FISHING IN THE TRACUNHAÉM RIVER
The Tracunhaém River is another river that is still little explored by both our sport fishing operation and other sport fishermen in the region.
We have already done some prospecting with clients on this river, which has shown that it is a river with great potential for tarpon fishing and especially snook.
Located further north in the state, in Goiana-PE, this river is part of an area of the Açaú-Goiana Extractive Reserve, thus having aspects of a more preserved river. Tarpon fishing is not very popular and little is known about it, although large adult tarpons have been seen in these waters.
In this river, it is possible to catch many snook of the pectinatus species, the so-called tailor snook (trick tarpon) on the branches and also catch large snook using jig heads and shrimp.
Where the Tracunhaém River is Located
The mouth of the Tracunhaém River, which is the stretch where we set off and fished, is located in Acáu, near the city of Goiana-PE.
This river is located between two major capitals, João Pessoa-PB and the city of Recife-PE, and can be a fishing option for those staying in one of these capitals. The distance from the fishing spot to one of the major capitals is around 1 hour.
Location Link: https://goo.gl/maps/mU6Db6YajrFrm5ja
The remote beach scenery of the Tracunhaém River
The Tracunhaém River is a river further away from the capitals, and therefore has a more natural setting, outside the context of urban fishing.
Far from large buildings, the Tracunhaém River has a more remote and beachy setting, with dense mangrove vegetation along its contours, giving it the appearance of a more preserved river.
The traffic of recreational vessels such as speedboats and jet skis is also practically non-existent, making it a river that allows for peaceful fishing in contact with nature.
River arms, tributaries and mouth
The Tracunhaém River has few river arms and tributaries along its watercourse. Its mouth is in the municipality of Acaú.
Fish Species and Sizes
The Tracunhaém River is home to mainly species of snook, both pevas and flechas, in its waters, in addition to the possibility of finding large schools of tailor snook (pectinatus), also known as trick tarpons.
The tarpons in this river weigh an average of 2 to 8 kg, and even larger specimens weighing over 10 kg can be caught, in addition to reports of adult tarpons weighing over 30 kg.
Fishing in the Tracunhaém River
Fishing is done from a boat, without the possibility of wading. The fishing trip and access to the river is done through a sandy access in the Gongaçari region.
In most cases, tarpon are sighted when they come up to the surface to breathe (rolling). At this time, the casts should follow the direction of their surface movement.
In the absence of this upward movement to breathe, the casts can be directed to structures, such as mangrove branches. Using this technique, the three types of snook found in this river can also be caught.
Another fishing option focused on catching snook is through the use of jig heads and pindocas in deeper channels with submerged structures and drops, targeting larger individuals.
Dynamics of the Tracunhaém River
As with other rivers and destinations, the tide dynamics and moon phases also influence the activity of the fish in this river.
The period of greatest activity for tarpon in this location generally occurs during the flood tide, more precisely from the middle to the end of the flood.
For snook, it doesn't matter if the tide is ebbing or rising, and the ideal phase of the moon is in the first or last quarter, since the tide doesn't move as quickly.
We recommend that you consult your guide in advance to plan your fishing trip in this river according to the best times for the tide and fish activity.
Fishing Seasonality
It is recommended that this fishing be done mainly during the summer and periods with less rainfall, such as September, October, November, December, January, February and March.
If you plan to visit this region during other months of the year, there are other fishing spots that are worth exploring.
Equipment used in the Tracunhaém River
The equipment used in the Tracunhaém River is the same as that used in most rivers in our region, very similar to the equipment used in fishing for peacock bass in inland waters.
Fly fishing equipment:
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Rods measuring between #8 and 9#, 8’ to 10’ long and preferably with medium-fast action;
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Floating or intermediate lines;
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Fluorocarbon leaders weighing 50 to 60 pounds, which can be solid (without knots);
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Small flies such as streamers and clousers, as well as poppers and divers.
Baitcasting equipment (reel or spinning reels):
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Rods measuring between 5’ and 6’ long, preferably with medium-fast action;
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Low-profile reels with a capacity of 100m of multifilament line;
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Reels between 2500 and 3500, with good multifilament line capacity;
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30-pound multifilament lines;
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40- to 60-pound fluorocarbon leader;
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Small artificial lures, preferably no longer than 10 cm;
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Mid-water lures, poppers and sticks
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Small jigs, shads and even shrimp with jig heads.