A giant Amazon catfish way over the IGFA world record has been landed during an exploratory trip to Bolivia with adventure holiday operator www.Amazon-Angler.com .
The ‘Jau’ catfish was estimated by experienced Amazon guide Steve Townson at around 170lb after it was landed by one of his guests, Martin Content, on a trip to virgin water that had never been fished with rod and line before.
The current IGFA All-Tackle record for the species stands at 109lb, a fish caught by Russell Jenson in 2004 from the Urariquera River in Brazil.
Said Steve: “There are always a few things that can go wrong on new trips to virgin waters like this. Water too high; water too low. Stories exaggerated. Travel hick-ups.
“However, this is an incredible destination offered by no-one else and the trip went like clockwork from the start.
“Martin’s Jau was just massive. I have fished the Amazon over 200 times and never seen a Jau even close to these proportions. It was miles over the world record – somewhere in the 160-180lb bracket.
“Our guests had an incredible time, with loads of big catfish and arapaima, many huge fish lost too, and lots of broken lines and even broken rods. This is a destination that we are definitely coming back to next year, with trips being organised from July to November 2018.”
Martin’s huge Jau was quickly returned, and he will not be claiming a new world record. Anyone interested in travelling to Bolivia with Steve can contact him at steve@amazon-angler.com
About The Jau Catfish
The Jau (Zungaro Zungaro) is one of many species of catfish found in the rivers of the Amazon basin. Probably the best known is the Redtail, but the biggest of them all is the Paraiba, which can grow to over 400lb. Jau (Zungaro zungaro) is an extra strong Catfish with a body like a Japanese wrestler and uses the current to its advantage. It can be caught in slow, deep holes or the fastest of currents. Like the other big catfish of the Amazon, if you don’t have the right gear, it will make a mockery of you in seconds. It has a favourite trick of roaring off through waterfalls and cascades and you try following it in a small boat! The Jau has a mottled, marbled, brownish skin and what it lacks in good looks, it certainly makes up for it in the battle. This Amazon catfish has stamina and strength on its side and makes for a wicked and devious adversary.
