BOA System for wading boots

 

Easily tighten or loosen laces with a simple twist of a dial for a comfortable, snug fit on your wading boots.  The BOA system replaces shoe laces with a very strong thin wire which runs through a dial to tighten or loosen.  No long worry about standard shoe laces failing or having to tie in freezing temperatures.  Heading in the field or on your dream fishing trip? The BOA system is 100% guaranteed. 

One can obtain a FREE repair kit which includes laces and a dial compatible with your wading boots.  Go to www.boafit.com and answer a few questions and download a few photos of your boots which use the BOA system and the kit will be shipped at no charge.  It took me about a week to receive the kit, so fantastic customer service for a great product.

BAITRUNNER TYPE SPINNING REELS

 

Baitrunner type spinning reels are the way to go when using bait for monster species such as arapaima.  An automatic Bite N' Clutch allows a fish to take the bait and run with little to no pressure; then, when you are ready a simple turn of the handle re-engages the drag. 

With a spinning reel one has to remember to loosen the drag or pressure will be felt when the fish runs resulting often in bait drops.  I have also seen guys using bait who forgot to loosen the drag resulting in rods being pulled overboard.  Shimano makes the "Baitrunner" series, Penn the "Spinfisher" series, while Daiwa makes the "Free Swimmer".  All are quality reels which can handle mostly any species.  So, next time your planning on fishing bait, consider a Baitrunner type spinning reel.  

Fishing for Arapaima

 

Fishing for arapaima can get very frustrating.  You see numerous monsters come to the surface gulping air.  However, you try everything in your tackle box but cannot get a bite.  Only recent trip to Bolivia, we had success using bait and artifical lures. Once an arapaima is spotted casting lures such as the Jackall Gantia or the River2Sea S Waver can produce good results. 

Arapaima get easily spooked so lure placement is essential.  Others prefer to rig bait on a circle or strong J hook with or without a float. Either a strong wire, fluorocarbon, or heavy mono  leader is needed to prevent the arapaimas sharp teeth from cutting through.

  So, on your next trip to the jungle hunting giant arapaima consider both artificial and bait.

ARAPAIMA LODGE, BOLIVIA AUGUST 19-25, 2025

 

Arapaima has always been a dream fish.  They have the potential to reach gigantic size.  They are a freshwater species which can breathe air and are located in the Amazon jungle regions of Bolivia, Brazil, Columbia, Venezuela, Peru, and others.  Friend, Javi Koller, or Fishing Adventures out of Buenos Aires asked if I would be interested in joining his group of 7 anglers for 5 days of fishing at Arapaima Lodge.  The lodge was recently opened after a 5-year absence. 

Prior, it was more or less a hunting lodge.  The group flew on three charter planes out of Santa Cruz to the dirt runway located about a 30-minute boat ride from the lodge.  From the plane, we could see numerous sand banks indicating the water levels were ideal.  

The lodge consists of 5 cubanas consisting of 2 beds and private bath.  There is a separate building where delicious meals are served.

The lodge currently can accommodate 8 anglers.  Next season an outpost camp is being constructed to house and additional 4 anglers.  

The boats are 20 USA flat type boats with front and rear casting desks and a poling seat for the guide. 

Arapaima are very sensitive to noise.  They can be seen when they gasp for air but are extremely difficult to tempt to bite your bait or lure.  

The fishing was excellent.  For the 5 days I landed 9 arapaima of which 2 were over 200 lbs.  Javi landed the largest for the group a monster estimated around 300 lbs.  For the group 5 exceeded 200 lbs.  

Arapaima are decent fighters.  Once hooked they normally make a drag burning run toward reeds.  They often make head shaking attempts to toss the hook.  They are excellent eating.

The trip highly exceeded my expectations.  I was hoping to catch an arapaima pushing the scales to 100 lbs.  The accommodations were very comfortable.  The meals were excellent with chicken, fish, pasta, pork, among others being served.  The Argentina group was especially friendly especially with my lack of speaking Portuguese.  

I have already booked for September 2026.  Contact Javi Koller on Facebook for this and other great fishing adventures throughout South and Central America at huge, discounted prices.

THREADING A FLUORO LEADER INTO HOLLOW CORE BRAID

 

Threading fluorocarbon or mono into hollow core braid produces an extremely smooth and strong connection.  One item to pay particular attention to is the diameter of your leader material.  For example I was threading 100 lbs Nomad fluoro into 100 lbs hollowcore. I used a Daho threading needle rated for 80 to 100# mono.  The Nomad fluoro had no issue going into the needle.  When using 100 lbs Berkley Vanish it wouldn't feed into the needle.  Upon inspection the diameter of the Berkley was larger than the Nomad fluoro.  If your in a bind, use a small piece of sandpaper and reduce the diameter on about 2 to 3 inches of the fluoro.  This small section should feed into the needle very tight.  Since the fluoro is extremely tight inside the needle, it should remain inside until you run it inside your hollow core.  So, make sure you check the diameter of your leader material and verify it is within the threading needle specifications.

Brazil eVisa

 

Beginning April 10, 2025 passport holders of the USA, Canada, and Australia will need an eVisa to enter Brazil. The application can be found at www.brazil.vfsevisa.com.  Click on "Apply eVisa now".  You will enter your email and be sent an OTP code to register.  The application is easy to follow.  You will be asked to download a clear photo of the data page of your passport, a recent photo, and travel tickets if already purchased.  They are very strict on the downloaded photo.  It must be 2 in by 2 in and have a snow white background.  Any tint or size issues they will send you an email to correct the photo.  I had to do this once as my original photo was blurred.  After correcting the photo my 10 year eVisa arrived the following day.  The cost of the eVisa is $80.90 and good for 10 years for USA citizens.  You are required to print a copy of the eVisa and present it upon arrival. Brazil recommends you apply at least 2 months in advance in case you have issues.

HOLLOWCORE BRAID

 

On my recent trip to Columbia, I spooled my Daiwa 8000H Dogfight with 100 lbs. Diamond hollow core braid.  This was my first experience using hollow core.  I found it to be much better than solid braid.  The main advantages of hollow core is 2 spools can be spliced together using an appropriate size threading needle. 

So, no more leftover short spools like when using solid braid.  With the use of a threading needle your fluorocarbon or mono leader can run through the hollow core making a knotless connection which produces smoother casts.  The diameter of hollow core is generally smaller than solid braid thus allowing for more line capacity.  A disadvantage is hollow core costs more, but with the splicing capability it is cheaper in the long run.  So, next time your spooling your reel give hollow core a consideration.