WORLD'S GREATEST FRESHWATER FISHERY

The restricted and exclusive fishery beneath the Salto Grande Dam of the Uruguay River has been responsible for yielding more trophy-class golden dorado than any other fishable waters in South America.  The size and numbers of golden dorado in these waters far surpasses any other dorado fishery in the world!
For years, the fabled peacock bass of South America has garnered the majority of fame and publicity within the circle of traveling anglers who search for exciting gamefish species throughout the globe.  There is a true fishing treasure- one glistening in gold- that awaits anglers at the Argentina/Uruguay border.  The freshwater dorado has caused many to contact "gold fever" for those fortunate to have had the opportunity to fish for them.  From it's inception in 2003, the fantastic sportfish destination referred to as "La Zona" has earned the deserved reputation of being the finest trophy golden dorado fishery in the world..   La Zona refers to an almost mystical or legendary fishery and an exclusive fishing operation located within a protected area on the Uruguay River, downstream from the Salto Grande dam project.  The name was borrowed from "The Twilight Zone" television series because from the moment anglers first experienced this unbelievable dorado fishery, they found it to be a place far beyond their expectations. It is home to more 40 and 50 pound class golden dorado than any destination in the world.  I have been fortunate to fish La Zona for 7 years and hereby name it "The World's Greatest Freshwater Fishery".  For more information contact Steve Yatomi at www.adventuretravelalliance.com or email him at zato1@earthlink.net

La Zona report for April 12 to 15

Busted rods, gears burned out on top of the line reels, hooks bent which seems impossible, snaps opened, lures destroyed, and lines broken , all which describes our fantastic trip to La Zona Lodge on the Uruguay River. This was my 7th trip to the magical fishery known as La Zona for monster golden dorado.  With high water conditons, the odds were not in my favor to top my personal best of 48lbs and land a golden dorado over 50lbs. However, my dreams were answered with monsters of 53, 52, and 51 pounds.

Top guides, Alejandro, Fabi, Elvis, and Matias knew where these monsters were lurking and the proper methods to land them.  Deep divers were the key just knicking the deep submerged rocks where the dorado lay out of the strong currents waiting to ambush their next meal!

Everyone in the group of 4 landed monster dorado of at least 47 pounds.  Counting only huge dorado over 30 pounds we wound up with a total of 25 trophies for the 4 days of fishing which is a testiment of the great guides at La Zona Lodge.

Cannot wait to head back next season and land a 60 pound giant.  La Zona Lodge fills quickly as golden dorado are landed year round.  Contact Steve Yatomi at www.adventuretravelalliance.com and email him at zato1@earthlink.net for booking information on the trip of your dreams!!

TREBLE HOOKS--THE BEST OF THE BEST!

When fishing for monster river fish, super strong sharp hooks are necessary to land these beasts.  The Owner ST-66 and ST-76 are without a doubt in my opinion the best hooks on the market to land these brutes.  Store bought lures come with cheap hooks and absolutely need to be replaced.  The ST-66 is 4X strong and super sharp.  It is coated with a corrosion resistant vacuum thinned finish.  I have landed monster golden dorado and Papua New Guinea black bass on these which tells how strong these hooks actually are.  The Owner ST-76 is even stronger, rated at 5X strong.  PNG black bass were no match for these hooks teamed up with the Wolverine triple coiled split rings.  The ST-66 comes in sizes ranging from 4 to 4/0 while the ST-76 comes in size of 3/0 to 5/0.  So, on you next monster fishing adventure, make sure you do not lose the fish of your dreams by hook failure!

BLADEBAITS FOR GOLDEN DORADO

During high water conditons, the current on the Uruguay River in the section known as La Zona accelerates making bottom contact extremely difficult.  Extremely thin profile bladebaits are just the answer.  The razor thin body shape makes these lures more hydrodynamic.  The key is keeping the lure slightly off the bottom with a constantly lift drop yo-yo type retrieve.  The Braid Products Braidrunner is the perfect choice.  These bladebaits come in a 5 inch( 4 1/2oz) model and a larger 7inch(6oz) model in various colorations.  These lures are very easy to cast long distances.  The thin body will allow the strong currents to carry the bladerunner downstream between yo-yo type retrieves.  These lures will put out a tremenous amount of vibration.  The lure comes with 5 line placement holes on it's top.  The action and vibration the lure puts out is dependent on line placement in these holes.  For a shallower,less vibration action, attach the line in the front hole.  For a deeper, more vibration action, attach the line in the rear hole.  These lures are great options for high water condtions not only at La Zona but at  your favorite monster fish location.  Before your next trip make sure to add a few to your tackle box!!

WORLD RECORD TUNA LANDS ONE MILLION DOLLARS

According to the IGFA, angler Guy Yocom will never forget his fishing day on September 18th.  Yocom landed the IGFA all tackle yellow fin tuna which weighed in at 427lbs.  Yocom had previously filled out paperwork for the Mustad "Hook A Million" contest in which a Million dollars would be given if 1 out of 10 different species spread throughout the continent was landed on a Mustad hook and verfied by the IGFA as the all tackle world record.  Yocom landed his record tuna in Cabo San Lucas on a Mustad hook and won a cool $1,000,000 for the record.  Just goes to show it does pay to go fishing!

MONSTER FLORIDA BASS

Capt Eddie Bussard of www.basschallenger.com, has really been on a big bass catch!  Yesterday, Capt Eddie's clients landed monster bass between 7 to 12 pounds.  Earlier in the week clients landed bass over 10 pounds for 3 days in a row!!!  Capt Bussard has over 30 years of guiding experience around Orlando and Central Florida.  The St. Johns River and Lake Toho are only minutes away from Orlando and Disney World.  So on your next family visit to Disney World, sneak away for a day or 2 of trophy bass fishing with Capt Eddie.  He can be reached at bassineddie@cs.com

Potential World Record Golden Dorado

According to friends at Untamed Angling, a potential world record golden dorado was caught Saturday.  The monster weighed in at a whopping 56lbs.  The current IGFA world record is 55lbs 11oz caught on the Uruguay River in La Zona by Andre L. S. de Botton on Jan 16, 2004.  If all the paperwork and guidelines setforth by IGFA are complete,  the recent caught would top Botton's record.  La Zona is home to the monster dorado- the largest which swim on earth!  Untamed Angling has experienced guides to put you on records as I am 100% sure larger dorado than 56lbs swim in these waters. 
For more information on La Zona, contact Steve Yatomi at www.adventuretravelalliance.com or email him at zato1@earthlink.net