Jimmy's Going To Venezuela
Come join the group!
Guest Services
Our guests service centre is located at the Front Desk of the resort – there
our professional staff can keep you connected and provide any requirements
guests may have during their stay.
Library – Keeping Connected!!!
Located next to our Front Desk is our Guest Library, there guests can keep connected with two computers and printers, and high speed internet connection – this is of course all complimentary to Saranda Resort Guests and available 24 hours a day. Enjoy our Lending Library – offering a wide collection of books and DVD's that guests can borrow during their stay.
Telephone Services:
Saranda Resort is connected by satellite and guests can make calls from the Library or from the comfort of their rooms. All Telephone International and Local Calls are charged: $1.00 US per Minute
Boardroom:
Located in the Front Offi ce Building our boardroom features, mini fridge, large coffee maker, counter, large boardroom table, 12 chairs, LCD projector, screen, whiteboard, internet connection and telephone jack.
Laundry:
Saranda Resort provides guest laundry services – guests can contact Guests Services for pick up or utilize the cloths hampers in each room. Housekeeping will pick up each morning and return that same evening.
Massage:
After a long day of Fishing for Peacock Bass and those muscles are stiff and sore – if you would like to book a 1/2 hour massage – contact Guests Services or the Peacock Pub to make your appointment.
Massage Rates: 1/2 Hour $45.00
Merendon Jewelry
Merendon Jewelry features one of a kind handcrafted gold and precious stone jewelry. The jewelry produced
at the Merendon Factory in Honduras, includes exclusive lines of precious and semiprecious stones including
citrina, amethyst, topaz and gránate among others, in addition to diamonds, emeralds, rubies, sapphires etc.
Our Jewellers are trained by international experts who have been integrated with Merendon Jewellery in order
to ensure artisanship of international quality in all pieces and collections produced at the factory.
In addition, Merendon Jewellery S.A. employs highly skilled artisans specializing in the production of a Mayan
jewellery line and now a Venezuelan jewellery line.
Tackle & Gift Shop
The Tackle & Gift Shop of Saranda Resort guests will fi nd all the fi shing tackle needed to catch that World Record Peacock Bass or Payara, along with a variety of handcrafted Venezuelan Souvenirs and Saranda Resort Clothing. As part of the Saranda Resort Package, all rods, reels and tackle will be provided. For the true Die Hard Fisherman they can defi nitely bring their own equipment.
Tackle Policy
All guests must sign out all tackle to be utilized during their stay. Each guest must sign a hold harmless agreement which outlines policy that if any equipment is lost, broken or damaged that the cost of replacement will be charged direct to the guests folio. We will provide each guest with one Shimano Heavy Action Fishing Rod, Curado Bait casting Reel and One lure kit with assorted lures.
Pool & Jacuzzi
Located in the central gardens of Saranda Resort and the main entertaining area is our Outdoor Pool and Jacuzzi. Take some time to work on that tan in our large overstuffed sun loungers, take a refreshing swim in our pool or just relax with the sounds of our waterfall in the Jacuzzi.
Botanical Gardens
When you enter into the realm of Saranda Resort, the fi rst thing you notice is how green and lush it is. The Botanical Gardens of the Resort is worked on daily by a staff of 5 full time Gardeners.
Take a walk along the many pathways through out our garden and encounter several species of palm trees,
orchids, bougainvillea, variety of tropical fruit trees and over 100 foot tall Saba tree. And if you explore a little
closer you will fi nd Saranda's own howler monkey, three – three toed sloth's, “Bird” our very own Scarlet Macaw and several species of toads and frogs.
Fishing with Saranda Resort will undeniably be one of the greatest experiences of an angler's life. Lake Guri
is one of Venezuela's best kept secrets, offering explosive Peacock Bass action from the time of arrival to ones
regrettable departure.
There is also another species that is targeted on Lake Guri, the mighty Payara. These prehistoric fi sh with its
large teeth are defi nitely the king of the jungle. It is highly recommended to take the extra excursion up to
Uraima Falls and fi sh for these powerful predators.
Saranda Resort takes pride in providing comfort for the anglers while fi shing at Lake Guri. All the boats are
twenty-three foot aluminum hull with twinjet drive engines. They are equipped with electric trolling motors,
GPS, fi sh fi nders, radio communications, CD stereos, retractable canopies, and a cooler full of snacks and beverages.
We limit each boat to two anglers, allowing lots of room for fi shing. All of Saranda's guides have years of
experience on the lake and experts at locating fi sh throughout the seasons.
Saranda Resort is also a proud member of the Peacock Bass Association, the American Sportfishing Association, and the International Game Fish Association. We participate in the IGFA Certifi ed Scale Program and guests
who have a world record catch can get into the record book!
A typical fi shing day at Saranda Resort starts at breakfast being served at 5:00AM so the avid angler can get that early bit as soon as the sun rises at 6:00AM. Now please keep in mind that your guide is your personal guide and if you would like to sleep in a little – your boat and guide will be ready and what ever time you desire to go out on the water. Once anglers are our on the water, there is a 45 minute run to the best and farthest fi shing location for the Peacock Bass and throughout the day – your guide slowly works back towards Saranda Resort, when 12Noon rolls around it is time for lunch and siesta – we provide a gourmet shore lunch at a designated site then if you want anglers can siesta for a bit during the high heat of the day. Fish until 5:15 – 5:30PM then back to the Saranda Resort Dock to share your Fish stories with the other guests.
This is what we call perfect day fi shing!!!
History of Guri Lake
Guri Lake is the 5th largest freshwater man made lakes in the world, stretching approximately 175kms long and
48kms wide. Guri Lake was made by the damming of the Caroni and the Paragua Rivers at the confluence of the
Great Orinoco – this is known as the second largest hydro electricity dam the “Raul Leoni Dam”. The construction of the dam began in 1964 and completed construction in 1973 and it took until 1984 to fi ll what is now Guri Lake. Guri Lake provides an amazing habitat for fi sh, while fl ooding the area for the lake, much of the timbre was left and still stands upright just under the surface and poking out of the water closer to the shoreline and hilltops. This provides the perfect structure for the Fish of Guri Lake.
Peacock Bass
If its bone-jarring strikes and aggressive top water action one is after, the Peacock Bass is for you. It is not uncommon to have hooks or split rings straightened out from these powerful and beautiful fi sh, and the bigger they get, their attitude matches. Pound for pound, the Peacock is one of the strongest freshwater species in the world.
Although its anatomy closely resembles a Largemouth Bass, the Peacock is actually a member of the cichlid family. A common characteristic for these fi sh is the black circular “eye spot” on the base of the caudal fi n.
One unique trait for these fi sh is their cheek markings. Each and every Peacock has its own individual markings, very similar to fi ngerprints on a human. Actively breeding male Peacocks have a prominent hump on their head. This is used as a battering ram in battles with other males and to protect fry and territory.
Payara
The mighty and powerful Payara is at the top of the food chain in Lake Guri's fresh water. They prefer to reside
in extremely fast water and take lures with such savage force that an angler can easily have the rod ripped from his/her grasp if not playing close attention. Once hooked, a large Payara will effortlessly peel off lots of line, despite leaders, strong drags and stiff rods. Payara also make repeated acrobatic and aerial jumps, which adds to the fi sh's allure.
When one fi rst looks at a Payara from below the head, it has many similarities as a salmon. Once looking at the head though, the angler quickly realizes that this is a prehistoric creature that was made to do one thing, EAT. Payara have two distinct fangs that protrude from the lower jaw, and actually fi t perfectly into holes in the top of its jaw, which allows its mouth to close. A Payara's jaw purposely dislocates, making its mouth open wider. When it attacks its prey (which is mainly piranha), the Payara uses its big fangs to pierce its food, and uses its smaller sharp teeth to eat with.
At Uraima Falls, where Saranda Resort targets these beasts, is where the current I.G.F.A. all tackle world record was caught, along with all the world record line class categories, except for one. An angler's chance of catching a big Payara at Uraima falls is good.
Please see Saranda Resort – Excursions for pricing on the Payara Fishing at Uraima Falls.
Peacock Bass
Like Largemouth Bass, the Peacock prefers to ambush unsuspecting prey from a stealthy vantage point. When
casting, an angler should constantly be looking for these ambush areas and repeatedly cast to them. An area like points, inside turns, rocks and trees just to name a few. One should also be constantly on the lookout for Peacock Bass aggressively attacking beatifi c around this type of structure; these fi sh are feeding and can usually be enticed to strike.
Many times while fi shing Peacocks, an angler will have a fi sh follow his/her lure to the boat. When this happens, reel your lure six to eight inches from your rod tip, stick your rod in the water, and aggressively move
your rod in a fi gure eight pattern, you cannot do this too fast. When a Peacock attacks your lure while doing
this, make sure you drag is loosened a touch or line could be broken.
Tackle for Peacock Bass
Rods
When throwing top water lures heavy action rods are recommended. A length between 6'-6” and 6'-10” makes
it easier for throwing big top water plugs all day long. For subsurface lures a 6'-6” medium heavy rod will suffice.
Reels
A quality reel with a smooth drag is highly recommended for peacocks. It is also recommended using a reel
with a high gear ratio, this makes it easier for the angler to keep up with top water and subsurface lures all day
long.
Lures
Top water is a favorite at Saranda resort. Peacock Bass are very aggressive and love to attack lures that make noise on the surface. The best top water lures are prop baits like Luhr Jensen's Woodchopper or Amazon Ripper. When tuned properly these lures make a lot of noise, displace all kinds of water, and have the profi le that Peacocks love.
Subsurface lures also work very well for these fi sh. Minnow shaped baits, worked just under the surface, catch a lot of fi sh. Yo-zuri's Crystal minnow, Bomber Long A's, Luhr Jensen Javelin's, Rapala's Super Shad Rap and Magnum are just a few of Saranda's choices. With most of these minnow imitating lures, it is recommended to change both the split rings and the hooks. Stronger split rings and hooks result in a lot less heartbreak from the powerful Peacock Bass.
Tackle for Payara
The Payara likes to make its home near fast running water. It hunts on the current breaks looking for unsuspecting prey. These fi sh also like to hunt in packs, so when an angler hooks into one of these beasts, it is more than likely that there will be others nearby. Casting to the current breaks while standing on shore, or trolling along the edge of the current are techniques that work well.
The use of a wire leader is mandatory for these fi sh. Their razor sharp teeth will make short work of any line,
monofi lament or braided.
The hard mouth of the Payara makes it diffi cult for good hook up percentages, so an angler can expect to lose a few fi sh, but when you get one on, be prepared to fi ght a fi sh with an attitude.
Rods
When casting or trolling for Payara, medium-heavy or heavy action rods are recommended. The same rods that
are used for Peacock Bass will suffi ce.
Reels
Quality reels with a smooth drag are highly recommended for these fi sh, their powerful runs can test the limits
of the fi nest equipment. Reels with larger line capacities can defi nitely give the angler an advantage.
Lures
Large minnow imitating lures casted to the current breaks or trolled along the edges of the current seem to work the best for Saranda Resort Anglers. Rapala's Super Shad Rap, Magnum, and Bomber Long A's are a couple of favorites.
Lake Guri, Venezuela
Destination Different for World Class Fishing!
Saranda Resort is Venezuela's newest five star fishing resort for world class Peacock Bass and Payara Fishing on Guri Lake.
Saranda Resort prides itself by offering a high standard of quality, service and amenities. From the time a reservation is made, to enjoying the ultimate fishing experience, to your return trip home, we at Saranda promise that you will experience, luxury, amazing fishing and be totally pampered by our professional friendly staff.
Come and Believe!
Accommodations
Saranda Resort has a rich flare for Venezuelan Tradition. We offer 32 beautifully appointed guest rooms and suites that provide all the comforts that you would expect for a luxury resort.
We Offer three styles of accommodation, the 15 Deluxe, 15 Executive Suite and the 3 Presidential Villas which
provide guests with that added touch of luxury and service.
Deluxe Rooms:
Saranda Resorts Deluxe accommodations offer the traditional amenities of a North American style of accommodation. Each deluxe room offers a semi-private porch decorated with Rattan Chairs and small table overlooking the Botanical Gardens of Saranda Resort. King or Queen size beds are available, with oversize bathrooms and large shower. We provide TV and DVD players in each room along with CD alarm clocks, mini fridge, coffee maker and air conditioning.
Rate: $2,595 per person SOLD OUT
Rates Include:
Accommodation in a Deluxe Room
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Snacks
Local Venezuelan Beer and Non-Alcoholic Beverages
Daily Fishing with Personal Guide (maximum 2 anglers per boat)
Executive Suites:
When walking up the pathway through the botanical gardens to our Executive Suites, the ambiance is a tropical villa of color. The Executive Suites are distinctive in layout and decoration providing a complete experience in each room. Every suite has private terrace with rattan chairs and table. Rooms are decorated with ceramic tiles, dark rich woods, blended with relaxing earth tones and unique iron work. Rooms are 1200 square feet highlighting a large living area with custom leather sofa and chair, armoire with TV, DVD and Mini Fridge and decorated with one of a kind Venezuelan Paintings and handcrafted Venezuelan Art. The bedrooms are oversized with King or Queen sized beds, night tables, CD alarm clocks, dresser, oversized closet, Coffee Makers, oversized bathrooms with larger showers and air conditioning.
Rate Regular Price $3,395 per person SPECIAL DISCOUNT FOR THIS TRIP $2,995 per person
Rates Include:
Accommodation in an Executive Suite
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Snacks
Local Venezuelan Beer and Non-Alcoholic Beverages
Daily Fishing with Personal Guide (maximum 2 anglers per boat)
Resort Amenities
Jimmy and crew will be departing the States on Friday, January 5, 2007 and return on Wednesday, January 10, 2007. Anglers will experience two full and two half days of fishing. Jimmy will be filming for his series Jimmy Houston Outdoors for ESPN2. There will be lots of story telling in the lodge meeting rooms each night.
Call Jeanette at Jimmy Houston Travel 800-775-7721, Mon. - Fri. 8:30 - 5:00 to book your spot on this trip of a lifetime. She will also be able to book your airfare to Caracas to meet up with the rest of the group.
Jimmy Houston Travel
PO Box 26
Cookson Oklahoma 74427
1-800-775-7721
1-918-457-5113
1-918-457-5436 FAX
