Information Central (c) Larry Larsen
Live Bait Option
A few of the camps in South America offer live bait fishing for peacock bass. I should also note that some operators/outfitters have a
policy not to allow the use of live bait on their waters (from their boats). Others allow the technique but do not encourage it. Check with the agent about the option before
you go, and take along some circle hooks if you plan on trying this.
 One friend that enjoys it and utilizes it particularly when the
top water bite is off wrote me a letter about his technique. "While nothing can compare to a giant peacock hitting a
topwater lure, live bait, when permitted should be added to your options," he wrote. "Seeing a giant peacock hit a matrincha or piranha is also something to behold, and often
when topwater fishing is slightly off due to high water or fishing pressure, live bait can make the difference in a successful fishing trip."
After a few years of experimenting with lines, hooks, etc., he recommends the following equipment: 1. Circle hooks, use a
size 13/0 (although different manufacturers offer a number 13/0 circle hook with a different physical size and in some
cases, a 8/0 or 9/0 might be suitable for the size of live bait being used). 2. Split rings, use #10 size. 3. Line, use 60 pound
test braid and a leader of nylon coated wire to prevent piranha cutoffs. (If using monofilament, stick with 40 pound
test). 4. Rod & Reel, use a 7 foot medium action and a heavy duty baitcasting reel. 5. Rubber bands, use #32. and 6. Floats,
use your empty drinking water bottles (some live bait guides use balloons as floats).
"The rubber band is placed about 10 feet above the leader and wrapped around the float bottle, which makes it act like
a planar board," he continued. "The small piranha or matrincha baitfish, which I call 'peacock candy', is hooked through
 the back. Then, let out approximately 125 to 150 feet of line and place your
rod in a rod holder or secure it in the boat to the seat. Put the reel in free spool and reduce the drag setting. While trolling the live bait, you can use
another rod to cast with."
The use of live bait is enjoyed by some anglers when they need a break from
casting. An option is having some of the guides catch bait first thing in the morning prior to the trip. He suggests you bring an ultralight rod and some
small hooks. Fishing is done by sight, and the guides will help point out the massive schools of baitfish. A small piece of fish is usually used for bait.
Another angler comments on his experience fishing with circle hooks and the
baitfish called matrinchas. "I believe that the fishing pressure on some Amazon rivers has been rather severe over the past few years and the
guides, being resourceful as they are, have had to resort to live bait to consistently catch the double digit fish," he wrote. "Our guide was very
adept at catching the baitfish, which reminded me of the native shiner in Central Florida. We would be running down the
river and all of a sudden our guide would pull up on the bank, jump out and throw out a hand full of cooked rice, and
with his hand line, he would soon have several matrinchas in the live well."
 "These are very sturdy baitfish and seem to require no aeration at all. Our
guide had a honey hole that he took us to on two different occasions. It was at a place where a lagoon dumped into the main river channel and created
an eddy. You could tell it was rather deep by the darker water. The last time we were at this spot, we caught 8 double digit fish up to 17 lbs and never
moved. They would not hit the Woodchopper, but as soon as the live bait hit the water, it was gone
"One tip to remember is do not set the hook when using circle hooks," he
noted. "By setting the hook, you are defeating the hook's design and intention. The advantage in using circle hooks is that they will easily rotate
and go into the corner of the fish's mouth. The hook is 'set' by steadily increasing the load on the rod and line. I have yet to have a peacock swallow
the circle hook, so my results are 100% catch and release!"
Friend and PBA supporting member TJ Stallings of Daiichi comments: "For the
same reasons that Catfish anglers love the Circle Chunk Light; this would make a great hook for fishing large live baits for Peacocks. The bottom gap is
plenty wide to hook a bait through the back, while the gap between the point and shank would fit the lip."
"Too often anglers make their circle hook choices based on the size "number" and not the gap," he explains. "Either the
5/0 for Peacock under 15lbs. and the 7/0 for larger fish. The light wire is perfect for 20-30 lb line respectively. Remember
what I said about the numbers? The Improved Circle Hook in the 13/0 is nearly the same size as the aforementioned Circle Chunk Light in the 7/0."
Editor's Note: Tips reprinted with permission from PBA's "The World of Peacock Bass" monthly eZine.
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