need a braid to hold up to that as they drag you through the cover," said Jones. "TactX is very tough and withstands these toothy fish, but it also performs very well, and it's phenomenal for skipping a frog. This allows you to get back under those trees and shady spots where snakeheads like to be."

For a change of pace without needing a passport, Florida has a host of exotic fish species that are fun to target. Clown knifefish, peacock bass, and snakeheads will all be willing to bite the next time you head to the Sunshine State.

Seaguar InvizX Fluorocarbon is available from 4 to 25 lb tests in 200-, 600-, and 1,000-yard spools.

Seaguar TactX Camo Braid is available from 10 to 80 lb tests in 150- and 300-yard spools.

Seaguar Pounce Bass Leader is available from 6 to 15 lb tests in 25-yard leader spools.

Seaguar Smackdown Braid is available in high visibility Flash Green and low visibility Stealth Gray. It is available in 150- and 300-yard spools in sizes ranging from 10 to 65 lb tests.