A 16-year-old angler from our area just did something most fishermen only dream about. Xzavier Peon was fishing with live bait near Westwood Lakes when he hooked a fish he assumed was a peacock bass. When it surfaced, he and his friends realized they were looking at a jaguar guapote, and a big one at that. The fish weighed in at 3.02 pounds and measured 16 inches, and by September it was officially confirmed as a new state record.
The previous record had stood since 2017, when the first jaguar guapote record was certified. That means Peon’s catch ended a nine-year run at the top. What makes it even more interesting is that jaguar guapote didn’t even become eligible for state record status until 2012. The species is one of more than 30 nonnative freshwater fish now established in Florida waters, so while this is a celebration for a local teenager, it’s also a small window into how our freshwater ecosystems have changed over the years.
For anyone who grew up fishing Florida’s lakes and canals, this story is a reminder that the water still holds surprises. Peon wasn’t using high-end gear or fishing some secret spot. He was out there with live bait, doing what plenty of Suncoast kids do on a weekend. The result was a record that could stand for another decade.
What’s the most unexpected thing you’ve ever pulled out of a Florida waterway? Let us know in the comments.
