Great Mobility - Consistent Productivity
The Amazon's Most Productive,
Most Polished, Peacock Bass Trips
Great Mobility - Consistent Productivity
Mission Statement
Our Mission—Our primary goal is to provide the highest quality fishing experience possible in the safest, most comfortable manner. We will expend our efforts, first and foremost, to bring you to the most productive peacock bass fishing waters in the Amazon, at any time during our season, regardless of the effort and expense necessary to get you there. With this accomplished, our staff will ensure that your trip is the fishing trip of a lifetime, with unequaled comfort, luxury and service.
The Blackwater Explorer yacht operates in two different regions as it follows the Amazon’s moving dry season from South to North.
The Igapó Açu — In August, September and early October the yacht operates in a restricted Indian reservation, the Igapó Açu. This lagoon-studded region provides a fishing experience focused on high numbers.
Rio Negro Basin — From mid-October through March the yacht moves into this giant region, providing a trip focused on a mix of size and productivity.
Specifications
| Length | Width | Height | Draft | Max. # of Anglers | Max. Capacity | Cruising | Top Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23.5 m (77') | 6.5 m (22') | 3 levels | 1.2 meters | 16 Anglers | 35 persons | 8 mph | 18 mph |
Built to fish—The beautiful "Blackwater Explorer" is among the most attractive yachts sailing the Amazon basin. Her classic and graceful "Amazonian Regional" design blends perfectly with the pristine blackwater habitat she calls home. But more importantly, she’s been built to fish. Her broad beam maximizes her functional interior space while keeping her total length manageably short. This gives the vessel great maneuverability, letting her safely and easily penetrate into smaller tributaries, inaccessible to other mothership operations. The yacht’s impressively low draft (she displaces only 1.2 meters of water) allows her to readily pass shallow sandbars and obstructions that would keep less efficiently designed boats back in port.
Designed for fishermen—The Blackwater Explorer was designed for fishermen. Her well-organized debarkation deck lets a full group of anglers get started on their fishing day quickly, without crowding, fuss or confusion. The debarkation deck’s waterline exit lets you walk right onto your fishing boat with no ladders to climb. All of your fishing gear and take-along items can remain right at hand and ready to go when you are. We’ve done our best to think it through and we believe we’ve come up with the best purpose-built fishing vessel in the Amazon Basin.
Luxurious and Comfortable—The Explorer is a fishing mothership of the highest caliber. The list of her luxurious features is long. Here are just a few.
- Private bathrooms w/sink, toilet and separate hot shower in each cabin.
- Quiet, split unit air-conditioners with individual thermostats in each cabin.
- Comfortable cabins with room to relax and plenty of storage space.
- Two meter high ceilings. Gone are the days when six-footers have to duck.
- Huge (6 and 1/2 x 7 meter) common area. Spacious dining room and lots of walk-around space.
- Big, wide, non-slip stairwells.
- Cabin doors open directly to outside spaces.
- Shallow draft for improved access - over 1/2 meter less than typical Amazon yachts. The Explorer can fish areas others just can't get to.
- Wider beam - Perfect stability.
- Smoke-free cabins and indoor areas.
- Open-air bar and lounge area on upper deck.
The Best Fishing Trip in the Amazon. Come and enjoy it with us.
Current Availability
Igapó Açu - Exclusive Indian Reservation Fishery
This Season's Remaining Trips
| Trip No. | Departure | Area | Returns | Price | Availability |
|---|
Note – The Blackwater Explorer's schedule in the Igapó Açu is completely full for the 2021 season. However, we have negotiated access to an additional river in the reservation (the Rio Autaz Mirrim) that will allow us to operate staggered, but parallel trips with our newly acquired Harpy Eagle yacht. Same trip configuration, same high productivity fishing, same comfortable accommodations and familiar staff members will allow us to provide this additional availability while maintaining every aspect of this extraordinary trip's quality.
Next Season's Trips (See above note)
| Trip No. | Departure | Area | Returns | Price | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FH-02 | Aug 27, 2021 | Autaz Mirrim | Sep 3, 2021 | $5850 | 8 Openings |
| FH-03 | Sep 3, 2021 | Autaz Mirrim | Sep 10, 2021 | $5850 | 4 Openings |
| FH-05 | Sep 17, 2021 | Autaz Mirrim | Sep 24, 2021 | $5850 | 8 Openings |
Rio Negro Basin - Great Numbers and Trophy Peacock Bass
This Season's Remaining Trips
| Trip No. | Departure | Area | Returns | Price (Dbl/Sing)** | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EN-17 | Feb 5, 2021 | Rio Negro | Feb 12, 2021 | $4850/$5350 | 8 Openings |
** Price for a Double Occupancy Cabin vs. Private Cabin
Next Season's Trips
| Trip No. | Departure | Area | Returns | Price (Dbl/Sing)** | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FN-01 | Oct 13, 2021 | Rio Negro | Oct 20, 2021 | $4850/$5350 | 14 Openings |
| FN-07 | Nov 24, 2021 | Rio Negro | Dec 1, 2021 | $4850/$5350 | 13 Openings |
| FN-10 | Dec 15, 2021 | Rio Negro | Dec 22, 2021 | $4850/$5350 | 14 Openings |
| FN-11 | Dec 22, 2021 | Rio Negro | Dec 29, 2021 | $4850/$5350 | 10 Openings |
| FN-21 | Mar 2, 2022 | Rio Negro | Mar 9, 2022 | $4850/$5350 | 12 Openings |
| FN-22 | Mar 9, 2022 | Rio Negro | Mar 16, 2022 | $4850/$5350 | 14 Openings |
** Price for a Double Occupancy Cabin vs. Private Cabin
*Note — Dates not shown are full.
The Fishing - Incomparable
We Cover the Amazon!
Sitting, standing or on a fly, the Explorer's mobility puts you where the fish are .
We find the trophies like no one else can!
With Unrestricted Access
A Unique Design
The Blackwater Explorer's unique design allows it to go where the others can't. An extremely shallow draft of 1.2 meters makes even small rivers, narrow channels and winding, headwaters tributaries accessible. Our unique displacement style hull turns sandbars into nothing more than a routine navigation event. We can go just about anywhere - and we do. Wherever the water levels are right, and wherever the fish are biting, we'll get you there!
Accommodations—Spacious and Comfortable
Cabins
All cabins have private bathrooms and hot showers.
All are individually air-conditioned and provide a comfortable angler's retreat.
Bathrooms
Showers
Bunks
Dining Room
Embarkation Deck
The Blackwater Explorer is built to be accessible for anglers of all ages and levels of physical condition. With no ladders and no steps, our water level embarkation deck allows anglers easy access to their fishing boats; just step right onto your stable fishing boat's casting platform - right at deck level. Rods, reels and fishing gear are ready and waiting for a quick departure.
Open Air Lounge and Bar
Open Bar
The Blackwater Explorer is pleased to provide its guests with drinks and appetizers whenever they gather. All drinks are provided at no charge, any time. Options include beer, wine, domestic liquors, mixed drinks, soft drinks, juices, water, and of course, Brazil's national drink, the ever popular "caipirinha".
Meals - Fit for a King
Sure, you're a fisherman and you'd be happy surviving on beer and potato chips if that was all you could get on an Amazon peacock bass fishing trip - but that's not what you'll experience on the Blackwater Explorer Yacht. You'll enjoy a wide variety of gourmet meals, prepared in our fully equipped, restaurant style kitchen. If dieting is on your mind, you'll be in trouble here, because no one leaves lighter than when they came.
Breakfast
Awaken to the aroma of potent Brazilian coffee and a delicious breakfast with eggs, pancakes, bacon, sausage, pastries and exotic fresh tropical fruit.
Lunch
Pack a hearty lunch to enjoy during your fishing day. Select from Brazilian specialty salgadas, fresh fish, hamburgers or just a simple ham and cheese or peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
A selection of freshly baked breads and pastries cap off a hearty meal.
Dinner
After a long day of fishing, return to the welcoming Explorer and, before you know it, an ice cold "caipirinha" finds its way into your hand along with delicious appetizers. Relax and enjoy fishing tales in our open-air lounge during "Happy Hour" and then head to the Explorer's Brazilian hardwood dining room for a full course dinner.
Dinner always includes amazing soups, fresh salads and tasty desserts with a full range of beverages, from excellent wines, tropical juices to Coca Cola or hot tea. Wine, beer and liquors are always available at our well-stocked open bar. The Blackwater Explorer is a floating gourmet experience, in every sense of the phrase.
Fishing Boats and Equipment
The Blackwater Explorer operates a fleet of shallow draft, 18 foot welded aluminum bass boats. Custom built to our specifications, these fast and efficient boats are designed to take hard use and keep anglers comfortable while accessing even the most hidden lagoons. Two stable fishing platforms provide solid footing and casting access for even the largest anglers. The comfortable, stable, padded seats can be pedestal mounted or anglers can fish standing, as per their preference. Don't be hornswoggled by big, fancy bass boats offered by some operators. They just aren't right for this purpose. Our boats can pass through the narrowest of lagoon openings, passing over underwater debris or under overhanging logs with ease. We handle the most challenging obstacles, letting us fish waters that others have to pass by.
Equipped with meticulously maintained 40 hp Yamaha outboards and 45 lb. thrust trolling motors, anglers are perfectly positioned to catch their Amazon trophies. Guides utilize Boga-grips, fishing tools and landing nets. A cooler with food and drinks of your choice provides the fuel that busy anglers need. Each boat carries a Garmin ‘InReach’ satellite tracker and communicator in case assistance is needed.
Peacock bass are inactive at night, so anglers and guides start their fishing day at sunrise. A hearty boxed lunch and a pair of hammocks makes for a comfortable midday break. Anglers return to the Explorer by 5:00, after a full day of pursuing the awesome peacock bass. Cocktails and appetizers are waiting.
Try that with a hydraulically lifted motor on a broad-beamed froo-froo fiberglass bass boat!
Trip Features
More Than Just Awesome Fishing
The Amazon basin is the world's largest primeval wilderness. Not only is it home to the world's fiercest fighting fish, but it is a place of incomparable beauty, enduring mystery and incomprehensible contradictions. No visit here is complete without an opportunity to witness some of the Amazon's above-water wonders. On the Blackwater Explorer, you'll be given every opportunity to see, feel and be part of this spectacular place.
Visit an Amazon Village
Amazon Seminars
Catfishing
Brazilian Barbecue
Delicious Shore Lunch
Hike in the Rainforest
Spotlighting Excursions
Angler Services
Laundry
No need to pack an extensive wardrobe. Our washer and dryer equipped laundry means your clothes are washed, dried, folded and delivered to your cabin, daily - rain or shine. Three changes of clothing are plenty.
Communications
The Blackwater Explorer is equipped with a complete array of telecommunications and electronics gear, including; Iridium Satellite telephone; shortwave radio; chart plotter; depth finder and VHF marine radio. Each fishing boat is equipped with a Garmin ‘InReach’ satellite tracker and emergency contact system.
Satellite telephone service is available for client use at $5.00 / minute and for emergency use at all times at no charge.
Free Fishing Tackle Use
No need to bring your own. Leave the clunky rod tubes home. As part of our “all-inclusive” package, Blackwater Explorer guests are provided with free use of our extensive stock of top quality rods, reels, lines and lures. We are proud to offer and Okuma rods, Shimano reels and Power-Pro lines.
Fishing Instruction
Novice angler? Never fished in the Amazon? Not sure how to proceed? Our expert guides are more than happy to provide fishing instruction, including casting, lure selection, even fly fishing lessons. Just ask.
Dietary Accommodation
Beyond the high quality of our delicious meals, our staff is fully prepared to provide dietary accommodations as necessary. We can serve a full range of meals for persons with a variety of food allergies or special dietary requirements.
Housekeeping
Your cabins are maintained daily. Our staff makes beds, cleans cabins and sanitizes bathrooms. You'll return after a full day of fishing to a clean, comfortable and fresh smelling cabin. Our staff is 100% dependable and theft NEVER occurs.
CPAP Machines
Each cabin is provided with 110 VAC power available whenever you are in your cabin, and all night long. Not only can you run your support machine, but you can also recharge batteries for cameras and other portable appliances.
Safety and Comfort - Our Prime Considerations
Waterproof Compartments
The Blackwater Explorer is all wood, built to withstand the rigors of long travel and heavy use in Amazon waters. With its displacement style hull, made of dense itauba wood, the Explorer can safely navigate the sandbars and shallow obstructions characteristic of Amazon waters. Divided into three independent compartments by waterproof bulkheads, the Explorer is one of the safest and most stable vessels you'll ever travel on.
Satellite Trackers
All of our fishing boats are equipped with satellite messaging and Garmin ‘InReach’ GPS tracking devices. If an emergency arises, we’re ready to handle it immediately. We know where you are and what your status is all the time.
Lifeboats
Lifejackets
Sanitary Systems
Acute Angling is committed to conserving the Amazon's purity as well as ensuring our guest's comfort. So we've taken steps to ensure that our vessel is not only trimmed in green, but is "green" in every ecological sense of the word. The Explorer does not release effluents into Amazon waters. Two 4000 liter holding tanks ensure that all waste water can be sanitarily disposed of between angling groups. Not only does this keep the river clean, but it ensures that the Explorer's immediate environs are clean and pure for bathing and swimming as well.
Water Health
To further ensure our guests comfort, the Explorer has no water storage tanks, where undesired impurities can collect. The Explorer's shower and tap water is drawn "on demand", from the world's purest waters.
The Explorer uses only bottled mineral water for all cooking and drinking purposes. Even our ice is made from pure bottled water. That helps make us the healthiest boat in the Amazon.
Main Engine
We replace our main drive motor routinely. Driven by a brand new for 2018, fuel-efficient, powerful and dependable MWM diesel engine, the Blackwater Explorer cruises efficiently at 8 mph and can reach an 18 mph top speed.
Generators
The Blackwater Explorer provides full time 110 VAC electrical service. Lighting, auxiliary services and air conditioning are powered by one of our three diesel generators; 70kw main unit (2018), 70kw heavy duty backup (2016), and 15kw daytime appliance unit.
On-board Staff and Crew
Although only our yacht was launched in 2008, the Blackwater Explorer's management team has over 25 years of experience operating peacock bass fishing trips. Not only is our staff highly trained and technically proficient, but every single member of our crew is there to see to it that you are served with a smile and that your experience on the Blackwater Explorer is an integral part of the fishing trip of a lifetime.
Barbara - Host/Interpreter
Marizete - Chef/Manager
Thaima - Assistant
Antonio - Waiter
Tomas - Engineer/Mechanic
Isaias - Assistant
Norberto - Partner/
Operations Director
Paul —
Partner/President
Our Expert Peacock Bass Fishing Guides
Our guides are, simply put, the best peacock bass fishermen you'll ever encounter and unequivocally the best in the business. All have had careful training with up to 25 years of experience. They are experts with both fly and conventional tackle and they are pleased to provide limitless assistance and guidance to their angling clients. They’ll change your lures, they’ll tie your knots, they’ll land your fish and they’ll make certain you succeed!
Adilson — Popcorn
Saba — Sebastião
Branco
Caju
Bene
Catita
Cidoka
Celio
Support Staff
Experts in boat handling and placement, fish location, lure selection, tackle, technique, and every aspect of peacock bass fishing, our incredibly helpful and knowledgeable guides are an important key to your fishing success.
Igapó Açu Trip Description
Late August through Mid-October · Amazing Numbers · Broad-Size Distribution
An exclusive Indian reservation trip. Excellent for casters and fly fishermen alike, this is the Amazon’s best numbers fishery.
The Amazon's most productive fishing trip in the amazing Igapó Açu region. Enclosed in an Indigenous reserve, we are the only mothership operation with the rights to this hyper-productive fishery. Our great mobility allows us to access several protected fisheries, including the Rio Matupiri, Rio Preto, Rio Igapó Açu and Lago Tacquia. Over 300 miles of majestic waters with isolated lagoons, winding tributaries and lazy creeks.
This trip is focused on high numbers - Extremely high daily catch averages (from 30 - 100 or more a day!). Trophy fish in the teens are common and even fish over 20 lbs. are encountered here every season. Unbelievable fly fishing opportunities.
Single Occupancy Trip Configuration - Space is limited to 8 anglers per group, float-plane access, private cabins. This trip fills up a year in advance, so make your plans early!
Rio Negro Trip Description
Mid October through March · Consistent Productivity · Big Fish, Excellent Numbers
We roam the Amazon's biggest fishery providing a mix of big fish, constant action and great fun. Simply the best fishing value in the Amazon.
In mid-October, the Blackwater Explorer moves into the enormous Rio Negro basin. With hundreds of miles of complex, island-dotted archipelagos and dozens of fish-laden tributaries, this is the world's largest peacock bass fishery - and we make use of all of it. We're not stuck in the channels! Our super-shallow draft and broad, displacement-type hull lets us go exactly where conditions are best.
This trip is focused on a mix of size and productivity - World-record size peacock bass (approaching 30 lbs.) are found in the Rio Negro basin. If you seek a 20+ pound trophy, this is the place. Good daily catch averages (from 15 - 30 or more a day). Fish over 20 lbs. are taken here routinely.
Double or Single Occupancy Trip Configuration - Space is limited to 14 anglers, charter flight access, private or shared cabins. The best value in the Amazon!
Trip Packages
All-Inclusive” — Our trip price is “all-inclusive” and covers everything you’ll need for your incredible Amazon experience ... No hokey “extras” and no surprise charges. From the moment you step off your international flight, we include all fishing activity, tackle provision, food, drink, open bar, charter flight, transfers, hotels and staff services. Bring three changes of clothing and your toothbrush … We provide everything else at no extra charge.
“Fully-Insured” — Your trip investment is never at risk … Your trip includes a complete travel insurance policy from IMG, covering your full trip price, baggage and medical emergencies. You are never at risk ... We provide a Global Rescue subscription to cover any emergency extraction, bringing you all the way home. We are a fully insured company … providing coverage for each angler for any accidental liability.
“Totally Turn key” — You’ll never stumble over trip preparation or find unforeseen complications ... We provide an all-encompassing personal online portal that will walk you through every step of your pre-trip considerations, from documentation to flight organization and an expert staff that will provide complete customer support. We’ll be holding your hand all the way.
… Individual Bookings - The Blackwater Explorer accepts bookings from individual anglers on most scheduled dates. It is not necessary to book with a partner. Individuals may book alone at our regular pricing and be assigned a fishing partner and roommate or they may reserve a private cabin at a small additional charge.
… Pairs and small groups - Pairs may book together and share a boat, a guide and a cabin (or they may select individual, private cabins). Small groups are welcome on any of our open dates.
… Full Group packages - Groups of 10 (or more) may reserve an exclusive week on the Blackwater Explorer with private cabins for each angler at our normal double occupancy pricing. If reserved in advance of individual bookings and if so requested, the yacht will be closed off to all other anglers. Please call well in advance of your desired date to ensure availability.
Charters and custom trips - The Blackwater Explorer is available for special charters both during and outside of our regular fishing schedule. Please call for availability and pricing.
Short trips - Short trips can be arranged at certain times during our fishing season. Please call for availability and details.
No matter how you structure your trip, the Blackwater Explorer provides the highest quality in fishing trips, service, food and drink.
No wonder we're the best peacock bass fishing trip in the Amazon