Acute Angling - Amazon Peacock Bass Fishing Trips

Acute Angling - Exotic Amazon Fishing Trips

   
Angler's Guide to Amazon Catfish

 
Giant Amazon Catfish
 
  Catfish Taxonomy
  World Record Catfish
   
 
Catfish Game Species
  Piraiba
  Jau
  Redtail - Pirarara
  Barred Sorubim
  Jundia
  Barba-Chata
  Dourado
   
 
Catfish Trips
  Catfish Trip Overview
  Rio Travessao
  Rio Pacu
  Rio Unini
   
 
More Catfish Info
  Gamefish of the Amazon
  Amazon Catfish Photos
   
 
Catfish Articles
  It Started with a Snail
  Giant Amazon Catfish
  Taming the Urariquera
  Exploring the Fringe
   
  Find out about other Amazon fish groups - Amazon Exotics and Peacock Bass.

 

Peacock Bass Fishing

 Fishing Trip Schedule

 Sorubim - Psuedoplatystoma tigrinum - (Valenciennes, 1840)

 
If a catfish can be called beautiful, this is the one. Sorubim boast an elegant pattern composed of hieroglyphic black markings on a silver gray background dorsally and stark white ventrally. The common name sorubim is used for
Barred Sorubim - Giant Amazon Catfish
several similarly shaped species in the genus. Body markings, typical habitat and maximum size differ. P. tigrinum (shown above) is commonly encountered by anglers in Amazon lowland, highland and Guyana shield fisheries.
    
ID Key -  Flattened head, elongate body and large terminal mouth as in other Sorubim. Silvery gray upper body with heiroglyphic markings dorsally, and tiger stripes laterally.

 

Identification Keys

Bars and Markings

A beautiful catfish uniquely patterned with heiroglyphic black markings dorsally, blending into black tiger stripes laterally. Fin markings continue from body, evolving into spots toward margins.

 
Colors
Body silver gray on dorsum, changing abruptly to white on ventral sides. Abdomen white.
 
Size

Adults: specimens up to 1 meter in length and over 100 pounds have been reported.
 
Key Characters
Flattened head
 
"Heiroglyphic"
markings
 
Similar Species
The genus contains eight recognised species, Although all are similarly elongate, many are uniquely marked and have separate ranges.
 

Angler's Summary

Known Range
Countries: Brazil, Peru, Guyana, Ecuador, Bolivia, Suriname, Columbia, Venezuela, Argentina
River Basins:  Amazon, Orinoco, Essequibo, Corantijn, and Parana drainages
 
Behavior Notes
Primarily feeding on fishes, P. fasciatum is readily encountered with cut bait on shallow sandbars in river channels. Although mostly an evening and nocturnal feeder, anglers are often surprised by large sorubim attacking artificial lures in open water at any time of day.
 
Habitat
Primarily occupies lotic (moving water) environments in blackwater river systems.
 
Common Names

English:  Barred Shovelnose
Local: Sorubim, suribim, cachara
Other: Bagre rayado

.

 
IGFA records
35 lbs. 10 oz.  
 

Fishing Tactics

In addition to being a great angler's target, the barred sorubim is a pleasant adjunct to any fishery. Its habit of attacking artificial lures and then fighting like whiskered tuna, makes it endearing to peacock bass anglers and catfishermen alike. In most high gradient fisheries sorubim can be targeted by anglers at evening time. They tend to congregate and forage at the edges of shallow beaches with nearby drop-offs to deeper water. Small live bait or pieces of cut bait are equally effective when cast onto the beach and allowed to drift naturally to the nearby drop-off. An effective rig consists of a 10/0 to 14/0 circle hook (or smaller J hook) with a wire leader and relatively light sinker (approx. 1 oz.), enough to keep it down while still allowing the current to slowly carry it. The take is usually quite forceful. Once hooked, sorubim will fight in open water with strong runs and surprising stamina.
    


Other Sorubim
     

Sorubim Pintado

    
Pintado - Psuedoplatystoma corruscans - up to 1.5 meter
This larger catfish is found outside the Amazon in the Pantanal and the Sao Francisco and Parana river basins

 
Illustration from "Peixes do Pantanal" - Embrapa - poster

Sorubim


 

 

Acute Angling

Specialists in the fierce
fishes of South America

Join us to fish for the most amazing
variety of exotic species in the world

For more information about available fishing trips for giant catfish, peacock bass or other exotics,  contact us , Toll-free, at;
Paul Reiss:  - 866 832-2987 - E-Mail Paul Reiss - or:
Garry Reiss: - 866 431-1668 - E-Mail Garry Reiss
We are pleased to be able to arrange trips to the right place at the right time, anywhere in the world, with the most reputable, professional outfitters.  References are available upon request.

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