Top 10 Fish to Catch in Brazil

Fish to Catch in Brazil

Wild water. Monster fish. No rules.

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Brazil offers one of the most intense freshwater fishing experiences in the world. The Amazon basin is home to aggressive, powerful species that hit hard and fight even harder. From explosive peacock bass strikes to prehistoric river monsters, Brazil is where fishing turns into a full-contact sport.

Top 10 Species

Meet the ten species that earned their spot on this list. Click any species to deep dive and learn more.

1

Peacock Bass

Verified
World Record 27 lb 0 oz
Gilberto Fernandes / 2010
Rio Negro, Brazil
Signature Fact That fake eyespot on the tail is a piranha decoy, drawing bites away from the brain.
Click to Learn More About Peacock Bass
2

Arapaima

Verified
World Record Pending
Signature Fact Arapaima must breathe air and surfaces every 5 to 15 minutes, gulping loudly like a surfacing submarine.
Click to Learn More About Arapaima
3

Pacu

Verified
World Record Pending
Signature Fact Their square, humanlike teeth crush hard nuts with scary efficiency, earning pacu viral fame and a wary respect.
Click to Learn More About Pacu
4

Payara

Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record Pending
Signature Fact Two saber fangs up to 6 inches long lock into skull sockets when the mouth closes.
5

Red piranha

Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record Pending
Signature Fact Red piranha teeth replace in synchronized rows, swapping out entire cutting surfaces like fresh razor cartridges.
6

Redtail catfish

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World Record Pending
Signature Fact In Asian pay lakes, pellet-fed bruisers regularly top 100 pounds and bulldoze anglers like runaway anchors.
7
COMING
SOON

Tambaqui

Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record —
Signature Fact More details coming soon.
8

Wolfish

Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record 52 lb 5 oz
Sigurður H. Magnússon / 1978
Iceland
Signature Fact Its blood carries natural antifreeze, letting it swim in water cold enough to slush your guides.
9
COMING
SOON

Bicuda

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World Record —
Signature Fact More details coming soon.
10
COMING
SOON

Surubim

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World Record —
Signature Fact More details coming soon.

FAQs

What are the best fish to catch in Brazil?

Peacock bass, arapaima, pacu, payara, red-bellied piranha, redtail catfish, tambaqui, wolfish, bicuda, and surubim are top fish to catch in Brazil.

Why is Brazil such a famous fishing destination?

Brazil has the Amazon, one of the most biodiverse freshwater systems on Earth, with powerful and unusual sport fish.

What is the most iconic fish to catch in Brazil?

Peacock bass is one of Brazil’s most iconic sport fish because of its aggressive strikes and explosive fights.

Can anglers catch monster fish in Brazil?

Yes. Brazil is famous for river monsters like arapaima, giant catfish, and other massive Amazon species.

Is Brazil mainly a freshwater fishing destination?

For this type of bucket-list fishing, yes. Brazil’s Amazon freshwater fisheries are the major draw for many traveling anglers.

Species Speed Run

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