Rods, Reels Lines, Tippet and Flies for dorado destinations
RODS for dorado
We suggest an 8 weight, 9 ft, 4 piece, fast action rod with a good fighting butt. This weight allows you go cast heavy flies and also lessen arm fatigue. If possible, we also suggest that you bring an additional 8 weight rod that can be strung up with a different line. (see LINES below)
A note regarding Pacu and Pira Pita – two additional omnivorous species. Though Dorado is the primary target if the conditions are right you will have the opportunity to fish for Pacu and Pira Pita. For both of these species a stiff 6 weight, 9 ft, 4 piece, with a good fighting butt, is sufficient.
REELS
It’s nice to have two rods each fitted with different lines. This is what we recommend. Reels should be loaded with a minimum of 150 yards of 30 lb backing.
LINES
Lines have to be “tropical” due to the water/air temperature in the area. As we said before, its nice to have two rods with different lines, but here is the deal.
For fishing the Upper Parana River we ask for one weigh forward floating line (WFF) – This would be for surface patterns, mainly for mice. And an intermediate clear tip for streamers.
At the Ibera Wetlands, as water is so clear, we only ask for two floating lines. One for surface patterns, and the other one for streamers.
Most of the tropical lines should do the trick, but here are the ones we recommend.
Tropical Floating Line: Scientific Anglers Mastery Jungle Titan.
Intermediate clear tip: Cientific Anglers Sonar Titan Jungle Clear Tip
As you will be using a 6wt rod for the omnivorous species (pacu and pira-pita), you will have to bring a matching #6 weigh forward floating line for that rod and reel.
Leader and Tippet
Leaders for dorado should be 9 feet long, and the secret formula goes as follows: 5+3+1.
Five feet (5 ft) 0,7 mm mono + three feet (3 ft) 0,6 mm mono + one feet 40 lbs Wire Bite tippet.
You can also use the 8+1 formula: 8 feet of mono (0,7 mm for the Upper parana, and 0,6 mm for the wetlands), plus 1 feet bite wire.
Rio Saltwater mono (not fluorocarbon) 40 lbs (0,6 mm) / 50 lbs (0,68 mm).
Rio Wire Bite Tippet POWERFLEX WIRE BITE TIPPET 40 lbs (sku 6-22147) for dorado and 30 lbs (sku 6-22146) for pacu and pirapita.
Dorado flies Patterns
All necesary flies will be included and provided by your guide, but in case you are curious, or you want to tie your own flies, you will find more information HERE.