Freshwater

Trahira (tararira, wolf fish)

Tararira (traíra, pez lobo)

Hoplias malabaricus

Freshwater

At a glance

Typical size

1–4 lb.

Depth

1–6 ft in weeds.

Best time

Early morning and late afternoon.

Found in

3 areas

Spot it, size it up and learn its habits.

Identification: Thick, round, dark olive-brown fish with a big head, a mouth full of sharp teeth, and mottled fins.
Typical size: 1–4 lb.
Maximum size: About 2 ft and 9 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, Amazon & Pantanal and The Guianas. Weedy lagoons, swamps, slow rivers and canals, including the Esteros del Iberá and the Paraná islands.
Habitat: Weedy lagoons, swamps, slow rivers and canals, including the Esteros del Iberá and the Paraná islands.
Depth: 1–6 ft in weeds.
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 small fish and frogs.
Best artificial lures: Weedless frogs, topwater plugs and spinnerbaits.
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: Weedy lagoons, swamps, slow rivers and canals, including the Esteros del Iberá and the Paraná islands.
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 small fish and frogs. Lures: Weedless frogs, topwater plugs and spinnerbaits.
Fish it: Throw a weedless frog or topwater into the pockets of open water in the weeds and work it slowly. Tararira explode on the surface.
Time it: Early morning and late afternoon. No tide — falling water after the rainy season is best.

Fishing techniques: Throw a weedless frog or topwater into the pockets of open water in the weeds and work it slowly. Tararira explode on the surface.
BigJoe's tip: Use a wire or heavy fluorocarbon leader and long pliers. Tararira bite through light line and fingers.
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: White and tasty but very bony; best scored and 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: Follow local rules; limits apply in Argentina. 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