Peacock Bass Fishing - Colombia
Peacock Bass and Payara Combo on Two Rivers - Akuani River Lodge
A fly, lure, or bait fishing adventure in the Colombian jungle. You’ll fish for peacock bass on the Vichada River for four full days and payara fish the famous Maipures Rapids for two full days. You’ll stay six nights at the Akuani River Lodge, your base for peacock bass, and one night at a comfortable camp tent near the Orinoco River for your payara fishing days. The Combo is offered from December to mid-March. The package includes two hotel nights and domestic flights between Bogota and Inirida.
2025 Hosted Weeks:
Jan. 23 - Feb. 1, 2025: SOLD-OUT
Jan. 30 - Feb. 8, 2025:
Guy Schoenborn hosts
9-nights and 6-days guided fishing
$4,800.00 per person
($4,400 + $400 Native Community Fee)
The rate is subject to change.
Nine anglers + Host.
You're not restricted to our hosted week. Book anytime.
Afloat Adventure
Afloat Adventure, the outfitter, has been operating out of Medellin since 2016. Their goal is to provide anglers with unique fishing experiences in beautiful and remote areas of Colombia.
The Vichada River has many lagoons and is a blackwater river (a slow-moving channel flowing through forested swamps or wetlands). You'll find plenty of topwater action and monster temensis (three-bar) peacock bass reaching over 22 pounds. The Vichada is a tributary of the Orinoco.
The Orinoco River in the Tuparro National Reserve is one of the longest rivers in South America, flowing in a giant arc for close to 1,400 miles. The river is considered the fourth largest in the world in terms of discharge volume. You'll fish the Maipures Rapids for 20+ pound payara (vampire fish) with deep divers and other deep lures in strong currents. On the Orinoco, giant sardinata, resembling an American shad (but much larger), go after small poppers, jigs, spinners, and flies. Use bait to target redtail and tiger shovelnose catfish (the ones with distinctive stripes). The German explorer Alexander von Humboldt called the Maipures Rapids the eighth Wonder of the World.
Combo Fishing Facts
Season: The Peacock-Payara Combo is available during the dry season when the rivers drop, and the fish travel the main channels and lagoons. The trip is available from mid-November to mid-March.
Boats: For peacock bass, you'll fish from Bongos (a type of canoe). The bongos are big and comfortable with casting platforms. For payara, you'll mainly be fishing from the bank/rocks. Two anglers per boat and guide.
Guides: Experienced guides do not speak English well but can communicate what's important. You will have the same fishing guide throughout the week.
Fishing Gear is not provided. When targeting peacock bass and payara, single hooks are required on all lures and flies. Lures and flies are available for purchase at the Lodge. A comprehensive tackle and gear list is included in our confirmation packet.
Requirements: All lines and leaders need to be at least 40 to 60 pounds. Bring stripping gloves to avoid burns from these fast species. All fishing is catch-and-release.
A Fishing License is currently not required in Colombia, but a $400.00 Sikuani Communities Fee is required.
Typical Fishing Day:
You'll get in up to ten hours of guided fishing each day.
6:00 am - The schedule is flexible, but they recommend getting up early. You can enjoy breakfast at the Lodge or take it on the boat. Snacks and drinks are supplied.
Noon - Lunch is either at the Lodge or on one of the beaches.
5:00 pm - The fishing day typically ends.
7:00 pm - Dinner at Camp.