European fishermen have a real privilege: thanks to our immense biodiversity , They have a large number of Fish species available for sport fishing .

Learn How To Fish Jacunda, A Fierce Sport Fish!

This is the case of the jacundá fish, a beautiful and ferocious species, capable of providing a great fight. It can be found in most parts of Brazil, but, despite its small size, anyone who thinks it is easy to capture is wrong.

Below, we separate the best tips for jacundá fishing, from the main characteristics of the species to the best equipment, baits and techniques. Shall we check?

1. Know the species

The jacundá, also known as guenza , ladybird , soapfish, crab- eating and freshwater whiting , is a fish native to South America and can be found from the Andes Mountains to the Pacific Ocean. In Brazil, it is very abundant in the Amazon basin in the North and in the Plata basin in the South.

A photo of the jacunda fish to illustrate its size and appearance.

It is a scaled fish that lives in fresh water . With an elongated body, it has a large mouth, a dark stripe on the side and black spots on its head, in addition to small spots all over the back.

Despite being small (usually measuring between 6 and 15 centimeters, reaching 30 centimeters), they have carnivorous and ferocious behavior, and feed on insects, small animals and smaller fish.

2. Look for the best locations

Like most species, the jacundá takes shelter and feeds close to structures such as stones and wood (twigs and aquatic vegetation). Keep that in mind when looking for it!

Areas up to 1.5 meters deep near rocky walls are ideal for capturing them. A tip is to “sweep” from the bottom to the shallows to find out at what depth the fish is attacking most often. If you find a jacundá in a region, keep investing at the same height, as the others are likely to attack in the same place.

3. Select the equipment

For good fishing, it is essential that you use a light or medium action rod, as it is a small and light fish. That way, you’ll have a fairer and more exciting fight.

Regarding the line, you can use monofilament or multifilament , encasing the tip with fluorocarbon. Choose sizes between 12 and 14 pounds for greater sensitivity.

The hook can also have a small size, between 1 and 4/0. The windlass must have a capacity of between 100 and 250 meters, weighing about 140 grams.

4. Have good bait

The good news for jacundá fishermen is that it can be done with both natural and artificial baits. Just remember to choose the right items to get good results.

For those who prefer natural ones, the best baits for jacundá are small fish, worms and shrimp to attract the animal by smell. If necessary, use the elastricot to secure the bait.

Crankbaits: with a large dewlap, they can look for jacunda in bottom fishing.

For fans of artificial baits , some of the most successful types are crankbaits (between 3 and 5 centimeters) and spinners (up to 7 grams). Both reach good depths and imitate the swimming of small fish well, attracting the jacundá’s attention.

5. Pay attention to the techniques

As we have already said, in the same river, lake or dam, it is possible to find fish at different depths. Therefore, remain attentive and persist, always carefully sweeping the area and watching the current and the waterfall.

Fish such as jacundá are what we call “suckers”, that is, when they lunge, they do not bite the bait, but aspirate until it enters their mouths. Therefore, it is essential to focus on sensitivity when working the decoy.

First, never pull the reel too hard, but always wait for the bait to take a nice dip. Also, always have your finger touching the line to feel any movement.

6. Dress up for fishing!

Finally, never go out fishing without using proper protection . Spending hours under the sun, exposed to variations in weather and water temperature, fishermen can trigger numerous health problems.

To prevent this from happening, it is important to wear a good fishing shirt that offers protection against ultraviolet rays. It is also essential that it is produced with a comfortable fabric that helps control body temperature.