Peacock Bass Rio Negro

Friend and longtime peacock bass angler, Wilson Cox, recently landed the peacock bass of his dreams, a monster weighing in at 21 lbs.  Wilson was fishing the Blackwater Explorer booked by Acute Angling.  Wilson's trophy was landed on a minnow bait type lure.  The water levels were low according to Wilson and they fished mainly in the river.  His partner and him landed and released 442 peacocks.  On the Blackwater Explorer were 13 anglers who landed a total of 2840 peacocks with another monster 20 lbs being caught by another in the group.  Avid Angler, Gary Clark, reported today that due to extreme low water conditions, his trip to the Amazon next week has been cancelled.  So, if you are heading to peacock country soon make sure to check with your outfitter regarding water levels.

ARGENTINA FISHING TACKLE

On every International Fishing trip I take, time permitting, I try to venture into a local tackle store to purchase local lures for my collection and use.  Pro Anglers in Buenos Aires is the best tackle store in Argentina, www.proanglers.com.ar.  Here you find find rods, reels, tackle, and an assortment of outdoor gear.  Many names will be familiar to the USA fishermen such as Rapala, Shimano, Daiwa to name a few.  Shimano is by far the popular reel brand in Argentina.  Normally they pay as much as four times what we can get these items in the USA.  Rapala makes rods and even waders which I have never seen in the USA.  Pro Anglers carries a variety of Alfers lures which are the tops in Argentina in my opinion.  Marine sports makes great choppers call the TNT and these are fantastic on peacock bass as well as golden dorado.

There is a popper named the moinotauro gold which is deadly on golden dorado in low water.

So on your next trip overseas, stop by the local tackle store and you might be surprised by the assortment and quality of lures.  If stopping by Pro Anglers make sure to tell Facu and Marco that your friends with me and am sure they will give you a good deal!

FLORIDA LARGEMOUTH BASS

Friend and avid bass angler, Dr. Gary Clark, reports non stop action using Long A jerkbaits on largemouth bass in Florida while being guided by Capt. Hugh Crumpler.  Gary fished for 3 days at Capt. Crumpler's secret lake.  They landed 44, 96, and 36 bass and were the only boat on this lake.  Capt. Crumpler also offers guided trips to famous Stick Marsh and numerous other top Florida bass lakes.  Check out his website at www.hugh-crumpler.com or contact him at 321-626-6174 for more information.

TWO WORLD CLASS FISHERIES IN ONE TRIP

Ever have on your bucket list to catch a 50+ lbs golden dorado and a monster rainbow trout which tips the scale over 20lbs?  Well both these can be caught on the same trip with a small amount of planning.  The largest golden dorado on earth swim in an area known as "La Zona" which is located on the Uruguay River near the border of Argentina/Uruguay.

You would fly into Buenos Aires and have the lodge drive you to the fishery which is located in Concordia.  The fishing is limited to Friday through Monday which believe me is enough time to land your 50+lbs dream fish!  If your arms can handle more, friend Carlos Casanello can arrange to have you flown from La Zona and wind up on the southern end of Argentina in the area known as Patagonia and fish at his Jurassic Lake Lodge for the monster rainbow trout.  Here you can fish either a 1/2 or full week to land more trophy rainbows then you ever imagined.

 I have fished both locations and they are world class!  Two of the best run lodges on earth!
For more information contact Steve Yatomi at www.adventuretravelalliance.com or by email at
zato1@earthlink.net

SPINNING TRAVEL RODS

I was always skeptical about using travel rods.  Well, on my recent trip to Jurassic Lake Lodge in

Argentina I decided to give it a try.  With strict baggage rules in place on most airlines, travel rods can be packed on carry on luggage thus reducing a check bag--your rodcase.  Dawia makes a new Ardito spinning rod which comes in 3 sections.  Eagle Claw makes a very affordable Trailmaster spinning rod which breaks down into 4 sections.  These rods were able to handle the monster rainbow trout of Jurassic Lake so I highly recommend considering travel rods on your next adventure.