Planning a trip to encounter perhaps the angler's most
exciting fish ever is a task not to be taken lightly. Traveling to exotic destinations in search of the exciting Peacock Bass is relatively easy in today's world of fast jets and boats. The preliminary
decisions a traveling Peacock Bass fisherman will have to make are where to go and when to go. Where to go may depend a lot on whether you want to experience the far reaches of civilization,
where Indians rule the rivers and lakes and where you may stretch across a hammock each evening and drop mosquito netting to keep out the insects, or you want to have some comforts of home while catching your
quarry. Other selection criteria will depend on the size available in waters/countries and the time of year available for the trip. The timing of a successful trip is critical,
and the consideration of such should be perhaps the most important parameter in the selection process. Great locations are prime only during certain times or seasons of the
year, so the traveling angler should have a fairly flexible vacation schedule to take advantage of the "seasonal opportunities" in the different regions of South America.
The traveling sportsman can fish peacocks during the prime "dry season" almost year around because of various outfitter locations and their mobility. Many operations can move from one
watershed to another in order to access the best possible fishing at that time. The ability to adjust to current water and weather conditions makes the difference between a productive or non-productive
fishing venture. Many adventurous anglers travel to fish interesting, remote areas and care less about gourmet food
and an exquisite atmosphere. In fact, much of the very best fishing action are in locations that are difficult to access and where great lodges or fixed accommodations are non-existent. Often new
areas that are undeveloped commercially open up to great fishing with a spartan camp setup. The demand for such wilderness experiences, even those sporting a hefty price tag, is often tremendous. Some booking agents offer "exploratories" which mean exactly that. Little is known about the
fishing, although the areas do show great promise, and the accommodations can be very minimal or even rough. I've been on a few exploring trips where the fishing was very
rewarding and a few where it was terrible. It's always a gamble, but knowing that you're the first sportfisherman to wet a line in a little-known tributary can be exciting.
Who has the best trip? No single trip will meet everyone's needs. Some booking agents have just one or two trips and will try to sell
you on such, but it may not be the right one for you. They may not meet your time needs, facility needs or species preference. A good operation will not just try to conform everyone to the same mold.
In your evaluation of the various options, it would be wise to research all opportunities, such as
those in our Peacock Bass Directory. Study the market so that you can make an informed decision.
Flight "Insurance"
Some booking agents book the domestic (U.S) connecting flights as well as those from the U.S.
city of international departure. If not, you will have to make your own. If you would like HELP WITH
DOMESTIC AIR TICKETS, hotels on the way or finding the best maps, all at the best prices, click here.
Most agents in the know recommend a layover of at least 3 to 3 1/2 hours between the domestic
flight arrival and the international departure. Someone on a moderately late flight or a passenger on a canceled domestic flight requiring some re-routing may be able to make the Miami connection with
such built-in connection time. Remember that many flights to the angling areas of South America only happen once or twice a
week. If you miss the international flight down, you often cannot re-route in order to catch up with your group. Too, many operations depend on the entire group arriving at the same time for ground
transfer, wheel and float plane charter connections and/or riverboat transportation logistics. Missing customers just cannot be accommodated in the outreaches of South America several
hours or days later. Most agents will provide a detailed itinerary along with their Rates & Responsibilities. You'll have this well ahead of your trip so that you also can make any logistics plans
on the connecting travel accordingly. Acts of nature or political turmoil may take a toll on your fishing excursion, regardless of how well
you plan the trip. I learned early on that flexibility is a valuable commodity on any trip to South America. Most reputable agents will provide you with a "Pre-trip Information" handout for the specific
trip that you book. This information varies, depending on your destination.
Where to go may depend a lot on whether you want to experience the far reaches of civilization,
where Indians rule the rivers and lakes and where you may stretch across a hammock each evening and drop mosquito netting to keep out the insects, or you want to have some comforts of home while catching your
quarry. Other selection criteria will depend on the size available in waters/countries and the time of year available for the trip. 
Some booking agents offer "exploratories" which mean exactly that. Little is known about the
fishing, although the areas do show great promise, and the accommodations can be very minimal or even rough. I've been on a few exploring trips where the fishing was very
rewarding and a few where it was terrible. It's always a gamble, but knowing that you're the first sportfisherman to wet a line in a little-known tributary can be exciting.