Jaguar Cichlid caught on a spinnerbait at the Rio Indio Lodge, Nicaragua
Jaguar Cichlid (Guapote, Managuense, Tiger Bass)
Parachromis Managuense
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Jaguar Cichlid Description
Jaguar Cichlids are a feisty and striking cichlid found in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Honduras. They are very similar to the Rainbow Bass and are generally found in the same areas but do not attain the same size. They are much better known to aquarists than they are to sportfishermen, but they are a fun fish to catch on light tackle if you happen to be in the jungle rivers and lakes where they are found. They are ambush predators and hide under fallen trees and other cover. They primarily feed on smaller fish and small shrimps and dart out from their hiding places to suck these in.
Jaguar Cichlids are tasty but due to their relative scarcity most should be released.
Jaguar Cichlid Pound for Pound Fight Rating - 6 out of 10 on the Freshwater Scale
Jags are good pound for pound fighters, but they just don't get that big. A 3lber is very large. That said, if you hook one on ultralight tackle while fishing for Mojarra or something, they can put up a decent fight.
Jaguar Cichlid Tackle
These fish are very sporty on the same tackle you would use for Panfish. I like rods of 6'6" or shorter due to the tight jungle areas wher they live. They live in the snaggy areas but are not large fish and can generally be pulled out with light 6-8lb line. Either spinning or baitcasting tackle will work and they can be taken on flies as well.
Jaguar Cichlid Techniques
Jaguar Cichlids can be caught by casting to sunken trees and brush and retrieving tight to cover. They are also found at the edge of weed lines. Generally you want to fish clear water. In the wet season as the water rises they head into the jungle and become tough to catch.
Jaguar Cichlid Lures
Jaguar Cichlids take a variety of small crankbaits. My favorite is the Bomber Fat Free Shad in Citrus Shad color. They also take small spinnerbaits fished along weed edges and sunken logs. They readily take rubber jigs in a variety of colors. Other lures that imitate small fish should work.
Jaguar Cichlid Baits
If you can catch any small fish in the areas where they live those should work. They also like to eat the river shrimps that are frequently found in the weeds where they live. If you use bait you will have a hard time keeping the Mojarra off of them.
Where to get big Jaguar Cichlids
The southern area of Lake Nicaragua has a number of them. The Cano Negro area is Costa Rica has some as well. They are generally a bycatch when targeting Rainbow Bass, but if I were going to target them I would go in the dry season to the Rio Indio Lodge.
Parachromis Managuense
HOME
Other
Species
Jaguar Cichlid Description
Jaguar Cichlids are a feisty and striking cichlid found in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Honduras. They are very similar to the Rainbow Bass and are generally found in the same areas but do not attain the same size. They are much better known to aquarists than they are to sportfishermen, but they are a fun fish to catch on light tackle if you happen to be in the jungle rivers and lakes where they are found. They are ambush predators and hide under fallen trees and other cover. They primarily feed on smaller fish and small shrimps and dart out from their hiding places to suck these in.
Jaguar Cichlids are tasty but due to their relative scarcity most should be released.
Jaguar Cichlid Pound for Pound Fight Rating - 6 out of 10 on the Freshwater Scale
Jags are good pound for pound fighters, but they just don't get that big. A 3lber is very large. That said, if you hook one on ultralight tackle while fishing for Mojarra or something, they can put up a decent fight.
Jaguar Cichlid Tackle
These fish are very sporty on the same tackle you would use for Panfish. I like rods of 6'6" or shorter due to the tight jungle areas wher they live. They live in the snaggy areas but are not large fish and can generally be pulled out with light 6-8lb line. Either spinning or baitcasting tackle will work and they can be taken on flies as well.
Jaguar Cichlid Techniques
Jaguar Cichlids can be caught by casting to sunken trees and brush and retrieving tight to cover. They are also found at the edge of weed lines. Generally you want to fish clear water. In the wet season as the water rises they head into the jungle and become tough to catch.
Jaguar Cichlid Lures
Jaguar Cichlids take a variety of small crankbaits. My favorite is the Bomber Fat Free Shad in Citrus Shad color. They also take small spinnerbaits fished along weed edges and sunken logs. They readily take rubber jigs in a variety of colors. Other lures that imitate small fish should work.
Jaguar Cichlid Baits
If you can catch any small fish in the areas where they live those should work. They also like to eat the river shrimps that are frequently found in the weeds where they live. If you use bait you will have a hard time keeping the Mojarra off of them.
Where to get big Jaguar Cichlids
The southern area of Lake Nicaragua has a number of them. The Cano Negro area is Costa Rica has some as well. They are generally a bycatch when targeting Rainbow Bass, but if I were going to target them I would go in the dry season to the Rio Indio Lodge.
Jaguar Cichlid caught on a small rubber jig at the Rio Indio Lodge, Nicaragua
Jaguar Cichlid caught on a spinnerbait at the Rio Indio Lodge, Nicaragua
Jaguar Cichlid caught in northeastern Costa Rica on shrimp
Guapote caught in Lake Gatun, Panama on a Yo Zuri jerkbait