Dorado fishing demands casting large flies in often high temperatures. If your casting isn’t up to it—or you simply want a break during the day—we recommend bringing lighter tackle to target Pirá Pitá and Pacú. Fishing dry flies on the surface for these species is an excellent way to rest while still enjoying exciting action.
It’s important to remember that your streamer fly must be stripped the moment it touches the water. A fast, consistent retrieve is key to triggering strikes and increasing your chances of success.
RODS
- 6 &/or 7wt – 9 foot rods (ideal for Pacú & Pirá Pitá dry fly fishing).
- 8wt – 9 foot rods (med-fast action rod: floating line for Dorado).
- 9wt – 9 foot rods (med-fast action rod: floating line for larger Dorado).
- 9wt – 9 foot rods (med-fast action rod: sinking line for larger Dorado).
REELS/LINES
All reels should be high quality with excellent drags and equipped with at least 100 yrds of 30-50 lbs backing.
- 6 &/or 7wt tropical floating line (for dry fly).
- 8wt floating tropical line.
- 9wt floating tropical line.
- 9wt Intermediate tropical line.
- 275-350gr fast sinking tropical line.
Note: Do not bring conventional cold-water floating lines. Our tropical weather makes them soft and gummy and therefore difficult to cast.
LEADERS & TIPPET
- Wire Leader Material: 30, 40 & 50 lbs. test.
- Fluorocarbon Leader Material: 16, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 lbs. test.
DORADO LEADERS
- On floating lines, use an 8-foot tapered fluorocarbon leader finishing in 50–60 lb test, paired with a 12-inch wire bite tippet in the 40–50 lb range. In most situations, a standard 4-piece tapered leader is perfectly adequate for this setup.
- On sinking lines, use a single 5-foot section of 50–60 lb fluorocarbon leader material, paired with a 15-inch wire bite tippet in the 40–50 lb range.
PIRÁ PITÁ & PACÚ LEADERS
- On floating lines, use an 8-foot tapered fluorocarbon leader finishing in 15–20 lb test, paired with a short 2-inch wire bite tippet in the 15–20 lb range. In most situations, a standard 4-piece tapered leader is perfectly adequate for this setup.
FLIES
DORADO FLY PATTERNS
In most cases, golden dorado prefers dark streamers that produce visible silhouettes. Nevertheless, there are situations when carrying a mixture of brighter colors can be effective. So don’t be afraid to experiment across the color spectrum. All flies should be tied on stout 2/0 to 5/0 hooks. Streamers can be tied from 5 to 7 inches long, or longer. However, it’s important that they’re light enough to cast. For the real big stuff, we recommend hydrophobic materials that shed water and therefore cast farther than water-soaked materials. In order to make your flies more durable, add glue or epoxy throughout the tying process if necessary.
For more details on a few of our favorite dorado flies— including how to properly tie and fish them – follow the link.
PIRA PITÁ FLY PATTERNS
At Suindá lodge, anglers target resident Pira Pitá with lighter tackle than what is typically used for dorado. We recommend a 6wt rod for presenting assorted dry flies. Patterns can represent insects, small fruits that falls from overhanging trees, and even flowers. It is important to choose hooks that are strong and light at the same time for these flies. In addition to dry flies, we also fish small, bright baitfish imitations and leech-style streamers.
For more details on some of our favorite, deadly Pira Pitá flies—including how to properly tie and fish them— follow the link.
PACÚ FLY PATTERNS
Pacú fishing at Suindá Lodge is all about exciting sightfishing opportunities. We use 7 or 8-weight rods, rigged with floating tropical lines, in order to pitch spun deer-hair “fruit patterns” tied on stout hooks, as well as foam, high-floating dry flies and smaller streamers, toward intended targets. Pacú are omnivores, so fooling them on the fruit, and on top, is sure to please all the purists in the group!
For more details on some of our favorite, pacú flies— including how to properly tie and fish them— follow the link.
