Tag: peacock bass fishing

  • Agua Boa Amazon Lodge

    Agua Boa Amazon Lodge

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    Agua Boa Amazon Lodge

    Agua Boa Amazon Lodge, located 200 miles northwest of Manaus on the Agua Boa River in a largely uninhabited area of the Amazon Jungle, offers world-class fly fishing for peacock bass and top-shelf accommodations and service.

    Agua Boa Lodge was voted as one of the top ten fly fishing lodges in the world by Forbes Magazine in spring 2010. The number of guests who return year after year are testament to the fact that they also believe that Agua Boa Amazon Lodge is one of the world’s top fly fishing destinations.

    Species: Peacock Bass (Tucanaré), Aruanã, Marticha, Characin Pike (Wolf Fish), Piranhas, catfish, Payara + 20+ species

    Location: Agua Boa River, 200 miles northwest of Manaus, Brazil

    Fly Fishing Only designation with Amazon River Police patrols

    Crystal clear water perfect for sight fishing peacock bass

    Book now, get a quote, or chat with us about Amazon peacock bass fishing!

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    The Agua Boa River

    The Agua Boa River is part of the immense Amazon River system, the largest river system in the world. Agua Boa is located approximately 200 miles north of Manaus, Brazil in a totally uninhabited part of the jungle. It drains into the Rio Branco which feeds the Rio Negro which in turn feeds the Amazon proper. Effectively out of range of the large river boat operations plying the Rio Negro, Agua Boa enjoys further protection provided by recently passed legislation designating the river as “Fly Fishing Only”. The river is regularly patrolled by Amazon River Police to ensure no unauthorized fishing or illegal netting takes place.

    Unlike the Rio Negro (Black River) it ultimately feeds, the Agua Boa is normally crystal clear providing wonderful sight fishing in low water for the hard fighting Peacock Bass, or Tucanaré as they are known in Brazil, as well as numerous other species. As in flats fishing for bonefish, tarpon or permit, many consider sight casting to peacocks the ultimate fly rod experience.

    Fishing at Agua Boa

    While over 20 different species have been taken on the fly on the Agua Boa, Peacock bass comprise the prime target for anglers. Members of the cichlid family, there are actually 4 different species found in the Agua Boa which range from the beautiful Peacock Bass (cichla occelaris) which average 3 to 5 pounds to the true Tucanaré (cichla temensis) which can top the 20 pound mark. Some of the other species include the ancient Aruanã, the Marticha, the Characin Pike or Wolf Fish, Piranhas, several species of catfish, occasionally Payara, and many more.

    Anglers fish from 20-foot aluminum skiffs equipped with poling platform and powered by either 2-stroke outboard or 4-stroke jet engine, depending on water levels and areas you will fish. If you opt to fish far afield that day, lunch may be taken in a cooler but most guests fish early morning, returning to the lodge for the noonday meal and a siesta out of the midday sun, and return to fish the later afternoon hours, returning to the lodge for dinner.

    Tackle choices generally range from 8 to 10 weight fly rods. It’s best to bring backup as large tucanaré are notorious rod busters! Most fishing is with floating line but it’s a good idea to have a 200-300 grain sink tip in your kit in case of high water. Large streamer patterns, like 4-6 inch deceivers, whistlers and Clousers are most effective. Peacocks and many other species love surface poppers. Be sure to bring some outsized poppers like the Big Boy Trevally Popper. If you plan to do a lot of popper fishing, you should consider a 10 weight rod to better carry these big wind resistant flies to your target.

    As this is all catch & release fishing, we suggest you leave your IGFA class/shock tippet leaders at home. Straight 40 pound hard, clear mono (like Mason or Rio Salt Water) or 50 pound fluorocarbon level leaders are the way to go. And the lodge has a well stocked fly shop on the premises should you require additional tackle during your week.

    Accommodations

    Set in landscaped gardens on the banks of the Agua Boa River, the Lodge House is comfortably furnished and equipped with all modern facilities, including television with English channels, a bar and a games room. Wireless internet access is available, at no additional cost, in both the Lodge House and the individual chalets. Both the Lodge House and the chalets are constructed from local materials and are finished to a high standard. Set right on the banks of the river, a 20-meter swimming pool and pool bar, provide a perfect place to relax after a day’s fishing.

    The six chalets are arranged in a row along the river bank, each with an uninterrupted view of the river and its wildlife. The chalets are all excellently well appointed. Each of the well furnished air conditioned chalets have two queen beds, a large bathroom with en-suite solar heated shower, dressing room and separate toilet. All chalets are equipped with frigobar, wireless internet access, and have plenty of storage room for even the best packed fishermen. Outside there is a large porch area with a table and chairs.

    Electric supply is through standard US sockets and is 110 volt. Chalets are normally shared by two guests, but single occupancy can be booked at additional cost if required. A daily laundry service is provided, at no additional cost, for those guests who prefer to travel light.

    Dining

    Breakfast is buffet style, with a choice of hot and cold dishes, breads, pastries, cold meat, fresh fruit and cereals. In addition, fresh fruit juices and coffee are freely available. Lunch may be taken either at the Lodge, where our chef will provide a cooked meal, or a packed lunch can be prepared in the morning for those who prefer to stay on the River all day.

    For those taking lunch on the River, all our boats have a cooler on board to keep food fresh, and our guides will ensure that plentiful supplies of cool drinks are available throughout the day. A three course dinner, with wine, is served in the dining room each evening. The main course is a buffet, with a choice of several meat and fish dishes, all freshly prepared by our chef. Throughout the day and evening, snacks and hot and cold drinks are always available.

    Travel Information

    Both a passport and a visa is required for travel to Brazil from the US. There are direct flights from both Miami and Atlanta to Manaus, Brazil. The camp week runs Saturday to Saturday. Guests need to arrive in Manaus on Friday, the day before scheduled to fly into camp. The charter flight into camp is early Saturday morning, and a half day of fishing is included Saturday afternoon. Guests are met and transferred to a local hotel, and picked up the following morning for the charter flight into the lodge. After your week at camp, your AB Lodge rep will meet your charter flight return to Manaus and arrange your transfer to your international departure or to your reserved hotel.

    Agua Boa Amazon Lodge 2025 Rates

    The rate at Agua Boa is $8,050 per person based on double occupancy accommodations and a shared boat / guide daily. Please call or email for single occupancy rates.

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    Included: (in Manaus) transfer from international arrival to hotel, transfer to charter flight, return transfer to international departure or hotel; round trip charter flight from Manaus to the lodge; (at the Lodge) all meals, soft drinks, beer, wine and local liquors; 7-nights accommodations in a double occupancy chalet; 6½ days guided fishing, 2 anglers per skiff/guide; daily laundry service; Wi-Fi internet access (including use of the lodge computer).

    Not Included: international airfare, visa or other travel costs to Manaus, (in Manaus) hotel accommodations, meals or drinks in Manaus, additional transfers/tours in Manaus; (at the Lodge) Imported liquors; fly shop purchases or rentals, gratuities, items of a personal nature.

    Agua Boa Amazon Lodge, located on 200 miles northwest of Manaus on the the Agua Boa River, in a largely uninhabited area of the Amazon Jungle, offers world class fly fishing for peacock bass and top shelf accommodations and service. Agua Boa Lodge was voted as one of the top ten fly fishing lodges in the world by Forbes Magazine spring 2010. The number of guests who return year after year are testament to the fact that they also believe that Agua Boa Amazon Lodge is one of the world’s top fly fishing destinations. The Agua Boa River is part of the immense Amazon River system, the largest river system in the world. Agua Boa is located approximately 200 miles north of Manaus, Brazil in a totally uninhabited part of the jungle. It drains into the Rio Branco which feeds the Rio Negro which in turn feeds the Amazon proper. Effectively out of range of the large river boat opertions plying the Rio Negro, Agua Boa enjoys further protection provided by recently passed legislation designating the river as “Fly Flishing Only”. The river is regularly patrolled by Amazon River Police to insure no unauthorized fishing or illegal netting takes place. Unlike the Rio Negro (Black River) it ultimately feeds, the Agua Boa is normally crystal clear providing wonderful site fishing in low water for the hard fighting Peacock Bass, or Tucanaré as they are known in Brazil, as well as numerous other species. As in flats fishing for bonefish, tarpon or permit, many consider site casting to peacocks the ultimate fly rod experience. While over 20 different species have been taken on the fly on the Agua Boa, Peacock bass comprise the prime target for anglers. Members of the cichlid family, there are actually 4 different species found in the Agua Boa which range from the beautiful Peacock Bass (cichla occelaris) which average 3 to 5 pounds to the true Tucanaré (cichla temensis) which can top the 20 pound mark. Some of the other species include the ancient Aruanã, the Marticha, the Characin Pike or Wolf Fish, Pirhanas, several species of catfish, occasionally Payara, and many more. Anglers fish from 20 aluminum skiff equipped with poling platform and powered by either 2 stroke outboard or 4 stroke jet engine, depending on water levels and areas you will fish. If you opt to fish far afield that day, lunch may be taken in a cooler but most guests fish early morning, returning to the lodge for the noonday meal and a siesta out of the midday sun, and return to fish the later afternoon hours, returning to the lodge for dinner. Tackle choices generally range from 8 to 10 weight fly rods. It’s best to bring back up as large tucanaré are notorious rod busters! Most fishing is with floating line but it’s a good idea to have a 200 – 300 grain sink tip in your kit in case of high water. Large streamer patterns, like 4 – 6 inch deceivers, whistlers and Clousers are most effective. Peacocks and many other species love surface poppers. Be sure to bring some outsized poppers like the Big Boy Trevally Popper. If you plan to do a lot of popper fishing, you should consider a 10 weight rod to better carry these big wind resistant flies to your target. As this is all catch & release fishing, we suggest you leave your IGFA class/shock tippet leaders at home. Straight 40 pound hard, clear mono (like Mason or Rio Salt Water) or 50 pound fluorocarbon level leaders as the way to go. And the lodge has a well stocked fly shop on the premises should you require additional tackle during your week. Set in landscaped gardens on the banks of the Agua Boa River, the Lodge House is comfortably furnished and equipped with all modern facilities, including television with English channels, a bar and a games room. Wireless internet access is available, at no additional cost, in both the Lodge House and the individual chalets. Both the Lodge House and the chalets are constructed from local materials and are finished to a high standard. Set right on the banks of the river, a 20 meter swimming pool and pool bar, provide a perfect place to relax after a days fishing. The six chalets are arranged in a row along the river bank, each with an uninterrupted view of the river and its wildlife, the chalets are all excellently well appointed. Each of the well furnished air conditioned chalets have two queen beds, a large bathroom with en-suite solar heated shower, dressing room and separate toilet. All chalets are equipped with frigobar, wireless internet access, and have plenty of storage room for even the best packed fishermen. Outside there is a large porch area with a table and chairs. Electric supply is through standard US sockets and is 110 volt. Chalets are normally shared by two guests, but single occupancy can be booked at additional cost if required. A daily laundry service is provided, at no additional cost, for those guests who prefer to travel light. Breakfast is buffet style, with a choice of hot and cold dishes, breads, pastries, cold meat, fresh fruit and cereals. In addition, fresh fruit juices and coffee are freely available. Lunch may be taken either at the Lodge, where our chef will provide a cooked meal, or a packed lunch can be prepared in the morning for those who prefer to stay on the River all day. For those taking lunch on the River, all our boats have a cooler on board to keep food fresh, and our guides will ensure that plentiful supplies of cool drinks are available throughout the day. A three course dinner, with wine, is served in the dining room each evening. The main course is a buffet, with a choice of several meat and fish dishes, all freshly prepared by our chef. Throughout the day and evening, snacks and hot and cold drinks are always available. Both a passport and a visa is required for travel to Brazil from the US. There are direct flights from both Miami and Atlanta to Manaus, Brazil. The camp week runs Saturday to Saturday . Guests need to arrive in Manaus on Friday, the day before scheduled to fly into camp. The charter flight into camp is early Saturday morning, and a half day of fishing is included Saturday afternoon. Guest are met and transferred to a local hotel, and picked up the following morning for the charter flight into the lodge. After your week at camp, your AB Lodge rep will meet your charter flight return to Manaus and arrange your transfer to your international departure or to your reserved hotel.

    Our Services are Free! Contact us for Seasonal Discounts, Special Offers or Promotional Pricing

    Agua Boa Amazon Lodge 2025 RATES

    The rate at Agua Boa is $8,050 per person based on double occupancy accommodations and a shared boat / guide daily. Please call or email for single occupancy rates. Included: (in Manaus) transfer from international arrival to hotel, transfer to charter flight, return transfer to international departure or hotel; round trip charter flight from Manaus to the lodge; (at the Lodge) all meals, soft drinks, beer, wine and local liquors; 7-nights accommodations in a double occupancy chalet; 6½ days guided fishing, 2 anglers per skiff/guide; daily laundry service; Wi-Fi internet access (including use of the lodge computer). Not Included: international airfare, visa or other travel costs to Manaus, (in Manaus) hotel accommodations, meals or drinks in Manaus, additional transfers/tours in Manaus; (at the Lodge) Imported liquors; fly shop purchases or rentals, gratuities, items of a personal nature.
  • Venezuela

    Venezuela

    Los Roques

    At Los Roques it is “business as usual” and that means the flats have been rested and the bonefish are eager! Chip Bates of Angler Adventures traveled to Los Roques in early July 2003 and reports that the political situation in Caracas has stabilized, the economy is regaining strength and the Venezuelan’s are anxious to receive tourists.

    Some things do get better with age, like the bonefishing at Los Roques. This atoll is now a National Park. The numbers of outfitters have been limited, but the bonefish are thriving. Politics kept anglers away last year. Our outfitter, Sight Cast, bats 100% on customer satisfaction. This is an exotic destination for wading flats, a lot closer than Christmas Island or Seychelles. Read about “The Pancakes” on our web site.

    From mid January through mid October, Los Roques is one of the great destinations to stalk bonefish on foot. Like Christmas Island, all fishing is done wading. Los Roques is a spectacularly beautiful coral and sand atoll, 80 miles off the Venezuelan north coast. The flats are pristine an loaded with bonefish from small to large, as well as some tarpon and permit. Outfitting is provided by Sight Cast  at Acuarela Lodge.

    Guri Lake

    Few experiences in angling can compare with the savage explosion of a peacock bass striking a top water lure or fly. Guri Lake is Venezuela’s most well-known peacock fishery. Guri’s fish will average 6 – 7 pounds, but double digit fish (up to 20 + pounds) are here as well. Guri is outfitted by Chapi Sportfishing’s Paovon Lodge, located on the southern shore of the lake. We also expect to hear good things from Jacob Elias (former owner of the original Guri Lodge) who is now operating a 65-foot houseboat, the Peacock Princess. Jacob has refurbished his fleet of Ranger bass boats and can now accommodate up to 8 anglers. The Peacock Princess offers the advantage of being able to move “the lodge” to the best fishing throughout the season.

    La Guaira Bank

    Eleven miles northeast of the beach resort village of Caraballeda, an underwater mountain range rises from depths of 300 – 500 fathoms to peaks within 45 fathoms of the surface.

    Deep oceanic currents collide with this structure producing an upwelling from the nutrient rich depths, concentrating the food chain on the surface. The result is one of the world’s greatest fisheries for blue marlin, white marlin and sailfish, known as La Guaira Bank.

    While “The Bank” produces all three species year round (and broadbill swordfish in the summer), the most popular seasons are September through November for white marlin, and March – May for best numbers of blues.

    Rio Chico

    Tacarigua Lagoon near the town of Rio Chico hosts a fantastic baby tarpon fishery. These fish range in size from 3 – 10 pounds and at times (particularly the fall months) tarpon to 50 + pounds are available. This is a fishery well suited to light tackle and fly rodders. It’s not unusual to jump 30, 40 or 50 of these mini-silver kings in a day. Rio Chico makes an interesting side trip following a Los Roques or a billfishing package.

  • Brazil

    Brazil

    Brazil is the world’s top destination for Peacock Bass fishing. The tributaries of the immense, 2 ½ million square mile Amazon River drainage system, and more specifically the Rio Negro and its tributaries, hold both the largest concentrations and the largest specimens of Peacock Bass or Tucunares, as they are known locally. While there is Peacock Bass fishing to be found in a few other South American locales, Brazil offers the best fishing along with consistent outfitting, quality fishing, and a stable infrastructure to insure a quality trip.

    Peacock Bass are one of the world’s most exciting gamefish. Peacocks are aggressive and territorial ambush hunters, and are known for their explosive strikes and tackle busting runs. These fish can be literally unstoppable on their first few runs. “Savage” is the word that best describes these brutes!

    Actually, Peacock Bass are not bass at all but are in fact members Cichlid family (which include the ultra-aggressive “Oscars” found in tropical fish tanks!). There are multiple species of Peacocks in the Amazon Basisn, ranging from the colorful Butterfly Peacock, (cichla oscellaris ) which run from 3 – 7 pounds, to the giant Speckled Peacock, (cichla temensis) which have been taken to over 27 pounds. Peacocks are not only one of the world’s most highly prized gamefish, but they are as beautiful as they are tough, making them a species that should be high on every traveling anglers “must catch” list.

    Agua Boa Amazon Lodge

    Agua Boa Amazon Lodge is a ‘fly fishing only’ operation that was voted as one of the world’s top ten fly fishing lodges by Forbes Magazine. The Agua Boa is a tributary to the Rio Branco/Rio Negro system and is protected by fly fishing only legislation. In all be the highest water, Agua Boa runs crystal clear providing great sight fishing opportunies. Agua Boa is home to 4 species of Peacock Bass as well as about a dozen other “exotics”. Anglers who are Peacock Bass fishing at Agua Boa will also be treated to comfortable air-conditioned chalets, a pool overlooking the river, gourmet meals prepared by a talented chef, and knowledgeable and experienced local guides who take pride in getting you into fish.

    River Plate Anglers

    River Plate Anglers, owned and operated by peacock bass pioneer, Luis Brown, has been hosting anglers fishing Peacock Bass since 1992 and offers the best variety and mobility options. River Plate utilizes a houseboat in some of the deeper, navigable channels with more “home comforts” and fly in floating cabins to access water beyond the navigable channels & their exclusive water on Indian Reserves and Government Preserves. This ability to access these more remote fishing areas combined with River Plate’s access to more than a dozen fishing areas eliminates over fishing and ensures the highest quality fishing. Both the houseboat and the fly in floating cabins can accommodate both fly and conventional fisherman, and provides 2 Loomis rods and Shimano reels with line for each angler to use while staying with River Plate Anglers.