Wolf Fish
Hoplias lacerdae
Hoplias malabaricus
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Wolf Fish Description
Wolf Fish (Trieda or Trairao in Brazil, Aimara in Venezuela and Suriname) are a mean looking Amazonian fish. They have jaws of iron with wicked sharp round teeth and have been known to latch onto people who have ventured into their territory. There are two primary species: the smaller malabaricus which grows to around 10lbs and the lacerdae which grows much larger. These fish would be world-reknowned gamefish if they were not so ugly. They viciously strike topwater and other lures, put up a strong fight, and jump repeatedly. They present a challenge to hook due to their rock hard mouths and are a challenge to keep hooked due to their spinning jumps. They readily strike lures but in general the largest ones are caught on bait.
Wolf Fish are found behind boulders in swift moving waters and also in calm creeks running into the main river. They are supposedly good to eat but I have never tried them. The smaller ones make good bait for catfish. They are one of the toughest, nastiest fish in freshwater. Put one in an aquarium and it will pound on anything else you put in there if they are anywhere near the same size.
Wolf Fish Pound for Pound Fight Rating - 9 out of 10 on the Freshwater Scale
Wolf Fish are very tough customers. They pull hard, and frequently leap and spin their bodies and shake their heads. Because their mouths are bony, it is hard to get a really good hookset. You are not going to land all the ones you hook. They really scrap.
Wolf Fish Tackle
When fishing for Wolf Fish with lures a heavy action bass rod should suffice. Pair it with a baitcaster or sturdy spinning reel loaded with braided line of at least 30lbs. If fishing with bait in areas where there are large (over 15lbs or so) Wolf Fish, try using a heavier setup. Always fish with a wire leader of at least 30lbs and 7". I've had a few bite through 30lb wire.
Wolf Fish Techniques
When fishing in rivers where these are found, try casting behind boulders and other obstructions in the current where there is slack water. Small quiet creeks that feed into the main river can also hold good numbers of these fish, which can survive in very shallow water. Smaller ones are often found in schools. When you hook one, make sure you set the hook repeatedly to drive it into their bony mouths.
Wolf Fish Lures
Wolf Fish will readily strike surface lures when they are in shallow water. The Heddon Super Spook is an excellent choice but make sure you upgrade the hooks and split rings. Yo-Zuri Crystal Minnows will also draw strikes, as will Peacock Bass-style Rattle Jigs. They hit spinnerbaits well but tear them up quickly.
Wolf Fish Baits
Wolf Fish readily take hunks of fish fished on the bottom. They are often in very shallow water and are not generally boat shy; sometimes you can drop a bait right on their head in 4ft of water. Piranha and whatever other small fish you can find should work.
Where to Catch Big Wolf Fish
The biggest Wolf Fish are found in Northern Brazil, Guyana, Suriname, and Venezuela. Smaller ones are found throughout the Amazon basin.
Other Wolf Fish Resources
This site has excellent information and can put you on these fish: http://www.acuteangling.com/Reference/SAz-traira.html
Hoplias lacerdae
Hoplias malabaricus
HOME
Other Species
Wolf Fish Description
Wolf Fish (Trieda or Trairao in Brazil, Aimara in Venezuela and Suriname) are a mean looking Amazonian fish. They have jaws of iron with wicked sharp round teeth and have been known to latch onto people who have ventured into their territory. There are two primary species: the smaller malabaricus which grows to around 10lbs and the lacerdae which grows much larger. These fish would be world-reknowned gamefish if they were not so ugly. They viciously strike topwater and other lures, put up a strong fight, and jump repeatedly. They present a challenge to hook due to their rock hard mouths and are a challenge to keep hooked due to their spinning jumps. They readily strike lures but in general the largest ones are caught on bait.
Wolf Fish are found behind boulders in swift moving waters and also in calm creeks running into the main river. They are supposedly good to eat but I have never tried them. The smaller ones make good bait for catfish. They are one of the toughest, nastiest fish in freshwater. Put one in an aquarium and it will pound on anything else you put in there if they are anywhere near the same size.
Wolf Fish Pound for Pound Fight Rating - 9 out of 10 on the Freshwater Scale
Wolf Fish are very tough customers. They pull hard, and frequently leap and spin their bodies and shake their heads. Because their mouths are bony, it is hard to get a really good hookset. You are not going to land all the ones you hook. They really scrap.
Wolf Fish Tackle
When fishing for Wolf Fish with lures a heavy action bass rod should suffice. Pair it with a baitcaster or sturdy spinning reel loaded with braided line of at least 30lbs. If fishing with bait in areas where there are large (over 15lbs or so) Wolf Fish, try using a heavier setup. Always fish with a wire leader of at least 30lbs and 7". I've had a few bite through 30lb wire.
Wolf Fish Techniques
When fishing in rivers where these are found, try casting behind boulders and other obstructions in the current where there is slack water. Small quiet creeks that feed into the main river can also hold good numbers of these fish, which can survive in very shallow water. Smaller ones are often found in schools. When you hook one, make sure you set the hook repeatedly to drive it into their bony mouths.
Wolf Fish Lures
Wolf Fish will readily strike surface lures when they are in shallow water. The Heddon Super Spook is an excellent choice but make sure you upgrade the hooks and split rings. Yo-Zuri Crystal Minnows will also draw strikes, as will Peacock Bass-style Rattle Jigs. They hit spinnerbaits well but tear them up quickly.
Wolf Fish Baits
Wolf Fish readily take hunks of fish fished on the bottom. They are often in very shallow water and are not generally boat shy; sometimes you can drop a bait right on their head in 4ft of water. Piranha and whatever other small fish you can find should work.
Where to Catch Big Wolf Fish
The biggest Wolf Fish are found in Northern Brazil, Guyana, Suriname, and Venezuela. Smaller ones are found throughout the Amazon basin.
Other Wolf Fish Resources
This site has excellent information and can put you on these fish: http://www.acuteangling.com/Reference/SAz-traira.html
Check out the Wolf Fish video below:
Wolf Fish caught on a Super Spook. Note the Piranha bites on the tail while being reeled in
A hefty Wolf Fish caught on bait in Brazil
Wolf Fish usually leap in the air when hooked
