About Peacock Bass

Peacock Bass (Chichla sp.) is a generalized name for the large bass-like gamefish native to tropical South America. They are actually a subspecies of the family Cichlidae. Cichlids are a diverse family of tropical fishes found throughout Africa and South America, some of which are popular for aquariums. Although there are countless color variations throughout their range, there are only three recognized species of peacock bass — two are found in Brazil. All species are commonly called tucunare in Brazil and Peru, while other Spanish speaking countries use the term pavon. The peacock tucanare (Cichla temensis), better known as azul or paca is the largest of the three species, with an average weight of six or seven pounds. Ten to fifteen pound peacock bass are very common, and twenty+ pounders are hooked each week. This fish has a unmistakable mottled black patch directly behind its eye. Body coloration and markings vary greatly. Three vertical black bars are usually visible. Often, horizontal white spots are present.

The butterfly tucanare (Chichla ocellaris) is the smallest of the peacock bass and most numerous species in Brazil and the Amazon basin. This fish has three different color phases, but the butterfly primarily seen has three black, oscillated spots (about the size of a half dollar) running along its lateral line. Although peacock bass are the main attraction in Brazil and in the Amazon, there are many other jungle species that are no less impressive — both in beauty and fighting ability. Depending on location pacu, pirapitinga, jacunda, apapa, tambaqui, pirarucu, bicuda, picua, piranha, aruana and pescada can be taken.

Peacock Habits and Angling Hints

Like largemouth bass, peacock bass often prefer “structure” of some sort. Rocks, fallen logs, points and sand bars are hiding places for baitfish, so this is where the peacocks will usually be lurking. Of course, you should always heed the guide’s recommendations on where to cast.
Peacock bass usually roam about in small schools searching for baitfish, often bursting into a feeding frenzy. When this situation is encountered, get your lure or fly in front of the feeding fish as soon as possible. The sooner you can cast to them after they’ve been spotted, the better your chance of a hookup. Peacock bass are greedy and highly competitive schooling fish. Always cast a free lure or fly right next to any hooked fish. Another peacock bass will almost always be close by (attracted by the commotion). If no strikes result, fish the surrounding area thoroughly.
Novice peacock anglers tend to set the hook too fast when fishing topwater lures or flies. Often peacock bass will just slap at the lure to stun it, then come back around and firmly grab it on the second pass. It’s hard to remember at first, but don’t set the hook on the strike. If you can’t see the plug or fly after about three seconds, drop your rod tip and set the hook as hard as you can. Big peacock bass have very tough skin around their mouths and tend to grip the plug or fly firmly.
If the fish doesn’t take the lure on the first strike, keep it moving. If you are patient, the fish will usually come up and hit the lure a second or third time. If he loses interest, quickly cast a diving (subsurface) lure or fly. This often elicits another strike.
Never try and “horse” a big peacock bass, and don’t underestimate his power. If a big fish is headed for structure, apply side pressure to the rod trying to ‘steer’ the fish in another direction. If you crank your drag down too tight, they’ll almost always snap the line, or pull off. If a fish does make it into cover, don’t give up. Give a little slack and wait for the boat to spook the fish out of its hiding place — they’ll often untangle themselves. When a fish comes to the boat, never assume it’s ready to give up. Always keep a high rod tip and a loose drag to absorb last minute runs.
Lure or fly color doesn’t seem as important as lure shade. If it is bright out, use a light-colored lure/fly. Dark shades are more productive in low light conditions.