Freshwater

Patí catfish

Patí

Luciopimelodus pati

Freshwater

At a glance

Typical size

3–10 lb.

Depth

15–60 ft.

Best time

Night.

Found in

3 areas

Spot it, size it up and learn its habits.

Identification: Sleek, silvery-gray catfish with a slim body, a forked tail, a darker back with small dark spots, and long whiskers.
Typical size: 3–10 lb.
Maximum size: About 3½ ft and over 20 lb.
Diet: Fish, especially sábalo.
Behavior: Hunts in the main channels and follows the sábalo schools; most active at night.

Where, when and how deep to look.

Where to find it: Found from Paraná & Uruguay Rivers, Paraguay, Argentina & Uruguay Lakes and Southern Brazil, Uruguay & Argentina. Main channels and deep holes of the Paraná, Uruguay and Paraguay rivers and the Río de la Plata.
Habitat: Main channels and deep holes of the Paraná, Uruguay and Paraguay rivers and the Río de la Plata.
Depth: 15–60 ft.
Fishing depth: On the bottom in 15–40 ft.
Best season: Autumn and winter are classic in Argentina.
Best time: Night.
Best tides: No tide — in rivers, falling water after the rainy season is best.
Best weather / conditions: Stable weather.

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 Hooks Weight Rig Holder

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Step by step, from first cast to landing.

Go where it lives: Main channels and deep holes of the Paraná, Uruguay and Paraguay rivers and the Río de la Plata.
Rig up: Medium-heavy rod. 50–60 lb mono.
Pick your bait: Cut sábalo, morena and small fish. Lures: Rarely.
Fish it: Anchor at the edge of the main channel at night and fish cut sábalo on the bottom with a sliding sinker.
Time it: Night. No tide — in rivers, falling water after the rainy season is best.

Fishing techniques: Anchor at the edge of the main channel at night and fish cut sábalo on the bottom with a sliding sinker.
BigJoe's tip: Fresh sábalo cut bait is by far the best bait.
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: Excellent eating — one of the best-tasting fish in its range.
Cleaning: Bleed and ice it right away. Fillet, then remove the skin and any dark bloodline.
Cooking suggestions: One of the most prized river fish in Argentina — tender, fatty white meat, great grilled or in stews.

Safety, rules and taking care of the fishery.

Safety warnings: Sharp pectoral and dorsal spines.
Regulations: Argentine provinces set minimum sizes and bag limits; check local rules. 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: Popular in markets; follow size limits.

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Sources & photo credits