THE ULTIMATE ANGLING BUCKET LIST

as was the case this particular day, you feel like you are literally going to melt exposed out there in the
boat.
They are not too demanding either when it comes to tackle. A nice light outfit, a single size one hook
tied directly to the end of the line, and a small shot above it to take the live-bait down is all it takes.
Oh, and a good pair of polarized sun glasses to see them with, because this is all about spotting
individual fish and sight casting the baits right onto their nose.
This is the other big reason why you need a boat. Even it you could get bank fishing access, it wouldn't
be much good, as you need to search the length of the canal for individual fish. And as it was spawning
time, many of the fish were either paired up or guarding egg clumps in the margins along the tops of
the coral shelves; in and around drainage pipes, or lying in ambush under the edges of over-hanging
vegetation.
At first I had difficulty picking them out, particularly at distance. But you soon start to get your eye in.
Frank on the other hand could spot them from incredible distances.
This is where the Minn Kota electric outboard on the bow of the boat really came in to its own.
Controlled completely by a foot operated pedal, Frank was able to both power and steer the boat quietly
to within casting range without any undue disturbance.
The idea was to cast the shiner just ahead the basking bass, then let it swim down past it. These are
exceptionally aggressive fish which would more often than not gulp the shiner down within seconds if
the placing just right.
If it wasn't, you simply had another shot, and another... Most would eventually take the bait, though a
few that were guarding eggs swam at it and simply 'blew' it away from their territory.
Watching a fish approach a bait then take it brings
an adrenalin rush that no other approach to fishing
can match. All heart in the mouth stuff, and boy do
these fish go once the hook is set. Rather like
rainbow trout in fact, they can take off at a good rate
of knots, and will not give up until they are safely
inside the landing net, if you can get them to go in
it that is.
The smaller ones were lifted aboard, but the better
fish do need the net, as I found out to my cost when
I parted company with the best fish of the day
through not waiting for help.
I won't be making that mistake again. And after
careful unhooking, plus a few photographs, each
one was taken back to the exact point it came from
for release so that it could get right back to its egg
guarding duties or defending its patch.
Dawn Williams, Peacock Bass
complaining about that.
The peacock bass project was never intended as a
challenge to South American supremacy. But that's
what it has developed into, as well as being a highly
successful biological control mechanism, and
nobody, least of all American anglers, are
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