Peacock Bass

General Info: Peacock bass are one of the brightest, most unique-looking fish in the world. They fight as hard as any other fish too. Perfect fly rod fare! More than one angler has claimed that the Peacock bass is the hardest fighting fish, pound for pound.

Florida is home to the majority of America's peacock bass, although they are all non-native to the US. A few locations in Texas and Arizona are also home to this exotic species.

While plenty of folks catch the occasional Peacock bass in their local pond or in the canals of southern Florida, most of the action is focused on their native habitat. Peacock bass are found throughout the upper reaches of the Amazon basin and surrounding areas. There are many lodges and outfitters that cater to destination fly anglers throughout Brazil and Guyana. The fish in their home waters can reach massive proportions and are very eager to take a huge topwater popper, baitfish pattern or flashy streamer. Anglers that have fished for Peacock bass in Amazonia boast about the power, beauty and attitude of these crazy fish. In the same areas that Peacock bass are found, Arapaima are also found. This makes a trip to Brazil a fantastic adventure as an angler can catch two of the world's premier fish in one trip.

Peacock Bass flies will typically feature an extra-strong stainless steel saltwater-worthy hook. Trout streamers are usually not going to cut it in the Amazon.

Link: YellowDog Adventures Peacock Bass Lodges/Resorts

Preferred Gear :

Rods: 8-10wt rods. Very fast, stiff. Shorter rods (under 9'0") are preferred by some anglers in the dense jungle, although they are harder to find.

Favorites: Echo EPR, TFO BC Big Fly, Redington Predator

Reels: Large arbor, heavy-duty drag preferred, especially if also chasing Arapaima

Favorites: Orvis Mirage, Redington Grande, Big Y General, Lamson Centerfire

Lines: Tropical, weight forward, specialty lines are made for this.

Favorites: RIO Elite Warmwater Predator, RIO Tropical Outbound Short,