Barco Hotel Kalua

AM · Médio Rio Negro

YouTube — Fishingtur

Best months: Jan, Feb, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
Water: Freshwater

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The Kalua is a mothership that operates on the Middle Rio Negro, cruising between Barcelos and Santa Isabel do Rio Negro (AM) and moving into tributaries such as Caurés, Demeni, Aracá, Padauari, Itu, Cuiuni and Jurubaxi depending on water levels. The fleet has two vessels — Kalua I (up to 14–16 anglers, 8 suites) and Kalua II (up to 10 anglers, 5 suites) —, both with air-conditioned suites, private bathroom, onboard chef and satellite internet. Each pair of anglers goes out in their own bass boat (25–30 HP outboard motor + electric trolling motor) with a native guide, fishing from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

What you'll catch

Tucunaré-açu (giant peacock bass) — the main target, with fish of 20 lb+ and over 90 cm
Tucunaré-paca and tucunaré-borboleta (butterfly peacock bass), abundant and aggressive on topwater strikes
Silver arowana, found in lagoons and calm margins
Catfish in the deep pools of the Rio Negro: piraíba, pirarara (redtail catfish) and cachara (tiger shovelnose catfish)
Traíra (wolf fish) and black piranha as bonus catches

When to go

The fishing season runs from September to February (some years stretching into March), the dry season and low repiquete period on the Rio Negro. As the river drops, fish concentrate in lakes and central channels, and tucunaré-açu become more exposed and aggressive toward topwater lures. Outside this window the river floods and the Kalua doesn't operate in this format.

Lures and techniques that work

Large propeller lures (Rip Roller / High Roller, 12–16 cm) to trigger topwater strikes from tucunaré-açu
Zaras and stickbaits (Jumpin' Minnow T20, Bonnie 128) on windy days or when fish are more wary
Heavy skirted jigs (14–25 g, 5/0 to 7/0 hook) for the follow-up cast, dropped right on the spot where the fish missed the propeller lure
For piraíba and pirarara: heavy tackle (60–100 lb rods, 0.70–0.90 mm line) with bait fished on the bottom of the pools

Structure and prices

Packages are all-inclusive (chartered flight Manaus–Barcelos or Manaus–Santa Isabel, full board, open bar, bass boat with guide and unlimited fuel) and run around 6 fishing days. The Barcelos itinerary (Kalua I) starts at R$ 15,650, the Santa Isabel itinerary (Kalua II) at R$ 16,860, and the exclusive Rio Jurubaxi itinerary at R$ 21,860 — all per angler on a double-occupancy basis, plus a R$ 300 environmental fee. Not included: federal fishing license, commercial airfare to Manaus, and crew tips.

Getting there: commercial flight to Eduardo Gomes Airport in Manaus; from there, a chartered flight (included in the package) to Barcelos or Santa Isabel do Rio Negro, with a van transfer to the boarding dock at the mothership.

Video

Conheça o Barco Hotel Kalua - Amazonas - Brasil — filmed by Fishingtur
Pescaria de PIRAÍBA e PIRARARA no Rio Negro no Amazonas - Barco Hotel Kalua - Fishingtur — filmed by Fishingtur