Fish

Peruvian silverside (sea pejerrey)

Pejerrey de mar (pejerrey peruano)

Odontesthes regia

Saltwater

At a glance

Typical size

5–8 in.

Depth

Surface to 30 ft.

Best time

Morning.

Found in

2 areas

Spot it, size it up and learn its habits.

Identification: Small, slim, see-through-looking fish with a bright silver stripe along each side and two small dorsal fins.
Typical size: 5–8 in.
Maximum size: About 10 in.
Diet: Plankton and tiny shrimp.
Behavior: Big schools near the surface around piers, bays and beaches.

Where, when and how deep to look.

Where to find it: Found from Peru and Northern & Central Chile. Coastal waters, bays and piers from northern Peru to southern Chile.
Habitat: Coastal waters, bays and piers from northern Peru to southern Chile.
Depth: Surface to 30 ft.
Fishing depth: Surface to 10 ft.
Best season: All year.
Best time: Morning.
Best tides: Moving tide.
Best weather / conditions: Calm days.

What to tie on and what to throw.

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

Also at Bass Pro Shops: Rod Line Rig Hooks Bucket Pliers

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Step by step, from first cast to landing.

Go where it lives: Coastal waters, bays and piers from northern Peru to southern Chile.
Rig up: Light rod or handline from piers. 4 lb.
Pick your bait: Tiny bits of fish, shrimp or mussel. Lures: Small sabiki-style rigs (cordel con plumitas).
Fish it: Fish several tiny baited hooks near the surface from piers and rocks.
Time it: Morning. Moving tide.

Fishing techniques: Fish several tiny baited hooks near the surface from piers and rocks.
BigJoe's tip: Classic family pier fishing — and great live bait for lenguado.
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: Delicious fried (pejerrey frito or arrebozado) — a Peruvian classic.

Safety, rules and taking care of the fishery.

Safety warnings: Few hazards; watch kids on piers.
Regulations: Peru and Chile set minimum sizes for pejerrey; check local rules. Each country sets its own rules: Chile requires a recreational fishing license (from Sernapesca) for sea and fresh water, and Peru and Ecuador have their own size limits and closed seasons. Marine reserves and some bays are closed — check local rules before you keep fish.
Conservation: Common.

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Sources & photo credits