A short trip looking for peas

RangerAndBass · April 15, 2018, 04:05:22 PM

Hi guys. I got out yesterday for 4 hrs on Ida. Water temps were between 83 and 85. It was windy. I fished seawalls and docks on the main lake but no peas anywhere. Most areas were only 3 fow around them but some with 5fow and deeper. I did catch a nice 2.5lb largemouth on a white charterbait.
I went down some of the canals and when I got in one back deadend one the last 1000 ft I hit gold. I had a couple follow my Xrap jerkbait to the boat but no hookup. One followed out from under a dock so I tossed under again and boom it hit. Nice fight. I do love catching them. Caught another on way back out. That was it.
I did see swarms (or schools) of what I would call tadpoles but may have been fry. They were black and stocky. What were they?
My sympathies go out to Eric from Maine and I cant figure out South Bay when it gets this warm
That's why I go peacock fishing.

Capt. BassinLou · April 15, 2018, 04:07:04 PM

Those are swarms of tadpoles.

Lipripper · April 15, 2018, 04:09:47 PM

Thanks for the report and that is a nice looking peacock. I bet them things would be a blast on Light fishing gear.

RangerAndBass · April 15, 2018, 04:10:52 PM

ok, thanks Lou. Do baitfish or anyone eat them? I can't say I saw much fish action around them and they were everywhere shallow.

Capt. BassinLou · April 15, 2018, 04:28:19 PM

Quote from: RangerAndBass on April 15, 2018, 04:10:52 PM
ok, thanks Lou. Do baitfish or anyone eat them? I can't say I saw much fish action around them and they were everywhere shallow.

I would think fish pick them off, but some of those swarms can be huge.

big g · April 15, 2018, 05:50:45 PM

Bass love them, they are hatching all over south fla. My lakes in Weston are full of them. They hatch by the millions. Sometimes the bite goes off because the bass are so full. It happens every year around this time. As the tadpoles get bigger they will move into the vegetation and deeper water. They feed the whole food chain.

Pacific NW Ron · April 15, 2018, 06:20:09 PM

Those are pretty fish. Maybe some day I'll get a chance at one. Thanks for the report

SFL BassHunter · April 16, 2018, 05:48:32 AM

Thanks for the report!

I've seen a few small bass attack small swarms of tadpole. I would assume they would attack the bigger swarm too. They are defenseless after all.

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Middleriver · April 16, 2018, 12:35:03 PM

Sandy Shores bait is on Federal Highway in Delray Beach, load up on shiners and fish the bridges and fishy spots, you'll catch many more peas with live bait and maybe some clown knife fish.

RangerAndBass · April 16, 2018, 12:58:19 PM

Quote from: Middleriver on April 16, 2018, 12:35:03 PM
Sandy Shores bait is on Federal Highway in Delray Beach, load up on shiners and fish the bridges and fishy spots, you'll catch many more peas with live bait and maybe some clown knife fish.

Thanks MR.
Don't pin me as a snob, but I love the challenge of catching them with artifical.
I did see people who were out with a guide catch a clown on Osborne with live bait.