TRAVEL RODS FOR PAPUA NEW GUINEA BASS

Multi piece fishing rods, travel rods, are sometimes a necessity for International Fishing trips.  Often, airlines will charge a large sum to carry long, 1 piece rods.  In recent years quality travel rods have become available here in the USA and Internationally.  On my recent trip to West Papua I used the Daiwa Saltiga Travel Casting Rods. 

I used the SATRJ663MB, SATR743MB, and the SATR703MHFB models.  All three models handled the bass and barramundi without issue. 

The SATRJ663MB is a jigging casting rod.  The foregrip is very small so this was the least favorite of the 3.  All models are 3 piece, lightweight, and constructed of super strong nano carbon.  I highly recommend these rods for any jungle species.  BTW, my friend used very expensive 5 piece rods made in Japan and the PNG bass destroyed a few of them.  

BEST LURES FOR PAPUA NEW GUINEA BLACK BASS

 

Papuan black snapper, aka Papua New Guinea black bass are large, powerful snapper species found in the rivers and estuaries of Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, and Malaysia.  They are known for being a very challenging game fish with unmatched strength.  They inhabit freshwater and brackish environments.  Little is known on this species such as spawning whereabouts.  The current IGFA all tackle record stands at 47 lbs 8 oz caught on the Tauri River in Papua New Guinea's Gulf Province. 

Only the strongest lures have a chance of landing these brutes.  They inhabit wood structures leading to numerous snags.  Once a bite is detected, the angler has a split second of stopping these bass from getting into their structure.  Heavy duty hooks and split rings are a must.  

I have fished for bass a few times in Papua New Guinea and recently returned from West Papua, Indonesia.  The best results on our recent trip came from DUO Realis Fangbait 140DR SW and the 140DR model.  These lures were built to tackle even the largest of the beasts.  They are constructed with a 1.2 mm diameter thick wire running through the whole body.  The wire is secured by 3 different sized stainless-steel pins.  They have a moving weight system which enables the lure to cast long distances, which produce a rattle noise.  Both models can get down deep to around 3.5 meters on a fast retrieve using 100 lbs braid.  

All of our bass exceeding 40 lbs on my recent trip were landed on mega prawns rigged with a Gamakatsu weighted superline EWG hook.  These mega prawns were around 8 inches in length.  They are not available in the USA but can be bought from Australia.  The best prawns were the ATTOM and those made by Irukandji Tackle.  We casted these mega prawns directly into wooden structure and let sink to the bottom while jigging with an extremely slow retrieve. 

 

So, before you head out on your dream trip in search of the strongest freshwater fish on earth, it pays to have the best tackle available!  

WEST PAPUA, INDONESIA/ PAPUA NEW GUINEA BASS

 

Had the opportunity to once again fish for the strongest freshwater fish on earth, the Papuan Black Snapper aka the Papua New Guinea bass.  On January 14, 2026 I flew out of Chicago to Taiwan then to Bali, Indonesia on EVA Airlines.  I stayed in Bali for 2 nights at the Angkul Angkul Segara Beach Kuta which was very comfortable, cheap, near shopping malls, and close to the beach.  After enjoying Bali for 2 nights, I then flew to Sorong on Garuda Indonesia Airlines and stayed at the Swiss-Bel Hotel which was 5 star.  There is a great restaurant/ bar down by the marina.  Sorong is a very popular attraction for scuba diving.  I then flew to Kaimana on Lion Air where I met Luke and Ver Di of Rock Expeditions and friend Ross from Texas.  We would travel the night on Luke's newly purchased houseboat to various rivers where we would try to catch the elusive Papuan Black Snapper.

  The world record currently stands at 47 lbs 8 oz.  On a previous trip to the Gulf region in Papua New Guinea our group landed 5 bass over 40 lbs including a 46 lbs which stood as the all tackle record for a few years.  Bass are super strong and zoom back into wooden structure so the strongest of tackle is required.  We would fish for 10 days hitting numerous rivers.  The best fishing was near the river mouth where 3 bass over 40 lbs were landed. 

Down river casting into structure with either DUO Fangbait 14- or 8-inch plastic prawns the action was consistent.  For the 4 of us the results were as follows

72 bass up to 45 lbs

23 barramundi up to 22 lbs

8 Giant Trevally up to 35 lbs

Numerous Mangrove Jacks and Groupers

5 broken rods and countless snapped leaders

Best lures DUO Fangbait 140

8 inch plastic prawns available in Australia

Reel Shimano Curado 300 spooled with 100 lbs hollowcore Diamond Braid spliced with 40 yards of 130 lbs hollow core

Rod Daiwa Saltiga Travel Casting Rod in medium heavy action ( 3 piece) 7 ft

Leaders, 100 to 130 lbs Yo-Zuri fluorocarbon

In all the trip exceeded my expectations on the number of bass landed.  We developed a pattern on the last day where the 3 bass exceeding 40 lbs were landed.  I am sure bass reaching 60 lbs are present in these waters.  Catching them is story of another day!  However, I will be back again in October in search of these monsters.  The houseboat exceeded expectations. We fished 2 rods per native boat.  The wooden boats were about 28 ft long and had a casting platform.  Dual outboards powered the boats.  The guides were outstanding and knew the waters well.   The sleeping room consisted of 4 beds and A/C.  There is a shared bathroom with shower on board.  The meals were outstanding.  We dined on lobster, stone crabs, deer, and chicken during the stay.  I cannot wait to return to this land where time forgot.  The potential in endless and the majority of these rivers have never seen a lure.  Plus, the locals have a lucrative wooden plank business, so we did not see hardly any netting in the area and never saw another fisherman.  I highly recommend contacting Rock Expeditions for that "trip of a Lifetime".