Fishing on the Rio Grande in Brazil is a unique experience, especially when you’re after the colorful and combative peacock bass. The crystal-clear waters of this river offer a stunning backdrop as you cast over shallow plant beds with shallow-running lures, swimming just about 10 cm below the water surface.
A Promising Start
After only ten minutes of fishing, I got the first bite on a slightly deeper-running Rapala Maverick. Unfortunately, it wasn't a peacock bass, but a sizable piranha. An exciting catch, but not what we were after. Since we were fishing in a dammed section of the Rio Grande, we were actually above the tops of meter-high trees. This made fishing challenging as losing lures was a real risk. To minimize this, we could only fish just below the surface.
Changing Tactics
I decided to switch to a 9 cm Bravinha. Despite the change, fishing remained incredibly difficult. My fishing buddy Fabricio caught a mini peacock bass after a few hours, but otherwise, nothing happened. Even our experienced guide didn't get a single bite. The hours passed without success, and our spirits began to sink.
A Breakthrough in the Last Half Hour
Only in the last half hour, just before sunset, and when I almost didn’t believe anymore, I got a surprising bite. After ten hours of continuous casting, I finally managed to land the only decent fish of the day: a beautiful yellow peacock bass. The euphoria in the boat was immense. Shortly after this catch, I got another bite, but unfortunately, this fish managed to escape.
Reflecting on the Difficult Fishing
This adventure on the Rio Grande was special, but it also highlighted how extremely difficult fishing there can be. It requires patience, perseverance, and a lot of luck. Despite the challenges, it made me appreciate once again what a fantastic waterway the Hollands Diep actually is. The chances of catching fish there are much higher, and the conditions are often more favorable.
An Invitation for August
For those who still want to take advantage of the good fishing opportunities in Hollands Diep in August, I have three available dates: Saturday the 24th, Friday the 30th, and Saturday the 31st of August. These days offer an excellent opportunity to enjoy a day of fishing without the extreme difficulties we experienced on the Rio Grande. Don't miss this chance to experience the beauty of the Hollands Diep for yourself!
Fishing on the Rio Grande was an adventure I won’t soon forget. The challenging nature of fishing there made the eventual catch all the more satisfying. But sometimes it’s also good to appreciate what is closer to home, like the Hollands Diep, where the chances of catching fish are greater and the challenges are a bit less extreme.
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