PANTANAL RECOMMENDED FISHING GEAR:

BASIC TACKLE:

You’ll need medium, medium/heavy and heavy action rods here, with matching reels loaded with lines ranging from 12- to 50-pound test. Wire leaders are necessary, as are heavy-duty swivels, a selection of egg sinkers and hooks in sizes 1/0 to 7/0. Bring shallow-diving plugs such as Bomber Long-A 16, Rapala Magnum 14 and others from 4 to 7 inches.

SPECIFIC FISHING TACKLE SUGGESTIONS:

 For Dourado (Salminus Maxillosus): Medium to medium-heavy rods and 12- to 30-lb line; shallow-diving plugs and spoons; size 5/0 to 7/0 hooks on wire leaders and live baits.

For Piraputanga (Brycon Microleps): Light to medium rods and 12- to 20-lb line; spoons, spinners, surface or diving plugs; size 1/0 to 3/0 hooks baited with fruit or small fish; wire leaders. Although it rarely surpasses 20 inches, the Piraputanga puts up an admirable fight, making strong runs and repeated leaps. It prefers stretches of the river with clear, fast-running water.

For Payara (Hydrolicus Scomberoides): Medium or medium-heavy rods; 12- to 25-lb line; diving plugs, spoons, jigs and wire leaders necessary.

For Piaçu (Leporinus Macrocephalus): Medium rods and 12- to 16-lb line; 4/0 to 6/0 hooks baited with crabs, snails, corn or doughballs.

For Sorubim – In Portuguese: Pintado (Pseudoplatystoma Corruscans): Heavy rods and 40-lb line or heavier; 8/0 to 10/0 hooks baited with small fish or large worms. Spotted and striped Sorubim catfish prefer deep holes, the outflows of bays and river banks lined with floating vegetation. Angling success usually comes with live baits such as eels and small fish. You can catch Sorubim while tied off to the shore or while drifting. These catfish can reach 30 pounds.

For Pacu (Piaractus Mesopotamicus): Medium-heavy rods and 16- to 30-lb line; size 4/0 to 6/0 short-shank hooks and crabs for bait; can also use bamboo poles with 80-lb line and hooks baited with palm fruits, letting the bait splash into the water to attract fish. A favorite among Brazilian anglers, this vegetarian cousin of the piranha makes mighty fine eating. It prefers bays and quieter waters but sometimes is found in the river proper. Best baits include locally available fruits and freshwater crabs. Pacu ranges from 2 to 10 pounds.

For Jau (Paulicea Luetkeni): Stout rods and 50-lb or heavier line; hooks from 8/0 to 12/0 and heavy sinkers to keep baits on the bottom in deep water. The largest catfish in Pantanal, the Jau can grow to more than 150 pounds, but typically ranges from 20 to 50. It inhabits the deepest holes in the river, waiting for easy meals to swim by. Natural baits are called for to catch a Jau.

For Flatwhiskered Catfish (Pinirampus Pinirampu):Medium to heavy rods and 20- to 30-lb line; size 5/0 to 8/0 hooks and sinkers to keep natural bait on bottom.