 
FishQuest!
152 N. Main St.
Hiawassee, Georgia 30546
Phone: (706)
896-1403
Toll Free: 1-888-891-3474
Fax: (706) 896-1467
Email:
Questhook@aol.com
Member IGFA
|
RODS
When targeting trophy fish in the Amazon basin, most
seasoned peacock anglers prefer fairly stiff rods to work
large topwater baits. Stout, 6 to 6-1/2 foot rods and
no-stretch line let you rip these big plugs across the
surface with less fatigue on wrists, arms, shoulders and
back. When casting giant plugs for up to 10 hours a day,
you’ll soon grow to appreciate the short, stiff rod and
braided line combination. When using jerkbaits or spoons,
rods 6-1/2 to 7 feet long are appropriate.
|
 |
Spinning rods are
effective for small to medium size jerkbaits, smaller
topwater lures and when working bucktail jigs. These rods
should be 6-7 feet in length, with medium/heavy action.
Although many anglers have success using spinning gear when
casting large surface baits, baitcasting gear is more
effective method when using these massive plugs. However, if
you aren’t already comfortable with baitcasting reels, stick
with the spinning outfit, as the Amazon is not the best
place to work out backlash bugs.
When working smaller lures for peacock bass in watersheds
holding fish that will typically not exceed 14 pounds, use
standard 6 to 6-1/2 foot bass casting or spinning outfits of
medium-heavy action.
With more and more anglers journeying to remote locations,
two- or three-piece travel rods have recently gained
popularity. Most of these rods break down to less than 36
inches, allowing you to take them as carry-on luggage rather
than risk loss or damage by airline handlers.
 REELS
Baitcast reels with the capacity to handle 125 yards of
20-pound test diameter are ideal. Reels should possess a
minimum of four ball bearings and an extremely smooth drag
system. Anything less will be exploited by the peacock’s
drag-busting initial runs and powerful surges that follow.
Your reels need not be expensive – just well built!
Large freshwater spinning reels are appropriate for working
small to medium-sized topwater lures, jerkbaits, spoons and
bucktail jigs, but are not as effective when fishing large
topwater plugs.
 WHAT'S
MY LINE? Mono vs. braid
In the past few years, many peacock anglers have traded in
their stretchy monofilament in favor the new gel spun
polyethylene braided lines. These non-stretch lines, coupled
with stout rods, impart a rapid response to large surface
lures, thus significantly reducing fatigue of working the
bait for hours on end. For topwater trophy fishing, braided
line of 65-90 pound test (17-20 pound diameter) is
recommended.
When spooling with braided line, first back about one-fourth
of your reel capacity with monofilament to help prevent the
braid from burying into itself in the spool. One drawback to
the new braided lines is that of weak knot strength.
However, some new knots have been designed specifically for
these super-lines.
Once a strong fish is hooked on braided line, you’ll want to
back off on your drag -- or risk straightened hooks or even
a broken rod.
Monofilament gains the advantage when fishing for jerkbaits,
spoons or bucktail jigs. When using these bairts, or when
fishing for smaller peacocks on rivers or private lakes,
consider 14-20 pound mono. However, when topwater fishing
for trophy fish, monofilament anglers should spool their
reels with 20-30 pound, low-stretch, abrasion-resistant
line.
Be warned, however, that no matter how heavy the line you
come armed with, you will experience broken lines and lost
plugs on just about every trip.
Of course, if it’s a world record you’re after, you’ll need
to make sure that the line you are using is IGFA rated to
break at the strength listed on the package. (Contact the
IGFA for more details on establishing a line class or
all-tackle record.)
HANDLING YOUR CATCH
The peacock bass is a valuable resource, which many of our
traveling anglers, guides and lodge owners passionately
desire to protect. Improper landing and handling of the fish
is a major cause of mortality and/or injury. Some lodges
discourage the use of landing nets, which can damage to the
slime coat, fins and gills of peacock bass. Many guides
prefer to handle the fish for you, to prevent injury to you
from the violent thrashing of the hook-laden fish.
The Boga-Grip (availabe from QuesTackle)is a fantastic
device no serious angler should leave home without. This
tool lets you to grasp the lower jaw of the fish and then
subdue it for hook removal and for photographs. It has a
built-in scale to 15 or 30 pounds, which the International
Game Fish Association (IGFA) can certify prior to your trip.
Traditional landing practices involve netting the fish,
untangling the hook-laden lures, untangling the fish,
weighing and holding the fish up for photos before releasing
it. This process can upwards of four minutes, often with the
fish flopping in boat for half that time. The Boga Grip will
allow for unhooking, several photographs, weighing and
release within a minute. When your partner has a
photo-worthy trophy fish on, start getting the camera ready
before the fish is landed.
If you are brave enough to lip land the fish, we strongly
advise that you use a thick golf or baseball batting glove
to protect your hands.
If you do not care to take a photo, you can remove the hooks
and release at boatside, without ever lifting the fish out
of the water.
If the fish is dazed and appears stunned when released,
grasp its tail and gently move it fore and aft to circulate
oxygen across the gills. When you feel him start. |
Visit our other great
informational websites...
FishQuest.com
| QuesTackle.com |
Payara-Fishing.com |
