Freshwater

Spotted sorubim (surubí, pintado)

Surubí (pintado)

Pseudoplatystoma corruscans

Freshwater

At a glance

Typical size

10–40 lb.

Depth

10–60 ft on the bottom.

Best time

Early morning and late afternoon.

Found in

2 areas

Spot it, size it up and learn its habits.

Identification: Big, long catfish with a flat, shovel-shaped head, long whiskers, a gray back with black spots and bars, and a white belly.
Typical size: 10–40 lb.
Maximum size: Over 5 ft and 200 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. Deep channels, holes and river bends of the Paraná, Uruguay and Paraguay rivers and the Pantanal; Goya hosts the national surubí festival.
Habitat: Deep channels, holes and river bends of the Paraná, Uruguay and Paraguay rivers and the Pantanal; Goya hosts the national surubí festival.
Depth: 10–60 ft on the bottom.
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: Live morena, small fish (tuvira, cascarudo) and cut fish.
Best artificial lures: Rarely; mostly a bait fish.
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: Deep channels, holes and river bends of the Paraná, Uruguay and Paraguay rivers and the Pantanal; Goya hosts the national surubí festival.
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: Live morena, small fish (tuvira, cascarudo) and cut fish. Lures: Rarely; mostly a bait fish.
Fish it: Anchor or drift over deep holes at dusk and night with live bait on the bottom; let the fish run before you set the hook.
Time it: Early morning and late afternoon. No tide — falling water after the rainy season is best.

Fishing techniques: Anchor or drift over deep holes at dusk and night with live bait on the bottom; let the fish run before you set the hook.
BigJoe's tip: Surubí feed best at night. Bring heavy gear, a good light and patience.
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: Firm, white, boneless meat, one of the best river fish in South America: grilled, fried or in stews.

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: Strict minimum sizes and closed seasons apply in Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil, and Mato Grosso protects pintado; 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