Merry Christmas from fishing the Americas

Merry Christmas from fishing the Americas and fishin' expeditions. Some of our favorite photo's from 2013 

http://eepurl.com/K4Vtb

David Fields

Founder / Principal at Fishing the Americas Media

40 year international angling veteran. 10 years hosting fishing fin'atics to exotic angling destinations located throughout the Americas. Blogger, freelance writer and media specialist.

  “Fishing the Americas most exotic and exciting sport fishing adventure destinations.”

First Discovery of a GoldenDorado Fossil?

From the publication HoyCorrientes on December 16, 2013, we read of a recent fossil discovery related to the current "River Tiger" or GoldenDorado found in the Uruguay River of South America.

On the banks of the Parana fished a golden 8 million years old

"(In the Gallery Below) is the first fossil record of a golden. His head, found in excellent condition, allowed a detailed description of this issue and know what these fish predators during the Miocene. Many anglers often brag and pose for the picture, after taking a golden water of certain dimensions. Meanwhile, Argentine paleontologists rescued a copy that may have exceeded 50 inches, but most important is not your size, but allowed to know the past of these important fish fauna in South American rivers." 

Read the full story Here at CorrientesHoy.com. Remember to open with Google translator.

(4 Photo's from CorrientesHoy.com)

It looks like the "River Tiger" or some close family member may have been around for a long, long time. I'm sure we'll be hearing much more as this exploration and story continues to develop. In the mean time, I can't wait to get reacquainted with the most current family members of the GoldenDorado found below the Salto Grande Dam in the Uruguay River of South America. 

David Fields

Founder / Principal at Fishing the Americas Media

40 year international angling veteran. 10 years hosting fishing fin'atics to exotic angling destinations located throughout the Americas. Blogger, freelance writer and media specialist.

        “Fishing the Americas most exotic and exciting sport fishing adventure destinations.” 

GoldenDorado Fishing Report: New World Record?

The most recent report for South American GoldenDorado fishing includes one massive behemoth of the species, Salmius maxillosus. Check this out!

According to Amazon Angler Steve Townson, his client/angler Andrei Bylchynski “is responsible for catching the largest Golden Dorado ever recorded in South America. At well over 60lbs, if it would have been weighed officially on land, it would have broken the World Record by an estimated 6-8 lbs.”

The massive Golden Dorado was caught while casting a deep diving Rapala X Rap in the world famous tail waters of Salto Grande on the Uruguay River, Uruguay, SA. in the area known as “La Zona” [The Zone]. It is reported that when the behemoth was weighed on a 60lb boga grip, it bottomed out the internal scale. 

This fish certainly appears to be one of the largest Golden Dorado ever landed, perhaps the largest! Under IGFA (International Game Fish Association) certification guidelines any attempt to establish a certified record would require the specimen to be weighed on land. The fish was not and therefore a challenge to the all tackle world record * will not be forthcoming. If it would have been properly weighed on land and the numerous other certification details completed correctly it would have most likely entered the record books as a new All Tackle World Record.

[*Record presently stands at 55 pounds 11 ounces] 

We reported to you a few weeks ago of another angler in the group with angler Scott Krug who reported a Golden Dorado catch in early November of a giant well over 50#. There have been numerous others reported to landing cradle over the 55 pounds 11 ounces, the current world record mark as well. We have no doubt that these giants reside in the tails waters below Salto Grande and are being landed with more regularity.

There is no denying, this is one giant Golden and a magical catch for Andrei. 

But it leaves me with this comment to my angling brothers. Somebody please, when you land the next “River Tiger” of this magnitude, with all due respect and caution, run that puppy to land, weigh it on a certified scale, measure it, clip the line, take a few proper photo’s, clean up any necessary IGFA certification loose ends, get that Golden Torpedo back in the water and then let’s move this bar up to 60# or more where it appears that it should legitimately now rest. 

Congratulations Angler Andrei Bylchynski. Hats off to you and your tremendous catch!

Congratulation Amazon Angler’s Steve Townson, Untamed Angling and LaZona.

If GoldenDorado fishing is on your angling bucket list, contact us soon for all the details and schedule a trip to the World Famous Exclusive Tail Waters of Grande Salto, Uruguay, and the area know as LaZona!

David Fields

Founder / Principal at Fishin' Expeditions | Fishing the Americas Media

40 year international angling veteran. 10 years hosting fishing fin'atics to exotic angling destinations located throughout the Americas. Blogger, freelance writer and media specialist.

Happy Thanksgiving to our Fishing the Americas friends

In 2014 Fishin' Expeditions & Fishing the Americas will celebrate 10 years of client intensive and personal service. Some of you have traveled with us since the beginning and some just recently. To all of you, through these 10 years, we are grateful for your friendship and the opportunity to serve you.

Some of our friends from first group. 

David Fields

Founder / Principal at Fishing the Americas Media

40 year international angling veteran. 10 years hosting fishing fin'atics to exotic angling destinations located throughout the Americas. Blogger, freelance writer and media specialist.

  “Fishing the Americas most exotic and exciting sport fishing adventure destinations.”

GoldenDorado Fishing Report ~ Uruguay River, South America

Recent GoldenDorado fishing report for the area know as "LaZona" filed by 

adventure angler Scott Krug.

Location: Exclusive Tail Waters of Salto Grande, Uruguay River, South America

Dates: Fishing November 1 - 4, 2013 

Adventure angler Scott Krug recently returned from South America and his first encounter with Salminus brasiliensis, the famed GoldenDorado. Or, as the locals prefer,  the "River Tiger." 

"I have been fortunate to fish all over North and South America and never have I dealt with a freshwater fish so strong and difficult to land."

"After hearing and reading so much the last five years about the fabulous fishing for GoldenDorado at a place known as La Zona on the Uruguay River, I finally got my chance to fish there earlier this month. I joined a great group of guys from Great Britain and we arrived in camp late on October 31st only to learn the water was quite high and very discolored. As a result, the fishing was tougher than usual but there were still some nice fish being caught.

We pushed off the next morning and headed up to the dam where the fishing is quite regulated. The hydroelectric dam is a joint venture between Argentina and Uruguay and only two boats from each country are permitted to fish immediately below the dam. In addition, fishing in the restricted area is allowed only for four days in a given week. 

The fishing conditions at the dam are like nothing I have ever encountered. The turbulence and current from the turbine discharges is tremendous and the crazy part of it is that this is where the fish are. Never would I have imagined that one could successfully fish in those conditions but we did.

Because of the high water, deeper diving lures like the CD 18 Rapala worked best which was somewhat disappointing because I was hoping to catch some fish on surface lures. Some in our group also tried fly fishing which proved to be mostly ineffective because of the high water.  Thus, we pounded the current and turbulence areas with deeper running plugs and spinnerbaits and managed to catch some fish. 

My muskie baitcasting tackle proved to be perfect for these conditions. I brought seven foot heavy duty graphite rods, quality reels such as the Calcutta 300TE loaded with 80 lb. Spectron line, and 90 lb. Sevenstrand leaders with Stringease Stay-Lok snaps. All lures were upgraded with stronger split rings and hooks and I was glad I did. These fish will really test/wreck your equipment as others in the group found out.

One fellow in our group did very well on big fish landing two 46 lb. fish, a 50 lber., and another well over 50 pounds! I went down with the hope of catching one 40 lbs. or better and ended up with a 40 lber., 42 lber., and a 44 lber. We caught a lot of fish over 20 lbs. and lost many more. 

Everyone was quite impressed with the strength and power of these fish.  I have been fortunate to fish all over North and South America and never have I dealt with a freshwater fish so strong and difficult to land. The only fish I can compare them too is the Tarpon I have caught on the Rio Colorado River in Costa Rica which is saying a lot!

I fully intend to get back to La Zona and would like to do so under lower water conditions. Everything I had read about the fighting ability and toughness of this fish proved to be true. GoldenDorado are a great challenge, a lot of fun, and anyone who enjoys fishing should consider this fishery." __Scott Krug

I've written before about the brute strength of the GoldenDorado and the degree of difficulty from "hookup to landing cradle". The strong, bone hard jaws with double rows of teeth, sometimes referred to as the "steel trap" make the "River Tiger" one of the toughest freshwater game fish on the planet today. 

. . . whenever you are ready to plan that GoldenDorado adventure of a lifetime.

David Fields

Founder / Principal at Fishing the Americas Media

40 year international angling veteran. 10 years hosting fishing fin'atics to exotic angling destinations located throughout the Americas. Blogger, freelance writer and media specialist.

  “Fishing the Americas most exotic and exciting sport fishing adventure destinations.”

Just Fishing with an Old School Friend

It didn’t last long really. Perhaps forty-five minutes before sunset yesterday evening. I had been watching the surface action on the pond off and on for a few hours. Not really much activity. Yet the afternoon sun had surely warmed the surface temperature just a bit. Quite honestly, it was just a beautiful fall evening and visible activity or not I was going to loft a lure.

Sometimes we need a change up. Yesterday evening would be Old School. 

With a selection of three 1970’s vintage baits from the collection cabinet in hand I headed down to the pond. I just knew if any activity was in the plans the deep bank where the afternoon sun had spent the most penetrating time would be the best bet. Wrong. After thirty minutes. Nada. Nad-a-one. 

Oh, it had been fun, casting the the Rebel Mini R and the Bagley B for several minutes. And interestingly, they were still running true after nearly 40 years of dormancy. But there were no takers on the sunny bank and really, no activity. 

Just enjoy the beauty of the evening, David. Yes, Sir.

I hadn’t tried the third choice for the evening and that didn’t seem fair. The squirrel tail really should have a shot just as the others did. After nearly 40 years of rest would the swivel even turn? So I made a turn tail from the trail to the abode and decided to give the little cove in front of the house the opportunity to produce with a few casts into the shallows. 

BAM! First cast. Must be a fluke. Shallow water, no sun and once again, no surface activity. Strange bass, why would you be out roaming? BAM! Second cast, second strange bass. Twins. Dumbness must be in the genetics. And for 30 minutes and probably less than thirty casts 11 more 1  to 1-1/2 pound bass would flat "wear out" that Old School Vintage Lindy Squirrel Tail SS. 

I hadn’t spun the Indiana blade on that single spin since 1974. The blade was just a bit tarnished and the red thread winding around the hair, well, amazingly it stayed strong as bass after bass inhaled the little 3/16 ounce spinner. After a bakers dozen with one large Crappie thrown in I decided to stop. Why risk it. What if a giant engulfed the Squirrel Tail? 

It would be lost. I would be lost. Old School would be lost.

After all, what could possible top off the evening better than the return from a 40 year hiatus of an Old School friend? What better than knowing it still had what it took to ‘thump’ with the best of them as only a Lindy Spin could.

Thanks Al and Ron for an afternoon of Old School "Lindy Fishing." 

David Fields

Founder / Principal at Fishing the Americas Media

40 year international angling veteran. 10 years hosting fishing fin'atics to exotic angling destinations located throughout the Americas. Blogger, freelance writer and media specialist.

  “Fishing the Americas most exotic and exciting sport fishing adventure destinations.”

Fishing the Americas Friend Greg Thompson Organizes Special Amazon Adventure

Two veterans of the Peacock Bass Fraternity, friend Greg Thompson and his buddy Bobby Foster, return recently from an Amazon Fishing Adventure aboard the Santana with with a testimony better than any fish story. 

[Photo credit Greg Thompson (center) and Kansas City Star]

"But most of all they talked about friendships."

“We coined a phrase, ‘Have a Bobby Foster Day.’ Bobby always has a great attitude. He’s always exactly where he wants to be, with who he wants to be with, and doing what he wants to do.

“This trip was about Bobby. This was Bobby’s time.”

Thompson organized a party of 11 of Foster’s friends for a trip back to the Amazon River Adventures business that had guided them in the past. Thompson had special shirts made, the staff threw parties in Foster’s honor, and the fishermen sat around and swapped fish stories of past trips.

Read the full story by Brent Frazee  in the Kansas City Star:

BTW…Peacockbass fishing wasn't to bad according to Greg Thompson…this PeacockBass veteran had two PeacockBass monsters over 20# and the big PeacockBass of the week was 23# caught by another veteran, Nelson Burnell.

PeacockBass Fishing in the Amazon: An Experience Unlike Any Other!

David Fields

Founder / Principal at Fishing the Americas Media

40 year international angling veteran. 10 years hosting fishing fin'atics to exotic angling destinations located throughout the Americas. Blogger, freelance writer and media specialist.

  “Fishing the Americas most exotic and exciting sport fishing adventure destinations.”

PeacockBassFishing | Special Last Minute Deal

Exceptional Last Minute Opportunity

If Peacock Bass fishing is your passion and if you can act super fast you can take advantage of a very special opportunity. Up to six (6) spaces are available on the exclusive Santana 1.

Unheard of price for the Santana 1 Yacht fishing the Rio Negro and tributaries during these optimal dates in November. $3500.00 for the angler that can react fast with Passport and Visa in hand.

LAST MINUTE CANCELLATIONS $3500 per person!!! 

(Regular Trip Price $4950) - 

PRIME, PRIME, PRIME fishing week NOV. 8 - 16, 2013 fishing week! 

Amazon Peacock Bass fishing trip/Brazil with, Amazon River Adventures on Santana I yacht, accommodating 16 Anglers. 

All-Inclusive (except for commercial airfare, tips, and $60 Barcelos fee per person). FULL TACKLE PACKAGES INCLUDED. We furnish all rods reels and appropriate Tackle, JUST PACK YOUR BAG AND LETS GO FISHING! *6 spots available* 

"Their Loss - Your Gain"!

Peacock Bass Fishing in the Amazon: An Experience Like No Other!

David Fields

Founder / Principal at Fishing the Americas Media

40 year international angling veteran. 10 years hosting fishing fin'atics to exotic angling destinations located throughout the Americas. Blogger, freelance writer and media specialist.

  “Fishing the Americas most exotic and exciting sport fishing adventure destinations.”

Rare Blue Mahi-Mahi Caught

Once in a blue moon, a blue mahi-mahi is caught.

The fish, also called dorado, normally boast golden hues; our friend Dave Maynard proved recently that on rare occasions they'll come up as blue as the sky.

Check out the full story by Pete Thomas over at Grind TV.

Once in a blue moon, a blue mahi-mahi is caught | GrindTV.com

David Fields

Founder / Principal at Fishing the Americas Media

40 year international angling veteran. 10 years hosting fishing fin'atics to exotic angling destinations located throughout the Americas. Blogger, freelance writer and media specialist.

  “Fishing the Americas most exotic and exciting sport fishing adventure destinations.”

Scary moment for bass anglers as lightning nearly strikes boat

Scary moment for bass anglers as lightning nearly strikes boat

Tucker's new most memorable day of bass fishing. OR, when big bass don't measure up.

I like his testimony.

Be careful out there fishin' fin'atics!

David Fields

Founder / Principal at Fishing the Americas Media

40 year international angling veteran. 10 years hosting fishing fin'atics to exotic angling destinations located throughout the Americas. Blogger, freelance writer and media specialist.

  “Fishing the Americas most exotic and exciting sport fishing adventure destinations.”

Fishing the Americas Report: A TON of REDFISH!

A TON of REDFISH?

The fall feeding frenzy is on around the Mississippi Delta region and Captain Keith Kennedy of Born to Fish Charters is on A TON of Redfish! 2013 has proven to be a great year for Captain Keith’s clients and their quest for the Ole' Channel Bass. It appears that the fall season will be no different. Friend Gary Clark and his Texas cousins just finished a three day fishing trip with Captain Keith and Gary is convinced that “well over one ton of Redfish made their way into the boat over the three day frenzy.” 

Gary's full report follows:

Well, guys, it's always a pleasure to send you a report following one of my frequent trips to Venice, Louisiana to redfish with Capt. Keith Kennedy, but this one is truly exceptional.  

Two of my favorite cousins, Joe and Lynn Payne, from Austin, Texas, and I have been trying to get together for a redfish trip for a couple of years now, and we finally got our three schedules to match up with one another.  I had been bragging on Keith and the terrific fishing he produces, but I thought perhaps I had gone a bit overboard when I saw the THREE ice chests that they had in the Suburban that they picked me up in at the New Orleans airport.  Not to worry!  Day one alone saw 71 bull reds come into the boat!

That was followed by 38 the second day and then an even 40 on the third day for a total of 149!  Put another way, given the large average size, well over one TON of redfish made their way into the boat over the three day frenzy!  

As usual, popping corks and various plastics produced extremely well, but this time the reds also blasted big topwater Chug Bugs with a vengeance and nailed Rattletraps pumped up and down off the bottom.  Even the plastics under a cork were met with explosions like hand grenades going off!   Several nice trout and one big Jack Crevalle also found there way to the boat. 

To top it all off,  we were blessed with near perfect wind and weather conditions for the whole trip.  Keith has experienced one of his best summers ever and it appears that it is going to continue for quite some time to come.  It would not surprise me at all to see the exceptional fishing continue well into December, so it's not too late to squeeze in one more fishing trip with him if you book soon.  

Joe and Lynn were super impressed with Keith's gastronomic delights and his  attention to clients' wants and needs in every aspect of the trip.  Just like everyone else that I've introduced to the Captain, they are already making plans for a return trip.  
Hope you do too. 

All the best,
Gary 

WOW! Now that’s a great report. But it’s not an unusual report. At least for this past season. My trip last June was outstanding. Certainly one of my top three. Mike James and the Alabama gang had a great trip in early May. Most anglers have reported similar results. There is just not a better destination available if you enjoy catching the Giants of the Bull Redfish. 

Captain Keith can accommodate groups of 3 or 6. His packages are all inclusive with lodging, meals, guides, boats and even tackle provided. Give him a call today at (504) 908-3108 to set up your next fishing adventure to the beaches and bays of the Venice, LA Delta region for some world class light tackle fishing. 

Call me anytime and I'll get you hooked up with the Captain. Maybe you too will encounter and report on A TON of REDFISH! 

David Fields

Founder / Principal at Fishing the Americas Media

40 year international angling veteran. 10 years hosting fishing fin'atics to exotic angling destinations located throughout the Americas. Blogger, freelance writer and media specialist.

  “Fishing the Americas most exotic and exciting sport fishing adventure destinations.”

Fishing the Amazon Tucuna: Our newest PeacockBass Amazon Destination

New PeacockBass Destination ~ The Amazon Tucuna

Our newest Amazon Fishing Expedition destination is the Amazon Tucuna, a Classic Amazon Riverboat Style vessel just three years old. Classic platform with all the custom modern appointments to povide the best in maneuverability and accomodations while you pursue your quest, the explosive PeacockBass!  Welcome aboard the Amazon Tucuna.

While we are preparing a new destination page for The Amazon Tucuna you can check out more of the details in our most recent Fishing The Americas eNewsletter. In fact, if you are interested in a January 2014 PeacockBass adventure and can plan accordingly we have 4 open spaces that won’t last long at $4650.00 USD. View the FTA eNews and details HERE.

Make plans to join us soon on our new PeacockBass destination The Amazon Tucuna.

fishing the Americas eNewsletter fishing the Amazon Update

Fishing the Americas eNewsletter

fishing the Amazon 

PEACOCK BASS SEASON UPDATE!

Open Here

PursuitChannel Magazine Fishing the Americas Column

The Fishing the Americas column is published in the September edition of PursuitChannel Magazine. The story: “Destination: Dead Woman’s Pass” starts on page 70.

This article focuses on destination, guide, gear, primary lure selection and technique for catching the Monster Bull Redfish of the Mississippi Delta region. Click Here

"Bucket Bend, Middle Ground, Dead Woman’s Pass. Wouldn’t you like to know the stories behind these names? During most every trip at some point we pass the lighthouse at Pass a l’Outre.  If only lighthouses could talk. History began for the first lighthouse at the entrance to the mighty Mississippi in 1852. I’m sure Pass a l’Outre could tell us a thing or two. Like how Dead Woman’s Pass got it’s name. Like why the area is sometimes a magnet for Monster Bull Redfish."

Look for more articles like this in the months ahead in the Fishing the Americas column. Sign up for your free subscription of PursuitChannel Magazine now at the following address http://www.pursuitchannel.com