October

The World of Peacock Bass
October, 2004
Official Newsletter of the Peacock Bass Association
© Larry Larsen, Executive Directo

Peacock Bass on U.S. Stamps! … We now offer U.S. first class postage with the Association's jumping peacock bass decal logo on it. When using the colorful 37 cent stamps in a mailing to other avid anglers, you can help spread the word about PBA and make a lasting impression. These unforgettable stamps will make your letter stand out from the crowd. For a limited time only, we are offering the PBA logo stamps (#PBALogo) in quantities of 20 for $22.00 which includes shipping and handling. We also have available at the same price two 37 cent U.S. stamps each featuring an image of a colorful 20 pound peacock bass being held by Larry Larsen. They are shown here and on our website under merchandise and are coded #20lb.A and #20lb.BPlug (the one showing the topwater plug). If you would like to have a sheet of 20 of these exciting stamps to collect or use on your specific mailings, contact us quickly with your order. This offer may expire soon. Please allow 3 to 4 weeks for shipping.

Hurricanes And PBA … In late August and early September, our PBA headquarters just southeast of Lakeland experienced two hurricanes (Charlie and Frances) right over us. The eye of powerful Charlie went by 12 miles away, and we received over 100 mph winds (which is unheard of this far inland). A small tornado moved through the two undeveloped acre lots adjacent to us, splitting some huge trees like toothpicks. We survived with minimal damage. We had about 80 feet of our six foot high wooden fence and posts flattened, the corner of our roof damaged, and bunches of broken tree limbs,

some of which fell to the ground and others now leafless that still cling to the tops of our trees. We were on a long ago scheduled two-week vacation in early September when Hurricane Frances blew through Lakeland with its eye going right over our house, according to neighbors. The winds were only 60 to 70 mph here though, and we escaped with minimal damage again. We had lots of screen damage from windswept limb debris and another mess of fallen tree limbs to deal with, but overall consider ourselves very lucky. We had many inches of rain and more water in our lake than ever before, but we are on a sloping lot with the house well above our dock, which was underwater. Fortunately, a week after Frances, Hurricane Ivan took a turn into the Gulf and away from us. Now, after Hurricane Jeanne, we have more minor damage to repair and finally after 6 days, I finally got my cable and internet service back. We are starting to get a complex.

Some Email and Correspondence Perhaps Lost?

From September 1 through September 9, we had a malfunction that caused us to perhaps lose some emails, or other submissions through our website server such as orders or membership renewals. If anyone sent anything to PBA during that 9-day period, please resend it, because it might have never been received. We are sorry for the inconvenience that this may have caused. If you have not heard back from us, we probably didn't get what you were sending. Any questions about this should be emailed to me or you may call me at 863-644-3381. Thanks for your understanding.

Unini River Airstrip Expanded … The Amazon Fishing Adventures' Brazilian airstrip at the Unini River, a Rio Negro tributary, has been completely rebuilt, according to owner Don Cutter. "The length has been extended to over 4,000 feet and width has been tripled," he says. "The drainage system has been redone to assure rapid runoff of any rain water in order to make certain of the safety in landing. Special rock materials were mixed with the soil to form a hard pack that will stand up to the most rugged conditions." Cutter explained that his operation will be flying larger planes from Manaus into the airstrip this season to accommodate the clients of both the Amazon Explorer and the Amazon Cutter. For further details, contact Cutter at 888-626-2966 or email him at peacockbasstrips@bellsouth.net.

Plano New Soft Sider Available ... Plano Tackle Systems introduced the #3394 Soft Sider for 2005. It includes four Plano Soft B

3700 series and one 3600 series StowAway utility boxes and features unique gaitmouth opening. It has a molded hard bottom that keeps moisture out and a padded handle and shoulder strap. It is 16.5 inches long by 11.5 inches wide and 13 inches tall. For those carrying smaller, lighter tackle, another new soft sider for 2005 is the smaller #3364. It includes four 3600 series StowAway utility boxes and has 3 zippered side pockets. It is 14 inches long by 9 inches wide and 9 inches high. For further details, PBA members can contact Plano Molding Company, 431 E. South St., Plano, IL 60545-1601.or call 1-630-552-3111. Also check out their website at www.planomolding.com.

Tip … Adjust You Drag, But Only Once! … In South America, it often seems that the ones that do get away are all giants. Big peacock bass certainly have the know-how and the strength to strain the limits of our guides, equipment and our reflexes. Improper drag setting, for example, is a common fault in the loss of big peacock bass. It is vital to set the drag before the fish strikes, either at home or as conditions change. The drag should be less "giving" in an area of heavy timber and snags than in open water above a sand bar. Some anglers try to adjust the drag while the peacock bass is on. With a giant peacock, even an experienced fisherman can't get away with that.
Tighten Drag

I remember making such a stupid mistake once a dozen or so years ago, and it cost me a 20-pounder. I was fishing a lagoon off the Pasiba River in the Amazonas Territory of southern Venezuela and had caught four peacocks between 18 and 21 pounds already that week. Two were from a flooded stand of trees where I was again casting my giant Woodchopper. I lofted a cast to the edge of the timber and had a monster boil up on it. I set the hook and held on as the fish swam parallel to the treeline. My drag was clamped down tight and that prevented the 20-plus pounder from moving into the trees. Over the following five minutes, I carefully worked the big peacock away from the entanglements, as my guide thoughtfully paddled our boat toward the center of the cove.
I was about 75 yards away from the potential hang-ups and the fish appeared tired after jumping several times and struggling against my powerful rod. Not wanting the hooks to tear out of the fish at boatside on a last, desperate attempt to escape, I eased back on the star drag ever so slightly. That, I thought, would give me a little safety buffer in case the peacock saw the boat and tried to make another run. The drag then would absorb the shock.
Well, I was right, but I had miscalculated. The giant did indeed see the boat and took off, but it pulled line like I had just hooked a freight train. It headed back for the timber, taking most of my spool of 40 pound test monofilament (I was fishing the light lines back then) and smoking my thumb in the process. I tried to stop the fish with the thumb on the revolving spool and got a burn for it. The fish swam right into the timber, made a right turn and my line separated, sounding like a gunshot. My guide and I sat there in the boat in awe of the fish that we expected to be whipped and safely away from any entanglements. I had only myself to blame. Unfortunately, anglers are not always prepared mentally to handle a trophy peacock bass when it strikes. Everyone makes mistakes, even the most experienced of us. I have seen novices make many critical mistakes when first seeking trophy peacocks, but with these fish, catastrophic mistakes are easy to make. For those anglers that say, "big peacock bass always seem to get away," I say get prepared and stay that way. – Larry

Peacock University … Tracking The Movements of Peacock … According to a 2003 report on the study of fish movement by fishery biologists, Kirk Winemiller, Craig Layman and others, small peacock bass generally don't move far from their home territory. In a 4-year mark-recapture program ending in May of 2003 on the Cinaruco River in Venezuela, the biologists tagged over 2,200 peacocks (Cichla temensis, C. orinocensis, and C. intermedia). They used Floy tags, which are common in the tagging field. They report catching again (recapturing) slightly less than 3 percent of the tagged fish, and they noted that the recaptures were mostly within one half mile of the tagging location. A few larger C. temensis (3-bar speckled) however, were recaptured up to 13 miles away! Distance moved was related to fish size and period of low and high water fluctuations.

Rio Negro Lodge Open During Holidays … This year, the Rio Negro Lodge west of Barcelos, Brazil will remain open during Christmas and New years, according to Brenda Tassio of Amazon Tours. The weekly itinerary only for these two weeks around the two major holidays will be Wednesday night departures from Miami with a Friday afternoon (8 days later) return. "It's a perfect getaway for couples and/or families with children," she says. "As always, children 5 and under sharing accommodations with their parents are free of charge while children from 5 to 12 years old are 50 percent of the adult price (exclusive of airfare). For more information on the December 22 through 31 trip or the December 29 through January 7, 2005 trip, contact Amazon Tours, Inc. at (972) 304-1656 or visit their website at www.peacockbassfishing.com.

New Outboards, Trolling Motors On The Angler … The 17-feet long Triton 175 boats of the mother ship, the Amazon Angler, are sporting new 60 hp 2-stroke Yamaha outboards this season, according to outfitter/agent Ron Speed Jr. "The 2-stroke engines perform and handle the gas in Brazil much better than do 4-stroke outboards," he explains. "We emphasize safety first and then maximum fishing opportunities with good working equipment. The 2-strokes are much more dependable given the gas quality in the Amazon. We have a good supply of spare parts for the outboards and several back-up motors." The aluminum boats also have new, 24-volt Motor Guide trolling motors this year. Trolling motors in the Amazon jungles are on a 2-year replacement schedule there, according to Speed. For more information, email Ron at ronjr@amazonpeacock.com or visit their website at www.amazonpeacock.com.

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

Great Florida Waters With Problems … "I have found some great peacock bass fishing in Pompano Beach and Ft Lauderdale. It really is a shame that there is such good peacock fishing in Miami, but you have to worry about vandals at most every ramp. The airport lake system was messed up the last time I was there from the construction going on, and there seemed to be no attempt made to keep from polluting the water. Where do all the dollars go? Gone fishing." Fred H.

Great Split Ring Pliers … "Larry, I know you have that great pair of split ring pliers that they don't make any more, but do you know of a good pair that actually work on the Woodchopper split rings? Rip it!" Grande' G.

"Grande', As far as I know, the 6-inch long split ring pliers that I purchased several years ago from Stamina, Inc., one of PBA's supporting members, are still being made and sold through them. Go to the Stamina page in the Products & Services section of the PBA online Directory and get their contact info or call them at 800-546-8922 for a catalog. The high-quality split ring pliers are great! They are strong, durable and take on the largest and strongest split rings with ease. While you are there, you should check out all their components for modifying and enhancing peacock bass plugs and tackle. The 12-inch long pliers that I carry are no longer being made. Thanks," Larry

In-flight Magazine Article … "Larry, you ought to check out the article about Amazon Angling and Amazon Tours in the September 2004 issue of the United Airlines magazine, Hemispheres. Author Daniela Hart wrote an excellent article about the Amazon experience and even mentioned the Peacock Bass Association. Hemispheres is read by 2 million people on United flights all over the globe," Phil Marsteller, Amazon Tours

"Thanks for the heads up Phil. I'll check it out. For other members that want to read it, a copy of the September issue of the magazine is available for $7.00 or so from Hemispheres at Pace Communications, 1301 Carolina Street, Greensboro, NC 27401; email l etters@hemispheresmagazine.com or phone Hemispheres Editorial Office at 336-383-5690." Larry

Florida Peacock Facts … "Larry, Nice piece on the little known facts of Peacocks in the last issue (of The World of Peacock Bass). I have noticed for years here in Florida that some of the females do have a minor bump at times. As to the lateral line, last year I ran my own study on our Peacocks in Florida and found that the ones having complete lateral lines had them only on one side. I never noticed complete lateral lines on both sides of the fish. But, we only have one species. We also averaged 19.5 Peacocks per day over the year and finished with over 5000 Peacocks caught and released up to 8 ¼ pounds. Not a bad warm up spot for South America? Another tidbit was that 99% were caught on artificial lures. Tight lines," Alan Zaremba

Thank You New Supporting Members!
I want to thank our Newest Supporting Members, Jaime Sorenson of Saranda Resort in Venezuela and Jonathan Castro of Paca Fishery in Brazil for expanding PBA. Check out their operation/destination info from the Contact Listings Page in our PBA World Peacock Bass Directory at http://www.peacockbassassociation.com. Please drop the new members a welcome note. The growth of our Supporting Member base is exciting! I hope all Individual Members appreciate their involvement in PBA as well.

Member Comment/Reprint Policies … All members are encouraged to email eZine/Newsletter Feedback/Comments by clicking here or send me letters about news, issues and topics. Only signed letters with email address are considered. PBA will not publish material/letters that are libelous in nature or testimonials. Permission to reprint from The World of Peacock Bass Newsletter must be obtained from PBA. - Larry