Freshwater

Payara (vampire fish)

Payara (pez vampiro, cachorra)

Hydrolycus scomberoides

Freshwater

At a glance

Typical size

5–15 lb.

Depth

5–30 ft in fast water.

Best time

Early morning and late afternoon.

Found in

2 areas

Spot it, size it up and learn its habits.

Identification: Silver, torpedo-shaped fish with two huge fangs on the lower jaw that fit into holes in the upper jaw.
Typical size: 5–15 lb.
Maximum size: About 3½ ft and over 35 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 Amazon & Pantanal and The Guianas. Fast rapids and the eddies below them in the Amazon, Orinoco and Guiana rivers.
Habitat: Fast rapids and the eddies below them in the Amazon, Orinoco and Guiana rivers.
Depth: 5–30 ft in fast water.
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: Cut fish and live baitfish.
Best artificial lures: Heavy jigs, deep-diving crankbaits and spoons 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 rapids and the eddies below them in the Amazon, Orinoco and Guiana rivers.
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: Cut fish and live baitfish. Lures: Heavy jigs, deep-diving crankbaits and spoons on wire leaders.
Fish it: Cast jigs or crankbaits into the eddies and current seams below rapids and let them sink. Payara hit hard and jump.
Time it: Early morning and late afternoon. No tide — falling water after the rainy season is best.

Fishing techniques: Cast jigs or crankbaits into the eddies and current seams below rapids and let them sink. Payara hit hard and jump.
BigJoe's tip: Their bony mouth makes hook sets tough. Use very sharp single hooks and expect to lose a few.
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: Edible but not prized — strong or bony; many anglers release it.
Cleaning: Bleed and ice it right away. Fillet, then remove the skin and any dark bloodline.
Cooking suggestions: Edible but bony; usually released.

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: Follow local river rules; most fishing is catch-and-release. 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: Keep only what you'll eat, release the rest quickly, and follow size and bag limits.

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Sources & photo credits