Fish

Brazilian codling (brótola)

Brótola

Urophycis brasiliensis

Saltwater

At a glance

Typical size

10–18 in.

Depth

5–300 ft.

Best time

Night.

Found in

2 areas

Spot it, size it up and learn its habits.

Identification: Soft, slim brown fish of the hake family with a small chin barbel, a long second dorsal and anal fin, and long, thin, feeler-like pelvic fins.
Typical size: 10–18 in.
Maximum size: About 2 ft.
Diet: Shrimp, crabs and small fish.
Behavior: Bottom fish that lives around rocks, jetties and muddy sand; feeds mostly at night.

Where, when and how deep to look.

Where to find it: Found from Southern Brazil, Uruguay & Argentina and Falkland Islands. Rocky bottoms, jetties, piers and soft bottoms from southern Brazil to Argentina, and around the Falklands.
Habitat: Rocky bottoms, jetties, piers and soft bottoms from southern Brazil to Argentina, and around the Falklands.
Depth: 5–300 ft.
Fishing depth: On the bottom, 10–60 ft.
Best season: Autumn and winter.
Best time: Night.
Best tides: Moving tide.
Best weather / conditions: Calm seas.

What to tie on and what to throw.

The rod, reel, line and lures BigJoe would use.

Also at Bass Pro Shops: Rod Reel Line Rig Sinkers Headlamp

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Step by step, from first cast to landing.

Go where it lives: Rocky bottoms, jetties, piers and soft bottoms from southern Brazil to Argentina, and around the Falklands.
Rig up: Medium pier or surf rod. 20 lb.
Pick your bait: Shrimp, squid and fish strips. Lures: Rarely.
Fish it: Fish bait on the bottom near rocks and jetties at night.
Time it: Night. Moving tide.

Fishing techniques: Fish bait on the bottom near rocks and jetties at night.
BigJoe's tip: A classic winter-night catch from the Mar del Plata jetties.
Catch and release: Catch and release: wet your hands, keep the fish in the water when you can, and release it quickly. Use circle hooks and a dehooker.

Is it good to eat, and how to prepare it.

Edibility: Good eating when fresh.
Cleaning: Bleed and ice it right away. Fillet, then remove the skin and any dark bloodline.
Cooking suggestions: Soft, delicate white meat; best fried or in fish cakes.

Safety, rules and taking care of the fishery.

Safety warnings: Slippery jetty rocks at night — use a headlamp and good shoes.
Regulations: Follow local size and bag limits. Brazil requires the amateur fishing license (Licença de Pesca Amadora); Argentina's coastal provinces and Uruguay set their own sport fishing rules. Several species have minimum sizes, bag limits or closed seasons — check local rules before you keep fish.
Conservation: Common.

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Sources & photo credits