Pirapitinga - Piaractus brachypomus - (Cuvier, 1818)

Under extremely low water conditions, pirapitinga can be specifically targeted by anglers. They can be seen surfacing in small schools at the slack-water edges of rapids and will occasionally hunt in fast water tailraces. One of the most productive lures for pirapitinga in these conditions is a 3/4 ounce floating, silver or other natural shadeYo-Zuri Crystal Minnow. Anglers can cast directly to them when schools occupying slack water are evident. A well placed cast will often be rewarded with a strike. In tailraces, blind casting is the only option and, of course, may yield other species (such as payara), depending on the river system.
      Under most water-level conditions, small native fruits can be amazingly productive, especially in a period where they are ripening throughout the area. A bush bearing a small fruit known as "casari" is often a common river-edge occurrence. If water levels are high enough to enable ripe fruit to fall into the water, pirapitinga will focus on these readily available tidbits. Anglers can collect the fruits and drift them into waters holding pirapitinga. It is a remarkable experience when a fish shaped like a small delivery van and as powerful as a Mack truck gently mouths a ping-pong ball sized fruit, only to shift into full drive when an angler sets the hook.
      Anglers often encounter pirapitinga when fishing for other species with cut bait. It makes for an exciting surprise.