Fish Finder Suriname ΓÇö The Interior's Unofficial Outfitter
The biggest fishing, hunting and marine shop in Suriname, hiding behind an aquarium wall on Waaldijkstraat.
Why Go
Before you disappear up the Suriname River for peacock bass or push into the Brokopondo backcountry, this multi-level Paramaribo shop is where every guide, expat angler and weekend hunter tops up their tackle box ΓÇö and pets the resident aquarium fish while they're at it.
The Experience
From the street it looks like a compact storefront on A.L. Waaldijk Straat, but push through the door and Fish Finder opens up over several floors of rods, reels, tents, hammocks, coolers, boat electronics and air rifles. A large in-store aquarium anchors the ground floor and doubles as a demo tank for lures and line ΓÇö kids gravitate to it while parents get talked through the difference between a spinning and baitcasting reel. Staff here actually fish and hunt the interior themselves, so a five-minute chat usually turns into practical intel on which creeks are running, where the piranha bite has moved, and which mosquito-proof hammock actually survives a wet season on the Marowijne.
What to Try
Come for a Shimano combo dialled in for tucunaré (peacock bass), a Yeti cooler that will keep your catch iced all the way back to Paramaribo, or a Garmin fish-finder that the shop can talk you through mounting on a local korjaal. The Coleman and Igloo camping wall is the easiest one-stop for anyone heading up to Raleighvallen, Palumeu or Brownsberg without their own kit — hammock, mosquito net, headlamp, dry bag, done in one loop. Costa sunglasses and lightweight rainwear round out the tropical fishing uniform.
Insider Tip
Bring a Mastercard or Maestro ΓÇö Fish Finder does not accept Visa, which catches a lot of first-time visitors out. Also plan around the hours: they close at 17:00 on weekdays and at 14:00 on Saturday, and are shut on Sunday, so stock up the day before any river trip. If you're chasing something specific (fly gear, a particular lure weight, a repair on a reel you brought from home), message them ahead via Facebook or the website ΓÇö they'll often set items aside behind the counter.
The Practical Stuff
Address: A.L. Waaldijk Straat 79 (79-81), Paramaribo, a short walk from the historic waterfront and 't Vat. Hours: MonΓÇôFri 08:30ΓÇô17:00, Sat 08:30ΓÇô14:00, closed Sunday. Payment: cash (SRD/USD/EUR commonly accepted at Paramaribo shops), Mastercard and Maestro ΓÇö no Visa. Returns accepted within 3 days with the original packaging and receipt. On-site services include gear advice tailored to skill level plus basic reel maintenance and repair. Parking on the street is tight; taxis and ride-hail drop-offs are the easiest option.
Pair It With
- 'T Vat Sidewalk Cafe Guide — Two-minute walk away ΓÇö the classic post-shopping Parbo beer and bitterballen stop where guides and expats swap fishing stories.
- 88 Car Rental Suriname Guide — Grab a 4x4 nearby the same morning so you can drive your new tackle straight to Brownsberg or the Afobaka road.
- 4x4xJankie Guide — If you'd rather be driven, this local outfitter runs interior trips that pair perfectly with the gear you just picked up.
- 101 Suites Guide — Convenient central-Paramaribo base for the night before an early river departure, walkable to the shop.