The giant piraiba

    Acute Angling is organizing a giant catfish safari to the Rio Solimoes, Amazonia, Brazil in the spring of 2000.  This will be an exploratory trip.  We will be seeking the big cats in the heart of their natural territory and hopefully, developing a guided catfish trip for future anglers.  The purpose of this trip is pure and simple; to catch fish.  We are going during the rainy season, not the most attractive of times to be in the rain forest, but the best time to find giant cats.  We are heading for the Rio Solimoes, a big, wide and brawny river, not because it's pretty, but because that's where the most and biggest cats live.  We're going with scales and tapes and cameras because we'll be catching species of catfish that haven't even been listed in the record books yet.  This is a trip for the dedicated fisherman, not the tourist.
 
 

A brace of big Dourado

 Accommodations - We won't be uncomfortable, however.  We will eat sleep and travel aboard an 85 foot yacht.  The boat has eight air-conditioned cabins, five full bathrooms and a fully enclosed, air-conditioned dining room and bar.  The fully equipped kitchen will provide delicious and satisfying meals.  Our experienced peacock bass fishing staff and guides will be aboard to ensure your convenience and safety.  When you're not out fishing, you'll be comfortable, well fed and fully supplied with everything you need in a relaxed and friendly environment.
    When you're out fishing, you'll do so in our stable, 16 foot Lowe fishing boats, equipped with 40 hp Yamaha outboards and trolling motors.  With two anglers and a guide per boat, you'll be able to range up and down the river and its many tributaries in search of giant cats (and other exotic fish) while the yacht cruises on.  We're expecting 5 or 6 full days of fishing as we range  as much as several hundred miles up the Solimoes.  The guides have caught big cats before on the Solimoes and other rivers in Amazonia and they'll be able to take you to where they're found and even help you get a hook-up.  After that you're on your own.  Bring the gear and use the techniques you think best.  There are unquestionably record breaking fish here.  We believe that anglers may be able to catch several big cats each day and that 100 plus pounders are quite likely to be caught.  Many other types of Amazonian fish will also be available in the region we fish and anglers can make side trips up smaller tributaries to explore the opportunities.  It is, however, unlikely that we'll come across peacock bass.  It's just not their season and region.

Travel and Logistics - Anglers will fly to Manaus, Brazil where I will meet the group and we will board the yacht.  From Manaus we'll cruise westward, overnight, onto the Rio Solimoes.  The next morning we'll begin fishing.  The yacht will continue

The author and a big red-tailed cat.

 to cruise westward for three days, allowing us to fish different areas each day.  On the fourth day the yacht will turn around, giving us access to areas that we passed during the night on our way upriver.  After six days of fishing we will return to Manaus and ultimately to Miami.
    During our time on the yacht we will enjoy our meals in the dining area and spend the nights in air-conditioned, double occupancy cabins.  We will carry our supplies on the yacht and tow the fishing boats behind.  After breakfast each morning, your guides will be ready to leave the yacht and pursue catfish for the day.  As you fish your way westward, the yacht will continue to cruise.  By dinner time, you'll rendezvous with the yacht and settle in for your meal and a relaxing evening.  The yacht will continue to travel while you sleep, bringing you to new waters each day.

The Quarry - The biggest catfish in the Amazon (and the whole world) is the piraiba (Brachyplatystoma filamentosum).  It is said that these monsters can exceed 450 pounds and 9 feet in length.  Commercially caught specimens have exceeded 350 pounds and the famous Brazilian angler and author, Gilberto Fernandes, documents a 256 pound specimen taken on rod and reel.  Piraiba are so huge that a separate name is given to the more commonly caught specimens under 50 kilos (110 pounds).  Their smaller offspring are called filhote (youngster or nestling in English).  Imagine referring to a 100 pound plus fish as a baby! Piraiba  are the the focus of our trip and we will be fishing right where they live.  Although it's the giant 'Grandpa' that we all seek, even the big bouncing babies will give any fisherman an experience to remember.
    Several other giant species inhabit these waters.  The dourado (Brachyplatystoma flavicans) is a respected game fish in Amazonia.  Reaching weights of over 100 pounds and lengths exceeding 4 and 1/2 feet, the dourado is the most common of the giant cats.  Sporting beautiful metallic coloration and a habit of chasing schools of bait fish with its broad back and dorsal fin out of the water, these big cats can put a different slant on catfishing techniques.
 

FYI  Acute Angling is putting together a trip in the spring of 2000 to pursue the biggest of the giant Amazon catfish.  We'll take eight adventurous souls into the heart of Amazonia in the rainy season, the best time to find the cats. Read about catching a big cat or view a sample itinerary For more information about this fishing adventure, to speak with us, or to book a trip, contact:          Paul Reiss at (908) 832-2987 E-Mail Paul Reiss, or:  Garry Reiss at (908) 431-1668 E-Mail Garry Reiss

    The Jau (Paulicea lutkeni) is a giant of the deeper waters.  Attaining weights in excess of 250 pounds, this heavy-bodied  catfish will require concentration on deep water techniques as well as stout tackle.  Big pirarara or red-tailed catfish (Phractocephalus hemioliopterus), are already represented in IGFA with a 97 pound specimen caught by Gilberto Fernandes in 1988.  These are terrific fighters and can be found in varying water depths.  Tiger flatheads, or suribim (Psuedoplatystoma fasciatum), are the speed merchants of the catfish clan.  Aggressively striking artificial baits, they commonly take off on high speed runs.   Several other smaller but still impressive species such as piramutaba (Brachyplatystoma vaillantii), bandeira (Goslinia platynema) and piranambu (Pinirampus pinirampu) round out the lineup of potential catfish species.
    Many other species of Amazonian fish may be available as we move through different areas and  access smaller tributaries and lagoons.  Several species of sardinata and piranha can perform double duty as gamefish on light tackle and live bait for the big cats.  We may also have opportunities for big pacu, aruana and arapima.  Who knows what else we'll stumble upon!  We're exploring, after all!