In Brazil, we call them "bicuda" (Boulengerrella ocellata). The scientific name, B. occelata, is due to a spot on his tail, "occelo", very similar to the peacock bass. It looks like a fish's eye. The intention is to mislead other predators that can be fooled to attack his tail, instead of his head.

It is an incredible fish. She dwells not only in fast waters but also in slow water. I prefer to fish in slow waters, using surface lures like the Baby Heddon Torpedo with propellers. Also small surface lures like the Rapala Skitter Pop 2-3/4, and Floating Minnow of the same size. Mepps Eagle #4 silver are a must too. But I use them without treble hooks. I use single hooks without barbs instead.

It's a magnificent view to watch its attacks. First you see the water start to break with its dorsal fins cutting the water in the direction of your retrieving bait. Then you accelerate the retrieval speed, and she really gets pissed off, and strikes. If hooked, she jumps in the water like a sailfish.

In fast water I use heavy spoons and count down Rapala minnows, but 80% of the strikes are on the spoons. Crocodiles are the most successful.

She is a strong fish, and hard to die. You can take your photos without fear to harm her. The meat is not good, and has no market value for the professional fisherman. That is why we still find so many of them at Xingu. As English is not my native language, what I am going to say may not be understood by you English speaking people. We have a word "sorriem", that could be translated to "smile". But not exactly. It is something subtler. It is a "smile" with love included. Now, when you do release a bicuda, sometimes they "sorriem" for you. It isn't complicated, is it? Lovely fish.

The actual IGFA World Record of 10lb 8 oz caught at Apr. 16, 2000. Belongs to a very good friend of mine, Marcio Martins Loureiro.

But only belongs to him because the local river God decided to pull my leg with a very dirty trick. Marcio and I were based at Xingu`s Ranch www.ranchoxingu.com.br, and fishing in the same spot at Xingu River. He was using plug baits, and I was using spoons. He pulled out his fish first, and we weighed it in my IGFA Certified scale. It was a record.

Ten minutes later I caught mine. As you can see in the photo [(below)], it was a much bigger fish. It weighted 12 lb. But not valid for a world record because the local guide, under the bad influence of the river God (or probably bribed by Marcio) when netting the fish, touched the butt of my rod with his hand. According with IGFA rules, this proceeding invalidates the record.

Since then I tried all kinds of tricks to catch this illusive fish. From June 2000 up to now, I went to Xingu 2 times and broke 19 world Records in that same region. But not the one I most desire. The smiling fish.