Argentina Golden Dorado

Golden dorado

The golden dorado is one of the most thrilling sport fish there is, and a true bucket-list species. Heavy fishing pressure across most of South America makes fish over 6–8 kg hard to find, and a fish over 10 kg is a once-in-a-lifetime catch for many anglers. Their powerful runs and very tough jaws make breaking the 10 kg barrier especially rewarding.

The season runs from October to the end of March.

The fishing

The trip is built around two lodges about 80 km apart. The group spends three days at an estancia on a smaller tributary, then three days at a lodge on the Río Uruguay.

The tributary is fished mainly on foot, with flat-bottom boats or kayaks for access. It holds a healthy population of dorado from 1 to 10 kg, including trophy fish. Streamers and surface flies are especially effective, and landing a trophy while wading is a memorable experience.

The Río Uruguay is fished mainly from boats with electric and petrol motors. Strikes can be less frequent than on the tributary, but most fish are over 5 kg and the chance of a 10 kg+ fish is good. Around ten lagoons nearby also offer wade fishing for aymara (wolf fish) on surface lures and flies.

Top 5 reasons

1. Explosive fights: violent strikes, jumps and raw power.
2. Trophy potential: some of the best chances anywhere at dorado over 10 kg.
3. Variety: big-river boat fishing and wade fishing on a smaller tributary.
4. Fly and lure: dorado hit streamers, poppers and big lures.
5. Remote, wild scenery with plenty of wildlife.

Day by day

1. Day 1Arrive in Buenos Aires and transfer by minibus to Corrientes

1. Day 2Breakfast 06:00. The group splits: half travel to the estancia, half fish the Río Uruguay. Lunch by the river or at the lodge, rest, then fish until sunset
2. Day 3Each half fishes its area for a final day, then the groups switch at the end of the day
3. Days 4–6Both halves fish the water they haven't covered yet, with morning starts, a midday break and afternoon sessions
4. Day 6 PMThe estancia group returns to the Río Uruguay lodge for dinner and the final night

1. Day 7Breakfast, then transfer back to Buenos Aires airport

Equipment

Best lures & flies

Crankbaits

Cover water

Tight wobble and depth control mimic injured baitfish. They deflect off rocks and current where dorado hold, triggering reaction strikes.

Jerkbaits

Our pick: Rapala X-Rap

A safe option for any predator, and the action closely mirrors the baitfish they hunt.

Stickbaits (spooks)

Topwater

A walking side-to-side action imitates fleeing prey and draws explosive surface strikes, especially in warm water and low light.

Also works

Situational

Spoons, soft plastics and spinnerbaits.

Poppers

Surface

Loud surface disturbance imitates struggling prey and triggers explosive strikes in warm, shallow water.

Streamers

Versatile

Lifelike movement and profile, fishable at different depths and currents near structure.

Clousers

Weighted

Sink fast and stay in the strike zone in fast current and deeper holding water.

Also works

Situational

Deceivers, brush flies and wire baitfish flies.

Golden dorado on video

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Accommodation

Included & not included