Freshwater

Piraputanga

Brycon hilarii

Freshwater

At a glance

Typical size

1–3 lb.

Depth

2–10 ft.

Best time

Morning and late afternoon.

Found in

3 areas

Spot it, size it up and learn its habits.

Identification: Silver fish shaped like a big trout, with reddish-orange fins, a red tail and a dark spot at the base of the tail.
Typical size: 1–3 lb.
Maximum size: About 22 in and over 7 lb.
Diet: Fruits, seeds, insects and small fish.
Behavior: Swims in schools in clear, fast rivers; famous for leaping at fruit hanging over the water.

Where, when and how deep to look.

Where to find it: Found from Amazon & Pantanal, Paraná & Uruguay Rivers and Paraguay, Argentina & Uruguay Lakes. Clear rivers of the Paraguay basin, including the Pantanal and the crystal rivers around Bonito, Mato Grosso do Sul.
Habitat: Clear rivers of the Paraguay basin, including the Pantanal and the crystal rivers around Bonito, Mato Grosso do Sul.
Depth: 2–10 ft.
Fishing depth: Near the surface.
Best season: Dry season; closed during the piracema spawning season.
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.

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Step by step, from first cast to landing.

Go where it lives: Clear rivers of the Paraguay basin, including the Pantanal and the crystal rivers around Bonito, Mato Grosso do Sul.
Rig up: Light spinning rod or 5–6 weight fly rod. 15–20 lb fluorocarbon.
Pick your bait: Fruits, corn, insects and small dough balls. Lures: Small spinners, spoons and flies.
Fish it: Cast small lures or flies along current seams and under trees; drift fruit baits on the surface.
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 along current seams and under trees; drift fruit baits on the surface.
BigJoe's tip: In clear water, use light leaders and stay out of sight.
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; best fried after scoring the sides.

Safety, rules and taking care of the fishery.

Safety warnings: Watch for stingrays when wading Pantanal rivers.
Regulations: Several Bonito rivers are protected for snorkeling and closed to fishing; Mato Grosso do Sul sets its own limits. 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: Clear-water rivers are sensitive to farm runoff and silt.

Tap an area to open its fishing map.

Sources & photo credits