Peacock Bass Association

www.peacockbassassociation.com Executive Director: Larry Larsen Contact Us!

The World of Peacock Bass
May/June 2008
Official Newsletter/eZine of the Peacock Bass Association
www.peacockbassassociation.com
© Larry Larsen, Executive Director

In This Issue:   

1. Amazon Grade Solar Protection!
2. New Seckler Baitfish Jig Design
3. Florida Sight-Fishing for Peacocks
4. Close Out Sale on Video Cassettes
5. Trip Insurance - Why You Should Have It
6. Lake Huites Hot Again
7. Bookings At Agua Boa Amazon Lodge
8. We Get Mail (Women Enjoy Peacock Fishing More!, Missing a Spot!, Peacock Bass Pro Tours Ceases Operation, World Record Peacock Rules, Five Feet of Snow & Practice, Special Deal on the Nemo)
9. CLUB CONCIERGE
10. Member Comment/Reprint Policies

Amazon Grade Solar Protection! We all know that sun protection for your head, hands and eyes keeps harmful UV rays at bay. "You'll have it made in the shade this summer with our new SPF Amazon Grade sunhats and sun gloves," says Scott Swanson of QuesTackle. "The one size fits most, flats-style cap protects your face, neck and ears and the lightweight gloves have cutout fingers." PBA members should check them out. QuesTackle is also now a licensed G-Loomis rod dealer. In addition to an in-stock line of travel rods, anglers can now order any G-Loomis rods and have them drop shipped anywhere in the United States or Canada. G-Loomis, also a long-time PBA Supporting Member, offers a full range of freshwater, lightweight high-performance rods. For a consultation, a catalog or more information about ordering the caps, gloves or rods, call QuesTackle toll-free at 1-888-891-3474.  

New Seckler Baitfish Jig Design - I received an interesting email from active PBA member Ron Eller who owns Beaver Creek Lodge in Kodiak, Alaska. He wrote, "Hi there Larry: Have talked a lot to Dan (Stock) at Hook-Um-Up and have asked him to design a new jig - called the seckler. I learned from my last trip that the Peacock ate a lot of the (small) sardine-type fish called "secklers". Even had a few of them that were being chased by a peacock jump right into the boat. Also had a few come out of the mouth of a Peacock that I caught. Well my theory was that if this baitfish is one of the main diets of the peacock, then someone should design a jig in the color of one. So, I asked Dan to make one with the color of the seckler, which is silver/white with a small amount of yellow in it with and black eyes and in an 8" length. So, he did. He took some to the Long Beach show and sold a bunch of them. Also, after reading (several times) in one of your books about "where the big boys lie" in deeper water, my thoughts were to design another seckler jig in a size that is a little bigger then the normal 8".  Design it in 3/4 ounce (perhaps) and also equip it with a slightly larger hook. I suggested to Dan that in 1/2 ounce and 3/4 ounce models he make a variety from this main jig color pattern. That being, in some put a few streaks of red and in others put a few streaks of the green flashabou material. As you know, it's always good to have a variety. However, I'm still convinced that the main color of the seckler will be a killer. Both would have the trailer tails on the jigs. Also, I was reading in another one of your books about JW Smith and his wife who are avid fly fisherman (and fly tiers). They revealed what fly patterns worked best for them and the colors as well. They pointed out that all patterns they used seemed to be more productive when they were tied with red eyes rather than with black eyes. For what it's worth, I also passed this on to Dan. I hope these will work & I can't wait to try them, especially the larger ones - they have to be a killer."

Editor's Note: The Seckler is a new color of SLevad Bucktail jig that is finally available, according to Dan Stock. The Seckler is named after the Amazon baitfish and is the peacock bass "meal of choice". It is now available in 6 styles: (6" with both 4/0 & 5/0 Gamakatsu hooks, 8" with both 4/0 & 5/0 Gamakatsu hooks, and 9" with both 4/0 & 5/0 Gamakatsu hooks. These are the highest quality jigs at competitive prices, says Dan. For more information visit Dan's website at www.hookmupworldwide.com.

Florida Sight-Fishing for Peacocks - For a great new web video on peacock bass fishing in the Miami area, check out the following link provided by Steve McDonald of South Florida Peacock Bass Guide Service. Steve has been a Supporting Member of PBA for a few years, and he invites all members to contact him in they ever find themselves heading to southeastern Florida. He can show you the area and put you on some fun peacock fishing in the waterways there. For more information, click here to review Steve's page in our Directory at  or contact him via email at booking@bassmasterguideservice.com.

Trip Insurance - Why You Should Have It - "One of the most important enclosures included with our booking confirmation package is an insurance application and memo outlining travel insurance options," says Paul Reiss of Acute Angling. "In the excitement of planning for a trip, most anglers just shunt it aside, instead of considering just how important this simple and inexpensive option is. We highly recommend that all travelers protect themselves, either with the Sportsman Insurance Package that Acute Angling offers from Travel Guard International or a similar product." Travel insurance offers protection and peace of mind at reasonable prices! Even if you're in excellent health, there are numerous circumstances that could cause you to cancel your trip, return home early or force you to seek emergency medical treatment while traveling. Travel insurance gives travelers coverage for unforeseen problems, from a cancelled flight, to a serious illness (not necessarily yours), everything that could arise, even an act of terrorism or the financial default of an airline. None of this can be predicted, but it could prevent you from traveling. "If an illness, accident, or other covered unforeseen circumstance forces a traveler to cancel or interrupt their plans," Paul continues, "they face two major financial losses: money invested in nonrefundable pre-payments, and medical expenses that may not be covered by health insurance. The cost of travel insurance is based, in most cases, on the value of the trip and the age of the traveler. Typically, the cost is about five percent of the trip cost, and many plans also offer 24-hour "911" travel emergency service for emergency medical assistance, last-minute or emergency travel and flight changes, lost luggage tracking, pre-trip travel advice and more." For more info on his suggestions, contact Paul at Acute Angling, phone 908-832-2987 or email him at webmaster@AcuteAngling.com.

Lake Huites Hot Again -  David Fields of Trophy Bass Lodge on Lake Huites reports that he recently had a couple of biologists in fisheries management visit the Mexican lake on a "busman's holiday". Their report on the largemouth bass fishery upon returning was very promising. One of them who caught an 11.53 pounder wrote, "I am involved in reservoir fisheries management so it was very intriguing to see this spectacular highland reservoir first hand. First and foremost, the average size of the largemouth population is amazing, with fish in the three to six pound range being common. Per your advice, we tried to time our trip to coincide with the large female bass staging off the spawning beds in the central and downstream portions of the reservoir and the timing was perfect. The surface water temperatures ranged between 67 and 69 degrees F.  The beauty of this reservoir system is that due to the large surface area and varied habitat, anglers can experience different stages of the spring spawn at the same time depending on where you chose to fish. While we were there, the water levels were very stable which indicates that the dam was being operated in a 'run-of-river' mode which is very beneficial to the fishery during the spawning period. We were able to take advantage of the many habitat types Huites offers by choosing protected and shaded coves for morning action, then switching to submerged brush later in the morning. We saved the mid day high sun periods for working the main lake points for the egg laden females. The condition factor of these gravid females is truly amazing with several of the specimens we caught exceeding 18 inches in girth. Catching over 100 fish per day was not uncommon. We simply lost track of the number of fish seven pounds or less and only photographed fish over 8 pounds! The forage base of tilapia and threadfin shad makes for a perfect size range and abundance of prey for optimal growth. As long as anglers continue to practice catch and release, this system should continue to provide world class trophy bass angling for years to come." For more information, contact David at david@fishinexpeditions.com or visit his website at www.fishinexpeditions.com.

Bookings At Agua Boa Amazon Lodge - Since the administrative offices for the Agua Boa Amazon Lodge are in Switzerland, it has several agents worldwide handling bookings. According to Lance Ranger, owner and operator of the lodge in the Brazilian state of Roraima, "We recognize and are immensely glad of the excellent support that our booking agents give us." His website explains how they deal with the clients that visit their website looking to book a trip. "When we receive an inquiry from a potential new customer who already has a particular week in mind which is already pre-booked by a particular agent, then we will put that customer in contact with that agent. If a new customer makes specific enquiries about the lodge but has no particular week in mind at that stage, then we will try to put him/her in contact with their (geographically) nearest agent." For more information, you can contact the Amazon Agency at e mail: susanne.heuberger@attendus.com or visit their website at www.aguaboaamazonlodge.com. 

We Get Mail

Here are some of the short emails and news releases we have received with topics that might be of interest to all members. I always encourage PBA Members to email brief comments or news to us.

Women Enjoy Peacock Fishing More! "Larry, The picture attached is my wife on her first trip with a 24 1/2 pounder. I have been (to the Amazon) 16 times and that one is the largest we have caught. I thought that I might just mention that women enjoy the trip as much if not more than the men. Even blondes can catch the big-un's, as she proved. The prices maybe something that affect women, but if they get to catch the peacock bass they might understand. I'll be selling both the Clipper and the Otter again this season, but I don't have the dates on when I'm going yet. Interested parties can contact me at (501) 525-4226 or e-mail me at: green-ricky@sbcglobal.net. Thanks," Ricky Green, Ricky Green Adventures.

Missing a Spot! - "Hi Larry, Here's a photo of an unusual 2-spot butterfly peacock bass. It was taken by one of our clients, Mark Yamaguchi on the Yatua River in Southern Venezuela in February. Thought the members would enjoy seeing it." Scott Swanson, QuesTackle

Peacock Bass Pro Tours Ceases Operation - "Hi Larry, Things just haven't worked out for us and we have closed (our operations). I would like to sell the 150 acres and what is finished of the lodge. I wish that I had better news but that is the way it is. If anyone would be interested in the land and lodge, please contact me for details and pricing. My new email is dpyatt@alberici.com. Our old email (DPyatt@PeacockBassProTours.com) won't work long and our website will also be down soon. Larry thank you for all you have done to try and help us. DeWayne Pyatt, President, Peacock Bass Pro Tours

World Record Peacock Rules - "Hi Larry, I thought that PBA members would like to know a little about records. Everyone would like to catch the World Record Peacock Bass. However, catches can only be considered for IGFA World Record status if they are caught according to IGFA (International Game Fish Association) rules. The association maintains world records for both freshwater and saltwater game fishes in line class, tippet class and all-tackle categories. All tackle World Records are kept for the heaviest fish caught by an angler in any line class up to 130 pounds. Here are a few of the Record Catch regulations:

• Photographs must be submitted by which positive identification of the exact species can be made
• Witnesses to the catch are highly desirable if at all possible
• In extreme remote areas where no weighing scales are available, it is permissible for the angler to use his/her own scales providing that they are of quality type and has been properly certified both before and after returning for the fishing trip.
• To apply for a World Record, the angler must submit a completed IGFA application form, 50-feet of fishing line and terminal tackle, an acceptable photograph, the tackle used to catch the fish and the scale used to weigh the fish.

D - Develop casting skills in difficult conditions - (it's hard to retrieve in the snow)
R - Read everything you can about the species you will fish
E - Educate yourself about the species habitat, environment, feeding, and the techniques required to land the big one
A - Arm yourself with the best lures, rods & reels you can afford - you're going to war with the hardest hitting freshwater fish on the planet
M - Mend any equipment & lures that have flaws and take time to put new line on your reels in the off season. You will be better equipped for the battle!!" Ron Eller, Alaskan Guide, Beaver Creek Lodge

Special Deal on the Nemo - "Larry, I have a "special" deal for anybody interested in going to the Amazon on the luxury fishing boat Amazon Nemo. The dates are July 25- August 03, 2008. We will be fishing off the Madeira River (the Rio Sucunduri), south of Manaus for 5 1/2 days for the low price of $3,000.00 per person plus airfare. I have fished this river and it produces numbers of fish as well as large fish over 20 lbs. This part of the Amazon is beautiful and very different from the Rio Negro River. I only have 4 open spots and they will fill quickly. PBA Members should contact me right away at 877-205-1764 for more info. Thanks," Terry J Jertberg, HighRoller Adventures, LLC.