Fish

Striped weakfish (pescadilla)

Pescadilla (pescadilla de red)

Cynoscion guatucupa

SaltwaterBrackish

At a glance

Typical size

10–16 in.

Depth

5–150 ft.

Best time

Dawn, dusk and night.

Found in

2 areas

Spot it, size it up and learn its habits.

Identification: Slim silvery weakfish with a darker back, faint dark lines along the upper sides, a big mouth with two canine teeth up front, and a yellowish tinge on the fins.
Typical size: 10–16 in.
Maximum size: About 23 in.
Diet: Small fish, shrimp and squid.
Behavior: Schools along beaches and over sandy bottoms; a classic catch from piers and the surf.

Where, when and how deep to look.

Where to find it: Found from Southern Brazil, Uruguay & Argentina and Southeast Brazil. Coastal waters, beaches and estuaries from Rio de Janeiro to Patagonia, including the Río de la Plata and the Buenos Aires coast.
Habitat: Coastal waters, beaches and estuaries from Rio de Janeiro to Patagonia, including the Río de la Plata and the Buenos Aires coast.
Depth: 5–150 ft.
Fishing depth: 5–30 ft.
Best season: Autumn and winter are best on the Argentine coast.
Best time: Dawn, dusk and night.
Best tides: Moving tide.
Best weather / conditions: Calm to moderate surf.

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 Rig Sinkers Rod holder

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Step by step, from first cast to landing.

Go where it lives: Coastal waters, beaches and estuaries from Rio de Janeiro to Patagonia, including the Río de la Plata and the Buenos Aires coast.
Rig up: Surf rod or medium pier rod. 20–30 lb mono.
Pick your bait: Strips of anchovy (anchoíta), squid, shrimp and small fish. Lures: Small spoons and jigs.
Fish it: Fish a two-hook rig with strips of bait from beaches and piers, or jig small spoons.
Time it: Dawn, dusk and night. Moving tide.

Fishing techniques: Fish a two-hook rig with strips of bait from beaches and piers, or jig small spoons.
BigJoe's tip: When the anchovy run, pescadilla follow close to the beach.
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: Good eating when fresh.
Cleaning: Bleed and ice it right away. Fillet, then remove the skin and any dark bloodline.
Cooking suggestions: Mild white meat; fried (a la romana) or baked.

Safety, rules and taking care of the fishery.

Safety warnings: Two sharp canine teeth.
Regulations: Argentine provinces and Brazil set sizes and 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: Heavily fished commercially; follow limits.

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Sources & photo credits