We cooperate with Amazon-Angler for this fishing trip. This company has specialised in perfectly organized fishing trips to the furthest corners of the Amazon for many years. Steve Townson, the owner of Amazon Angler, has arranged these fishing trips in detail and you are in the best of hands. All these trips are unique fishing trips to different locations in the Amazon jungle.
This fishing trip is set up for fishermen who appreciate a fantastic adventure as well as comfort. You fly deep into the Amazon jungle on a floatplane and stay on a luxurious and comfortable houseboat. You will then fish in the headwaters of the Rio Negro, Madeira or Abacaxis rivers that are exclusively reserved for us, for the three peacock bass species: giant three-barred, popoca and butterfly. In addition wolffish, surubim, bicuda, pescada, red-tailed catfish and piraiba are also present. All in all, more than enough variety and top fishing in an impressive environment.
The fishing is organized in two different regions:
The southern fishery takes place on the Rio Abacaxis, among others. This area is so remote that other fishing boats cannot reach it. From May onwards, the water level in the rivers begins to drop rapidly and they retreat from the flooded jungle. The best times here are from July to September.
For the northern fishing, the water level begins to drop rapidly from July onwards and the best time of year to fish here is from October to the end of February.
These are the best times of the season to fish for giant peacock bass and the other species as the water level has dropped and the fish are easier to catch. This is also the period when most catfish species can be caught.
The headwaters of these tributaries have filled lagoon after lagoon with the immensely strong and aggressive three-barred and speckled peacock bass that can weigh over 15 kg. The fish dwell around fallen trees and treetops, drop-offs, streams and sandy beaches, as well as in the dense structure of the huge lagoons and river points.
Anglers who have caught big peacock bass before will tell you that once you catch one with surface lures, you are hooked for life! There is nothing more exciting and exhilarating than seeing the water surface explode on your prop bait, ghost bait or other surface bait. The bite is awesome, loud, aggressive, fast, ferocious and shocking all in one.
The three main target species here are the giant three barred and speckled peacock bass. The largest specimens are up to 30 pounds. Then there are the butterfly and popoca peacock bass, which grow to 15 and 10 pounds respectively. These fish like structure, although spawning fish are often seen with their young on the surface of the various lagoons. If they don't want to take a bait as food, they will still want to kill and attack it with explosive strikes and that is NOT an exaggeration. The lures used here in the Amazon have to be fished fast. Something that swims slowly in the Amazon stays alive for a long time and therefore does not produce a strike.
In the rainy season, the water rises tremedously. A river that is only 100 metres wide within its banks in the dry season can be 20 or more kilometres wide in the rainy season and spread far into the flooded jungle. Fishing during this time is like finding a needle in a haystack, as the predators have followed the baitfish far into the jungle. Once the rains stop and the water level retreats from the jungle and to the river banks, this is the best time to catch these magnificent fish.
The main structures where the peacock bass like to hang out are lagoon entrances, ends of beaches, sites between a bank and an island, trees and drop-offs. The best surface lures are Klures propbaits or similar, poppers, walk-the-dog stickbaits such as spooks and other cigar-shaped lures. The best sub-surface lures are jigs, Rapala X raps, Yozuri Crystal Minnows, Cotton Cordell or similar. Bucktail jigs with extended tails can get you over 150 fish a day, although many of these will be smaller than when using larger lures. Fly fishing is also a great way to fish in the right conditions, at sandy beaches, in lagoons and in many river systems. You can catch lots and lots of big peacock bass with big flashy streamers and poppers.
Other catches
There are also many other species caught while fishing for peacock bass. These are all great sportfish in their own way. Most species can be caught with the usual lures, but many anglers like the variation that these great fish give. Therefore, they often take some extra lures with them to fish the other species more specifically.
The arowana/monkey fish is known for its artistic ability to jump above the water to chase birds, spiders and other insects in the upper branches of underwater trees. This fish is very athletic on medium weight tackle and can weigh up to 12 lbs. Traira/wolf fish are usually found at the back of lagoons or in oxygen-poor water. They are often caught on stickbaits and love jigs, flies, minnows etc. Their maximum weight is around 7 lbs.
The bicuda is a species that lives in fast flowing water and can grow up to 10 lbs, but weighs on average 2 to 3 lbs. These long pike-like fish are fast as lightning and acrobatic. They are most often caught with smaller surface water baits and small sub surface lures, jigs and flies. Dogfish are great on ultralight tackle and can be caught with flies, small jigs, mini-rapalas etc. They look like a small freshwater barracuda and have a serious set of teeth. A serious small predator with an elongated body and they get up to 3 lbs.
The jacunda is one of the most beautiful fish in the Amazon and it's a shame they don't get bigger. Weighing in at 2 to 2.5 lbs, they are good to catch on most small crankbaits, flies and jigs. And of course there are the ever-present piranhas, which will sink their teeth into literally anything that moves. Any jig, soft plastic or wooden lure can be 'piranhaised' at any time. Sometimes they really are not funny anymore. Our advice to flies and lurebuilders: go for simple, so no elaborate or expensive designs because it doesn't give you anything extra except a waste of time and money.
Surubim/shovelnose catfish are also good to catch with lures such as jigs, small minnow baits and flies and once hooked they run off with serious speed. They get over 30 lbs in the Rio Negro Basin and can be found around flooded sandy beaches and in lagoons where they slowly swim by. And of course we have bigger catfish species for those who want to chill in the shade with a cold drink and wait for a “reel burning experience”. Red-tailed catfish and piraibas can be found in the deeper holes and gullies.
This is a phenomenal fishing trip for those who not only want to fish for the hardest fighting freshwater fish on the planet, but also appreciate the comfort at the end of the day and during the night.
Are you interested in this fishing trip of a lifetime? Then please contact us and we will help you as best as I can.
You will stay and sleep on an ultra-modern luxury five-star houseboat. This is the only boat of its kind with modern furnishings and four double cabins with tinted windows. Each cabin has a bunk bed and includes bed linen and towels and has its own bathroom with hot and cold water shower.
This houseboat follows the fish continuously so that you are always in the right place for fishing. By using a floatplane we create a high level of flexibility and optimal fishing for the guests.
There is a jacuzzi, a bar, a dining room, a large living room and outdoor seating both front and back, and all indoor areas are fully air-conditioned. The bar is open 24/7, the soft drinks and beers are always ice cold and included in the price. In the evening, you can also enjoy delicious cocktails and the in-house chef ensures that three delicious and elaborate meals are served daily.
The fishing boats are 17 feet long and equipped with 25 HP outboard motors and an electric trolling motor. In addition, the fishing decks are raised and comfortable fishing chairs are provided as well. And not to forget a spacious cooler where the drinks are chilled.
Each boat is driven by a local guide and there is room for two anglers. The boats are light and can easily be carried and towed to off-river lagoons and lakes if necessary.
All in all, this is top-notch equipment that will make this fishing trip an unforgettable experience. A list of recommended tackle will be provided with your travel documents but expect sturdy jerkbait rods, strong boat rods and ditto reels and lines to resist these fish. And also a good selection of surface lures, jerks/stickbaits, bucktails, crankbaits, jigs, super strong hooks and leaders.
You need to bring your own equipment on this fishing trip. It is not possible to rent or buy equipment on the spot. Furthermore, there is a strict 15 kilo luggage limit on the domestic flight per floatplane.
The season for this location runs from July to the end of February. It is usually warm with temperatures above 20° C at night and 25 to 30° C during the day. Due to the usually present wind, it usually feels cooler during most of the year.
The programme looks as follows:
The costs for this trip are € 4.595,- per person.
Including transfers from the day of arrival and one night in a three star hotel in Manaus. Return flight by seaplane from Manaus to location and back. Seven nights on the houseboat and over six full days of fishing with guide and 2 people per boat, daily laundry service, all meals, water, soft drinks and beer on the boat.
Excluding international and domestic flights to and from Manaus, meals and drinks during your stay in Manaus, tips, spirits, wine, fishing tackle, rods, reels, lures and visa. - N.B. European, American, Canadian, Australian and Japanese citizens do NOT need a visa to enter Brazil.
For tips per person, please allow USD 150 for the fishing guide and USD 150 for the boat staff. Prices are indicative and may be subject to currency and seasonal variations. Payment terms: 50% as a deposit upon booking, 50% to be paid 90 days prior to arrival in Brasil. Please check with your local physician for any necessary medication or vaccinations.
Of course we are happy to take care of the international flights for you as well.
All fishing trips to the Amazon are a true fishing adventure. Despite years of experience and thorough organisation of the trips, it can always happen that on these expeditions things happen that are not in the regular script. Participants of this fishing trip must therefore realise that in exceptional cases the trip may not go entirely according to plan and that a certain flexibility may be desirable.
Are you interested in this fishing trip of a lifetime? Then please contact us and we will help you as best as I can.