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Butterfly Peacock Bass

Butterfly Peacock Bass

Cichla ocellaris

  • 5lakes
  • 302logged catches
  • 9.61 kg heaviest logged

Peacock bass (Cichla ocellaris) is native to the Amazon River Basin and Orinoco River Basin. They have been introduced to some tropical regions of the United States (Florida, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and the US Virgin Islands) as well as to Brazil, Panama and Dominican Republic. Peacock Bass are usually golden in color, with three black vertical stripes. Despite their name, these fish are cichlids, not bass. Their average weight is around 1 – 2 kg (2 – 4.5 lbs). Peacocks feed almost exclusively on fish.

What actually catches it ranked by real logged catches

Baits

Shiners 10 Amazonian Sardine 1 Large Cutbait 1 Dobsonfly Larva 1

Lures

X-Series Walker 14 g, #4/0 10 Major Popper 42 g, #5/0 8 Buzzbait 24 g, #4/0 7 Buzzbait 28 g, #5/0 6 Bass Jig 9 g, #3/0 6 Frog-popper 18 g, #3/0 5 Popper 14 g, #2/0 5 Mouse Lure 48 g, #7/0 4 Frog 14 g, #2/0 4 Craw 10 cm 4 Walker 56 g, #4/0 4 Walker 64 g, #5/0 3

Best setups by lake 5 lakes with data

Everglades — 133 catches , best 4.36 kg

  • Bass Jig 9 g, #3/0 Spinning Shore 6×
  • Shiners Hook #6/0 Float 50 m 6×
  • Frog-popper 18 g, #3/0 Spinning 5×
  • Popper 14 g, #2/0 Spinning 5×

Marron River — 58 catches , best 4.8 kg

  • Major Popper 42 g, #5/0 Spinning 6×
  • X-Series Walker 14 g, #4/0 Spinning 5×
  • Walker 56 g, #4/0 Spinning 4×
  • Buzzbait 28 g, #5/0 Spinning 3×

Amazonian Maze — 42 catches , best 5.73 kg

  • Mouse Lure 48 g, #7/0 Spinning 4×
  • X-Series Walker 14 g, #4/0 Spinning 3×
  • Walker 64 g, #5/0 Spinning 3×
  • Buzzbait 24 g, #4/0 Spinning 2×

Blue Crab Island — 39 catches , best 9.61 kg

  • Buzzbait 24 g, #4/0 Spinning 5×
  • Buzzbait 28 g, #5/0 Spinning 3×
  • X-Series Walker 14 g, #4/0 Spinning Boat 2×
  • Major Popper 28 g, #3/0 Spinning 2×

Maku-Maku Lake — 30 catches , best 7 kg

  • Major Popper 42 g, #5/0 Spinning Boat 2×
  • Walker 42 g, #4/0 Spinning Boat 2×
  • Dobsonfly Larva Hook #4 Feeder bottom 1×
  • Walker 42 g, #4/0 Spinning Boat 1×

How to catch

How to catch a unique Butterfly Peacock Bass? You can catch this fish either with bait or lures.

If you prefer to use natural baits, then the best way to catch Butterfly Peacock Bass would be to use Freshwater Prawns on a size #4/0 hook.

If you are more into artificial lures, you should go for some Walkers. The most successful lure is Blue & Silver Major Popper 42 g, #5/0.

Where to find it

Amazonian Maze Brazil Marron River Bolivia Maku-Maku Lake Peru Blue Crab Island Mississippi Everglades Florida

Also listed as effective documented, but not seen in the catch log

Small Minnows Leeches #135#124#123#131#133#132#134#2171 Crankbait 1 m, #3/0 Crankbait 2 m, #3/0 Crankbait 5 m, #3/0

Data compiled from fp-collective and the Fishing Planet Wiki . Snapshot taken 2026-08-20. Game content and imagery © Fishing Planet LLC.