Surubí (spotted catfish)

The surubí is a large, powerful fish caught in fast-flowing rivers with structure, so the tackle has to be up to it. Concrete recommendations:

For bottom fishing / drifting with bait:

• Rod: powerful, with medium to medium-fast action and good power (roughly 30-50 lb line class), 1.80 to 2.10 m, with backbone to lift weight off the bottom.
• Reel: a solid baitcaster or a large spinning reel (size 6000-8000), with a strong, progressive drag to withstand runs.
• Line: braid of 0.40 mm and up (approx. 50-80 lb) for its strength and sensitivity; or 0.50-0.60 mm monofilament if you prefer some stretch for cushioning.
• Leader: a section of thick monofilament or fluorocarbon (0.80-1.00 mm) or even flexible wire, to resist abrasion against the hard mouth, the structure, and the bottom.
• Sinker: matched to the current (pear, olive, or bottom sinker with a flag arm), of the weight needed to hold the bait.
• Hooks: strong and good-sized, reinforced O'Shaughnessy or circle types, matched to the size of the bait and the fish.

For spinning / trolling with lures:

• Rod: powerful spinning or baitcasting rod (20-50 lb line class), with a tip action to throw large lures and backbone to fight.
• Reel: spinning 5000-8000 or a robust baitcaster, with a good drag.
• Line: braid 40-65 lb, with a thick fluorocarbon leader (0.70-0.90 mm) or wire to avoid cut-offs.

In every case, the rule is oversize rather than come up short: a surubí of over 20 kg in full current, trying to bury itself in the logs, forgives neither weak tackle nor loose knots. Always check the condition of your line, your knots, and the sharpness of your hooks before each outing.

The surubí is fished with several methods depending on the environment and the angler's style. These are the main ones:

Bottom fishing (the classic): The live or natural bait is anchored in a deep hole or run using a sinker matched to the current. It's the traditional method, very effective at night and dusk. Step by step: locate a deep hole or confluence with structure, calculate a sinker that holds the bait near the bottom without dragging too much, bait up with live morena or eel, and wait with the line semi-taut to "feel" the bite. The surubí tends to "mouth" the bait before swallowing it: it's best to give it time before setting the hook firmly.

Drifting: From the boat, the bait or jig is let run with the river, combing the bottom of the deep holes as the boat moves with the current. Excellent for covering a lot of ground and finding where the fish is holding. You work the jig or the dressed sinker touching the bottom, giving small twitches.

Spinning (fishing with lures): A sporting and highly addictive method. You cast and retrieve large lures (minnows, big spoons, soft plastics, poppers) working the structure and the runs, especially during low-light hours. Ideal for those who enjoy active fishing and the visual surface strike.

Trolling: You cruise dragging deep-diving lures (crankbaits, diving minnows, weighted soft plastics) along cutbanks, channels, and deep holes. Very useful for locating active fish over long river stretches.

Fly fishing: More of a niche method but practiced; with heavy tackle and large, bulky streamers, targeting structure and not-so-deep water, especially at dawn and dusk.

Guide tips:

• The best hours are dusk, the early part of the night, and dawn. In muddy or rising water, it also bites by day.
• Read the river: always aim for deep holes, current confluences, the foot of cutbanks, and submerged structure. The surubí is a fish of "spots"; it isn't spread out just anywhere.
• Give the bite time: don't set the hook on the first touch; the surubí tends to test the bait. Wait for it to load up and set firmly to sink the hook into that hard mouth.