Beautiful Golden Dorado
Golden Dorado
Salminus brasiliensis
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Golden Dorado Description
Golden Dorado are a beautiful and distinctive tropical fish found in rivers in Argentina, Bolivia, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Brazil. They look somewhat like a trout, but have a brilliant golden coloring that gives them their name.
Golden Dorado like to live near current where the water is more oxygenated, and tend to be near structure where they can ambush prey, primarily various types of baitfish. It often migrates to follow baitfish migrations.
Golden Dorado reach a maximum size of around 60lbs. The largest specimens are female, with males maxing out around 15lbs. They are a hardy fish that can survive fairly large temperature fluctuations. They have tough bony mouths that can be hard to get a hook into.
Golden Dorado are supposed to be good eating although I have never had one and their numbers have declined in most areas and so release is a good option.
Golden Dorado Pound for Pound Fight Rating - 7 out of 10 on the Freshwater Scale
This one was a tough one for me to rate. Golden Dorado do not pull all that hard, and do not have tremendous stamina. However, they are very challenging to land because of their many jumps where they shake their heads and attempt to dislodge the hook. They are very good at throwing hooks, especially on lures that have some weight.
Salminus brasiliensis
HOME
Other Species
Golden Dorado Description
Golden Dorado are a beautiful and distinctive tropical fish found in rivers in Argentina, Bolivia, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Brazil. They look somewhat like a trout, but have a brilliant golden coloring that gives them their name.
Golden Dorado like to live near current where the water is more oxygenated, and tend to be near structure where they can ambush prey, primarily various types of baitfish. It often migrates to follow baitfish migrations.
Golden Dorado reach a maximum size of around 60lbs. The largest specimens are female, with males maxing out around 15lbs. They are a hardy fish that can survive fairly large temperature fluctuations. They have tough bony mouths that can be hard to get a hook into.
Golden Dorado are supposed to be good eating although I have never had one and their numbers have declined in most areas and so release is a good option.
Golden Dorado Pound for Pound Fight Rating - 7 out of 10 on the Freshwater Scale
This one was a tough one for me to rate. Golden Dorado do not pull all that hard, and do not have tremendous stamina. However, they are very challenging to land because of their many jumps where they shake their heads and attempt to dislodge the hook. They are very good at throwing hooks, especially on lures that have some weight.
A striking Golden Dorado caught on the Parana River, Argentina
Golden Dorado Tackle
You do not need super heavy tackle to fish for Golden Dorado, but you need a stiff enough rod to get a good hookset into their bony mouths. Depending on where you are fishing, you may need to upgrade your tackle a bit to account for heavier currents. You also need to use a wire bite leader because Golden Dorado have strong jaws with teeth that can bite through mono or fluoro. A 40lb bite leader should be sufficient.
Golden Dorado Techniques
Golden Dorado are pursued with lures, bait, and fly. When using lures or fly, a medium to fast retrieve is generally desirable. Fly fishermen are at a disadvantage in that they cannot cover as much water quickly as lure fishermen, but Dorado are easier to hook on fly than most lures because they bite down and are more likely to hold on longer than with a spoon, hardbait, or other lure. Whatever you use, you need to be prepared for them to try and jump and throw the hook.
You do not need super heavy tackle to fish for Golden Dorado, but you need a stiff enough rod to get a good hookset into their bony mouths. Depending on where you are fishing, you may need to upgrade your tackle a bit to account for heavier currents. You also need to use a wire bite leader because Golden Dorado have strong jaws with teeth that can bite through mono or fluoro. A 40lb bite leader should be sufficient.
Golden Dorado Techniques
Golden Dorado are pursued with lures, bait, and fly. When using lures or fly, a medium to fast retrieve is generally desirable. Fly fishermen are at a disadvantage in that they cannot cover as much water quickly as lure fishermen, but Dorado are easier to hook on fly than most lures because they bite down and are more likely to hold on longer than with a spoon, hardbait, or other lure. Whatever you use, you need to be prepared for them to try and jump and throw the hook.
Golden Dorado leaping trying to throw the lure
Golden Dorado do not like the look of the net!
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Golden Dorado leaping trying to throw the lure
The author's friend Gary trying to keep a Golden Dorado pinned
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Golden Dorado Baits
Golden Dorado feed on a number of baitfish, and I imagine most fish found in their area that are small enough to get in their mouths would work. I have never fished for them with bait.
Golden Dorado Lures
The picture below shows some lures that have worked for me. Various spoons that can work well in the speed of current you are fishing are a good option. I particularly like the Abu Garcia Toby. You can fish streamer flies on conventional tackle by just adding a sliding sinker and casting out and retrieving in jerks like a fly retrieve. Most larger minnow-type lures with some flash and wiggle should garner strikes. They sometimes hit topwaters like poppers and walk the dog lures. No matter what lure you use, you should consider switching out trebles (especially thicker ones) with thin but strong single hooks such as those pictured:
Golden Dorado feed on a number of baitfish, and I imagine most fish found in their area that are small enough to get in their mouths would work. I have never fished for them with bait.
Golden Dorado Lures
The picture below shows some lures that have worked for me. Various spoons that can work well in the speed of current you are fishing are a good option. I particularly like the Abu Garcia Toby. You can fish streamer flies on conventional tackle by just adding a sliding sinker and casting out and retrieving in jerks like a fly retrieve. Most larger minnow-type lures with some flash and wiggle should garner strikes. They sometimes hit topwaters like poppers and walk the dog lures. No matter what lure you use, you should consider switching out trebles (especially thicker ones) with thin but strong single hooks such as those pictured:
Abu Garcia Toby spoon. Note the teeth marks
Sunrise Golden Dorado
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One of many effective flies for Dorado
Sunset Golden Dorado
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Where To Get the Big Golden Dorado
Argentina and Bolivia have good fisheries for Golden Dorado. The unquestioned top big fish area is called La Zona, on the Uruguay River below the Salto Grande dam. However, this fishery is a small area near a large dam and is not very picturesque.
The Parana River in Argentina has many large fish despite heavy commercial and sport fishing pressure.
Various rivers in Bolvia such as the Pluma and Secure hold big Dorado, in clearer conditions than most places. This makes them ideal for fly fishing.
Here are some outfitters that can put you on Golden Dorado:
www.nervouswaters.com
www.tsimanelodge.com
Argentina and Bolivia have good fisheries for Golden Dorado. The unquestioned top big fish area is called La Zona, on the Uruguay River below the Salto Grande dam. However, this fishery is a small area near a large dam and is not very picturesque.
The Parana River in Argentina has many large fish despite heavy commercial and sport fishing pressure.
Various rivers in Bolvia such as the Pluma and Secure hold big Dorado, in clearer conditions than most places. This makes them ideal for fly fishing.
Here are some outfitters that can put you on Golden Dorado:
www.nervouswaters.com
www.tsimanelodge.com
