The exact nature of the Amazon tributary
watershed determines the prime months and the length of prime fishing. In fact, some waterways have only a couple of months of good fishing potential in the best of times and conditions. Generally speaking, the
best period north of the Amazon River may be between November and April, while in the south, it is often between July and January. Timing of your trip is critical to success. The very best dry season waters in the Amazonia Region are those called "black water." If the
lagoons have relatively clear, tannin-stained water, which the adjoining rivers normally do not, the best peacock fishing will be in the lagoons. In normal conditions, the larger peacock
bass haunt the lakes and coves off the river channel during the dry season. In low water and minimal current conditions, peacocks may even concentrate around huge rocks or in deep pools in the river.
In normal dry season conditions, large numbers of peacock bass will be off the river channel in the adjoining lagoons. In low water
and minimal current conditions, they may be concentrated around huge rocks or in deep pools right
in the river. Peacock bass normally prefer "black water" rivers and "black water" lagoons. If the
lagoons have relatively clear, black-stained water and the rivers do not, usually the best peacock fishing will be in the lagoons. I have caught good numbers of large peacocks in rivers and lagoons that did not have black
water, but normally black water areas are best. Large, speckled peacock bass may be holding close to the current, but will not usually be right in it. Butterfly and Royal peacock species
tend to be smaller and are often found near the current or around rock piles. Larger peacocks can also be found holding very close to huge rock boulders in the slack water out of the current.
The peacock bass responds differently in the various "normal" calendar periods. Unusual high water or extremely low water can occur during certain periods throughout the year as affected by
drought and other atypical weather influences. "Normal" periods are obviously based on nature's clock and can vary as much as 8 or 10 weeks from one year to the next. Spawning may occur
anywhere from one month into and after through the dry season, but it has little affect on the overall fishing success.
Calendar periods also vary by tributary within a region, depending on its watershed and other factors. One or more Amazon tributaries in Northeast Brazil, for example, may be enjoying their
end of season low water period and excellent fishing, while the majority of tributaries in that region are high with substantial runoff and lousy fishing. For a good map of the Amazon or help with domestic flights or hotels on the way down or back, click here
.
The very best dry season waters in the 
I have caught good numbers of large peacocks in rivers and lagoons that did not have black
water, but normally black water areas are best. Large, speckled peacock bass may be holding close to the current, but will not usually be right in it. Butterfly and Royal peacock species
tend to be smaller and are often found near the current or around rock piles. Larger peacocks can also be found holding very close to huge rock boulders in the slack water out of the current.