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Step 2. The Rods and Reels - Peacock
anglers often bring overly heavy gear. Yes, the peacock is
an extraordinarily powerful and violent fish, but rod and reel selections
should be made based on the lures you'll be using. Heavy tackle makes
you tired, resting anglers don't cast and lures in the boat don't catch
fish. Keep your gear reasonably light so that you can fish steadily,
make good casts and properly work the lures that will ultimately bring
in your trophy. Based on the lures recommended in our lure guide,
here is a summary of the rods and reels best suited to fishing with them.
Medium/Heavy Outfit - This rig will
effectively cast and work the heavy prop baits. Whether you're a
baitcaster or spin aficionado, select a Medium/Heavy rod (like the G. Loomis
Escape MHC - we recommend 3-piece travel rods). Avoid overlong (max.
7') rods and avoid long handles. They just make working the lure
more difficult.
Select a fast-retrieve reel. For spin
fishermen, this is easy; any medium sized reel (i.e. Shimano 4000 series)
has a fast retrieve. For baitcasters, you'll need a 6.3:1 or faster
retrieve and these are not the norm in mid-sized gear. We recommend
an Ambassadeur 5600 series reel in a modest price range or a Shimano Curado
200. Don't neglect this parameter of gear selection. Slow retrieving
reels will make it difficult to properly work your lure and leave you very
tired at the end of the day.
If you can skillfully operate either type,
spinner or baitcaster, the baitcaster is the better choice here, making
for fewer wind snagged lines and better low trajectory casts..
Medium/Light Outfit - This is
recommended for jigs and other small, lightweight baits. In the hands
of an experienced fisherman with a properly set drag, a quality outfit
in this category will efficiently handle even the largest peacock bass
while providing unparalleled casting ease, efficiency and accuracy with
light lures. If you can skillfully operate either type, the spinner
is the better choice here (i.e. Loomis Escape MLS and Shimano 2500 spinner).
Medium Outfit - This is a U.S. black bass
fisherman's bread and butter tool. Bring your favorite. Retrieve
rate is not critical with this rig. A good example would be a 7 foot
medium rod (Loomis Escape MC) and a Shimano Calcutta 250 size reel.
Use this for Zara Spooks, Yo-Zuris and medium size baits. This rod
also makes an excellent backup for either of the other two rods described
above (broken rods are not an unusual occurence here). |
Line - Peacock bass fishing in the Amazon requires braided
line. Peacock's tough mouths call for a solid, stretch-free hookset.
Great tensile strength is necessary to withstand their violent strikes.
The need for casting accuracy demands a thin, light, flexible line.
Monofilament's characteristics just do not serve this fishery. Even
if you've never used braid before, don't worry, our guides know the knots
and how to use the line. You'll quickly become comfortable.
Braid Options - For spinning tackle,
we recommend a quality thin braid such as Power Pro. Use at least
30 lb. test for medium and light gear. Lines of at least 50 lb. test
are appropriate for your heavier gear. For baitcasting gear, a heavier
test thin braid (50 or 65 lb. test Power Pro) is recommended . These
will prove to be more resistant to backlashes and "digging in". A
hint for new braid users. When tying your line onto your reel's arbor,
place a small piece of electrical tape over the first turn of line.
Subsequent wraps will dig into the tape and help to anchor the braid firmly
onto the arbor. This will prevent the line from spinning on the spool
and will assure that your drag works properly. Don't overdue the
line strength. Thicker line makes casting more difficult and shortens
casting distance.
A Warning - Despite their high tensile
strength, even these powerful lines will not allow you to out-muscle a
peacock. Their explosive initial bursts will break these strong braids
like sewing thread if your drag is not properly set. Even if your
line survives the initial onslaught, something else is bound to give.
Hooks will straighten, rods may explode or reels may disintegrate.
Peacock bass just cannot be "horsed". Use a properly set drag (you
must be readily able to manually pull out line) and use your angling skills
to lead fish away from structure and slowly and steadily tire them out.
Traveling Light - Be judicious with
your tackle selections. Almost all charter operators have a 44 lb.
(20 Kilo) weight limit.
Where to Buy - All of the individual
items recommended here, as well as complete destination specific packages
are available at www.Tackle-box.net
or call 866 832-2987 or 866 431-1668 for assistance. Lower priced
or higher value alternatives are also available.
ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT RECOMMENDATIONS -- Fishing tackle
prices can range from the sublime to the ridiculous. Although for
the most part you tend to get what you pay for, it isn't always necessary
to pay for the absolute best. Sometimes, 'pretty-good' will suffice.
With that in mind, please consider our tackle recommendations and checklists
with an eye toward your own budget. A Bogagrip costs over $100 dollars.
You don't have to buy one. Your guide should have one and can handle
your fish for you if the device will adversely affect your budget.
Similarly, a perfectly good rod and reel combo can be bought for $200,
a great one for $400 and the latest and greatest high tech rig for $1000.
They will all catch peacock bass. Your own skill and experience is
the single biggest factor in the effectiveness of any one brand over another.
In short, don't spend more on tackle than you are comfortable with.
By the same token, many anglers love trips like this just because they
provide a good excuse to buy new toys!
Whatever you bring or buy for your trip, some components
shouldn't be scrimped on. Good quality line is important. Get
a good selection of the recommended lures and upgrade the hooks and split
rings. Whatever reel(s) you bring, make sure that the drags are smooth
and effective.
The tackle mentioned above is what we consider to
be the optimum type for the conditions experienced. If you already
have something similar, use it. Keep in mind that some tackle used
on largemouth bass may be too light for most jungle angling conditions
(this includes lines, light rods and reels, and plugs/flies and especially
hooks). Our recommendations are a concise combination of opinions and experience
from clients and professionals who have spent a great deal of time fishing
throughout the Amazon. Special tackle suggestions should be taken
into consideration to ensure a hassle-free trip (remember, the nearest
tackle store is about 3,000 miles away from camp).
Casting & Spinning Rods and Reels: We highly recommend
bringing three-piece packable spin, casting, and fly rods that you can
carry on the plane. The cumbersome one-piece models often get lost
or broken in transport no matter how well they are packed. Baitcasting
and spinning rods used for large propeller lures should be medium-heavy
or heavy action models designed with plenty of backbone for hook setting/pressuring
big fish. Baitcasting reels for these baits should have a high-speed
retrieve ratio (6.3:1 or better), as these lures are normally worked at
an extremely fast rate. Bring at least two rods and reels, because
you might break a rod or strip the gears in one of your reels.
The precise, direct presentation of the level-wind
casting reel when used by a skillful angler is generally more useful than
the higher, arching lob of a spinning reel in tight structure. Because
of this, many anglers prefer to use casting rods instead of spinning models.
However, the typically faster retrieve and the ease of slinging very heavy
lures helps reduce fatigue with the spinning reel, giving an advantage
to the spinning tackle. Take your pick. It's usually best to
use the type of gear that you are most familiar and skillful with.
All of these products and many others are available directly AcuteAngling's
Tackle-box
If you have any questions, please feel free to call us,
toll-free or E-mail us.
Thanks for fishing with Acute Angling!
Paul Reiss:
- (866) 832-2987 - E-Mail Paul Reiss
Garry Reiss
- (866) 431-1668 - E-Mail Garry Reiss
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