Arapaima Expedition

Peru

Arapaima Fishing Trip - Peru

Arapaima Expedition

Day 1: You fly from Germany to the capital of Peru, which is called Quito. You will reach this in the early evening. From the airport, you will go to a basic hostel where you will spend the night.

Day 2: You will leave the hotel early in the morning for the airport. You will then fly over the Andes mountains into the Amazon basin by domestic flight. When you arrive at the airport, our local partners will pick you up and take you to a basic hotel in the city centre.

You have the rest of the day free. Here you can explore the city or do the rest of your shopping. You can have a good dinner in the evening and then relax.

Day 3: Today we finally go into the deep Amazon. The speedboat then takes about five hours downstream to the border of Peru. When you arrive, you will cross the border. After about four more hours, you will reach our Arapaima Lodge.

When you arrive, you will have enough time to get your fishing equipment ready and enjoy the rainforest.

Day 4-11: For the next eight days, we will be looking for the largest freshwater fish in the world! You can fish from the shore, in a boat or a kayak, depending on the water level.

The departure

Day 12: Today is the day you are leaving. You pack your things and then drive for about four hours to the border. When you get to Ecuador, you’ll enter the country again and spend the night in an Indian village. This village is right on the banks of the upper Amazon river.

Day 13: Early in the morning, take a speedboat back to the airport city. You will arrive there around midday and check in at the same hotel as before.

In the afternoon, you can try the local specialities on the waterfront. You are free in the afternoon. In the evening, you will enjoy a good dinner.

Day 14: After you leave the hotel, we will take you to the airport. After a quick check-in, you will then fly back to Quito. Depending on the flight connection, you will then fly back to Germany on the same day.

On the 15th day, you will arrive back at your home airport in the late morning.

Arapaima Fishing

You can catch Arapaimas on your journey using different fishing methods. The most common method is bottom and float fishing. You can fish from the shore, boat or kayak, depending on the water level. The arapaima live in small rivers, open lagoons and truncated lagoons. If there is low water, you can fish in the lagoons that are connected to the river. We divide the groups based on the space available on the shore. Only two rods per person are allowed when fishing.

A very effective way to catch Arapaimas is bottom fishing. The rig is the same as for carp fishing at home. But you have to use circle hooks when you fish here! The circle hooks do not harm the Arapaimas and are therefore a must!

If the water level is high, you won’t be able to use the fishing spots on land. Then it’s time to get into the boat and the folding kayaks. Two anglers share a folding kayak. You will use boats and kayaks to fish for Arapaimas in flooded areas and lagoons. You throw the Arapaimas specifically with pose montages. It’s a really exciting way to fish. You have to sneak up on the fish quietly!

Arapaima Spin Fishing

Arapaimas need to breathe air on the surface every 5-10 minutes. This means you can see where the Arapaimas are, and you can fish for them.

Spin fishing for Arapaima is also a good idea. But you will need a lot of stamina! There are lots of piranhas in the water, so you can’t “throw blind” here. The bait would not last very long. So, you have to start the Arapaima from the kayak.

Try using slow-sinking and floating jerk baits with a wide action. The jerks can be a little bigger. The best size is between 12 and 17 cm. Soft lures are great for catching Arapaima, but they often get eaten by piranhas. So, make sure you bring enough! Soft baits between 15 and 25 centimeters long work really well!

Peacock Bass Fishing

Peacocks also occur in your fishing area. However, these are the smaller of the many Peacock species. and weigh a maximum of five kilos.

However, the Peacocks offer a lot of fun on the lightweight tackle! You can catch the Peacocks best with walk-the-dog lures between 8-12cm. Small twitch baits up to 12cm in length also work well here. Spiner baits can work very well with a lot of underwater wood!

Accommodation Peru Arapaima Fishing Trip

The accommodation

Your fishing trip is a rainforest expedition. Therefore, do not expect luxurious accommodation. We built a simple jungle lodge with the local community. The Arapaima Lodge is the starting point for the fishing days. In Quito, we have selected a simple hostel for you in the immediate vicinity of the airport.

Fishing camp in the middle of the rainforest!

Arapaima Camp

Through our good relationship with the locals, we managed to build a simple Arapaima Lodge in the middle of the rainforest. The lodge is maintained by the community and the proceeds go directly to the community!

The lodge has two traditional houses built on stilts with palm roofs. One of the houses is the sleeping area. You will have your own tent at your disposal.

The tents are equipped with a mattress as well as pillows and light blankets. There are shared showers and toilets in the lodge.

The second house has a common area where the kitchen is located and the dining area. Electricity is available at the lodge via a generator. You can charge your phones as well as cameras in the main area of the lodge.

The food at Arapaima Lodge is predominantly influenced by local cuisine.

Catering

Meals: Full Board

Beverages: Soft drinks, coffee/tea and water are included. You can buy alcoholic beverages on arrival!

Quito

Hostal el Parque

For the overnight stay in Quito, we have chosen the Hostel el Parque. The hostel is a simple, traditional hostel in the immediate vicinity of the international airport.

Two anglers share a room. There is a good pizzeria in the immediate vicinity of the hostel.

Catering

Meals: Breakfast included

Beverages:Drinks can be paid for on site according to consumption

Your fishing boats in Peru!

The Boats

In Peru there are various boats at your disposal. We have a traditional longboat, a fiberglass kayak and several ally folding kayaks on site. The boats are used accordingly depending on the fishing method and local conditions!

Boat fishing for Arapaima!

Longboats

Several types of boats are available for fishing. When the water level is high, local longboats are primarily used.

These offer enough space for three anglers and feature benches and sufficient motor power.

The longboats also serve as a means of transport to reach the individual fishing areas.

Kayak Fishing for Arapaima

Ally Kayak

We have several Ally folding canoes stored on-site. These are used in the countless lagoons without direct access or when the water level is high.

Two anglers share a Falk kayak. For us, this is one of the most exciting ways to fish for arapaima. One advantage of folding canoes is that you can carry them long distances through the rainforest to remote lagoons with arapaima.

When fishing from the Ally folding kayak, you cast directly at the arapaima. This is an exciting way to fish for arapaima, where spin fishing and fishing with natural bait work equally well.

Shore Fishing for Arapaima!

Shore Fishing

When the water level is low, you can also fish for arapaima from the shore. Our experience has shown that stand-up fishing for arapaima is one of the most successful methods.

Depending on the location, you can fish with two rods, thus increasing your chances of catching an arapaima. Stand-up fishing uses float and bottom rigs. This is a very relaxed and easy-going style of fishing.

If you want, you can also fish for arapaima from the shore with a spinning rod. However, you must always cast accurately to the arapaima!

You need this fishing tackle for fishing for Arapaima!

Tackle Talk

You can fish for Arapaima with both natural bait and spinning lures. It all depends on your preference. We recommend that you have rods suitable for both fishing methods. Therefore, you should bring both natural bait and spinning rods with you on your Arapaima fishing trip.

Our rod- & reel recommodations!

Baitfish: Zeck Fishing GmbH - Pro Cat Short & Soft
Baitfish: Zeck Fishing GmbH - Mr. Waller Rod
Baitfish Reels: Zeck Fishing GmbH - HR20
Baitfish Reels: Penn - Spinfisher 8500 LL
Baitfish Reels: Zeck Fishing GmbH - SR10 (kein Freilauf!)

Spinfishing: Zeck Fishing GmbH - All Black 240/80
Spinfishing: Zeck Fishing GmbH - Pro Pike 240/80
Spinfishing: Zeck Fishing GmbH - Big Stick
Spinfishing: Zeck Fishing GmbH - Troy 240/150
Spinfishing Reels: Zeck Fishing GmbH - SR5
Spinfishing Reels: Zeck Fishing GmbH - SRM4000
Spinfishing Reels: Shimano - Stradic, Saragosa, Exsence
Spinfishing Reels: Daiwa - Exceler LT, Regal, Cerate, Caldia

You need this fishing tackle for Arapaima!

Arapaima Fishing Tackle

Arapaima fishing is a simple bottom fishing. Therefore, you don’t need too much tackle. For the basic bottom rig you should bring 80-120g heavy leads.

As a leader you should use Kevlar with a diameter of at least 1.4mm. The Zeck Silent Leader is very suitable for this. You can use a 0.50mm braided line as the main line. Please bring at least one roll of spare line here!

For the rigs you also need zip sliders in which you can hang the lead in. You also need good ball bearing swivels (Zeck Ball Bearing Swivel + Snap) and a few rubber beads (Zeck Soft Bead).

For float fishing, normal pike and catfish floats of 30-80g carrying capacity are sufficient. Here it is best to bring a few heavy ball leads to match the float carrying capacity!

Which artificial baits work for Arapaima?

Arapaima Lures

For arapaima fishing with natural baits, you may only use circle hooks! These do not hurt and are gentle on the Arapaimas. The best circle hooks for Arapaima are the Gamakatsu Octopus Circle Hooks in size 8/0! You should bring at least 15-25 hooks, as the piranhas often bite through the leaders.

For spin fishing for Arapaima, large softbaits such as the Zeck Butcher in 19cm or the Zeck Rippler in 20cm length are recommended. Please bring enough softlures, as the piranhas love softbaits.

As an alternative, large, slowly sinking or floating jerkbaits also work. These should be 12-18cm long and have bright colors. We can recommend the Hybrida J1 Jerkbait. Please replace the treble hooks with single hooks to match the lure size!

The best lures for peacock bass in Peru!

Peacock Bass Lures

The Peacock Bass can be caught best with surface lures or shallow running twitch baits. Since the Peacock Bass is one of the smaller species in Peru, you can get there well with lure sizes of 7.5 – 13cm.

The surface lures should preferably have a “walk the dog” action. Rattle lures increase its chances of catching. In addition to the topwater lures, Twitch baits and spinerbaits work very well.

In addition to natural bait colors, the color selection should also include bright, eye-catching colors. Firetiger, white, orange and poison green are catchy colors.

Terminal Tackle

Hooks & Terminal Tackle

For spin fishing for Arapaima, large softbaits such as the Zeck Butcher in 19cm or the Zeck Rippler in 20cm length are recommended. Please bring enough softlures, as the piranhas love softbaits.

Helpful tools, waterproof luggage

Tools & Travel Bags

For hook removal, it is advisable to bring good pliers. Split ring pliers are needed to replace the hooks on the artificial lures.

Rain showers can often occur in the rainforest. In general, there is a very high humidity. We therefore recommend using waterproof travel bags. Ortlieb Duffle Bags in 80l are a good choice.

You should also have a waterproof backpack and a waterproof document folder with you. This way you can keep important documents such as passport and travel information safely.

This is the clothing you need on your Arapaima fishing trip

Other things for your expedition

You should bring good outdoor clothing for this expedition. Long, robust trousers such as the Fjällräven G1000 trousers, stab-resistant long-sleeved shirts or our Expeditions UV Long Sleeve are best suited. Since you are traveling in the rainforest, you should bring a rain jacket and rain pants!

Ankle-high hiking boots are best suited as footwear. It is important that the shoes are breathable!

Since you often fish during the day, you should bring a good hat as well as good sunglasses and enough sunscreen.

Clamps from the Bauhaus have proven themselves as rod holders. These can be clamped to the boat’s side and keep the rods from slipping. Banksticks are helpful for shore fishing!

For your small items, a waterproof boat bag like the Zeck Tackle Container Pro is recommended!

Please don’t forget a good, bright headlamp!

Good polarized sunglasses are essential for fishing. We recommend glasses from gloryfy unbreakable. The best polarized sunglasses for anglers currently available are also indestructible!

You can take a closer look at the gloryfy unbreakable polarized sunglasses for anglers here: Polarized Sunglasses for Anglers!