Catching Peacock Bass in Singapore
A Bucket List Fish in the City
Catching the mighty Peacock Bass in Singapore
Singapore, widely recognized for its world-class shopping, vibrant food scene, and entertainment, also harbours a lesser-known treasure: a vibrant fishing community and a wealth of exotic fish species. Among these, the Peacock Bass stands out as a prized catch, drawing anglers to the island’s lush reservoirs and waterways.
The reservoirs of Singapore, including hotspots like Lower Seletar and Bedok Reservoir, provide an ideal environment for Peacock Bass. Native to South America, this stunningly colourful predator thrives in Singapore’s tropical climate, which mirrors its natural habitat. With their aggressive strikes and acrobatic leaps, Peacock Bass deliver an exhilarating fishing experience.
For those looking to refine their skills, Singapore offers year-round opportunities to connect with local experts who understand the fish’s habits and the best techniques. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or a beginner, chasing Peacock Bass in Singapore is a unique way to explore the hidden wild side of this dynamic city.
To help us catch one of these prized fish, we hooked up with local legend Ashleigh to make it happen.
Quick Facts
- Peacock bass are not native to Singapore, they were introduced to reservoirs in the 1990s to control Tilapia populations and for sport fishing.
- The introduction of peacock bass has disrupted local ecosystems. Their predatory nature has reduced populations of native species, like the Climbing Perch and Halfbeak.
- In Singapore, peacock bass spawn year-round due to the tropical climate. They are highly territorial during this period, often guarding their nests aggressively, making them more likely to strike lures.
- They are known for their fascinating courtship and parenting practices. They form monogamous pairs during spawning and fiercely protect their eggs and fry from predators.
Our Guide:
Yi Xuan (Ashleigh) from Facepalm Fishing
With over 10 years of experience, Ashleigh has become a renowned name in Singapore’s angling community, known for his expertise in targeting the exotic species that thrive in the island’s many waterways. From the vibrant Peacock Bass to the aggressive Snakehead and the elusive Knife Fish, Ashleigh has mastered the techniques needed to hook these prized fish.
Having explored fishing spots across Southeast Asia, Ashleigh brings a wealth of regional knowledge to his craft. As a professional guide, he’s committed to providing top-notch experiences, partnering with local tackle shops and Shimano to equip his clients with the best gear available. His passion for fishing is matched by his dedication to helping others discover the thrill of Singapore’s hidden aquatic gems.
Whether it’s your first time casting a line or you’re seeking expert tips to land a trophy fish, Ashleigh’s skill, experience, and enthusiasm make him an invaluable resource for anglers of all levels.
Picking Our Location
Launch: We started our day meeting in the north near the Malaysia and Singapore border.
Spot 1: Kranji Reservoir Fishing Ground A.
Spot 2: From there we moved across the reservoir to Kranji Reservoir Fishing Ground B.
Spot 3: Our third spot was the popular Lower Seletar Reservoir Rowers Bay.
Spot 4: We ended the day at Rowers Bay
Peacock Bass
Cichla ocellaris
Target Species
The Peacock Bass, a striking species from the Amazon basin, has become a prized catch in Singapore’s reservoirs. Known for its vibrant colours and aggressive nature, it provides an exciting challenge for anglers. Typically found around submerged structures and vegetation, the peacock bass is best targeted using lures like crankbaits and topwater plugs. Its strong fight on light tackle makes it a popular choice for sport fishing enthusiasts.
Tackle we used for the day
With a full day of casting lures, its important to have, lightweight, ergonomic handles and well-balanced rods to make it easier to fish all day without fatigue. High-quality gear is designed for comfort, reducing strain on your arms, wrists, and shoulders during extended casting sessions. This is what we used:
Rods: 6’6″ & 7’medium to medium-heavy power, fast-action spinning rods
Reels: 2500 & 4000 size spinning reels (Gear Ratio: 6.3:1 to 7.1:1)
Line: 10lb braid with 10 to 12 lb fluorocarbon leader
Lures: Crankbaits, Jerkbaits, Topwater lures, Bucktail lures
Our techniques for the day
Location 1 We started our day using poppers and a Singaporian technique called ‘walking the dog’. We were casting parallel to the shoreline over submerged rock walls. We had multiple strikes but were unable to connect.
Location 2 Moving to our second location near a damn wall and loads of vegetation, we switched to a bright colourful bucktail type lure. Similar to location one we casted along the shoreline but instead bounced our lure off the bottom as we retrieved. Here we lost what would have been the biggest fish of the day, but still managed to land a decent bass.
Location 3 The third location was more of a sandy area with a bit of weed scattered around. Here we switched to crankbaits as the water was a bit deeper but did not have much success and moved on after 30 minutes.
Location 4 Our final location was similar to the third location but a bit shallower, with much more weed and algae. The area was more active and we were able to land two smaller bass on jerkbaits. Another young fella fishing the area managed to land a decent size Snakehead as well!
Top tips from Ashleigh on fishing Singapore’s reservoirs
What is the absolute best time of the day to catch these fish?
Peacock bass bite all day, even at night. But the best time to fish for them is still early in the morning (first light) and late in the evening (last light)
Do you have a favourite or go to lure for catching these fish?
Jerkbaits, bucktails work exceptionally well. For soft plastics, they respond well to small paddle tails.
Can you provide the top 3 legal fishing grounds that are easily accessible?
Kallang Legal Ground (Walkable from Kallang MRT), Bedok Reservoir Legal Ground (walkable from Bedok Reservoir MRT), lower Seletar reservoir legal ground (2 bus stops away from Khatib MRT station)
Are there seasonal changes in behaviour or location for Peacock Bass in Singapore?
They bite throughout the year, generally, its easier to fish for them outside the monsoon season (December/Jan and May/June) the water will usually get really dirty when there is rain in the legal fishing grounds.
Please provide one expert tip that might be unique to catching Singapore Peacock Bass?
Finding the right balance between fishing aggressively but not overly aggressive. For instance, using a size 70mm jerk bait (a finesse lure) but working it aggressively with tough twitches.
Can you fish for Peacock Bass here year round?
Yes you can! Also, worth noting is that there are various variants of Peacock Bass in Singapore too.
Mainly the
– Butterfly Peacock
– Temensis (the ones that grow super big)
– Hybrids (hybrid between Butterfly and Temensis, they grow big as well)
– Azuls
What other freshwater species can you catch in Singapore?
Giant Snakeheads (although their numbers are slowly depleting), Mural Snakeheads, Cichlids like the Zebra Tilapia, Mayan Cichlids, Green Chromides to name a few.
Photo gallery of our day on the water with Ashleigh
Sports Fishing in Singapore
If you’re visiting Singapore and have a passion for fishing, a trip with Ashleigh is an experience you shouldn’t miss. It’s your opportunity to tick a bucket-list fish off your list by targeting the aggressive and thrilling Peacock Bass. Ashleigh offers personalised fishing trips to Singapore’s premier reservoirs, where you’ll experience the excitement of landing this stunning species.
During my day with Ashleigh, I landed not one but three Peacock Bass—a truly unforgettable experience. Ashleigh’s expertise, wealth of knowledge, and excellent teaching made all the difference, as he shared subtle yet effective techniques to entice these challenging fish to bite.
Use the tips and insights from my trip to land a Peacock Bass of your own, or book your own unforgettable trip with Sunny Fishing. Be sure to also check out Ashleigh’s exciting fishing stories and tips on his YouTube channel Facepalm Fishing!
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