Peacock Bass Fishing Colombia

Colombia
Akuani River Lodge

Afloat Fishing

Afloat Fishing, the outfitter, has been operating out of Medellin since 2016. Their goal is to offer anglers unique fishing experiences in Colombia's beautiful and remote areas.

The Vichada River is home to numerous lagoons and is a blackwater river, which is a slow-moving channel flowing through forested swamps or wetlands. It offers plenty of opportunities for topwater fishing, where you can catch massive temensis (three-bar) peacock bass, a 24-pounder is the lodge record. The Vichada River is a tributary of the Orinoco.

The Orinoco River, located in the Tuparro National Reserve, is one of the longest rivers in South America, spanning close to 1,400 miles in a giant arc. It is considered the fourth-largest river in the world in terms of discharge volume.
Anglers can expect to catch 20+ pound payara (vampire fish) using deep divers and other deep lures in the strong currents of the Maipures Rapids. Along the Orinoco, giant sardinata, which resemble American shad but are much larger, can be caught using small poppers, jigs, spinners, and flies. Anglers looking to catch redtail and tiger shovelnose catfish (the ones with distinctive stripes) should use bait.
The German explorer Alexander von Humboldt called the Maipures Rapids the eighth Wonder of the World.

The Fishing Program

Season: The fishing season runs from mid-November through mid-March.
Group Size: up to eight anglers per week.
Travel Time: Most prime fishing locations are within 10 minutes to an hour from the Lodge.
Boats: For peacock bass, you will fish from Bongos, which are a type of canoe. The Bongos are big and comfortable, with casting platforms. For payara, you will mainly be fishing from the bank or rocks. You'll fish two anglers per boat and a guide.
Guides: Experienced guides do not speak English well but communicate what's important. You will have the same fishing guide for the entire week.
Equipment: No gear is provided. Single hooks are required on all lures and flies. Lures and flies are available for purchase at the Lodge. Our confirmation packet includes a list of what to bring.
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 Sikuani Communities Fee is required and paid with your final balance.

A Typical Fishing Day:
You'll get up to ten hours of guided fishing each day.
6:00 a.m. - 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 p.m. - The fishing day typically ends.
7:00 p.m. - Dinner at Camp.

Maipures Rapids Payara

Payara fishing at the Maijures Rapids in Colombia is an exciting venture. Also known as the Vampire Fish, Payara are an aggressive, toothy, adrenaline-pumping gamefish.

The Feisty Sardinata Love Poppers.

Relaxing with Beverages

A Quick Bridge at Maipures Rapids

Fishing Maipures Rapids

Flies, Lures, or Bait for Payara

View Russ Defusco's Photo Collection from his 2025 trip here.
Russ DeFusco's 2025 Photos (PDF)

Akuani River Lodge

Thatched Roof Lodge Overlooks the Vichada River

Akuani River Lodge is located in the Mataven Jungle, home to the Guahibo people, also known as Sikuani. It's a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in their culture. Visitors can purchase traditional items such as bows and arrows. El Tuparro National Natural Park is home to 74 species of mammals and 320 bird species. Pumas, jaguars, and javelinas inhabit the park's woodlands.

Meals: Typical Colombian dishes, international food, paella, pasta, BBQs, fish, and hamburgers. If you have dietary restrictions, please let us know in advance so they can accommodate you. The chef travels with you from the Lodge to the Payara Camp.
Beverages: The package includes unlimited beer, water, Gatorade, and soft drinks.

At Akuani River Lodge, each cabin has two queen-size beds, ceiling fans, and a private bath with shower and toilet. Two anglers per room.
The Orinoco Camp is close to the section of the river with the most rapids. From the camp, you can fish four rapid systems. You'll mostly bank fish from the rocks and sometimes from canoes called bongos. There are two anglers per nylon tent with single cots. There are also bathroom tents.

Power: At Akuani River Lodge, the cabins and dining area have 110-volt electricity (the same as in the US).
Communications: The Lodge and Orinoco camp have Starlink Wi-Fi. Email and Wi-Fi calling are available if your cell phone is set up for that option. If you need to make phone calls, download the WhatsApp app.

Thatched Roofed Cabins Overlook the River

Sample Itinerary:

Day 1: Upon your arrival at El Dorado International Airport in Bogota, which is the largest airport in Colombia, an Afloat representative will be there to pick you up and drive you to either The Aloft Bogota Airport Hotel or the Hilton Garden Inn, depending on availability. The package includes double occupancy accommodations. If you want a single-occupancy room, you'll pay $90 at the front counter.
Day 2: An Afloat representative will pick you up at the hotel and take you to the local airport for the 90-minute flight to Puerto Inirida, the capital city of Guainia, a department of Eastern Colombia. Your baggage, including your carry-on and fishing equipment, should not exceed 37 pounds for the domestic flight. An Afloat representative will greet you at the airport in Inirida and drive you in a tuk-tuk (a three-wheeled open-air vehicle) for the 10-minute drive to the river. The group will take a four-hour speed boat ride to Akuani River Lodge. After you arrive at the Lodge, you'll enjoy drinks and snacks.
Days 3-4: Two full days of guided peacock bass fishing on the Vichada River.
Days 5-6: You'll boat down the Vichada River to the Orinoco Rapids, a 90-minute ride. You will need to walk about 150 meters while the guide crew drags the boats through 40 meters of beautiful and treacherous rapids. You’ll have two days of guided payara fishing.
Days 7-8: You'll fish for peacock bass while returning upstream to Akuani River Lodge.
Day 9: A four-hour boat ride and a tuk-tuk ride to Puerto Inirida airport for your domestic flight to Bogota. An Afloat representative will pick you up from the airport and drive you to the Aloft Hotel, less than two miles away. The package includes double occupancy accommodations.
Day 10: Depending on your international flight schedule, an Afloat representative will pick you up at the hotel and drive you to the airport.

Request a Peacock Bass Combo
Information Packet.

2026 USD Rates

Native Fee = Native Communities Fee
Season: Mid-November through mid-March

9-nights and 6-days guided fishing
Two anglers per room and boat:
$4,400 + 400 Native Fee
= $4,800 per person

One angler per room and boat:
$8,300 + 400 Native Fee
= $8,700 per person

• If you are booking as a single angler, the Lodge can pair you up with another angler.

The Package Includes:

• Ground transfers between the airport and hotel in Bogota
• First and last night's hotel stay in Bogota
• Roundtrip private charter flight between Bogota and La Primavera
• Camp and river transfers
• 6-nights at Akuani River Lodge
• 1-night Camping at Orinoco River
• Starlink Wi-Fi at Lodge and Camp
• Meals at Lodge and Camp
• Unlimited beer
• Unlimited snacks and soft drinks
• 6-days guided fishing
• Travel Insurance (See details under Deposit Policy)
• Our eBook Fly Fishing for Peacock Bass
by Larry and Guy Schoenborn.

The Package Does Not Include:

• Airfare to Bogota, Colombia, and return
• Native Communities Fee, $400 p.p.
• Meals and beverages in Bogota
• Hard liquor
• Extra hotel nights
• Fishing gear, tackle, and flies
• Gratuities for guides and staff
• Global Rescue coverage
• Trip Cancellation Insurance
• Single-occupancy accommodations in Bogota, $90 per night.
• Anything not listed under inclusions.

Fishing with Larry Payment Options:
1.) Credit card (a 2.5% convenience fee applies)
2.) Check. Please include your invoice number in the memo. Mail checks to Fishing with Larry P.O. Box 419 Columbus, MT 59019.
3.) Wire Transfer (Send money electronically – typically a $15 to $30 fee for domestic transfers and $45 - $50 for international transfers.)
Please email Toni at toni@fishingwithlarry.com for wire instructions.

Afloat Policies:

Mandatory Release Form: A signed Waiver of Release and Liability Form is required for this adventure. It’s a legal contract asking you not to hold their business responsible for accidents.

Deposit Policy: A 50% deposit is required to confirm your reservation within 15 days of the reservation date. The balance is to be paid 90 days before departure.

Cancellation Policy: The deposit required to confirm your reservation is non-refundable; however, a name change is acceptable for an additional $200. If you do not cancel your reservation within 60 days of arrival, the package will be considered purchased at full price. Final payments are also non-refundable. There is no refund for any unused portion of the land package. Afloat is not responsible for cancellations made due to weather conditions or force majeure events. Once you have made a reservation, it will be deemed that you have consented to the Lodge’s terms and conditions described in their Accident Waiver and Release of Liability Form, as well as to the cancellation policy detailed above

Fishing with Larry and Afloat Fishing strongly recommend purchasing Global Rescue Insurance for this trip.
Click here for our Travel Insurance page.

Afloat Fishing’s Travel Insurance Plan (included in the package):
Detailed Services - Latino Plus
Medical assistance for an accident - Dollar Amount $20,000
Age: Younger than 75
Medical assistance from disease/sickness - Dollar Amount $20,000
Chronic or pre-existing disease/sickness - Dollar Amount $20,000
Prescription medication - Included
Emergency dental assistance - $500
Return of patient to their home country - $20,000
Funeral transfer - $20,000
Hotel expenses for a relative during beneficiary’s hospitalization - $1,000
Transfer of a relative during beneficiary’s hospitalization - $1,000
Delayed luggage compensation - $300
Early return due to accident at the beneficiary’s home - $1,000
Compensation for the loss of luggage on a commercial airline - $1,000
Early return home due to the death of a relative - $1,000
Hotel expenses during convalescence/recovery from medical treatment - $1,000
Transfer of funds for legal guarantee/counsel - $3,000
Advice for the loss of docs or luggage - Included
Age limit - 75
Medical advice from a doctor via the telephone - Unlimited
Geographic coverage - Worldwide except in the country of residence.