Rainbow Bass Fishing
The author with a big Rainbow Bass caught at the Rio Indio Lodge, Nicaragua, on a spinnerbait.
Rainbow Bass (Guapote, Lagunero, Dow Cichlid)
Parachromis Dovii
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Rainbow Bass Description
Rainbow Bass are a feisty and striking cichlid found in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Honduras. 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. Rainbow Bass live in lakes and rivers in the jungle. They are ambush predators and hide under fallen trees and other cover. They primarily feed on smaller fish and dart out from their hiding places to suck these in. If hooked they immediately power back to the snags where they live and have to be turned immediately.
As they get larger they become more colorful with blue fins and a deep purple body. They develop a big hump on their heads similar to many cichlids. Rainbow Bass are tasty but due to their relative scarcity most should be released.
Check out this great video of a Rainbow Bass and Tarpon fishing trip to Nicaragua:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jp6Y7okErIg
Rainbow Bass Pound for Pound Fight Rating - 10 out of 10 on the Freshwater Scale
Rainbow Bass do not get huge, but their are an extremely tough customer for their size. They usually head for cover and can be very tough to stop before they wrap you up and break your line. Most will jump at least once or twice during a fight and will violently shake their heads to dislodge hooks. If you hook a big one in heavy cover, where they are often found, you are going to need some luck to land it and you can forget about light tackle. I have had 5lbers bust me off on 30lb line. One of the top pound for pound fighting freshwater fish in the world.
Rainbow Bass Tackle
The same tackle used for Largemouth Bass is fine for Rainbow Bass. I like rods of 6'6" or shorter due to the tight jungle areas where they live. They tend to be in snaggy areas and I do not recommend line lighter than 12lb and I think at least 20lb is better. Personally I fish them with 30lb braid and a 20lb flourocarbon leader. Either spinning or baitcasting tackle will work and they can be taken on flies as well.
Rainbow Bass Techniques
Rainbow bass 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. Early in the morning they may take topwater lures. 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.
Rainbow Bass Lures
Rainbow bass take a variety of crankbaits. My favorite is the Bomber Fat Free Shad in Citrus Shad color. They also take spinnerbaits fished along weed edges and sunken logs. In densely weeded areas they may be coaxed into striking buzz baits fished over the weeds. Other lures that imitate small fish should work but the vast majority of Rainbow Bass are caught with one of the three lures mentioned above. In deeper lakes they can sometimes be caught trolling deep diving crankbaits, especially in the middle of the day, but I prefer to cast for them.
Rainbow Bass 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. I have not fished for them with bait but I'm told those shrimp work well although you will have a hard time keeping the Mojarra off of them. Also these tend to catch the smaller ones.
Where to get big Rainbow Bass
The southern area of Lake Nicaragua has a number of them. Lake Arenal in Costa Rica is famous for them but that fishery has declined significantly. Some of the other lakes in northern Costa Rica such as Lake Hule still have them.
Parachromis Dovii
HOME
Other
Species
Rainbow Bass Description
Rainbow Bass are a feisty and striking cichlid found in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Honduras. 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. Rainbow Bass live in lakes and rivers in the jungle. They are ambush predators and hide under fallen trees and other cover. They primarily feed on smaller fish and dart out from their hiding places to suck these in. If hooked they immediately power back to the snags where they live and have to be turned immediately.
As they get larger they become more colorful with blue fins and a deep purple body. They develop a big hump on their heads similar to many cichlids. Rainbow Bass are tasty but due to their relative scarcity most should be released.
Check out this great video of a Rainbow Bass and Tarpon fishing trip to Nicaragua:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jp6Y7okErIg
Rainbow Bass Pound for Pound Fight Rating - 10 out of 10 on the Freshwater Scale
Rainbow Bass do not get huge, but their are an extremely tough customer for their size. They usually head for cover and can be very tough to stop before they wrap you up and break your line. Most will jump at least once or twice during a fight and will violently shake their heads to dislodge hooks. If you hook a big one in heavy cover, where they are often found, you are going to need some luck to land it and you can forget about light tackle. I have had 5lbers bust me off on 30lb line. One of the top pound for pound fighting freshwater fish in the world.
Rainbow Bass Tackle
The same tackle used for Largemouth Bass is fine for Rainbow Bass. I like rods of 6'6" or shorter due to the tight jungle areas where they live. They tend to be in snaggy areas and I do not recommend line lighter than 12lb and I think at least 20lb is better. Personally I fish them with 30lb braid and a 20lb flourocarbon leader. Either spinning or baitcasting tackle will work and they can be taken on flies as well.
Rainbow Bass Techniques
Rainbow bass 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. Early in the morning they may take topwater lures. 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.
Rainbow Bass Lures
Rainbow bass take a variety of crankbaits. My favorite is the Bomber Fat Free Shad in Citrus Shad color. They also take spinnerbaits fished along weed edges and sunken logs. In densely weeded areas they may be coaxed into striking buzz baits fished over the weeds. Other lures that imitate small fish should work but the vast majority of Rainbow Bass are caught with one of the three lures mentioned above. In deeper lakes they can sometimes be caught trolling deep diving crankbaits, especially in the middle of the day, but I prefer to cast for them.
Rainbow Bass 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. I have not fished for them with bait but I'm told those shrimp work well although you will have a hard time keeping the Mojarra off of them. Also these tend to catch the smaller ones.
Where to get big Rainbow Bass
The southern area of Lake Nicaragua has a number of them. Lake Arenal in Costa Rica is famous for them but that fishery has declined significantly. Some of the other lakes in northern Costa Rica such as Lake Hule still have them.
Big Rainbow Bass caught on a Bomber Fat Free Shad.
Rainbow Bass caught at the Rio Indio Lodge, Nicaragua
Rainbow Bass caught on a Bomber Fat Free Shad at the Rio Indio Lodge in Nicaragua
The Bomber Fat Free Shad is a big hit with Rainbow Bass
Rainbow Bass caught at the Rio Indio Lodge, Nicaragua.
Big Rainbow Bass at the Rio Indio Lodge, Nicaragua.
Spinnerbaits are a great lure for Rainbow Bass.