Freshwater

Bicuda (pike characin)

Bicuda (agujón de río)

Boulengerella cuvieri

Freshwater

At a glance

Typical size

2–6 lb.

Depth

2–10 ft.

Best time

Daytime.

Found in

4 areas

Spot it, size it up and learn its habits.

Identification: Long, slim, silvery fish shaped like a pike or needlefish, with a pointed beak-like snout, small sharp teeth and a dark stripe along the side.
Typical size: 2–6 lb.
Maximum size: About 3 ft and 13 lb.
Diet: Small fish.
Behavior: Hunts small fish in current just under the surface; jumps wildly when hooked.

Where, when and how deep to look.

Where to find it: Found from Amazon & Pantanal, The Guianas, Venezuela & Colombia Rivers and Amazon Mouth (Belém, Marajó & Amapá). Clear and black-water rivers with current, rocks and sandbars, often in the same places as peacock bass.
Habitat: Clear and black-water rivers with current, rocks and sandbars, often in the same places as peacock bass.
Depth: 2–10 ft.
Fishing depth: Near the surface in current.
Best season: Dry season, low and clear water.
Best time: Daytime.
Best tides: No tide — in rivers, falling water after the rainy season is best.
Best weather / conditions: Sunny days with clear water.

What to tie on and what to throw.

Best bait: Small live fish.
Best artificial lures: Small topwaters, jerkbaits, spoons and streamer flies, retrieved fast.
Tackle setup: Medium spinning or baitcasting rod; 7–8 weight fly rod.
Hook size: 1/0–3/0; its bony beak makes hooking hard.
Line: 20–30 lb braid.
Leader: 30–40 lb fluorocarbon or light wire.

The rod, reel, line and lures BigJoe would use.

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Step by step, from first cast to landing.

Go where it lives: Clear and black-water rivers with current, rocks and sandbars, often in the same places as peacock bass.
Rig up: Medium spinning or baitcasting rod; 7–8 weight fly rod. 30–40 lb fluorocarbon or light wire.
Pick your bait: Small live fish. Lures: Small topwaters, jerkbaits, spoons and streamer flies, retrieved fast.
Fish it: Cast across current seams and below rapids and retrieve fast; expect many missed strikes and big jumps.
Time it: Daytime. No tide — in rivers, falling water after the rainy season is best.

Fishing techniques: Cast across current seams and below rapids and retrieve fast; expect many missed strikes and big jumps.
BigJoe's tip: Use a fast, erratic retrieve — bicuda chase lures that flee.
Catch and release: Catch and release: wet your hands, keep the fish in the water when you can, and release it quickly. Use circle hooks and a dehooker.

Is it good to eat, and how to prepare it.

Edibility: Edible but not prized — strong or bony; many anglers release it.
Cleaning: Bleed and ice it right away. Fillet, then remove the skin and any dark bloodline.
Cooking suggestions: Bony; eaten locally but usually released.

Safety, rules and taking care of the fishery.

Safety warnings: Sharp teeth in a long beak; use pliers.
Regulations: Usually caught as a bonus fish on peacock bass trips; follow lodge and local rules. Every country requires a fishing license (in Brazil, the Licença de Pesca Amadora), each Argentine province and Brazilian state adds its own rules, and most rivers close during the spawning season. Indigenous lands and strict reserves are closed to outside anglers without permits.
Conservation: Usually released.

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Sources & photo credits