Fishes: Golden dorado, Surubi (catfish) and piranha
The Freshwater dorado, which belongs to the family of salmonids, can be caught mainly in small watercourses which flow into the streams, branches of the Parana River that separate islands and marshes throughout thousands of acres. The guides are perfectly familiar with the labyrinth shaped by these canals and lakes. Our staff is made up of experienced and professional anglers, who know how to find their way both in Santa Fe and in Corrientes, 185 miles away.
The most frequently used technique is “live bait fishing” (using moray eels, beetles, eels, etc.). This is an active fishing technique, in which anglers throw the bait onto the river and let them be swept along by the tide, making regular stops to rest. Pieces of fish are also used, since this has proved to be successful too. Lure fishing also produces good results, especially from mid-December until late January, because water is warmer and dorados fiercely attack wobbler spoons and spinner spoons.
Our resort has three 14.10 feet motorboats, equipped with 40 HP motors, fishing rod holders and seats to make you feel comfortable. Dorados, mythical inhabitants of the Parana River, are close relatives of the African giant tigerfish, and they are well known for their amazing jumps and their powerful struggles. Their attacks are quite violent, and they might even wrench the rod from your hands. The sun shines over their magnificent colors and bright-red fins. They can weight between 6.6 to 22 pounds, but every year specimens of over 44 pounds are caught in our area. It is possible to catch up to 25 dorados per day, but fishing is not a science and some factors – such as the dark water, the extreme temperatures and other uncertain events – may influence the outcome. In 2008, a team of three anglers caught 103 dorados in only one day. This may happen to you too!
The two species of catfish, “spotted catfish” and “tiger shovelnose catfish”, represent another obstacle for game fishing amateurs, especially when one of these Argentinean silures is caught in a deep hole on the riverbed and engage in a fierce struggle. They can be caught while searching for dorados using lure, pieces of fish or live bait. They look like a silure, but their head is flattened like a lucius. They are voracious during their activity periods, i.e., early in the morning and in the afternoon. Specimens of between 8.8 and 44 pounds are the ones most frequently found in our fishing area; however, some animals can weight over 132 pounds. A more specific technique has to be used in order to catch these fishes. Piranhas are caught with pieces of fish while waiting for a catfish to take the bait.
seasons: November – March
Fishing area: the Parana River bathes the garden of our hacienda. Fishing trips are made in motorboats or in four-wheel drive vehicles if the fishing area selected is a distant one.
Practical Information
trolling
You will need a fast action rod with a rigid tip, since this technique (i.e. using live bait) will sometimes require you to retrieve up to 196 feet of line from the boat. The size may vary from 6.5 to 10 feet, and the power may also range between 20g and 80g. The reel must have a very reliable brake (Daiwa 4000HIA BG 30 or similar). When fishing for dorados or catfishes, it is advisable to use 0.35 mm lines, or a braided line of 20 to 30 lbs. The lures that give the best results are spinner spoons (Inkoo, Eira, Toronto Wobbler, Syclops, among others). The best colors are gold-blue and silver. Gold and silver spinning spoons (Lusox # 2 and 3) can make a significant difference in small streams. The swimming fish lure is used both to adrift fishing or throwing fishing. This lure is quite big, measuring about 5.5 inches long (Rapalas Magnum Stretch, LuckyCraft, Beefreeze, Yo Zuri Aile Magnet, etc.). The best color options are: blue-striped, green-striped, tabby, gold or silver. And of course red and white, which can make the difference on certain days.
When fishing for catfish adrift, a 20 lbs rod will be necessary, with a spinning drum containing 300 m of 0.40 mm line or a braided line of 30 lbs. This will enable you to endure the powerful struggles of catfishes and the violent attacks of dorados. The same lures used to throwing fishing can be used to make high throws.
The following items are essential and must be carried in every fishing box: long nose pliers, olive fishing weights (between 20 and 100 grams), steel wire of at least 45 lbs (essential), several different types of octopus hooks (8 or 10) for live bait and reinforced for lures, and 45 lbs stapled pigeon hawks.
Fly fishing
A 9-pound rod, silk fishing line. Adapted reel with at least 100 m backing line, 30 lbs.
Equipment
It is advisable to wear light cotton clothes (preferably long-sleeved), long trousers, walking boots (boots and waders are available at no charge in our resort), hat, sunglasses, windbreaker jacket to wear during the morning and evening trips, and raincoat, in case it rains. Do not forget your camera, sunscreen and mosquito repellent.
Weather
in Argentina, the weather can get really hot during summer fishing season (up to 40ºC [over 100ºF]). There may be storms, but usually they do not last very long.
Formalities, health
Passport valid for at least six months after your return date. No Visa required. No specific vaccines are necessary.