On Steve’s second day on the Rio Travessao with Acute Angling, he successfully encounters his target, the hard-fighting payara. Within minutes of landing a big, saber-toothed payara, Steve’s colleague, Larry Larsen, drifts into view with an even bigger trophy.
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 delivers the very best fishing the Amazon has to offer and provides you with a fishing trip of a lifetime. There is no source of Amazon sportfishing expertise greater than that offered by Acute Angling.