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.
- A steel or heavy fluorocarbon leader: the wolf fish has sharp teeth that cut through mono.
The technique
Cast tight to the vegetation, the logs and the edges of the weed beds. Retrieve slowly with pauses; the strike is usually an explosion. Wait a moment before setting the hook hard: it has a hard mouth and often misses the first hit.
Where to catch it
In the Buenos Aires lagoons (Lobos, Los Padres, La Brava, Vitel, Monte), in the Paraná Delta, in Litoral rivers such as the Gualeguay and in the Setúbal lagoon in Santa Fe. Where there is vegetation and warm water, there is tararira.
Look after the resource
It is ideal for catch and release: handle it carefully (it has teeth, use pliers), wet your hands and return it quickly so it keeps on fighting.
