Cichla orinocensis:
Specimens from various
Amazon fisheries
A southern Amazon specimen.
A northern, black-water fish.
An unusually marked specimen from the clear, black
water Rio Xeriuini.
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Cichla monoculus:
A small central Amazon specimen
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A brilliantly colored spawning male.
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Cichla ocellaris
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Cichla intermedia:
'Royal' peacocks prefer fast water
in highland rivers.
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Although Cichla temensis
is the ultimate goal of peacock anglers, several other species provide
excellent sport throughout almost all regions of the Amazon.
The 'borboleto' (Cichla orinocensis)
may be the most numerous and widespread species in the northern Amazon
basin. This smaller fish has several different color variations.
The most common pattern has three black ocelli, or spots (about the size
of a half dollar, depending on the size of the fish) running along its
lateral line, in addition to the ever-present tail spot. Some may
display less distinct body markings, a reddish reticulated pattern or more
muted colors. The absence of the black eye patches clearly
distinguishes orinocensis from its larger cousin, temensis.
Average size for Cichla orinocensis is about 2-pounds. The
largest 'borboletos' rarely exceed 8-pounds.
Another common, Amazonian species, Cichla
monoculus, exhibits three black triangular-shaped markings along the
back, somewhat similar to temensis, but with the addition of a distinct
bar-like pattern above the belly. In spawning condition, monoculus has a brilliantly colored red belly. In the central Amazon, this
fish does not commonly grow over 4-pounds, but on the periphery of the
basin (southern Brazil and Bolivia in particular, where it is called "fire-belly"
or "fogo"), it has been said to attain weights up to 12-lbs.
One of the biggest sources of confusion in
peacock bass nomenclature (for anglers) is Cichla ocellaris.
Although not an important Amazon basin game species, ocellaris has
gained notoriety due to its greater tolerance of cold water, hence an ability
to be transplanted into new homes. Transplanted into Florida over
twenty years ago, ocellaris is commonly called the "butterfly peacock"
in English. Unfortunately (for naming purposes), when anglers arrive
in Brazil for their long-awaited peacock bass trip, they are promptly introduced
to Cichla orinocensis, locally called "Borboleto", which means butterfly
(the insect) in Portuguese, the language of Brazil. The two species
are promptly, inextricably confused. To add to the confusion, ocellaris,
the Florida "butterfly", is called "sarabiana" in Brazil.
The fifth species is the 'royal' peacock (Cichla
intermedia). This species is not encountered in the lowlands
of the Amazon basin, since it prefers fast water and a rocky habitat (it
is more common in Columbian and Venezuelan tributaries of the Orinoco River).
The royal's distinguishing features include a narrow, serrated, horizontal
black 'band' that runs from just behind the gill plate, past the soft part
of the dorsal fin (this 'band' is often broken up, but the fish's coloration
remains quite distinctive from the 'butterfly.') Unlike the other
four species, 'royal' peacocks prefer fast moving water and act somewhat
like North American smallmouth bass. 'Royals' reach a top weight
of about 5-pounds. |
Conventional tackle for peacocks should be selected according to the type of lure to be used.
Peacocks are usually fished using rods and reels similar to
those for trophy largemouth bass. A selection of three rigs is generally
adequate for most fishing conditions and the four most commonly used
classes of baits.
The most popular lures for peacock
bass fishermen are undoubtedly the big propeller baits. Available
models include the 6-3/4-inch Luhr Jensen Woodchopper and Amazon Ripper
and Highroller's Monster RipRoller. When casting these large, almost
2-ounce, topwater plugs, a medium- heavy rod is recommended.
It's also very important to have a fast retrieve reel. Almost any
spinning reel is fast enough, however, baitcasters should be certain to
select reels with a 6.3:1,or faster retrieve.
Other very effective surface
lures include the "walking stick" type baits, such as Heddon's Zara Spook
and Excalibur's Super Spook. These lures are effectively used with
a medium rod and a reel to match and don't require a fast retrieve.
The same rig can also be used for the extremely effective (especially in
clearer water) swimming plug type baits, such as Yo-zuri's Crystal Minnow
or Cordell's Red Fin.
Anglers should carry a lighter
rig as well, to cast the super effective peacock jigs. A medium-
light spinner with a reel to match is perfect for the job. This arrangement
is almost effortless to use and is extremely productive, accounting for
greater numbers of peacock bass per time in use than any other combination.
Trophy peacock fishing
requires strong hooks, split rings and lines to handle these incredibly
powerful fish. Most veterans use 30-50-lb. braided line. Anything
lighter is easily broken by big peacocks in heavy structure (their favorite
haunts). For more information: Peacock
Primer II
Fly casters take peacocks
on a variety of oversized streamer, popper and slider patterns (tied on
5/0 or 6/0 extremely stout wide-gap hooks) which match a multitude of large
baitfish. For larger fish, streamers, with a big profile are most
often productive. A stiff 8 to 10-weight rod will easily
cast the 200-300 grain sinking lines most commonly used (depending upon
fishing conditions) to present these flies. An 8-weight is perfect
for lighter sinking or floating lines. In tight structure, heavy
leaders (such as an 8-foot section of 35-pound monofilament) are
essential to keep from breaking big fish off.
For more information: Pre-Trip
Info
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