Kikori - New Guinea Black Bass

In the last weekend of October 2001 , Rod ,Me ,Charlie ,PK and Greg flew into the town of Kikori - on the Kikori River Delta in the North West of the Gulf of Papua to persue New Guinea Black Bass.
The Black Bass is one of the most powerful fresh water fish in the world. Pound for Pound,it outfights the Barramundi. A 10 kg Bass hits a lure with such force that it will snap a 20 kg line like cotton .
They are only found in the remoter areas of PNG in the clear, fresh ,deep waters of certain rivers and bare a resemblance to a large Mangrove Jack - only with a wider body.
The fish is very good eating and not at all boney.
The fish we caught on this trip were shared amongst the locals for some great feasts!

Niugini bass (locally called black bass or Papuan black bass) and spot-tail bass are commonly caught from 15 to 20 pounds; 30- to 40-pounders are considered large. Some have reportedly been caught to 60 pounds, and Australian anglers with experience in angling for this species use stout 6-foot rods, wide-spool baitcasting reels, and 40-pound line, and that often doesn't do the job. Large, heavy diving plugs and surface plugs are used to entice the fish from bank-side log and tree cover. Known for busting up tackle, demolishing lures, and making blistering initial runs, these fish do not have great stamina for long fights, but the first-moment encounter is usually so explosive that, in snag-infested jungle rivers, they win their freedom in a short but furious tussle.

To organise a Black Bass Fishing Trip to PNG or any other fishing trips to go to the home page link above for details or contact BEAGLE AIRLINES at rodbeagl@yahoo.com.au or phone +61 428 183 463  in Cairns.Rod has extensive knowledge and contacts in PNG and can organise and fly you to remote locations.

Note the vertical bands on this small Black Bass.
there are alot of simularities to the Mangrove Jack and these fish -especially in their fight.

Greg and Charlie and their Crew of 7 hold up the catch from one snag - including a good sized Barramundi -all caught in a mornings fishing.

A fine speciman that put a huge fight right up to the boat.
This Bass was caught casting , on a "tiger" coloured River Rat Lure close to a snag within the first hour of Fishing.

Greg McDonald with a 92 cm - 14 kg New Guinea Black Bass that he caught. Greg had the highest losses of lures for the trip - but landed this monster.

Beady eyes and a scary set of chompers!
The fish on the other hand is quiet good looking with needle like teeth that are lethal on lures and traces.

This 62 cm bass was caught on a Reidys River Rat Lure that dives to 20 foot. The lure was well down in the Bass' mouth and had been hit from the tail of the lure.
I used a Shimano Calcutta with smooth drag washers and 50 pound braid with a 2 metre 80 pound mono shock leader.

These pictures taken of previous catches in the area were seen by Rod at the Kikori Delta Company - Trade Store earlier that year.
They run a comfortable Lodge near the Airfield , and can help with contacts for the hire of boats and operators in conjunction with the local land and river owners .