Freshwater

Matrinxã

Matrinxã (sábalo del Amazonas)

Brycon amazonicus

Freshwater

At a glance

Typical size

2–5 lb.

Depth

2–10 ft.

Best time

Morning and late afternoon.

Found in

1 area

Spot it, size it up and learn its habits.

Identification: Silvery, trout-shaped fish with a dark tail, orange-tinged fins and a small mouth with sharp multi-pointed teeth.
Typical size: 2–5 lb.
Maximum size: About 2 ft and 6–7 lb.
Diet: Fruits, seeds, insects and small fish.
Behavior: Fast, jumping fighter that feeds at the surface under fruit trees and in rapids.

Where, when and how deep to look.

Where to find it: Found from Amazon & Pantanal. Clear and white-water rivers and creeks of the Amazon basin, often in current near rocks and fallen trees.
Habitat: Clear and white-water rivers and creeks of the Amazon basin, often in current near rocks and fallen trees.
Depth: 2–10 ft.
Fishing depth: Near the surface.
Best season: High and falling water.
Best time: Morning and late afternoon.
Best tides: No tide — in rivers, falling water after the rainy season is best.
Best weather / conditions: Clear water.

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 Lures Flies Pliers

As an Amazon Associate, BigJoe earns from qualifying purchases. It costs you nothing extra and helps keep this guide free.

Step by step, from first cast to landing.

Go where it lives: Clear and white-water rivers and creeks of the Amazon basin, often in current near rocks and fallen trees.
Rig up: Light to medium spinning rod or a 6–7 weight fly rod. 20–30 lb fluorocarbon.
Pick your bait: Fruits, seeds and insects. Lures: Small spinners, spoons, small topwaters and flies.
Fish it: Cast small lures or flies under overhanging trees and along rocky current; strip fast.
Time it: Morning and late afternoon. No tide — in rivers, falling water after the rainy season is best.

Fishing techniques: Cast small lures or flies under overhanging trees and along rocky current; strip fast.
BigJoe's tip: Light tackle makes it one of the most fun fish in the Amazon.
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: Tasty but bony; usually scored and fried or grilled.

Safety, rules and taking care of the fishery.

Safety warnings: Small, sharp teeth.
Regulations: Brazil sets minimum sizes and spawning closures. 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: Also widely farmed in Brazil.

Tap an area to open its fishing map.

Sources & photo credits