I am trying to find out about saltwater fly fishing in Brazil and I wonder if anyone here might be able to help me in this.

There is plenty of information on the net about the mighty Peacock Bass in the Amazon, and some about Dorado in the Pantanal region, but nothing (or almost) about FF in the salt.

I can't believe that the fishing doesn't exist and there are some YouTube videos of guys catching Snook (Robalo in Brazil) and baby Tarpon on plugs somewhere in NE Brazil, but that seems to be about it! Not looking for big game like Big Tuna and Marlin, more Bonefish, Snook, Jacks, Albacore, Small Tuna/Tarpon etc so #8-#11 weight kind of fish.

If you have any information or contact details for someone who knows more then would be very grateful to hear them.

Many thanks

Michael

I´ve fished in several places in Bahia (Porto Seguro and Praia da Forte) and in Pipa and have caught a range of different fish. I caught a trigger fish (peixe Gallo) off one of the reefs by Porto Seguro as well as several seabream-like fish. In Pipa while paddling out on a surfboard , I was surrounded by dolphins and a school of somethings big chasing the baitfish and back in Porto Seguro on a rising tide I latched on to something big and slow that I could not shift from the channel I was fishing and to this day I have no idea what it was. Armed with a 9-weight and some various sized clousers and poppers, there is a world of SWFF to discover from the shore. Look out for the Portuguese man 'o war jellyfish and in the evenings be prepared to be attacked by small horseflies or clegflies. These don´t seem to be around in the mornings and if you can get out 100-200 meters on a reef you also avoid them.

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Nos du, nos da

Interesting info, thanks.

I did manage a few sessions from the beach at Muriqui (2 hours south of Rio) and caught my first Robalo (Snook) early one morning





On a #9 and a clouser - the universal formula!

Apart from that it was very difficult to find other options. I think the North East will offer more with warmer water and less population pressure.

I wonder what your heavy fish was - a grouper perhaps if it stayed deep like that? How did you part company with it in the end?

I have already had 2 'meetings' with jellyfish in Brazil, the last one this year near Vitoria and it was very, very painful indeed - and stayed painful for 3 days afterwards leaving long red marks up my leg

Not got much advice to give i'm affraid but great reading about north east brasil. I live there for a year a few years back, but sadly only got fishing once as was living in a very poor community in the city. I also surf and am familiar with pipa etc. There are definetly fish out there, another surf beach i used to go to they caught barracuda off. I saw a few big fish ones on occassions hitting fish whilst i was waiting for waves. I'd be interested to know how you get on hope you don't mind me adding to your post thanks jon

I think as for SWFF everywhere the trick is to keep your eyes open and have the rod quickly available when the fish show. That said, I would bet on catching something off a reef or breakwater during an incoming tide, at least in the North-East. Some of the beaches just south of Pipa looked perfect with a mix of sandy coves and rocky headlands stretching as far as the eye could see. As for that big fish, in the end the leader just pinged probably because of abrasion against the rocks, I think I would have needed a crane to lift him out!

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Nos du, nos da

I'm now in contact with some of the very few Brazilian SWFFers (or at least light tackle sport fishers including hardware lures) and it's clear that Tarpon can be found everywhere from Espirito Santo northwards, though you don't see the huge examples that must be there caught on rod & line. Bonefish are much rarer apparently - I think the Brazilians call it 'Ubarana'.

Hopper333 I'd be interested to know what you've learned as I'm in Rio on business week after next and want to take a rod.
Worst case scenario I'll just cast around the rocky beaches but would be good if I could get some intel or contacts...

Bri

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You're going to find it hard going to find helpful info on sport fishing @flybri but enjoy Rio anyway! It's a fun & beautiful city. Watch for the huge groups of Frigate birds that hang over the beaches and collect in enormous spirals on the air currents just before thunderstorms. And if they join the other birds diving somewhere in the bay then you know something interesting is going on underwater.

There are Robalo (local name for Snook) all along the coast of Rio state and if you take a boat out towards the islands you can see from Ipanema beach (the Cagarras) then I know people that fish around those - not cheap though. People fish from the city beaches but mainly for small stuff & squid using bait. They lure fish from the end of the big rock that separates Ipanema from Copacabana beaches (Arpodor) but it's bloody dangerous especially at night with waves washing up over slippery rocks with ill-defined edges and treacherous rocky sea waiting for you way down at the bottom if you do slide off. Lovely view though! Take care if you try it and you'll need to fit into the ranks as it's very popular. From there I have seen big shoals of Espadas lit up by the beach lights at night as they come out of the water attacking the bait fish. They are long thin predators with iridescent silver bodies - like a very large and flexible Garfish but with fearsome teeth. When they are landed (usually on plugs or spoons) they are despatched quickly and brutally.

The cliff walkway at cliff end of Leme beach is also popular but much safer with rails and doesn't get wet in the same way as it's much higher above the water. Also popular with bait fisherman who target small stuff and squid. Take a drop net or a sturdy rod.

I think in general that if you want sport fishing you'll need to hire a boat and get offshore. There are certainly Albacore, Bonito, Amberjack and other Pelagics there so if you see fish jumping or birds swooping get there ASAP and chuck a big clouser in. Make sure you have a good reel and plenty of backing though if you do find yourself in that happy situation...

This page is very good for identifying the Brazilian SW species but you'll need to brush up on your Portuguese or get good with Google Translate.

:: JAMPA FISHING :: Pesca Esportiva ::

There is a specialist lure and fly fishing shop just across the main street from the Centro metro station, in an underground precinct. I can't remember the name, something like Kings Sport perhaps? Run by a Japanese Brazilian who I went fishing with. I think it's the best shop of it's kind for many miles around so if you need supplies that is where to head.

Let me know how you get on

Thanks for that - excellent info.
We are staying in a hotel almost exactly where you describe between the two beaches. I've been warned about hanging around the beach as muggings are very common so I'm cautious about fannying around with a fly rod there.

If you have any contact details for some guys with boats I'd really appreciate that as it'd be worth a go.

Cheers
Bri

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don't worry too much about mugging, especially at this time of year. just if you have anything very valuable (camera, jewellery, watch) keep it discrete. as long as there are plenty of people around you should be fine - don't let paranoia ruin your experience.

do let me know if you try to use the fly rod at Arpodor i would love to have a picture - both of you and the other fishermens faces!