Machaca caught at the Rio Indio Lodge, Nicaragua
Machaca Fishing
Brycon guatemalensis
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Machaca Description
Machaca area feisty member relative of the Piranha found in Central America, particularly Costa Rica and Nicaragua. They are not well known due to their limited distribution and the relative difficulty of fishing for them, but if you are ever in a place where they are found they are definitely worth pursuing. Despite possessing menacing looking teeth Machaca are primarily vegegarians, feeding on fruits and seeds that fall into the water. As a result, they are primarily surface oriented making them good candidates for topwater presentations. They average 2-6lbs but can max out around 15lbs.
Machaca are not generally considered good eating although they are sometimes used in soups. They fight well and jump like a mini Tarpon but are fragile and do not survive well if handled.
Machaca Pound for Pound Fight Rating - 6 out of 10 on the Freshwater Scale
Machacas put up strong fights for their size and leap quite a bit to try to spit the hook. They don't often head for cover, so you should land most of the ones you hook.
Machaca Tackle
Machaca can be caught on relatively light tackle. They fight well for their size but do not generally try to bury you in the snags like the Rainbow Bass that are often found in the same areas. Therefore, light tackle is in order. Machaca also readily eat flies.
Machaca Techniques
Machaca are surface oriented feeders so presentations should be targeted to the surface or just below the surface. They jump a lot when hooked and often get unhooked as a result.
Machaca Lures
Machaca are surface oriented feeders so small poppers work. They are curious fish that strike a number of small lures if their interest is piqued. Small gold and silver spinners and spoons are popular. They also eat insects so that makes them a good target for fly fishermen on a variety of flies especially dragonfly imitations.
Machaca Baits
I have never fished for them with bait but I hear fruits found where they live work.
Where to get big Machaca
The southern lakes and rivers in Nicaragua have some. Lake Arenal in Costa Rica and that is probably one of the best bets for the big ones. Interestingly, there are similar species found in other parts of the world as shown below.
Brycon guatemalensis
HOME
Other
Species
Machaca Description
Machaca area feisty member relative of the Piranha found in Central America, particularly Costa Rica and Nicaragua. They are not well known due to their limited distribution and the relative difficulty of fishing for them, but if you are ever in a place where they are found they are definitely worth pursuing. Despite possessing menacing looking teeth Machaca are primarily vegegarians, feeding on fruits and seeds that fall into the water. As a result, they are primarily surface oriented making them good candidates for topwater presentations. They average 2-6lbs but can max out around 15lbs.
Machaca are not generally considered good eating although they are sometimes used in soups. They fight well and jump like a mini Tarpon but are fragile and do not survive well if handled.
Machaca Pound for Pound Fight Rating - 6 out of 10 on the Freshwater Scale
Machacas put up strong fights for their size and leap quite a bit to try to spit the hook. They don't often head for cover, so you should land most of the ones you hook.
Machaca Tackle
Machaca can be caught on relatively light tackle. They fight well for their size but do not generally try to bury you in the snags like the Rainbow Bass that are often found in the same areas. Therefore, light tackle is in order. Machaca also readily eat flies.
Machaca Techniques
Machaca are surface oriented feeders so presentations should be targeted to the surface or just below the surface. They jump a lot when hooked and often get unhooked as a result.
Machaca Lures
Machaca are surface oriented feeders so small poppers work. They are curious fish that strike a number of small lures if their interest is piqued. Small gold and silver spinners and spoons are popular. They also eat insects so that makes them a good target for fly fishermen on a variety of flies especially dragonfly imitations.
Machaca Baits
I have never fished for them with bait but I hear fruits found where they live work.
Where to get big Machaca
The southern lakes and rivers in Nicaragua have some. Lake Arenal in Costa Rica and that is probably one of the best bets for the big ones. Interestingly, there are similar species found in other parts of the world as shown below.
Machaca caught at the Rio Indio Lodge, Nicaragua on a crankbait.
Machaca caught at the Rio Indio Lodge, Nicaragua
A related species caught on the other side of the world in Tanzania
Another related species caught in Venezuela