Freshwater

Pacu

Pacú

Piaractus mesopotamicus

Freshwater

At a glance

Typical size

5–15 lb.

Depth

2–15 ft.

Best time

Early morning and late afternoon.

Found in

2 areas

Spot it, size it up and learn its habits.

Identification: Deep, round, silver-gray fish shaped like a giant piranha, with a small mouth of square, human-like teeth for crushing fruit and seeds.
Typical size: 5–15 lb.
Maximum size: About 2 ft and over 40 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. Rivers, lagoons and flooded forests of the Paraná and Paraguay basins and the Pantanal, often under fruiting trees.
Habitat: Rivers, lagoons and flooded forests of the Paraná and Paraguay basins and the Pantanal, often under fruiting trees.
Depth: 2–15 ft.
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: Fruits and seeds (figs, palm fruits), corn, crabs and dough baits.
Best artificial lures: Small spinners and fruit-imitating flies.
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: Rivers, lagoons and flooded forests of the Paraná and Paraguay basins and the Pantanal, often under fruiting trees.
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: Fruits and seeds (figs, palm fruits), corn, crabs and dough baits. Lures: Small spinners and fruit-imitating flies.
Fish it: Fish a fruit or crab bait under overhanging trees, letting it drift where fruit naturally falls.
Time it: Early morning and late afternoon. No tide — falling water after the rainy season is best.

Fishing techniques: Fish a fruit or crab bait under overhanging trees, letting it drift where fruit naturally falls.
BigJoe's tip: Pacu have powerful jaws. Keep your fingers away from their mouth.
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: Rich, fatty and delicious, a Pantanal classic: grilled ribs (costela de pacu) or fried.

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: Minimum sizes and closed seasons apply; check the 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: Keep only what you'll eat, release the rest quickly, and follow size and bag limits.

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Sources & photo credits