Lake Ida Family Fun

On this trip, I had the pleasure of hosting a wonderful mother and her son for an unforgettable day of fishing. From the moment they stepped on the boat, the excitement was in the air. Before their arrival, I packed the livewell full of fresh threadfin shad—hands down the perfect bait for targeting trophy fish on this lake. We kicked things off by flipping docks, and the action was nonstop. They ended up catching an impressive 25 vibrant Peacock Bass, each one putting up a fierce fight that had them smiling ear to ear. To top it all off, they landed one of the lake’s most elusive and prized catches—a Clown Knife Fish! When the bite slowed down, I turned to one of my favorite tactics: live chumming. It didn’t take long before curious peacocks came right up to the boat, ready to strike again. The look on their faces when the fish swarmed in was priceless, and it made for a truly memorable experience they won’t soon forget. If you’re ready to create your own fishing adventure and make memories that will last a lifetime, book your trip now with Johnny Exotic Fishing Charters!

Today, I had the pleasure of taking out a group of three anglers for a morning adventure on the Lake Ida chain—and the action started right away! We wasted no time getting on the fish, and the shallow canals loaded with docks were the key to success. This time of year is truly something special. With clear water and warmer temps, you can actually sight-fish for Peacock Bass cruising the shallows. Watching these vibrant fish stalk your bait and explode on it is as exciting as it gets! In addition to the Peacocks, we also found plenty of hard-fighting Mayan Cichlids hanging tight to the dock structure. Don’t let their size fool you—these little guys pack a serious punch and are a blast on light tackle. By the end of the trip, we had a solid mixed bag and more than enough great photos to remember the day. The fish were fired up, the weather was perfect, and the smiles said it all. If you’re looking for an exciting day on the water with consistent action and beautiful surroundings, now is the time to book your trip. The fish are shallow, aggressive, and waiting for you!

This morning, I had the pleasure of fishing with a local angler who booked a quick morning trip—and what a trip it turned out to be! In just three hours, we landed an impressive number of trophy Peacock Bass, which is no easy feat, even on a full-day charter. The action kicked off early as we worked the docks with live threadfin shad, all locally caught right from the lake. These fish were aggressive and fired up, putting up an incredible fight and making for a thrilling experience start to finish. The weather was picture-perfect, the fish were chewing, and the lake was alive with energy. It’s days like this that remind me why Lake Ida is such a special fishery. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or just looking for an unforgettable morning on the water, now is the time to get out here. The bite is hot and the conditions are ideal—book your trip today and come experience it for yourself!