Fish

Argentine sea bass (mero)

Mero (mero patagónico)

Acanthistius patachonicus

Saltwater

At a glance

Typical size

1–3 lb.

Depth

15–200 ft.

Best time

Daytime.

Found in

2 areas

Spot it, size it up and learn its habits.

Identification: Stocky sea bass, olive-brown to reddish-brown with darker bars and blotches, a big mouth and a spiny dorsal fin.
Typical size: 1–3 lb.
Maximum size: About 15 in and a few pounds.
Diet: Crabs, shrimp and small fish.
Behavior: Lives among rocks and reefs; a common catch on Patagonian reef trips.

Where, when and how deep to look.

Where to find it: Found from Patagonia and Southern Brazil, Uruguay & Argentina. Rocky reefs off central Argentina and Patagonia, such as the Golfo San Matías and Golfo Nuevo.
Habitat: Rocky reefs off central Argentina and Patagonia, such as the Golfo San Matías and Golfo Nuevo.
Depth: 15–200 ft.
Fishing depth: 30–120 ft.
Best season: Spring and summer.
Best time: Daytime.
Best tides: Moving tide.
Best weather / conditions: Calm seas.

What to tie on and what to throw.

The rod, reel, line and lures BigJoe would use.

Also at Bass Pro Shops: Rod Reel Line Leader Hooks Weight Tool

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Step by step, from first cast to landing.

Go where it lives: Rocky reefs off central Argentina and Patagonia, such as the Golfo San Matías and Golfo Nuevo.
Rig up: Medium bottom rod. 30 lb mono.
Pick your bait: Squid, crab and cut fish. Lures: Small jigs.
Fish it: Fish baits on the bottom over rocky reefs.
Time it: Daytime. Moving tide.

Fishing techniques: Fish baits on the bottom over rocky reefs.
BigJoe's tip: Often caught with salmón de mar on the same reefs.
Catch and release: Catch and release: wet your hands, keep the fish in the water when you can, and release it quickly. Use circle hooks and a dehooker.

Is it good to eat, and how to prepare it.

Edibility: Excellent eating — one of the best-tasting fish in its range.
Cleaning: Bleed and ice it right away. Fillet, then remove the skin and any dark bloodline.
Cooking suggestions: Firm white meat; excellent baked or in stews.

Safety, rules and taking care of the fishery.

Safety warnings: Spiny dorsal fin and sharp gill covers.
Regulations: Argentine provinces set limits; check local rules. Brazil requires the amateur fishing license (Licença de Pesca Amadora); Argentina's coastal provinces and Uruguay set their own sport fishing rules. Several species have minimum sizes, bag limits or closed seasons — check local rules before you keep fish.
Conservation: Follow limits.

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Sources & photo credits