As from 2002, the Brazilian authorities have granted River Plate exclusive entry permits to fish in various Indian reserves and government reserves, in a reciprocal arrangement for its humanitarian and financial commitments. This arrangement means that you will not have to share the fishery with any other outfitting companies. Thanks to these permits our guests don’t waste time in marginal overfished waters, due to the high fishing pressure from commercial, survival and sport-fishing as it happens with river areas which are open to the public. Although many well-established land-based lodges, including our former Jufari and Tapera Lodges, are located upriver from natural barriers, they offer no mobility to seek better water levels. Areas that are 2 to 3 hours upriver or downriver at fixed lodges rapidly become overfished. ‘River Trains’ however, move daily to unfished river segments, spending the night along Caribbean-like beaches.
The key to exceptional Peacock Bass fishing is our floating cabins, which allow you and your guides to navigate through low water, unlike the traditional live-aboard and commercial fishing boats because these must stop where the low water prevents passage. It’s no surprise that beyond these barriers is where the best fishing starts!
Location
Our unique mobility allows us to fish in areas above natural barriers: shallow waters, sandbars and rapids, which prevent the passage of sportfishing yachts and commercial fishing boats. Travel times to fish each day are of an average of 10-20 minutes. On the other hand, other operators have approximately 1-2 hours of travel time, or even more, from the fixed lodges or large hotel boats. We do not overfish; we move on to freshwater every few days. Our guests catch double or triple the number of fish than guests with other operators.
Our small groups, twelve anglers maximum, enjoy personal service and access to pristine waters that seldom see a lure. Other operators can take as many as 30 guests per week!
Here are some of the prime areas we fish during the year, and you will notice we fish different zones to eliminate overfishing.
Marmelos (Jun – Aug)
Matupiri and upper Igapo Açu (Sep – Oct)
Jufaris (Nov – Feb)
Xeruini (Nov – Feb)
Omero (Nov – Dec)
Itapará (Nov – Feb)
Roçado (Oct– Nov)
Fishing
Here you have access to un-fished waters above natural barriers such as waterfalls and shallow river mouths. The fishing boats are special shallow-draft tunnel types that can freely traverse almost any level of water, including virtually landlocked lagoons. Angler’s fish two per boat, with talented Brazilian guides, experienced in bait-casting, spinning and fly fishing. Fly fishing for Peacock Bass in Brazil is done by casting flies to structure and showing fish, these fish hit hard and will readily engulf any fly that is passed in front of their noses all from fully equipped, 21ft shallow drafting bass boats.
Like Largemouth Bass, Peacock Bass often prefer a structure of some sort. Rocks, fallen logs, points and sand bars are hiding places for baitfish, so this is where the Peacock Bass will usually be lurking. Of course, you should always heed the guide’s recommendations on where to cast. Peacock Bass typically roam about in small schools searching for baitfish, often bursting into a feeding frenzy. When you encounter a feeding frenzy, you aim to present your fly or lure in front of the feeding fish as soon as possible. The sooner you cast to the fish after they’ve you’ve spotted them, the better your chance of a hook-up. Peacock Bass are greedy and highly competitive schooling fish. Always cast a lure or fly right next to any hooked fish. Another Peacock Bass will almost always be close by, attracted by the commotion. If no strikes result with the first two casts, then fish the surrounding area thoroughly. You can watch our videos about Peacock Bass fishing Brazil over on our YouTube channel
Boats
With over 20 years of experience under our belt, we have overcome the most significant barriers to reach remote unfished areas, which are the Amazon’s shallow sand bars. We have gone from using the attractive, but ineffective U.S. 120hp high-speed bass boat, to our newly designed, built and field-tested, all-welded aluminium shallow-draft tunnel boats. These boats are 20 feet long with a 40hp outboard and all the standard bass boat features (trolling motor, high swivel seats, etc.), yet they are still sufficiently light to navigate the shallow sandbars.
Guides
River Plates’ guides are undoubtedly the best in the business. Most Amazon outfitters employ poorly-trained, unenthusiastic “boat drivers”. River Plate’s carefully-trained guides are hard-core sport fishermen who are intimately familiar with the complexities of Amazon angling. Many have guided for River Plate for over 15 years. With thousands of fish boat trips for clients, they’ll put you onto big numbers of big fish like no-one else in the Amazon.
Contact Us
If you have any questions on any of the Peacock Bass fishing Brazil trips we offer then contact us in the office, our team will be happy to help you with any queries you have. Additionally, you can request a free brochure.
