-Exotic Species of the Sunshine State
-Paul Bristow

Many fishermen will travel halfway around the world in pursuit of a unique species of fish.  Some may travel deep into the Amazon basin in search of peacock bass, while others might paddle wooden canoes along a rocky shore in Thailand hunting the elusive snakehead.  Fishing trips to far-off lands are great adventures, but Florida anglers don’t need to travel far to pursue some of the world’s most exciting freshwater game fish.  This first article in an occasional series for Onshore/Offshore Magazine will highlight some of the fantastic exotic fishing opportunities the sunshine state has to offer.

Due to the legal and illegal introduction of non-native fish species, Florida hosts some of the most unique freshwater fishing opportunities available on any one continent.  A tropical climate, great biodiversity, and a maze of interconnected waterways combine to make Florida a perfect environment for exotic species.  According to the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) there are over thirty species of non-native naturally reproducing freshwater species present in Florida waterways.

While the entire list of Florida exotics is immense, the most popular sportfish include the bullseye snakehead, clown knifefish, and butterfly peacock bass.  In addition, several herbivorous exotics attract fly fishermen including the tambaqui (pacu), grass carp, and various species of tilapia.  Finally, more diminutive critters like the oscar cichlid, jaguar guapote, and mayan cichlid are extremely popular with panfish anglers.  Let’s take a look at three of the species that have gained the most attention from anglers in the past few years.

Bullseye (Cobra) Snakehead

If you were to believe many of the media reports and low-budget horror films about snakeheads, we would have a statewide emergency on our hands.  While snakeheads commonly attack pets and humans on late night television, our local version is much more likely to terrorize frogs & lizards along a canal bank.  Perhaps no other non-native species in history has been vilified to the extent of the snakehead, leaving many anglers with a very negative opinion of this species.  Even top FWC scientists have agreed that many facts have been exaggerated or even misrepresented when it comes to the snakehead.

The bullseye snakehead first gained wide press recognition in Florida waters in 2005, but many believe they were established before that time.   With theories ranging from intentional introduction by fish markets to breached tropical fish farms, we may never know exactly how the species was originally introduced.  While the FWC is not planning to eradicate snakeheads from the waters of South Florida, it is illegal under both state and federal law to transport live snakeheads in Florida.  One method the FWC advocates for reducing snakehead numbers is to encourage the public to eat this fish species.  The snakehead is not only recognized as a fantastic food species in its native range, but also rumored to have ‘medicinal’ qualities for the sick.

Snakeheads are deep brown and have an elongated body with a continuous dorsal fin similar to the native bowfin (mudfish).  Look for an orange eyespot at the base of their tail, like you might see on a small male bowfin or a saltwater redfish.  They have an extremely hard skull that packs several rows of razor sharp teeth designed to grab and hold prey.  Perhaps the most obvious feature that distinguishes the snakehead from the native mudfish is the pair of orange bulging eyes that seem to be glued on top of their head.    

When pursuing bullseye snakeheads in South Florida, try Broward County where they were first discovered.  The C-14 canal system and its many branch canals and industrial drainage areas are great areas to hunt for snakeheads.  Shore fishing roadside canals in this region is a great option.  Keep in mind that many of these waters connect underneath the roads via drainage pipes.  Snakeheads really enjoy using these culverts as feeding lanes.

Medium largemouth bass gear will suffice for most snakehead fishing.  A basic assortment of topwater frogs, spinnerbaits, and jerkworms will take snakeheads on most occasions.  I like to tip my favorite spinnerbaits with a durable double curly tail grub like those made by Big Fish Tackle Company of Kissimmee, Florida.  The double trailer makes the spinnerbait more closely resemble a frog swimming subsurface.  Remember to fish your topwater baits and spinners very close to shore as snakeheads are looking to attack small terrestrials like lizards and frogs.  Indeed, even ‘hopping’ your bait into the water from shore is a sure way to charm some snakeheads.

 

Clown Knifefish
       
Perhaps one of the most unique looking fish to inhabit freshwater, there is no mistaking a clown knifefish for any other species.  Resembling a butcher knife straight out of a horror movie, their long slender body and silver scales lead to a head that looks suited for a trout.  One single fin runs nearly the entire body length.  Although their heads seem too small for their bodies, a specially hinged jaw allows them to take larger prey than would otherwise be possible.

The clown knifefish has the smallest range of our sunshine state exotics and is caught only in the Lake Ida Chain in Palm Beach County.  While the introduction of the snakehead remains a mystery, most believe that the knifefish was introduced by aquarium enthusiasts who could no longer afford a fish with such a big appetite.  Because of their affection for their pets, it is theorized that many owners illegally released them into state waters rather than dispatching and properly disposing of them.

The knifefish is a predator and is thought to feed mostly on the various shad populations of the Lake Ida Chain.  While knifefish are new to the Florida inland environment, they seem to be very comfortable feeding alongside the native largemouth bass that gang up to bust schools of shad.  Indeed, many knifefish are caught right alongside largemouth bass, sunshine bass, and even the non-native butterfly peacock bass.

Fishing live shad with light to ultra-light tackle is perhaps the most consistent way to attract clown knifefish.  Baits can be free-lined or fished under a small cork.  Artificial lure enthusiasts should cast slender plugs, rattle baits, and jerk worms.  One unique fighting trait of the clown knifefish is that it can swim in reverse, so keep this in mind when it comes to landing time!

Butterfly Peacock Bass

The butterfly peacock bass is the one species discussed in this article that was intentionally introduced by the FWC in the mid 1980’s.  As a result, the distribution of this fish is much wider, including a significant presence in the canals and lakes of Broward, Dade, Collier, and Palm Beach counties.  Similar to the cobra snakehead, the C-14 canal system is a traditional peacock hot spot with good shoreline and boat access.

Perhaps one of the world’s most beautiful game fish, the butterfly peacock has a body shape similar to the largemouth bass.  The colors (and even shape) of this species can vary greatly depending on the time of year and body of water.  The male peacock will develop a large hump at the rear of its head during the spawn.  The general coloration of Florida peacocks may range from deep green to lime green, with prominent black spots along the entire body.  The lower body of this fish could have hues ranging from canary yellow to bright orange, followed by a black ocellus on the tail.  Finally, a deep red eye gives the butterfly peacock a menacing stare.

The butterfly peacock is one of the smaller peacocks, but is considered a fantastic light tackle game fish.  Florida peacocks are most common in the 1 to 3 pound range, but they can top out at over 10 pounds.  The basic tackle discussed above for snakeheads is a good choice, with the lure selection more focused on topwater propeller baits and diving crankbaits.  While snakeheads are commonly hunting terrestrials, the butterfly peacock most often seeks other fish species for prey.  As a result, longline trolling with small diving crankbaits can be a great method to find active peacocks.

Florida peacocks frequently inhabit areas with steep banks, rock outcroppings, and occasional current flow.  These areas are most commonly found where canals link up for drainage and overflow purposes.  Indeed, peacocks will sometimes school up in great numbers to corral baitfish in these areas.  Under this scenario, try tossing a ¼ oz. saltwater jig with a soft plastic tail to the actively feeding fish.  My favorite bait for this is the 4” Silver Curl Tail made by Love’s Lures.

Whether you enjoy casting artificial lures, fly fishing, or simply soaking live bait along the bank, there are countless opportunities to pursue exotic species in the sunshine state.  Indeed, some of the world’s most exciting game fish are within a short drive of most major metropolitan areas.  In the coming months we’ll explore more of these species and the best fishing methods more in depth.  In the meantime, give ‘Florida’s Funky Fish’ a try this month.  I think you’ll enjoy making some new friends on the water.

Paul Bristow has written articles for various outdoor publications since 1999.  He is currently the manager of Apollo Beach Bait & Tackle Company, LLC which distributes the popular Love’s Lures line of baits.  Questions about exotic species fishing can be e-mailed to Paul at loveslures@msn.com