Peacock Bass Fishing in the
Amazon Rainforest
Explore South America's most thrilling freshwater fishery
Peacock bass are the most exciting gamefish in the Amazon—and among the most aggressive in the world. Found in the Rio Negro basin and its countless tributaries, these powerful cichlids are known for their explosive strikes, stunning colors, and relentless fights.
The largest of the species, the Temensis, dominates these Rio Negro waters, and two smaller species of Peacock Bass, the Orinocensis and Monoculus, add to the fun and variety of the Peacock Bass fishing.
Together, these three species dominate the region’s blackwater lagoons, hidden creeks, and flooded forests, creating a fishery unlike any other on Earth. Whether you're an experienced angler or new to jungle fishing, there’s no better place to chase action-packed days on the water than the Amazon.
Our Peacock Bass
Adventures at a Glance
Floating Bungalows
Mobility Meets Maximum Access
These fly-in, mobile floating cabins are designed to move with water levels, placing anglers directly in the most productive headwaters and hidden creeks in the Rio Negro tributaries. With just eight anglers per week, you’ll fish in secluded zones few others reach—catching both quantity and quality peacock bass in unpressured waters. Each bungalow features A/C, a private bathroom, and cozy beds for an immersive but comfortable jungle experience.
Floating Bungalows
This trip provides a great chance at large peacock bass in an intimate jungle setting. These floating bungalows can take you to the most inaccessible headwaters regions.
Remote Waters, Refined Experience
Blackwater EXPLORER
Remote Waters, Refined Experience
The most consistent fishing trip in the Amazon! This beautiful yacht roams the enormous Rio Negro basin from mid-October through February, concentrating on accessing productive waters.
With hundreds of miles of complex, island-dotted archipelagos and dozens of fish-laden tributaries, this is the world's largest peacock bass fishery – and the Explorer is built to take advantage of it.
Floating Bungalows
This trip provides a great chance at large peacock bass in an intimate jungle setting. These floating bungalows can take you to the most inaccessible headwaters regions.
Blackwater EXPLORER
Remote Waters, Refined Experience
The most consistent fishing trip in the Amazon! This beautiful yacht roams the enormous Rio Negro basin from mid-October through February, concentrating on accessing productive waters.
With hundreds of miles of complex, island-dotted archipelagos and dozens of fish-laden tributaries, this is the world's largest peacock bass fishery – and the Explorer is built to take advantage of it.
Curicuriari
Trophy Class Peacock Bass
This remote location on the Curicuriari River is a lightly fished tributary with a growing reputation for producing some of the biggest peacock bass in the Amazon. If you’re aiming for a peacock bass world record or a shot at your personal best, this is the place. Anglers often encounter Cichla temensis over 20 pounds in these secluded waters. You’ll stay in a boutique setting with air-conditioned suites, excellent food, and a serious focus on trophy fish.
Despite their name, peacock bass aren’t bass at all—they’re part of the cichlid family, known for their strength, speed, and territorial aggression. They display an astonishing range of color and pattern variations, from deep vertical bars to vibrant red fins and glowing gold flanks. And while their beauty is remarkable, it’s their behavior that truly sets them apart. These fish will smash topwater lures without hesitation, erupt from the water in wild leaps, and challenge even the best anglers to land them. It’s no exaggeration to say that every cast in these waters can lead to a memorable fight.
Acute Angling’s trips are strategically timed to fish the Rio Negro basin and the Curicuriari River during low-water conditions—when peacock bass are most concentrated and active. This seasonal pattern is the key to success. When the water drops and baitfish leave the flooded forest, peacock bass follow them into fishable lagoons and channels. That’s when we move in. Our deep knowledge of Amazon water cycles, along with mobile fishing platforms, lets us stay on productive waters while others are left behind. Whether you're after sheer numbers, solid quality, or the possibility of connecting with a fish of a lifetime, Acute Angling puts you in the best position to succeed.
These are dedicated peacock bass fishing trips, focused on high-action. We provide the conventional tackle, the guides, the logistics, and the accommodations—all you have to do is show up ready to fish. Whether you’re drawn to the fast-paced action of dozens of hard-fighting fish per day, or you’re hoping to land a record peacock bass, Acute Angling has the Amazon experience that fits your goals. With our long track record of excellence, high return-angler rate, and deep regional expertise, we offer the most complete way to fish peacock bass in South America.
TESTIMONIALS
What others are saying
"There is not a better outfit to go peacock bass fishing with than Acute Angling. They are first class all the way. From start to finish they take great care of you and leave nothing to chance…My expectations for this trip were high and they exceeded that. I guess the best compliment I can give them is I’ve already booked two future trips with them."
- Ashley P.
"The guides and all of the Acute Angling staff are the best. Peacock Bass are in a league of their own! If this is on your check-list, JUST DO IT, you will not be disappointed!"
- T.
“This was one of the best trips I’ve ever been on!...The management made the whole process very easy and provided a ton of info for us leading up to the trip. I honestly can’t rave enough about it. My dad already has another trip booked with them and I will definitely be booking with them in the future on one of their other trips as well. 10/10 experience.”
- Bannon G.
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Lures for Amazon Peacock Bass Fishing
What Kind of Crazy Fish Hits These Lures?
Peacock bass are not your average gamefish. These apex predators explode on lures with incredible aggression and power—especially when in full feeding mode. That’s why some of the top-producing lures for these fish are oversized, noisy, and downright wild-looking. When you see the size of some prop baits, you may wonder, “What kind of crazy fish attacks that?” The answer: the giant peacock bass of the Amazon.
When peacocks are crashing bait in a feeding frenzy, you could probably throw a sandal and get a strike. But when conditions are less than perfect—and they often are—lure selection becomes critical. The following guidelines cover the most productive options and when to use them.
If you're fishing with Acute Angling, we provide all lures as part of your all-inclusive trip. Your fishing guide will ensure you're using the right lure at the right time and in the right way. If you're fishing with another company, you’ll need to bring your own tackle—so focus on the proven winners listed below.
Top 4 Lure Categories for Peacock Bass
1. Choppers and Poppers
These are the most iconic lures in peacock bass fishing—big, loud, and responsible for some of the most explosive topwater strikes you’ll ever experience.
We recommend bringing at least six prop baits in a variety of colors and sizes, focusing on models in the 1-2 oz range. Smaller prop baits can be used but strong/saltwater grade hooks and splits rings are needed for trophy-class fish. If you have standard freshwater hooks and rings you will need to swap them out.
Our top picks include:
These baits shine in slightly choppy or stained water, when their vibration helps fish locate the target. Few things match the adrenaline rush of a giant Amazonian peacock bass fish crushing a prop bait.
2. Jigs
If there’s one lure you can’t afford to be without, it’s a properly tied ½ oz. peacock bass jig. Strip it in like a streamer fly pattern by reeling after each jig. Don’t jig it slowly like a largemouth bass lure. Peacocks hit moving lures. They rarely take a lure on a slow drop.
No lure catches more peacock bass under varied conditions. We provide all jigs on our trips, but if you’re tying your own or shopping ahead, go for Sidewinder's Peacock Bass Rattle Jig. Use wide-gap 6/0 extra-strong hooks and tie in vibrant colors like yellow/red or red/white.
Plan to bring at least 12–24 jigs, especially if fishing in piranha-laden waters. For tying tips and materials, check out our dedicated Peacock Bass Jig Guide.
3. Subsurface Lures
Swimming plugs are versatile, easy to use, and effective across a range of Amazon conditions. They perform well in clear or stained water and are a great option when fish are holding subsurface. Bring at least six, and vary the action and speed until the fish show a preference.
Top options include:
4. Walking Stickbaits
Sometimes, surface action is the ticket. Walking baits create a side-to-side "sashaying" motion (also known as “walk the dog” retrieve) that can trigger brutal strikes, especially in calm water or when fish are wary. Three to four of these should be enough for the trip, especially if you mix in a few quiet topwaters for flat water conditions.
Top options:
Soft Plastics: Effective but Vulnerable
Soft plastic baits can be very effective for catching peacock bass, especially in calm water or when fish are finicky. Paddle tails, swimbaits, and flukes rigged on jig heads or weighted hooks often produce solid strikes, particularly when fish are holding deeper or avoiding topwater.
But there’s a tradeoff—durability. Peacock bass are aggressive and known for tearing up soft plastics quickly, even on a single fish. And there’s a bigger issue lurking in the water: piranhas. These toothy nuisances are notorious for shredding soft plastic baits.They can be a good option when the situation calls for a subtle presentation, but be prepared to lose several of them a day.
Additional Lures to Consider
While most of your success will come from the four categories above, a few specialty baits can fill in the gaps when conditions get tough.
Matching Lures to Water Conditions
Here's a quick guide for choosing the right lure based on water clarity, surface conditions, and light level:
Choppy or stained water: Go loud—use a prop bait or rattle jig.
Calm, clear water: Try a quiet topwater like a Zara Spook or a silent swimmer like the Red Fin.
Bright light or hot weather: Consider a deeper-running lure or jig.
When fish won’t commit on top: Switch to a swimming plug or jig and work it patiently.
When there is high water: Loud noisy lures like a prop bait.
Don’t be afraid to change lures or vary your retrieve. Often, just one small adjustment can trigger a bite.
Upgrade Your Hooks: Amazon Demands Tough Gear
One of the most common mistakes anglers make is bringing lures straight out of a U.S. tackle box without checking their hardware. Standard freshwater hooks may be fine for largemouth or smallmouth bass—but they simply won’t hold up against the brutal strength of an Amazon peacock bass.
These fish strike violently, shake aggressively, and will test your gear on every hookset. To avoid heartbreak, swap out standard hooks and split rings for saltwater-grade replacements. You need heavy-duty, extra-strong components built to withstand the pressure and power of the Amazon's top predators.
Final Thoughts
Whether you're chasing a new peacock bass world record or just looking to land the next big fish of your dreams, it all starts with using the right tools. Every trip presents new challenges—changing water conditions, light levels, and fish behavior. The anglers who adapt and choose wisely tend to land the biggest and most memorable fish.
If you're fishing with Acute Angling, you're in good hands. Our guides are professionals and have years of experience helping anglers land giant peacock bass. And we handle all of the gear for you, from lures to rods and reels, we have you covered! Some anglers bring “lucky” lures or favorites from home. That’s fine—just don’t overpack. Stick to what works and remember that all tackle must meet airline weight restrictions and lures are not allowed in carry-on luggage.
But wherever you go, come prepared, pack smart, and match your tackle to the fishery. The Amazon rainforest fishing experience is one of the wildest and most rewarding in the world—and the right gear makes all the difference.
Now check out our incredible Amazon peacock bass trips!
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