The fiercest predator of the lagoons and the Delta: surface lures, wire leader and the places where it strikes hard in summer.
The freshwater tiger
The tararira (Hoplias), a South American wolf fish, is an ambush predator of warm water: it hides among the vegetation and strikes with tremendous violence. It is one of the most fun fish to catch on lures, because the surface blow-ups are spectacular.
The best season
The tararira likes warm water: spring and summer (November to March) are its prime time, when the water warms up and it comes out to hunt in the reeds and floating plants. In winter it goes quiet and barely feeds.
Lures and gear
- Surface lures: poppers, soft frogs over the vegetation, spinnerbaits and jerkbaits.
- A medium spinning or baitcasting rod, a reel with a good drag and 15 to 30 lb braid.
