Amazon World Records

It’s no secret to us that the Amazon holds the biggest exotic gamefish you can find, as evidenced by our numerous record catches over the years (detailed below). Can you imagine what strength it took to bring in that 295 pound Piraiba catfish or that 109 pound Jau? (Both of which, incidentally, were caught by Russell Jensen – you can view a video montage of his record catches with Acute Angling at the bottom of this entry.)

We’re often asked, “Where are the biggest fish located and why?” To put it simply, you’ll find the biggest fish, particularly peacock bass, only in the Amazon basin. The IGFA all tackle record for Cichla temensis (the largest of the peacock bass genus) is 27 pounds, and they often weigh in over 20 pounds. These trophy fish can’t thrive in waters that go below 72 degrees, so you’ll find them in the tributaries of the Rio Negro, Rio Orinoco, Rio Branco and some tributaries of the Rio Madeira and not in Peru, Bolivia, Florida or anywhere else.

Acute Angling’s Amazon Exotic Species records with IGFA

Species	Scientific Name	Weight	Angler	Trip	Year	Type	Status
Pescada	Plagioscion squamosissimus	11 lbs. 4 oz.	Russell Jensen	Rio Travessao	2009	AT*	Current
Piranha	Serrasalmus rhombeus	7 lb and up	Russell Jensen	Rio Travessao	various	AT	Past
Piranha	Serrasalmus rhombeus	8 lbs. 7 oz.	Russell Jensen	Rio Travessao	2008	AT	Current
Apapa	Pellona castelnaeana	7 lb. 0 oz.	Paul Reiss	Rio Caura	2003	LC*	Past
* Note –     A T = All Tackle Record      LC = Line Class Record

Acute Angling’s Amazon catfish records with IGFA

Species	Scientific Name	Weight	Angler	Trip	Year	Type	Status
Piraiba	Brachyplatystoma filamentosum	295 lb. 8 oz.	Russell Jensen	Rio Travessao	2007	AT*	Current
Jau	Zungaro zungaro	109 lb.	Russell Jensen	Rio Urariquera	2005	AT	Current
Jundia	Leiarius marmoratus	25 lb. 12 oz.	Russell Jensen	Rio Travessao	2008	AT	Past
Jundia	Leiarius marmoratus	28 lb. 11 oz.	Russell Jensen	Rio Travessao	2009	AT	Current
Redtail	Phractocephalus hemioliopterus	70 lb. 8 oz.	Paul Reiss	Rio Alegria	2003	LC*	Past
Redtail	Phractocephalus hemioliopterus	16 lb. 6 oz.	Russell Jensen	Rio Urariquera	2005	LC*	Past
Jandi	Rhamdia sebae	9 lb. 8 oz.	Russell Jensen	Rio Urariquera	2003	AT	Current
* Note –     A T = All Tackle Record      LC = Line Class Record

Acute Angling’s Amazon catfish record with the Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame

Species	Scientific Name	Weight	Angler	Trip	Year	Status
Jundia	Leiarius marmoratus	23 lb. 8 oz.	Larry Larsen	Rio Travessao	2008	Current

Russell Jensen’s video montage of record fish caught with Acute Angling:

Acute Angling – Official Website
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