Chasing Peacock Bass on the fly in Florida is an adventure like no other. Devin, a passionate angler who made the move from the Appalachian Mountains to Tampa, gives us his top five tips for hooking these colorful fish in Florida’s canals. From fly choice to sight fishing secrets, he’s got some great advice to help you reel them in.

What are your top five tips for catching peacock bass in Florida?

Chasing exotic species on the fly is one of the main draws to Florida. Peacock Bass, Snakehead, and other exotic species can be found in the plethora of fresh and brackish water canals in the southern portion of the state. A few tips for chasing Florida Peacock Bass:

1. Stick to the Miami/Fort Lauderdale area. Peacocks can be found in many places in the state, including Naples and some places on the west coast. However, nothing compares to the opportunities on the East Coast.

2. The BIG ones are smart. Peacock Bass are notoriously easy to catch. That being said, the larger, wiser ones can at times prove more of a challenge on fly. While you can walk right up in front of a smaller one, dangle a fly in its face and usually connect, use stealth on the bigger ones and prevent them from seeing you.

3. The faster the better. Again, there are exceptions to this, but many times if you stop moving the fly even for a split second a fish may turn off.

4. Small natural patterns. I prefer to stick to smaller more natural patterns to imitate what they are generally eating. Its hard to go wrong with a white or olive Clouser. Articulated streamers that are orange/ black are good too. Mayan Cichlids are a staple food for the big ones.

5. Have good polarized glasses. Miami peacock fishing can be some of the most exciting sightfishing to be had on fly. They are often hugging the bank either cruising up and down or bedding up. Make sure you can see them.

About Devin:

How did you first get into fly fishing, and what inspired your journey from the Appalachian Mountains to Tampa?

I got into fly fishing when I was a junior in high school. A friend of mine that I played baseball with first introduced me to it. We would head up into the Smokies every weekend and find a new stream to explore, primarily targeting trout and smallmouth bass. I was given the opportunity to play college baseball, and it enabled me to go to some pretty cool places. From living in Alabama to spending entire summers training and fishing in Colorado, my love for the sport grew. The opportunity then presented itself for me to pursue a degree in prosthetics in Tampa, FL. It was a big move, but it proved to be a great decision for both my career and pursuit of fish.

What do you enjoy about fishing in both the Appalachian Mountains and Tampa?

What I enjoy most about fishing back home in Appalachia as well as in the salt is what fly fishing teaches you. Many lessons can be learned from the sport such as the importance of being adaptable, having the proper mindset, and dealing with adversity. It’s always a challenge figuring out a new piece of water, and that's what makes it fun.

Can you share a standout fishing moment from your adventures?

Fishing in Florida is epic in both saltwater and fresh. From jumping giant tarpon, snook, and redfish to fishing for double digit bass, bowfin, and exotics. One of my favorite memories from a recent trip is the first time I saw a school of tailing redfish. It was the evening before Hurricane Idalia was supposed to make landfall and the fish were fired up. I had just moved to Tampa and was checking out a grass flat somewhere in the bay. I had never caught a redfish before, but after only about 15 minutes of looking around tailers started popping up in front of me. It didn’t take long to feed one and it was the perfect end to the day along with a beautiful sunset. It was such a good feeling to catch a new species for me on a self-tied fly.

How does your Appalachian background influence your fishing today?

I think my background growing up has made me appreciate the thrill and beauty of all fish. I cut my teeth on fishing for native Southern Appalachian Brookies. While they are small fish, they are unparallelled in their beauty. Musky, Smallmouth, and Brown Trout are some other species I loved to chase back home.

What’s been your most rewarding film project related to your fishing journey?

The most rewarding film project I have helped with is our Brook Trout film, The Native King of Southern Appalachia. My buddy Luke, @appalachia_productions , is the videographer on most of our filming projects and he does great work. We were able to interview some of the most influential fisheries biologists in our area and it was a cool experience. The film sheds light on our native trout and the thrill of hiking into the backcountry to chase them.