The pacu is one of the most unique and exciting species for fly fishing in the Amazon. At Kendjam Lodge, anglers can target three different types: Silver Pacu, Pacu Seringa, and Pacu Curupete. These strong, omnivorous fish eagerly eat a variety of prey, including insects, fruit, and seeds, making them ideal targets for dry flies, wet flies, and nymphs.
Fishing for pacu is highly visual — you’ll often spot them cruising on the surface or near sandbars, allowing perfect opportunities for sight casting. Light tackle is recommended, with 5-6wt rods providing just the right balance of finesse and power.
Average sizes range from 3 to 8 pounds, but don’t be fooled: these large Amazon fish are incredibly strong and can put up fights that rival much larger species like the giant arapaima. Catching a pacu is a highlight of any Amazon fly fishing trip.
The Fish
The Pacu family, an omnivorous species, includes several species such as Silver, Seringa, and Rubber Pacu, known for their round bodies and teeth resembling those of humans, adapted to crush fruits and nuts.
How to Fish
Pacus are often found in areas where fruits or nuts fall into the water, and in runs and flats as well. Delicate presentation techniques are crucial to persuade them to bite.
Recommended Equipment
4 to 7 weight rods with floating lines are ideal for maintaining the precision required for delicate presentations.
Peacock Bass
Peacock Bass Cichla melaniae This endemic species of peacock bass is only found in Iriri River Basin, and they are the only ones that prefer moving water over stagnant water. Their average size is around 5-9 lbs with some big fish up to 12 lbs. Most of the time we sight fish for them using poppers or streamers. These bass are beautiful to sight fish for and watch an aggressive strike.
Wolf Fish
Wolf Fish Hoplias lacerdae They act like hungry wolves chasing a piece of meat when you cast a popper or a big fly. We recommend an 8wt rod and floating line for them. In Kendjam we only sight fish for them, so if you like fishing for aggressive predators, it doesn't get much more exciting than watching a wolf fish attack a popper. They can reach up to 20lbs in Kendjam.
Matrinxã
Matrinxã Brycon falcatus The Matrinxã is pound for pound one of the strongest fish in the jungle. Their average size (3-8 lbs) makes them a perfect gamefish for dry flies like hoppers, beetles and topwater attractors. We recommend 5-6wt fly rods for this pursuit. They are an omnivorous species and lay in shallow flats and runs. They run like crazy, so be prepared to see your backing!
Bicuda
Bicuda Boulengerella cuvieri Their bodies and turbo boosted tails resemble a barracuda, making them the real runners of the Iriri River. A really aggressive topwater predator, they are most exciting when caught using poppers and divers. The bicudas average from 4-10 lbs. and guarantee a strike of pure adrenaline in your day of fishing. A 7wt rod is the perfect outfit for them.
Payara
Payara Hydrolycus armatus The payara is a real challenge at Kendjam, found commonly rolling in the morning or in pools chasing baitfish. These fish fight really hard! It's normal to lose these fish when they jump, due to a particularly hard mouth. We use streamers with intermediate and sink tip fly lines for payara, their average size ranges from 5-20 pounds.
Surubi & Red Tail Catfish
Surubi & Red Tail Catfish Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum & Phractocephalus hemioliopterus The Iriri River surubi is a highly predacious hunter of small fish, and your best chance to catch one on fly is on the shallow sandbar banks. Their size is about 5-20 lbs. Be prepared for the amazing red tail catfish, the strongest catfish species in the rivers of the Amazon. At Kendjam, they can reach over 60lbs.
Peacock Bass
Cichla melaniae
This endemic species of peacock bass is only found in Iriri River Basin, and they are the only ones that prefer moving water over stagnant water. Their average size is around 5-9 lbs with some big fish up to 12 lbs. Most of the time we sight fish for them using poppers or streamers. These bass are beautiful to sight fish for and watch an aggressive strike.
Learn More
Wolf Fish
Hoplias lacerdae
They act like hungry wolves chasing a piece of meat when you cast a popper or a big fly. We recommend an 8wt rod and floating line for them. In Kendjam we only sight fish for them, so if you like fishing for aggressive predators, it doesn't get much more exciting than watching a wolf fish attack a popper. They can reach up to 20lbs in Kendjam.
Learn More
Matrinxã
Brycon falcatus
The Matrinxã is pound for pound one of the strongest fish in the jungle. Their average size (3-8 lbs) makes them a perfect gamefish for dry flies like hoppers, beetles and topwater attractors. We recommend 5-6wt fly rods for this pursuit. They are an omnivorous species and lay in shallow flats and runs. They run like crazy, so be prepared to see your backing!
Learn More
Bicuda
Boulengerella cuvieri
Their bodies and turbo boosted tails resemble a barracuda, making them the real runners of the Iriri River. A really aggressive topwater predator, they are most exciting when caught using poppers and divers. The bicudas average from 4-10 lbs. and guarantee a strike of pure adrenaline in your day of fishing. A 7wt rod is the perfect outfit for them.
Learn More
Payara
Hydrolycus armatus
The payara is a real challenge at Kendjam, found commonly rolling in the morning or in pools chasing baitfish. These fish fight really hard! It's normal to lose these fish when they jump, due to a particularly hard mouth. We use streamers with intermediate and sink tip fly lines for payara, their average size ranges from 5-20 pounds.
Learn More
Surubi & Red Tail Catfish
Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum & Phractocephalus hemioliopterus
The Iriri River surubi is a highly predacious hunter of small fish, and your best chance to catch one on fly is on the shallow sandbar banks. Their size is about 5-20 lbs. Be prepared for the amazing red tail catfish, the strongest catfish species in the rivers of the Amazon. At Kendjam, they can reach over 60lbs.
Learn MoreIf you want to read more about the travel, logistics, gear of this incredible experience, check out our travel planner.
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