Elephant fish (pez gallo)
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Habitat
The elephant fish is a distinctly coastal, shelf-dwelling species that lives associated with soft sand and mud bottoms where it finds its food. It is not a fish of rocky structure or reef: its element is gently sloping beaches, sandbanks, open bays, and gulfs where the bottom is clean and even. That trunk-shaped snout is designed precisely to probe and rake that kind of substrate in search of buried mollusks and crustaceans.
In Argentina it is found all along the Atlantic coast, but the most significant and accessible concentrations for the sport angler are on the Patagonian coast: the gulfs of Río Negro and Chubut, the bays of Santa Cruz, and the entire cold-water coastal strip of the south. It prefers temperate-cold waters and is caught both from shore —on beaches and jetties with access to sandy bottom— and from a boat, anchored or drifting over the banks where it gathers.
Seasonality is key with this species. The elephant fish moves closer to shore and into shallow areas mainly during the cold months, from April to September, which is when the best fishing season is concentrated. During those months it seeks more sheltered and accessible waters, while in summer it tends to withdraw toward deeper areas. To find it, aim for sandy bottoms with some water movement, paying attention to the tide changes, which are the moments when feeding becomes active.
Baits and lures
The elephant fish is a bottom feeder that eats invertebrates, so fresh natural baits are by far what works best. The most effective options along the Argentine coast are:
- Clam and mussel: perhaps the star bait for this species, because it mirrors its natural diet of mollusks. Fresh and well tied to the hook with elastic thread (so the elephant fish's hard mouth doesn't rip it off in one go), it's lethal.
- Shrimp and prawn: crustaceans that the elephant fish detects and takes with confidence. Excellent both whole and in pieces.
- Octopus and squid: tough baits that hold up well on the hook and release plenty of scent; very useful when there are crabs or minor nibblers stealing bait.
- Sea worm (polychaetes): when you can get it, it's a first-rate natural morsel for fish that rake the bottom.
- Fresh fish fillet (for example, strips of mackerel or another white fish): works well thanks to its scent and durability.
Recommended gear
For the elephant fish, at 1 to 4 kg and fished on the bottom in a marine setting, a robust but balanced shore setup is enough, designed to cast a sinker and hold against the current:
- Rod: for surfcasting, a beach rod of 3.90 to 4.20 m with medium/medium-heavy action, able to handle sinkers of 80 to 150 g depending on the state of the sea and the current. For boat fishing, a shorter bottom rod (2.10 to 2.70 m) of medium power is ideal.
- Reel: a spinning reel size 6000 to 8000 with a good drag and line capacity, or a low-profile baitcaster for boat fishing. It should have good capacity, since a generous spool is advisable for the surf.
- Main line: braid (multifilament) of 0.20 to 0.30 mm for its low stretch and sensitivity to read the elephant fish's sustained bite, or 0.40–0.50 mm nylon if you prefer something cheaper with more cushioning. With braid, add a shock leader (a section of 0.50–0.60 mm nylon) to absorb the shock of casting with a heavy sinker.
- Leader / droppers: a leader of nylon or fluorocarbon of 0.50 to 0.70 mm. Steel isn't needed, because the elephant fish has no cutting teeth, but a thick leader stands up well to the abrasion of the sandy bottom and the fish's hard mouth.
- Hooks: medium-shank, sized to the bait (for example from 2/0 to 4/0), nice and sharp to set in that tough mouth.
- Sinker: a gripping (wired or grapnel) sinker on shore to hold the setup against the current; a spherical or pyramid sinker for drift boat fishing.
- Accessories: a rod holder or tripod for the beach, elastic bait thread to tie the bait firmly, and a good pair of pliers to unhook without hurting yourself on that hard mouth.
Fishing techniques
The technique par excellence for the elephant fish is bottom fishing (surfcasting from shore, or anchored/drifting from a boat). It's a benthic fish that doesn't rise to mid-water or chase lures, so the whole technique revolves around presenting the bait firmly on the bottom, over sandy substrate.
From shore (surfcasting):
- Look for a beach or jetty with a clean sandy bottom and some depth nearby. Even bottoms, free of rock, are ideal.
- Rig a bottom line with a gripping sinker (with wires) to hold the setup against the current, and one or two short droppers with hooks suited to the bait.
- Bait up with well-tied clam, mussel, or shrimp, cast, and rest the rod in the holder with just the right tension to read the bite.
- The elephant fish's bite is usually sustained and heavy, more of a weight settling in than a nervous jerk. Give it a moment for the trunk to work the bait and set the hook firmly, because its mouth is hard.
From a boat (anchored or drifting):
- Locate the sandbanks where the school gathers; a slow drift over the bottom lets you "comb" the area until you find them.
- Use bottom rigs (paternoster) with a sinker suited to the depth and current.
- Once one shows up, there are usually more: the elephant fish travels in groups, so if they're biting, stay over that patch.
Guide's tips:
- The tide changes (the water movement) are the hot moments; the fishing turns on when the tide is running.
- Reinforce the bait's tie with elastic thread: you lose fewer baits and hook up more.
- No need to strike hard at the first touch; the elephant fish "works" the bait with its snout. Wait for the firm weight and then, a sharp set.
- Since these are cold waters, autumn-winter days with a calm sea and a bit of sun tend to produce best.
Closed season & regulations
La regulación de la pesca en Argentina varía por provincia y cambia de un año a otro, y el pez gallo no es la excepción. Antes de salir, es responsabilidad del pescador consultar la normativa vigente con la autoridad provincial correspondiente —la Dirección de Fauna, de Pesca o de Recursos Naturales de la provincia donde vas a pescar (Buenos Aires, Río Negro, Chubut, Santa Cruz, etc.)—, además de sacar el permiso de pesca deportiva que corresponda.
El concepto de veda existe para proteger a las especies durante sus épocas reproductivas o en zonas sensibles: son períodos o áreas donde la pesca se restringe o se prohíbe para que los peces puedan reproducirse y las poblaciones se mantengan sanas en el tiempo. Del mismo modo, muchas jurisdicciones establecen tallas mínimas (para no llevarse ejemplares que todavía no se reprodujeron) y cupos (límite de piezas por pescador y por jornada). Estos tres parámetros —veda, talla mínima y cupo— son exactamente los datos que definen cada provincia y que pueden actualizarse temporada a temporada, por lo que hay que verificarlos oficialmente y no darlos por sentado.
Más allá de lo obligatorio, con esta especie —como con toda la pesca variada de costa— vale la pena adoptar una cultura de pesca responsable: llevarse solo lo necesario para consumo, devolver con cuidado los ejemplares que no se van a aprovechar y practicar la devolución (catch & release) cuando corresponda, manipulando al pez con las manos mojadas y el menor tiempo fuera del agua posible. Cuidar el recurso hoy es asegurarse jornadas de pesca mañana. En resumen: consultá siempre la autoridad provincial oficial antes de salir, porque la información fidedigna y actualizada la tiene el organismo de tu provincia.
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Plan your trip hereFrequently asked questions about elephant fish (pez gallo)
Where can you fish Elephant fish (pez gallo) in Argentina?
Some of the best places to fish elephant fish (pez gallo) are Mar del Plata (costa), Necochea / Río Quequén. On PESQA you get the map, access info, seasons and verified guides for each one.
What's the best time to fish Elephant fish (pez gallo)?
The best time for elephant fish (pez gallo) is may–aug. Check each place's page for the bite calendar and to respect current closed seasons.
What gear is used to fish Elephant fish (pez gallo)?
For the elephant fish, at 1 to 4 kg and fished on the bottom in a marine setting, a robust but balanced shore setup is enough, designed to cast a sinker and hold against the current: - Rod: for surfcasting, a beach rod of 3.90 to 4.20 m with medium/medium-heavy action, able to ha
