The state of Florida is home to over 500 non-native species of fish and wildlife and there are another 1,000+ invasive plant species on top of that. Some invasive species like the Burmese python or Lionfish dominate national headlines, while others like the Jaguar Guapote fish is native to Central America from Honduras to Costa Rica, fly under the radar.
Despite being an invasive species, the Jaguar Guapote fish was made eligible for state fishing records here in my home state of Florida back in 2012. It took five years before the the first state fishing record for Jaguar Guapote was certified in 2017 and then that record has stood pat until this month when 16-year-old Xzavier Peon of Miami broke the record while fishing around Westwood Lakes with live bait.
Florida Teen Sets State Fishing Record For Invasive Jaguar Guapote Species
The canals and lakes around Miami are notorious meccas for anglers seeking exotic species because they are home to a wide array of invasive fish species like the armored catfish, bullseye snakehead, clown knifefish, jaguar guapote, and of course, the peacock bass. The latter has transcended its status an invasive species and has anglers traveling from all over the country, and world, to catch peacock bass throughout South Florida.
When 16-year-old Xzavier Peon first hooked up on the record-setting Jaguar Guapote he thought it was a peacock bass. He told Florida Fish and Wildlife (MyFWC) “when I hooked it, I thought it was a peacock bass. But once the giant jaguar came up I knew that it was a state record almost instantly. We started freaking out once we realized it was a state record.”
This new state record tipped the scales at 3.02 pounds and measured 16 inches long. Pure muscle and fury. They fight!…