The secret is out of the box...the fishing in Uruguay for Golden Dorado has taken off-gaining popularity internationally. Los Gauchos Outfitters is the leader for dorado fishing in Uruguay. We host more fishermen in Uruguay than any other Uruguay outfitter.
In the Uruguay River, the most effective means for catching big dorado is to troll for them. Some might say that trolling can be dull-and we will not argue that-it can be...until you get a 40 lb. dorado on the other end of the line!
These fish are descendants of the salmonoid family, but clearly have some history with the piranha, since their razor sharp teeth are every bit as sharp and their killer instinct just as dangerous to the baitfish that they feed on.
These fish are hunters-the "Natural Born Killers" of the river, earning them the name El Tigre del Rio (which translates to The Tiger of the River).
Once hooked, a Golden Dorado will make one of the runs it is so famous for, followed by an aerobatics show that is reminiscent of Tarpon fishing. The fish will try to dive deep after each jump in order to wrap your line around a rock, or a sunken log in order to break themselves loose.
Proper technique when they go airborne is essential as well. Anglers need to "bow to the king" as they would when fishing for Tarpon, or they might find themselves with nothing on the other end of the line when the fish dives back into the water. It is a fact: anglers will lose a dorado about 25% of the time.
The mouths of these fish are as hard as granite, and their ability to resist should not be underestimated.
The fish will earn your respect the first time you ever see one, whether it was caught on your line or not. Once landed, one must make a decision to keep the fish or release it. Fishing in South America in this region does not require the angler to release every fish. We often keep up to three of these magnificent freshwater dorado for the feast that follows-a perfect end to a great day of fishing in Uruguay. The flakey white meat of the Golden Dorado is succulent, and delicious, and the taste can be compared to that of the meat of a crappie-they are simply delicious: baked, grilled, or pan fried.
Los Gauchos Outfitters has been providing wing shooting (Uruguay doves) and Uruguay ducks for years. Fishing in Salto or the northwest part of Uruguay is a new destination and one that is a favorite for all anglers.