The awe-inspiring Pirarucu, or Arapaima as it’s known, is the largest scaled freshwater fish globally and can reach weights approaching 400lb and lengths of almost three metres. As well as being one of the largest, it’s also one of the oldest and Arapaima fossils scanning back over ten million years have been found around the world.
Originally indigenous to Brazil, Peru, Colombia and several other countries in the Amazon basin, the fish is now also present in Thailand after being stocked by enterprising fish farmers. The giant apex predator is genuinely unique, and after an astonishing evolutionary process, it has the incredible ability to breathe oxygen, allowing it to survive in oxygen-depleted pools.
All these weird and wonderful facts, combined with being extremely challenging and hard fighting fish to catch, have made the Arapaima one of the most sought-after in the world. Usually fighting in short, fast runs with explosive jumps, they’re incredible leapers and can propel themselves way above the surface of the water once hooked. Fly fishing is a favoured method of targeting these fish, but tackle must be up to the job; heavy rods, lines and big flies are necessary to tame these monsters. A Fresh dead bait suspended below a float is also another popular method of fishing for Arapaima.
Below are the top destinations in the world for Arapaima Fishing.
The beautiful Gillhams fishing lake resort is located in the stunning area of Krabi Southern Thailand and is surrounded by limescale Karsts which are covered in a protected tropical rain forest. The resort can cater for single anglers, pairs, groups and we can also arrange full lake exclusivity.
Join us on an amazing Amazon adventure where just 6 lucky guests each week will have the daily opportunity to catch Arapaima all exclusively on the fly. With 6.5 days of pure magic ahead of each group, this will be an adventure you will remember for a very long time. This holiday is fully hosted based around single anglers to join like-minded anglers.
Exclusive to Sportquest Holidays, we have teamed up with our guides in Thailand. We are very pleased to offer you this unique chance of fishing for lots of different species from different lakes around the magnificent city of Bangkok. One day you could be fishing for 140kg Arapaima, the next Alligator Gar to 30kg.
Visit the best destination in the world to catch Arapaima all exclusively on the fly. Enjoy 6.5 days fishing at Pirarucu Lodge, the largest Arapaima fishing reserve on this planet, all set in the stunning Amazon rainforest. Also, how about, on average, catching 3.5 Arapaima each day, plus many other species all on your fly rod.
Average Customer Satisfaction Score 95%