Two Lucky Fisherman Hook a Fish the Size of a Sumo Wrestler

Written by Sharon Parry
Updated: October 23, 2023
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This is one unforgettable fishing trip! These fishermen manage to catch two incredible fish, an arowana weighing around six pounds and a massive arapaima weighing a huge 350 pounds. Let’s see how they managed it.

Watch the Amazing Video Below!

Epic Guyana Fishing Trip

This is an edited video of a fishing expedition by some US fishermen, braving the South American heat to tackle some remarkable fishing locations. In a small canoe and assisted by their expert local guide, Titus, they set off in search of fish.

The video starts with one fisherman casting his line several times and clearly enjoying the experience of fishing in this incredible location. The first fish to be caught is an arowana, which is brought onto the boat and then released.

The arowana is a native fish of South America and can grow to 25 pounds in weight so this was a small specimen.

The platinum arowanas have large, beautiful shimmering scales and are known as exotic aquarium fish. You need a permit to own one in the US and they can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars!

They are sometimes called monkey fish because they leap out of the water to catch insects.

A Huge Arapaima

Arowana are native to South America

©iStock.com/KeongDaGreat

Around five minutes in, the real excitement starts. A fish is on the line and it is so big that it almost snatches the rod from the fisherman’s hands.

It takes loads of physical effort and a lot of skill to reel it in. Titus, the guide, pulls the boat backward but the fish keeps heading for the protection of the overhanging branches. Then, the fish breaks the surface and in the slow-motion replay, we get to see how truly huge it is!

There are concerns that it is going to leap into the canoe and Titus estimates that it is around 350 pounds in weight. This fish continues to thrash around and is not at all pleased to be caught. Eventually, it is subdued enough and on a short enough line to be lifted.

To do this, Titus steers the boat into the shallow water, jumps into the lagoon, and tries to grasp the fish. It eventually takes two of them to catch it and as they hold it up it is clear that it is a magnificent animal.

Arapaima are native to South America and are one of the largest freshwater fish on the planet. They can grow to nearly 500 pounds and can breathe air. We get a perfect view of the distinctive red scales which is why it is called the ‘red fish’ or Pirarucu and then this magnificent fish is carefully released.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Tatiana Belova/Shutterstock.com


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About the Author

Dr Sharon Parry is a writer at A-Z animals where her primary focus is on dogs, animal behavior, and research. Sharon holds a PhD from Leeds University, UK which she earned in 1998 and has been working as a science writer for the last 15 years. A resident of Wales, UK, Sharon loves taking care of her spaniel named Dexter and hiking around coastlines and mountains.

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