Hooked on Adventures – Fishing Info

My friends and I thoroughly enjoyed our trip to the Amazon. The whole trip
was a great experience and my friends who came from around the world were
absolutely ecstatic about the trip. My friends, who traveled far to come to
the Amazon ranging from Russia, Ukraine, Canada and Israel, were all
thoroughly pleased with the experience. My friends and I, to this day, are
talking about the event on a daily basis. The guides were top notch;
definitely the best guides we have ever had. The service was perfect.
However, most importantly, the amount of fish we caught has provided us with
enough fishing stories for all of the next year.

I would like to thank you again for the great memories and wish you all the
best,

~Alexander Becker

I recently returned from an “Amazon Adventure” with “Hooked On Adventures” aboard  the Amazon Santana.  There was in particular one significant event that I owe David McCarthy and ”Naldo”, along with others of the crew, my sincere appreciation and heart felt thanks!  You see, I have serious heart disease and had to get my cardiologist’s approval to make the trip to the Amazon.  However unbelievable and unexplained, somehow I left all my medicines, including in particular two critical and irreplaceable meds for the heart condition, at the Tropical Hotel in Manaus.  Dave and Naldo contacted the hotel and located the medicine box and had it delivered to Barcelos, the launch site for the Santana.  A boat was sent back (we had already left port when the absence of the meds was discovered the first night out) to Barcelos to meet the plane from Manaus which had retrieved the critical meds from the hotel and then flown from Manaus to Barcelos and finally retrieved by boat!  I owe Dave, Naldo and crew a debt of gratitude for locating and retrieving my heart medications and “saving” my Amazon Adventure from becoming an Amazon Horror!  Thank you guys!!! 

In addition, even though the fishing conditions were not up to par, I did manage to catch an 18 pound peacock bass on an 8 weight TFO fly rod — for me the fish of a lifetime!!  My sincere and heartfelt appreciation to HOA!     ~John Flanagan~ 

 

 

PEACOCKS FROM THE AMAZON SANTANA

Any true angler that has never fished for “Giant Peacock Bass” in the Amazon must absolutely put it on their bucket list!  Those that have had the experience are, no doubt, looking forward to their next opportunity to return.    My trip on the Amazon Santana was not my first time fishing in the Amazon, and I was pleasantly surprised at the comfortable accommodations on the yacht. It “far” exceeded my expectations and was considerably better than previous houseboats from which I had fished on the Rio Negro.

Our group met the Amazon Santana at Barcelos on the Rio Negro, and the crew handled our luggage and rod cases from the time we got off the plane until it was delivered to our cabins. Those that chose not to bring their own rods and reels were provided with good tackle, unlike some of the other trips I had been on.   After a hot buffet lunch, pairs of anglers joined their guides and were able to get in several hours of fishing on arrival day.

The experienced guides, most of whom spoke English, constantly amazed me. Although the Amazon Santana moved each day in order to fish new water,they seemed to know each area like the back of their hands. With no charts, no GPS and no channel markers on the river they navigated the thousands of islands, rivers, lagoons, creeks and hidden lakes in order to seek out the best hot spots.   In addition to catching Speckled, Orinoco and Butterfly Peacocks, we caught numerous other species unique to the Amazon basin which was always fun. Our guide led us to several big Peacocks including a 23, 21, 20 and 19 lb bass. The 20 lb Peacock was caught on fly tackle.

Our week long experience included, on different days, a shore lunch, barbecue dinner on a sand bar, dining under the stars on the top deck, and even an optional visit to a local native village. Except for an occasional fly, mosquitoes and other pesky critters were almost non existent.   Returning to the yacht each day after 10 or 11 hours of fishing, we were met with a cold drink and a welcome cold damp towel.    The food was plentiful and the bar was open all week.

All in all, it was a  great experience which I am looking forward to experiencing again some day.

Mike Leech, Former IGFA President

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FISHING REPORT

Location:      Rio Negro/Amazon River/Manaus Brazil

Trip Date:     December 10 - December 18, 2010

Group Size:   17 Anglers

# of Days:      6  – (4 late-arrival anglers fished 5 days only)

Numbers:   779

Size:             10 lb.’ers – 6,    11 lb.’ers – 1,     12 lb.’ers – 2,    13 lb.’ers – 2,

14 lb.’ers – 1, 15 lb.’ers – 4, 16 lb.’ers – 2,     17 lb.’ers – 1,

18 lb.’ers – 2,      19 lb.’ers – 2,       20 lb.’ers – 1, 21 lb.’ers – 2,

22 lb.’ers – 2, 23 lb.’ers – 1,        and  24 lb.’ers – 1

(non-published were under 10#)

Water Level:  Although the water levels were by no means “too” high, the jungle was unusually quiet during our trip.  This might have been one of the reasons that the fishing was a bit slow for this week.

Baits Used:     Lures of choice for this trip were Jumping Minnows, Zara Spooks, and Jigs.

Notes:  All in all, everyone had a good trip and appreciated the efforts of the Guides and Staff.  We received quite a few compliments on the accomodations being great as well as the food, and service, being exceptional.

IN CLOSING……….”HAPPY NEW YEAR’S TO YOU ALL, AND HAVE A SAFE AND JOYOUS HOLIDAY.

TO ALL OF YOU ON YOUR WAY TO OUR YACHT FOR THE NEW YEAR’S FISHING TRIP AND FESTIVITIES……….TIGHT LINES TO YOU THIS WEEK, AND ENJOY YOUR “TRIP OF A LIFETIME”!

David McCarthy & Pamelah Howard/Hooked On Adventures, LLC

“A wonderful and amazing fishing excursion to the Amazon was provided to me by the staff and guides aboard the Belle Amazon and Hooked On Adventures!  We experienced a few mechanical problems aboard the Belle Amazon, but the staff came through for us and got us to the hot fishing by hook or by crook!  I had a teener (or above) landed each day, so I am looking forward to the next trip to do a repeat.  I would definitely book with Hooked On Adventures again.  They really out did themselves in service and knowledge of the best fishing locations!    Thanks, Hooked On Adventures and Belle Amazon staff,  for an experience of a lifetime!” - Jay Hastings , Union City, California

Jay’s 24 lb.’er!

A Five Star Rating goes out to David McCarthy and his Belle Amazon operation, staff and guides for this trip! The accommodations, food and service were top shelf. The trip went smoothly with direction from the Manaus representative Paula; the boat manager Naldo; the head guide CoCo to the legendary “Harry the waiter.” Stateside, I want to extend a special thank you to Pamelah Howard for coordinating logistics with the Brazil operation and staff.

David Fields – Mt. Vernon, Illinois

One word sums up my trip to the Amazon – PERFECT!  From Paula’s first greeting at the Manaus airport, to the greeting at the “mother” ship, to Harry’s smile when he handed me my first ice cold frozen drink at the boat – just PERFECT! The meals were PERFECT in every way! My guide “machete Eddy ” was PERFECT!. Just how did Eddy know that there was a 12 pounder laying in wait next to that tree? How did he know that I needed another ice cold water? Eddie would tie a new knot on my lure then point to a slight ripple in the water and say ” Again, Senor Doug “,  and I knew from the smile on his face that another Monster Peacock was waiting for my cast!   The staff was PERFECT!  So Naldo, Harry and Eddy …. watch for me …. I am coming back!  You guys are the PERFECT host.  Oh, I need to hear his words again  ” Again, Senor Doug “!

Thanks so much for the PERFECT trip,

Doug Knepp , Lancaster Pa .

Hi David,

Thank you for a fantastic fishing trip for Peacock Bass on the Amazon River.
The trip could not have been better.
The fishing, accommodations, & Staff were stellar.
Here are some photos taken while on our trip.
We are a group of four who have fished extensively world wide.
This is by far the most memorable trip we’ve had.
Once again, Thank you for a great time.
I am looking forward to coming again.

Dean Larsen
St. George, Utah

I led a group of 19 Oklahomans, including the Governor, on a fantastic trip aboard the Santana.  Harry treated us great, the food was exceptional, the guides were knowledgeable and put us on a bunch of 20+ pounders.  We will be back!

~TERRY W. WEST, Attorney At Law, The West Law Firm, Trial Lawyers, Shawnee, OK

 

 

 

 

Trip Date Sept. 24th                     

David McCarthy, an avid angler and Owner/Operator of Hooked On Adventures, couldn’t have chosen a  better operation as he takes over the Santana Fleet. Our fishing trip aboard the “Belle Amazon”  yacht finishes with 1619 Amazon Peacock Bass. 

The numbers speak for itself: 1619 Peacock Bass up to 24.5 lb. caught by Bob Irwin from Ocala Florida. Our group was a total of only 9 anglers, and we caught 19 over 20 lb. and 158 over 10 lb. with several ranging 15- 19 lb.   Most of the bigger Peacock ‘s were caught on the larger top water plugs. They just love the sound of those ripping props. The 3-8 lb. peacock’s were caught on Zara Spooks, jerk baits and feather jigs.

In addition to that, their famous Bartender and gracious host,  “Harry”,  greeted us with an ice cold juice and regional drinks to quench our thirst after a exciting, hard, and hot day of fishing.   It was complimented by delicious meals prepared by Gourmet Chef Euelides with the help of our ladies Hildete & Mara.   Our air-conditioned rooms were cleaned daily, and our laundry was done for us as well!   

Like I have mentioned for the past 10 years, this outfit has the best guides in the Amazon and the service onboard the “Belle Amazon” and the “Amazon Santana” is second to none. Like I always say , ” When you’re on a winning horse , why get off it?”   Dave, I know you will have great success in you new venture, and I will do whatever I can to help you make it happen.                                                           

 The one thing I can tell you is this “Once you come onboard the Santana and experience their guides and entire crew, you’d better be saving up for your next trip, because you will want to return “sooner” than “later”! 

Capt. Frank Carbone

Florida Peacock Bass Guide

HawgHunter Guide Service       

“If you’re looking for adventure and the fishing trip of a lifetime, Dave is your man!”

Dave convinced me and my Dad, Chuck, to go to Brazil to fish for the mighty Peacock Bass.  This is our 2nd trip down to the Amazon with him.  We have fished in Alaska several times and as far as adventure, “No Comparison!!” Peacock Bass are the strongest and most aggressive fish I’ve ever hooked. For me it was the Trip of a Life Time.

The accommodations were great and the guides were amazing, they made sure we caught lots of fish. A word of warning: if you fish with Dave, plan on working hard, but also catching lots of fish and having plenty of laughs!      - Rick Berry, CAL Custom Tile – Fresno, CA.