FISHING IN THE AMAZON
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Trip Review
Fishing the Amazon River Basin is like participating in the Olympics, the Super Bowl, the World Series, the Masters, and Wimbledon, all at one time. Catching Peacock Bass is the Ultimate in Bass fishing. Many who go and catch a large, representative Peacock Bass, state, at the time, they will never need to return and can eliminate further trips to the Amazon. Most of them schedule another trip within a month of their return. Peacock Bass are spectacular,especially when taken on top water lures. The sheer magnitude of the initial strike must be witnessed to be believed. It is literally an explosion in the water. Peacock Bass taken near cover will head for it immediately. The strength and power of Peacock Bass enables them often to reach it. Such tactics and strength from the Peacock Bass can be tempered with heavy-duty braided line of not less than 80 pounds test
WARNING Peacock Bass fishing is contagious and may be habit-forming!
The Amazon River Basin is the largest tropical forest in the world, occupies about 40% of the land mass of Brazil, and is larger than the continental US. The Amazon and its main tributary, the Rio Negro, comprise the world's second longest river, after only the Nile. The Amazon is more than 4000 (6437 km) miles long, carries more volume of water than the Nile, Yangtze, and Mississippi Rivers combined. It accounts for more than 15% of the freshwater emptied into the world's oceans. When flying over the Amazon Basin, the first time fisherman can not believe the sheer volume of fishable water which passes below him for hundreds and hundreds of miles.
Fishing in the Amazon: Your Amazon Peacock Bass trip will consist of 5 ½ days of actual fishing. Home base for you on the Amazon will be one of our two yachts, Amazon Clipper or Amazon Angler. You will fish, two to boat, together with your guide, from modern 17 ft. Triton all welded aluminum bass boats with 60 HP motors and trolling motors. There are large casting decks, front and rear, and your guide will add seats on the decks if you prefer them. There are built-in drink coolers and ample storage boxes for your equipment, cameras, etc. The guides also carry a hatchet and machete to get into the hidden lagoons which house the larger fish. Reaching the fishing areas is often a highly memorable and enjoyable trip, on its own. Each morning, you will enjoy breakfast on your yacht before departing for the morning fishing. Most days you will return to the yacht for lunch and a brief relaxation period. Following lunch you will depart for the afternoon fishing. You will return to the yacht each evening for cocktails or other beverages, followed by a sumptuous dinner. You will bed for the night on the yacht.
At the conclusion of your trip you will be convinced that your guides know each and every "Honey Hole" in the entire Amazon River Basin. You will see freshwater Dolphins, many highly colored birds, including Parrots, unbelievable Rain Forest trees, and the people who live on the river or in the forest. Do not forget to bring your camera. You will catch Peacock Bass and Piranha, perhaps together with other exotic Amazon fishes. A dried Piranha head, complete with vicious teeth, is a must item to bring home for most fishermen and your guides are more than happy to prepare them for you.
Our guides and agents closely monitor the entire Amazon watershed, with particular attention paid to water levels and recent catches of Peacock Bass. Our yacht, Amazon Clipper or Amazon Angler will be positioned at the best fishing location. The ability to cover thousands of miles of the Amazon for our clients gives us a distinct advantage over our competitors who use permanent locations on the river. For this reason the exact location of your fishing on the Amazon can not be determined far in advance, but we will notify you of the location close to the time of your departure.
Fishing for Peacock Bass is similar to fishing for Largemouth Bass with the exception that the ferocity of the strike and the strength of the battle are greatly weighted in favor of the Peacock Bass. You will fish points and inlets, hidden lagoons and sand bars. The most common lures are the large, top water lures with big propellers such as the Big Game Woodchopper and Rip Roller. These are ripped through the water with a rip and reel method. Reeling is continuous through out the rip and recovery phase. For this reason bait casting reels with a high retrieve ratio are preferred. If after an explosive hit the fish is not hooked a couple of other casts are made to the same area. If no follow-up strike occurs, an underwater lure such as a Bomber Long A or a Rat L Trap can be effective.
Peacock Bass often lie in wait near or under cover to ambush baitfish. When such fish are hooked they invariably head for cover and often reach it. Strong top-quality hooks and braided casting line of no less than 80 lbs test enable retrieval of most of these fish. Standard hooks and line less than 80 lbs test most often mean the fish is lost. Your guide will make an heroic effort to recover fish entangled in cover up to and including diving under the water. With Piranha and Cayman Alligators occupying the water, you will appreciate this effort to retain your trophy.
In addition to fishing along, and immediately adjacent to, main waterways you will fish in hidden lagoons with calm, still water. These are often reached through long narrow cuts through the forest. Your guide is quite adept at hacking through the vegetation to reach areas you might think inaccessible. These lagoons are quite picturesque and often house some of the larger fish. On the lagoons you can sometimes experience a type of "sight fishing." Peacock Bass spawn many times per year and, in so doing, produce areas of tiny bubbles on the surface of the water. When you hear your guide say "bubbles" quickly cast to pull your lure through the center of the bubbles. A vicious, explosive strike from the large female guarding the young will be your reward.
On other occasions you will fish the edges of large sand bars in the river. Peacock Bass often gather along the sand bars to feed. If you find them along sand bars, you will know they are in a feeding mood. Furthermore, there is little or no brush cover in these areas to entangle your catch. You may, however, have to contend with freshwater Dolphins who want your catch as much as you do. If you do lose your fish to a Dolphin, you will, at least, have an interesting and unique tale to relate to your family and friends.
Accommodations You will stay aboard either the Amazon Angler or the Amazon Clipper.. Both have air-conditioned cabins with private baths in each cabin. Moreover, there is a shower located on the lower back deck of your yacht. It is a delight to shower in the evening in the open air using cool Amazon River water. You will room two to a cabin. Each yacht features a nice dining area and an open air lounge with bar. Soft drinks, bottled water, beer, wine and some liquors are furnished. Sitting on the open air deck, exchanging tales of the day's adventures and relaxing will be a memorable event. The food is excellent and is a blend of American and Brazilian cuisine. Weather and catch permitting, your guide will construct a barbecue pit, totally from local green brush , and will prepare a lunch of Peacock Bass and Piranha over an open fire on the banks of the Amazon. There is daily laundry service on the yacht so one does not need to bring a lot of clothing or undergarments.
Travel: All travel within Brazil, including chartered air flights, is included in the trip cost. Travel to and from Brazil is not included in the trip cost but we will assist you in making arrangements through a single travel agency. We will also provide you with contact information for each leg of the journey and the final destination. Even while you are in the most remote areas of the Amazon Basin, you can be reached, or reach others, with the on-board satellite telephone.
You will arrive at, and leave from, Manaus, Brazil. There are two scenarios for your trip both of which are totally dependent on airlines schedules. In the first, you will arrive at Manaus early in the morning and be transferred, by charter plane, to your yacht and fishing location. You will fish that day and the remaining 4 1/2 days. In early afternoon on the last day of your fishing you will travel back to Manaus and spend the night in the luxurious Tropical Hotel. You will leave Manaus early the next morning. In the second scenario, you will arrive in Manaus mid-afternoon and spend your first night at the luxurious, 5 Star Tropical Hotel. Early the next morning you will travel by charter flight to the yacht and fishing location. After a lunch, you will fish your first half-day and the remaining 5 days. You will arrive back in Manaus around noon of the day of your departure.
We are not able to ascertain, nor guarantee, which of the two scenarios will be in effect at the time of your visit. We do not control airline schedules into, or out of, Manaus. However, whichever of the two above scenarios are in effect at the time of your trip, you will receive one night at the luxurious Tropical Hotel. All transfers within Manaus and the charter flight to and from the houseboats are included in your trip cost.
It is highly recommended that you arrived in Miami a minimum of three hours prior to your scheduled departure. It is further highly recommended that you check your baggage to Miami, reclaim it there and recheck your baggage on the outgoing flight to Brazil.
Passport/ Visa: To enter Brazil you must possess a current Passport valid for no less than 90 days after your return to the USA. You must also possess a valid visa for entry into Brazil. If you need assistance in applying for a U. S. Passport, please contact us. The easiest and most effective method to obtain a Brazilian visa is to use a visa service. We will provide access to a visa service well before your departure day. You must furnish an airline arrival and departure itinerary with your visa application. Therefore, purchase of your airline ticket must be coordinated with your visa application. We will provide guidance and assistance in this process. Most visas from Brazil are valid for only 90 days. The airlines will not allow you to board the plane for Manaus from Miami without (1) a valid US passport, (2) a valid Brazilian entry visa, and (3) a Yellow Fever Card. (See Health Information, below)
Other Travel Documents: You will be required to complete an entry declaration prior to landing in Manaus. These will be provided to you by the airline attendants. Notice: your entry declaration document will be stamped upon your arrival in Manaus. It is very important that you retain this document for your departure from Manaus. In the event you lose your stamped entry declaration document you will be charged an additional departure fee from Manaus which, at present, is $75.
Health Information: To enter Brazil you must present evidence of a current yellow fever vaccination by presenting the internationally recognized Yellow Fever Card. Your physician can provide, or refer you for, a yellow fever vaccination. In any event, it is essential that you receive the Yellow Fever Card because you will not be allowed to board the plane in Miami without it. Yellow fever immunization is effective for a period of 10 years.
Consult with your physician concerning other vaccinations and recommendations for travel to Brazil. Among these are Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid Fever and, sometimes, Rabies. You should always be current with a Tetanus vaccination. If Hepatitis A is indicated, a minimum of six months is required for the full immunization profile.
Additionally, you should take medication to prevent Malaria. There are several effective medications available with a physician's prescription. While mosquitoes are not particularly troublesome on the Amazon, Brazil is a Malaria area. Although intestinal disturbances are rare on our trips, you may wish to consult with your physician concerning prescriptions for tourist’s diarrhea, including antibiotics and anti-diarrhea agents. Protective clothing and sunscreens are also highly recommended.
Insects: Because the waters of most of the areas of the Amazon on which you will fish are high in tannic acid there are few mosquitoes. You may encounter gnats, biting flies and an occasional bee or wasp. An insect repellent is advisable. Small tubes of antibiotic ointment and cortisone ointment are helpful
Climate: You will be fishing in close proximity to the Equator. Therefore the sun will be quite intense. Even the native guides use sunscreen and you should be no exception. Because of proximity to the equator sunrise and sunset vary only slightly from 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., respectively. The average daytime temperature is 85 - 90° F.(30-32 C), while nights can cool down to an average of 68° F.(20 C.) Come prepared for rain showers. Most are brief and followed by sunshine. However, on occasion it may rain all day. Protective rainwear is essential. Even in this warm climate an early morning or late evening fast boat ride can be chilly. Thus, a light jacket is handy although a proper rain jacket will suffice. With access to a computer and Web resources, you can monitor the weather in Manaus prior to your departure.
Luggage: All airlines have limits on the number, size and weight of luggage. A rod case is usually considered sporting goods and is allowed in addition to regular luggage. It is important to check with your respective airline carriers for luggage limitations. Sometimes it is necessary to restrict luggage weight further on our charter flights within Brazil. If such restriction is necessary we will notify you well in advance of your trip. It is always wise to pack light.
Pricing: Currently the trip price is $4,050. This price includes 5 ½ days of fishing, lodging (double occupancy) for one night at the Tropical Hotel, all ground transportation and air charters within Brazil, and all meals and open bar on the yacht.
Not included are commercial air fare between your home and Miami, and then Manaus, tips, rods, reels, lures, meals while in transit, any overweight baggage charges, departure tax, if any, from Brazil and satellite phone charges made by the client.
A deposit of 50% of the trip price is required to secure a reservation. The remaining 50% of the trip price is due, upon notification, prior to departure.
Tipping: Tipping is a personal issue and is not mandatory. Our guides and fishermen are rotated daily to ensure fairness to all. It is usual and customary to provide $100 per fishermen for the guides and $100 per fishermen for the yacht staff, given to the Captain for distribution. Additional smaller daily tips for a guide for exceptional service, such as catching an unusually large fish, are welcome but, by no means are required or expected.
Clothing:
Pants (2); Long sleeve shirts (2); light jacket; hat or cap; rainwear; socks; underwear; and boat or tennis shoes. Casual clothing such as shorts and golf shirt for relaxing on the yacht are optional. (In packing remember that daily laundry service is available on the yacht.)
Equipment: Rods (2,) generally bait casting rods of the 7 ft length, medium heavy to heavy, with fast action tips are preferred. Reels (2,) good-quality bait casting reels, with reliable drags and high ratio retrieve, up to7:1, are preferred. A small tackle box or bag(1); braided casting line, of no less than 80 lb test is essential.
Braided line scissors (1)
Lures: Most of the larger Peacock Bass are taken on large top water lures equipped with big propellers, raked strongly through the water. If quantity rather than quality is desired smaller top water bass lures are effective. A missed strike can be followed with an underwater lure. The following lures have been proven effective on Peacock Bass:
Big Game Woodchopper (6 ¾) black with orange, red /white, fire tiger, clown. Note: the hooks on these lures should be replaced with stronger hooks such as Gamakatsu or strong salt water hooks.
Rip Rollers by Hi Roller, (6 1/2), black with orange, peacock bass, red/white.
Bomber Long A (16A) red/white, firetiger, chrome. Note: the hooks on these lures should be replaced with stronger hooks such as Gamakatsu or strong salt water hooks.
Rat L Trap (1oz) chrome/blue back. Note: the hooks on these lures should be replaced with stronger hooks such as Gamakatsu or strong salt water hooks.
While piranha will strike all the above lures, particularly the Rat L Trap, they will also hit swimming jigs in black/silver or most any other Bass lure.
Miscellaneous: sunscreen, lip balm, antibiotic ointment, cortisone ointment. Prescription medications should be in original containers.
Largest tropical forest in the world, occupying about 40% of the land mass of Brazil, and extending into eight other South American countries. The Amazon is the world's second longest river, after the Nile. The river, more than 4000 miles (6,437 km) long, carries more water than the Nile, Yangtze, and Mississippi rivers combined. The Amazon forest has over half a million species of plants and a large percentage of the Earth's animal life.
