Piraiba Expedition

Suriname

Piraiba fishing trip in Suriname!

Piraiba Expedition

Day 1: You fly to the capital of Suriname, which is also known as Paramaribo, via Amsterdam. You will reach this in the early evening. From the airport, you will go to a hotel where you will spend the night.

Day 2: You will leave the hotel by bus early in the morning and head towards the speedboat. From the harbor, it’s about a three-hour drive into the rainforest. As you go, you will see macaws and other animals that live in the jungle. The simple houseboat is about three hours away.

The houseboat is anchored in the middle of the river. This means you can fish from the houseboat and you won’t have to deal with many insects. Also, it’s much cooler by the river than in the jungle.

After we’ve unloaded and got the gear ready, we go out on the river. The tides have a big effect on this river. So fishing is always based on the tide. The best time is two hours before and two hours after the peak and trough.

Fishing Strategy

Day 3 – 8: Over the next few days, we will be looking for the Piraiba. You fish from the boat. You can also use a spinning rod to catch other types of fish, like piranhas and other predators.

Sometimes, tarpons also live in this river. Tarpon can be found in the main river and in many of the rivers that flow into it. Here you can fish for tarpon with a spinning rod. However, as the tarpon fishing spots are a little further away, you have to choose a full-day tour.

Day 9: You will leave the houseboat in the morning. On the way to the airport, you will stop at an outdoor swimming pool. There, you can have a shower and get ready for the flight back. Your flight will leave in the afternoon or evening. It depends on the airline.

Day 10: You arrive in Amsterdam in the morning. Where you’re travelling from will determine where you’ll stopover before reaching your final airport.

Piraiba Fishing

Fishing on Piraiba is simple bottom fishing. The boats are anchored to deep holes or in wide outer curves. You fish with bait fish and simple bottom rigs. You normally use the boat to drop your bait in the deeper areas of the river, before anchoring.

Two rods per angler are appropriate when fishing for Piraiba. After you have dropped your baits, it’s time to wait! The bites of the Piraiba are usually quite timid. Therefore, you have to wait long enough for the strike. Piraibas have a relatively narrow mouth and therefore need some time to take the bait properly.

Baitrunner Reels s are an advantage, as you have the right breaking power when striking the fish. Penn Spinfisher VI freeline reels of size 8500 have proven their worth!

Piraibas are explosive fighters. After the strike, long escapes often follow. You should therefore have enough line on the reels. The fight itself is real work on a large Piraiba. Short boat rods are an advantage, as the fish are fought from the drifting boat.

Tarpon Fishing

As already mentioned, you can also catch tarpon in Suriname. However, this always depends on how many fish are currently in the river. In the past, we have caught some large tarpon while fishing for Piraiba. The Silverking can therefore be caught as “bycatch” at any time.

We also know an area where you can fish specifically for tarpon. However, the tarpon are somewhat smaller than in the main river. But they are a lot of fun with the lightweight spinning device. However, the drive to the spot takes a good two hours.

In the relatively narrow upper reaches of a tributary, you can then troll or spin fish for tarpon. On our last attempt, we were able to hook and land countless tarpons. However, you also have to be realistic here. With a bit of luck you will land 2 out of 10 tarpons….

Peacock Bass & Piranha Fishing

You can also fish for Peacock and Piranha in Suriname. Peacock fishing is a great change from piraiba fishing and it’s lots of fun on light tackle.

For Peacock Bass, you can fish with light spinning rods. You fish a special area in the upper parts of the river with surface baits, wobblers and spinnerbaits. The peacock species in Suriname is one of the smaller species. It weighs a maximum of 5kg.

You can also catch piranhas by spinning. Metal bait is best, as the piranhas can’t harm it. There are different types of piranha in Suriname. One of these is the Black Piranha, which can grow quite large.

You can also fish for piranhas with lighter spinning rods and natural baits. Float and basic bottom rigs are used. Long-shanked hooks are best, and you’ll need a good steel leader. The thicker the better. Piranhas aren’t afraid of other piranhas.

The fishing area

The river you will fish flows into the Atlantic. At the mouth, the river is hundreds of meters wide and therefore strongly influenced by the tides. The tides therefore play an important role in for your fishing.

Even 100km upstream, the tides reverse the direction of the river! And it is precisely this change of tide that makes the Piraiba eat. Therefore, the best times to fish in Piraiba are about 2-3 hours before and 2-3 hours after the tide changes. This then also depends on the strength of the tides.

Fishing is always done considering the tides. Your guides know exactly when the best time to fish is and will discuss this with you on site. Theoretically, you have at least three top times per day that you can fish. Fishing takes place during the day as well as at night.

When fishing for tarpon or peacock bass, the tides are less important because the fishing spots are very far inland and therefore hardly affected by the tides.

At night or during the day when relaxing, you should always lay out a few rods from the houseboat. We caught a lot of Piraiba right from the houseboat!

Bottom fishing species: Piraiba, tarpon, rays
Fish species in spin fishing: Peacock bass, tarpon, anjumara (wolffish), piranha

Accommodation Suriname fishing trip

The accommodation

Your journey is a rainforest expedition. Therefore, do not expect luxurious accommodation. We have spent the last few years working out the most practical and best accommodation option for this expedition. Our houseboat “Air Force One”!

House Boat in Suriname

Air Force One

The “Air Force One” was built by our local partners. The houseboat can accommodate up to seven people.

The houseboat has three bunk beds and a single bed. There is space for dining in the front and rear. The food will be brought from our jungle camp to the houseboat.

A simple toilet is also on board. Buckets are available for washing. Alternatively, you can go ashore and take a shower in the river.

Catering

Meals: Full Board

Beverages: Soft drinks, coffee/tea and water are included. Alcoholic beverages can be purchased directly on the way to the port.

Snacks are available on the houseboat. If you prefer special snacks, you can buy them on the way.

Paramaribo

Hotel Palacio

The Hotel Palacio is in the centre of the capital. This area is known for its old houses that were built when the country was still a colony.

You will stay in a double room on your journey. Each room has two single beds and its own bathroom. Breakfast is part of the deal.

There is a Burger King next to the hotel, as well as a few local restaurants. A great fishing shop is just a few minutes’ walk away.

Catering

Meals: Breakfast included

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

Your fishing boats in Suriname

The Boats

In Suriname, you can choose from several boats. Two anglers fish from one boat at a time. The boats are made of aluminium and have enough power. We have three different types of boats on site. We have longboats made of aluminium, as well as smaller aluminium flat-keel boats from the USA called Tracker. You don’t need echo sounders when fishing on Piraiba. Our guides are very familiar with the best places to fish!

Boat fishing for Piraiba!

Aluminium Boats

Various aluminum boats are available for piraiba fishing in Suriname.

The boats accommodate two anglers and are operated by our experienced guides.

All boats are equipped with adequate motors and will quickly take you to the various fishing spots.

Our large longboat is used for transfers from the harbor to the houseboat. It accommodates up to eight people and is then used as a fishing boat on site.

You need this fishing tackle for fishing on Piraiba!

Tackle Talk

Piraiba fishing is a simple bottom fishing. Therefore, you don’t need too much tackle. The lead can be purchased on site.

Our rod- & reel recommendations!

Piraiba: Zeck Fishing GmbH - Pro Cat Short & Soft
Piraiba: Zeck Fishing GmbH - Pro Cat Boat
Piraiba: Zeck Fishing GmbH - Mr. Waller Rod
Piraiba Reels: Zeck Fishing GmbH - HR20
Piraiba Reels: Penn - Spinfisher 8500 LL
Piraiba 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 Piraiba!

Piraiba Fishing Equipment

Piraiba fishing is a simple bottom fishing. Therefore, you don’t need too much tackle. The lead can be purchased on site.

Since there is a lot of wood in the water in the river, a quality line is recommended as the main line. The Zeck Fishing Hulk Line with a diameter of 0.55mm and 50kg is sufficient.

As a leader you should use Kevlar with a diameter of at least 1.4mm. The Zeck Silent Leader is very suitable for this.

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

You need this fishing tackle for piranha fishing!

Piranha Fishing Equipment

Piranhas are true destroyers. If you want to catch the big Black Piranhas, you shouldn’t compromise.

A good steel leader is indispensable here. 7×7 steel leader in min. 0.45mm or titanium leader is mandatory! Bring the right clamping sleeves and clamping sleeve pliers with you!

For the piranha mount you also need smaller swivels, long-shanked hooks (BKK Beak Baitholder R) and ball lead.

After landing the piranhas, you have to be extremely careful when unhooking them. It is therefore advisable to use long-shanked hook pliers such as the Zeck MP Pliers or Unhooking Pliers. Your fingers will thank you!

The best lures for Suriname!

Peacock Bass & Tarpon

For the Peacock Bass Fishing in Suriname you will need some topwater and shallow diving lures. Since the Peacock Bass is one of the smaller species in Suriname, 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 the chances of catching. In addition to the topwater lures, Twitch baits and spinnerbaits 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

In Suriname, you need strong single hooks as well as treble hooks. However, these should not be too large. If you fish with hooks from Zeck, you should bring sizes M and L. If you fish with other treble hooks, you should make sure that they are between 2/0 and 4/0. (BKK Raptor Z 3/0 or Owner ST66 4/0)

Rigs with a single hook and a treble hook have proven to be very successful. But also, two single hooks with Ryder Hook Sleeve were very catchy. The hook rate for the double single hook rig was sometimes even higher than for the single and treble hook rig.

Since you need a relatively large number of small parts for the rigs, a good tackle box is recommended. Here you can store the lead booms, zip sliders, rubber beads and other terminal tackle.

Helpful tools, waterproof luggage

Tools & Travel Bags

It’s recommended to bring good pliers for removing hooks. Split ring pliers are necessary for changing hooks on lures.

Rain showers can occur frequently in the rainforest. Humidity is generally very high. We therefore recommend using waterproof travel bags. Ortlieb 80L Duffle Bags are a good choice.

You should also bring a waterproof backpack and a waterproof document folder. This will allow you to safely store important documents such as your passport and travel information.

For your small items, we recommend a waterproof boat bag such as the Zeck Tackle Container Pro!

Clamps from Bauhaus have proven to be effective rod holders. These can be clamped to the side of the boat and prevent rods from slipping. Banksticks are helpful for shore fishing!

This is the clothing you need on your Piraiba fishing trip!

Other things for your expedition

You should bring good outdoor clothing for this expedition. Long, sturdy trousers like the Fjällräven G1000 trousers, puncture-resistant long-sleeved shirts, or our Expedition UV Long Sleeve are best suited. Since you’ll be hiking in the rainforest, you should definitely bring a rain jacket and rain pants!

Ankle-high hiking boots are best for footwear. It’s important that the shoes are breathable!

Since you’ll often be fishing during the day, you should bring a good hat, good sunglasses, and plenty of sunscreen.

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!