|
|
Traira and Trairao (Aimara)
More about breathing air...
Traira, members of the characoid sub-family Erythrinidae,
are examples of facultative (part-time) air breathers. Using
vascularized (blood-rich) tissues in their skin, stomachs and swim bladders,
this group of fish uses air to augment the oxygen they receive from
water during hypoxic (low oxygen) conditions. This ability allows
traira to utilize an unusual niche within their environment. They
can often be found patrolling the very ends of quiet lagoons, or
lurking, hidden at the edge of muddy, shallow shorelines. They
suddenly explode into action engulfing any unwary bird, mouse or lizard
that comes to the water's edge to drink.
Traira - Hoplius malabaricus
|
|
A Brazilian guide once referred to traira and trairão
(known as guabina and aimara respectively in Venezuela) as giant bars of
soap with mouths full of teeth. These ferocious, prehistoric looking
fish, members of the Erythrinidae family of characins look like
a cross between a bowfin and a carp. The traira (Hoplias malabaricus)
is the smaller of the two species, usually well under 10-pounds.
They are found from the northern Amazonian periphery in Venezuela all the
way to central Argentina in the Paraná River drainage. These
fish prefer slack water and will attack largemouth bass-sized topwater
lures or fly rod poppers and sliders with reckless abandon.
Don't forget your wire leaders though - one look at this fish's choppers
and you'll understand why. A 7-8-weight rod spooled with floating
line and a stout butt section tied to fairly heavy wire is just the ticket
for these ugly but tough bruisers.
The traira's larger cousin, the trairão (Hoplias
lacerdae) is truly the stuff of angling nightmares. It attains
weights in excess of 40-pounds and eats anything it darn well pleases.
Big jerk baits, spoons, jigs, streamers and or large sliders/poppers fished
in the eddies and pools adjacent to fast water are all susceptible to attack.
Once hooked, this evil-looking fish thinks it's a tarpon and jumps repeatedly.
Heavy conventional tackle is a key to getting one of these bruisers in
the boat. Anything less than a 10-weight rod, stout 4/0 stainless
saltwater hooks, heavy butt and wire leader would be a big mistake as these
monsters have a nasty reputation for heading headlong into the nearest
available timber, rocks or current. The best place to catch these
fish is in Northern Brazilian shield rivers such as the upper Jatapo or
the aptly named Rio Trairao. Uraima Falls and the tributaries feeding
into Venezuela's Guri Lake hold a big population of these outsized beasts. |
Trairao possess impressive teeth, and
grow to huge sizes...
... and fight hard!
|
|
For more information about
available fishing trips for peacock bass, payara or other exotic species, 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.
Copyright © 2008 Paul Reiss
All Rights Reserved
|
