Freshwater

Golden dorado (river tiger)

Dorado (tigre del río)

Salminus brasiliensis

Freshwater

At a glance

Typical size

5–15 lb.

Depth

3–20 ft in current.

Best time

Early morning and late afternoon.

Found in

2 areas

Spot it, size it up and learn its habits.

Identification: Bright gold fish with rows of small dark lines along the sides, a red-tinged tail with a dark center stripe, and a big mouth full of sharp teeth. Not related to the saltwater dorado (mahi-mahi).
Typical size: 5–15 lb.
Maximum size: About 3½ ft and over 60 lb.
Diet: Fish, shrimp, crabs and insects; some species also eat fruits and seeds that fall into the water.
Behavior: Lives in big tropical and subtropical rivers, lagoons and flooded forests; many species gather below rapids, dams and river mouths where the current brings food.

Where, when and how deep to look.

Where to find it: Found from Paraná & Uruguay Rivers and Amazon & Pantanal. Fast water in the Paraná, Uruguay and Paraguay rivers: below the Yacyretá and Salto Grande dams, the rapids and islands of the Alto Paraná, the Pantanal rivers and the Iberá region.
Habitat: Fast water in the Paraná, Uruguay and Paraguay rivers: below the Yacyretá and Salto Grande dams, the rapids and islands of the Alto Paraná, the Pantanal rivers and the Iberá region.
Depth: 3–20 ft in current.
Fishing depth: 3–25 ft along banks, rock piles, current seams and lagoon edges.
Best season: The dry season, when the water drops and fish concentrate in the channels and lagoons; rivers close during the spawning season (in Brazil, the piracema, about November to February).
Best time: Early morning and late afternoon.
Best tides: No tide — falling water after the rainy season is best.
Best weather / conditions: Stable weather with clear water; sudden rains muddy the rivers.

What to tie on and what to throw.

Best bait: Live morena (eel-like fish), small fish and crabs where bait is allowed.
Best artificial lures: Big spoons, deep-diving crankbaits, jerkbaits and large flies, all on wire leaders.
Tackle setup: 7 ft medium-heavy baitcasting or spinning rod; 8–9 weight fly rod.
Hook size: Strong 2/0–6/0 single hooks; many guides replace trebles with single hooks to protect the fish.
Line: 40–65 lb braid.
Leader: Wire or 60–80 lb fluorocarbon for toothy fish.

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

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Step by step, from first cast to landing.

Go where it lives: Fast water in the Paraná, Uruguay and Paraguay rivers: below the Yacyretá and Salto Grande dams, the rapids and islands of the Alto Paraná, the Pantanal rivers and the Iberá region.
Rig up: 7 ft medium-heavy baitcasting or spinning rod; 8–9 weight fly rod. Wire or 60–80 lb fluorocarbon for toothy fish.
Pick your bait: Live morena (eel-like fish), small fish and crabs where bait is allowed. Lures: Big spoons, deep-diving crankbaits, jerkbaits and large flies, all on wire leaders.
Fish it: Drift or anchor above the current seams and cast crankbaits or spoons across the fast water; hold on, because dorado hit like a train and jump again and again.
Time it: Early morning and late afternoon. No tide — falling water after the rainy season is best.

Fishing techniques: Drift or anchor above the current seams and cast crankbaits or spoons across the fast water; hold on, because dorado hit like a train and jump again and again.
BigJoe's tip: Use a wire leader and set the hook hard, twice. A dorado's mouth is bony, and the first jump throws most hooks that aren't set well.
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.

Safety, rules and taking care of the fishery.

Safety warnings: Sharp teeth on many river fish (dorado, payara, piranha, tararira) — use pliers and lip grips. Caimans, stingrays and strong currents are real hazards; shuffle your feet when wading.
Regulations: Argentina declared the golden dorado a fish of national interest, and in Corrientes and many other areas it must be released when caught on sport tackle. Brazil's Mato Grosso do Sul and Mato Grosso also protect it. Every country requires a fishing license (in Brazil, the Licença de Pesca Amadora), each Argentine province and Brazilian state adds its own rules, and most rivers close during the spawning season. Indigenous lands and strict reserves are closed to outside anglers without permits.
Conservation: Golden dorado are worth far more alive to the river guides and towns that depend on sport fishing. Take your photo and let it go.

Tap an area to open its fishing map.

Sources & photo credits