Amazon Catfish Species
Of the almost 1000 species of Amazon catfish, there are at least twenty (20) that are regularly targeted by the local fishermen for sport and/or food. Our research has been concentrated among this relatively small percentage of the Amazon Siluriformes, but that doesn't mean you can't, or won't, catch something not listed here. The Amazon is full of surprises. It is possible to catch a fish that hasn't even been cataloged yet. Then other fishermen will follow trying to catch that world record Pseudoplatysoma "yourname"-us !!! The following are some selected species of Amazon catfish that international fishermen might care to pursue.
Pirarara (Phractocephalus hemoliopkrus)
The pirarara, also known by the English name of Red Tailed Catfish, is considered by many to be the prettiest catfish in existence. Its chocolate brown back gives way to a yellowish white on the flanks that fades to a white underbelly and is accented by orange red pectoral fins and tail. The translation of the Tupi-Guarani name (pira + arara) is literally "Macaw fish" because of its bright coloration. These colorful cats can reach almost 5 feet in length and 125 lbs in weight. Current IGFA record stands at 97 lbs.
Pirararas frequent the deep holes like the piraíbas, but they are also found near the banks of large rivers just downstream of the mouth of smaller rivers, creeks and lagoons. Again like the piraíba, fishing times are best in early morning and late afternoon, but pirararas can often also be found during the hottest part of the day (noon-2:00 p.m.) along the sandy beaches of the larger rivers. Heavy-duty tackle is also called for when seeking these beauties, which often put up a vigorous and prolonged fight. Small whole fish baits such as piranha, jaraqui, sardinha and other regional fish are preferred, although cut bait can be used in areas where piranha aren't found. Braids of 50 to 80 LB test and monofilament of 30 LB test are recommended lines with hooks from 5/0 to 8/0 and larger being used. A characteristic of this fish that often surprises the first time pirarara angler is the loud grunts it emits when landed.
Piraíba
(Brachyplatystoma filamentosum)
Of the almost 1000 species of Amazon catfish, there are at least twenty (20) that are regularly targeted by the local fishermen for sport and/or food. Our research has been concentrated among this relatively small percentage of the Amazon Siluriformes, but that doesn't mean you can't, or won't, catch something not listed here. The Amazon is full of surprises. It is possible to catch a fish that hasn't even been cataloged yet. Then other fishermen will follow trying to catch that world record Pseudoplatysoma "yourname"-us !!! The following are some selected species of Amazon catfish that international fishermen might care to pursue.
Pirarara (Phractocephalus hemoliopkrus)
The pirarara, also known by the English name of Red Tailed Catfish, is considered by many to be the prettiest catfish in existence. Its chocolate brown back gives way to a yellowish white on the flanks that fades to a white underbelly and is accented by orange red pectoral fins and tail. The translation of the Tupi-Guarani name (pira + arara) is literally "Macaw fish" because of its bright coloration. These colorful cats can reach almost 5 feet in length and 125 lbs in weight. Current IGFA record stands at 97 lbs.
Pirararas frequent the deep holes like the piraíbas, but they are also found near the banks of large rivers just downstream of the mouth of smaller rivers, creeks and lagoons. Again like the piraíba, fishing times are best in early morning and late afternoon, but pirararas can often also be found during the hottest part of the day (noon-2:00 p.m.) along the sandy beaches of the larger rivers. Heavy-duty tackle is also called for when seeking these beauties, which often put up a vigorous and prolonged fight. Small whole fish baits such as piranha, jaraqui, sardinha and other regional fish are preferred, although cut bait can be used in areas where piranha aren't found. Braids of 50 to 80 LB test and monofilament of 30 LB test are recommended lines with hooks from 5/0 to 8/0 and larger being used. A characteristic of this fish that often surprises the first time pirarara angler is the loud grunts it emits when landed.
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Piraíba
(Brachyplatystoma filamentosum)
The piraíba, also known as "lau lau" or "valentón", has a dark grayish back and sides with a white underbelly. It can reach a length of
almost 10 feet and surpass 650 lbs in weight. The current record is 256 lbs on rod and reel, but larger specimens have been caught commercially. The name,
piraíba, translates from the Tupi-Guarani language to mean, "mother fish" and this giant could very well be the "mother of all fish." The
fry of the piraíba carries a separate name in Amazonia, filhote, and it is considered a fry until it surpasses 110 lbs!!! Heavy-duty gear and a prolonged,
brutal fight are required to land one of these monsters. The local manner of fishing for these brutes is to put a beef heart on a large hook tied with nylon
rope to a jug float and follow it with a flotilla of canoes, sometimes chumming with fresh blood. Once a big one is hooked the nylon rope is secured to one
of the canoes until the piraíba can be worn down enough to beach the behemoth.
Heavy duty tackle suitable for big salt water species is preferred spooled with 130 lb. line and using hooks from 10/0 and larger with a steel leader (a steel leader is a good option for all of the Amazon cats due to piranhas whizzing about the bait. Amazon cats don't have the sensitive mouths of their North American cousins and are not spooked by steel leaders - or much anything else). The bait and sinker combined should weight at least 1 lb. and can go up to 10 or 12 lbs. when going after the real monsters. Whole fish baits from the region in which you are fishing are preferred, and live ones are even better. Other than fish and beef hearts, locals also use chicken heads for bait.
These big cats frequent the deep holes in large rivers, particularly near the confluence of two rivers, or opposite the mouth of smaller rivers, creeks, or lagoons, that empty into a larger river. The best fishing is from dawn until about 9 a.m. hours and from late afternoon until just after nightfall. When you hook into one of these brutes, you will feel a hard and steady pull as the piraíba starts his run. To keep from getting spooled, the guide should immediately start up the outboard and follow the fish as you try to wear him down. Minimum size that can legally be kept is 120 cm (about 48 inches). .
Jaú (Paulicea
lutkeni)
Heavy duty tackle suitable for big salt water species is preferred spooled with 130 lb. line and using hooks from 10/0 and larger with a steel leader (a steel leader is a good option for all of the Amazon cats due to piranhas whizzing about the bait. Amazon cats don't have the sensitive mouths of their North American cousins and are not spooked by steel leaders - or much anything else). The bait and sinker combined should weight at least 1 lb. and can go up to 10 or 12 lbs. when going after the real monsters. Whole fish baits from the region in which you are fishing are preferred, and live ones are even better. Other than fish and beef hearts, locals also use chicken heads for bait.
These big cats frequent the deep holes in large rivers, particularly near the confluence of two rivers, or opposite the mouth of smaller rivers, creeks, or lagoons, that empty into a larger river. The best fishing is from dawn until about 9 a.m. hours and from late afternoon until just after nightfall. When you hook into one of these brutes, you will feel a hard and steady pull as the piraíba starts his run. To keep from getting spooled, the guide should immediately start up the outboard and follow the fish as you try to wear him down. Minimum size that can legally be kept is 120 cm (about 48 inches). .
Jaú (Paulicea
lutkeni)
The giant migratory Jaús frequent deep holes in many rivers of the Amazon basin. They prefer holes formed behind large rocks
and can often be found at the rocky bases of rapids and cataracts. Their coloration can vary from a yellow brown to grayish green to black depending on the
water they are found in. They have large broad heads and can exceed 5 feet in length and over 225 lbs. In weight. They are a popular sport fish with the
locals, because they can be fished for in some gorgeous surroundings while wading near the base of small waterfalls and rapids. Medium heavy tackle should be
used with lines of 30 lbs (mono) to 50 lbs+ (braids) and hooks of 8/0 to 10/0 and up. A steel leader is recommended. Whole smaller fish typical of the region
are the preferred bait, but cut bait can be used if there are no piranha present. Jaú are known for hard prolonged fights, much like those of the pirararas.
The minimum legal size that can be kept is 90 cm (about 32 inches).
Some smaller catfish related to the Jaú that are equally popular sporting fish are the piranambú (Pinarampus pinirampu), piramutaba (Brachyplatystoma vaillantii) and bandeira (Goslina
Some smaller catfish related to the Jaú that are equally popular sporting fish are the piranambú (Pinarampus pinirampu), piramutaba (Brachyplatystoma vaillantii) and bandeira (Goslina
