How to catch Argentinian silverside
Odontesthes bonariensis (Valenciennes, 1835)
About Argentinian silverside fishing
The Argentinian silverside is an elongated, schooling fish belonging to the family Atherinopsidae, characterised by a distinctive silvery lateral band running down its flank. It typically reaches a maximum length of 50 cm and a longevity of 4 years. This euryhaline species inhabits temperate fresh, brackish, and marine waters, thriving in coastal lagoons, lakes, and estuaries across its range. Gregarious by nature, adults feed primarily on zooplankton and small aquatic organisms. Spawning occurs over extended periods with eggs deposited amongst submerged aquatic vegetation. It is widely targeted by anglers for its sporting qualities and delicate flesh.
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Difficulty
Medium
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Habitat
Freshwater, Brackish, Saltwater
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Season
Spring, Summer, Autumn
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Also known as
Silverside
Forked Caudal Fin
Deeply forked tail fin distinguishes this silverside.
Abdominal Pelvic Fins
Pelvic fins set far back on the belly.
Silvery Lateral Stripe
Prominent bright silver band running along the flank.
Argentinian silverside fishing facts
Characteristics
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Typical size
50 cm TL -
Typical weight
0.2 kg (max 0.8 kg ) -
Depth
1 m -
Longevity
4 years -
Body shape
Elongated -
Vulnerability score
23.9
Best hours
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Peak
Dawn
First light
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Active
Morning
After sunrise
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Low
Midday
High sun
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Active
Afternoon
Late day
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Peak
Dusk
Last light
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Low
Night
After dark
When to fish for Argentinian silverside
How to catch Argentinian silverside
Tips for catching Argentinian silverside
Successful angling for this species relies on targeting shallow weed beds and marginal structures where schools congregate to feed on zooplankton and small invertebrates. Using a light float setup with fine tackle allows precise bait presentation at varying depths just above aquatic vegetation. Small live worms or freshwater prawns suspended beneath a sliding float prove exceptionally effective during stable weather windows in spring and autumn. Early morning and late afternoon hours offer the best results when fish actively patrol near the surface. Keep movements quiet and use light lines to avoid spooking wary shoals in clear water environments.
Other names for Argentinian silverside
Local and alternate names anglers use for Argentinian silverside.
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Argentinian silverside
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Silverside
Best equipment to catch Argentinian silverside
Compare fishing methods for Argentinian silverside — sized kit for each technique.
Note: Typical fish is 0.2 kg Our algorithm will suggest the best equipment for you based on this weight.
Float Fishing
Suspending bait beneath a float at a controlled depth.
85% Effectiveness
Rod
Float rod
A float rod is the all-round fishing rod for a float in rivers and still water, a step down in length from match.
Sized for a typical fish
light · 3.6 m
- Reel seat
- Spinning
- Form factor
- Multi-piece
- Action
- Moderate
- Grip
- Cork
Reel
Spinning reel
A spinning reel hangs under the fishing rod and is the default reel for casting lures and light baits. Line peels off an open spool with a bail.
Sized for a typical fish
1000 · 3 kg drag · 185 g
- Spool
- Fixed
- Mount
- Under
- Drag
- Front
- Retrieve
- Manual
Line
Monofilament line
Monofilament fishing line is the everyday main line: easy to knot, cheap to replace, and stretchy enough to forgive a hard strike.
Sized for a typical fish
1.3 kg · 0.125 mm
- Visibility
- Medium
- Abrasion
- Medium
- Stretch
- High
- Sink rate
- Slow
Hook
J-hook
A J-hook is the classic J-bend fishing hook for bait. You set it with a strike. Sizes are tokens such as 12 or 1/0.
Sized for a typical fish
12
- Points
- 1
- Offset
- No
- Barbed
- Yes
- Gap
- Standard
Float
Waggler
A waggler is a bottom-only attachment float for stillwaters and slow rivers. You shot it down and watch the antenna.
Sized for a typical fish
4 g
- Attachment
- Fixed
- Habitats
- Freshwater
- Methods
- Float Fishing
Bottom Fishing
Presenting bait or rigs on or near the lake or sea floor.
65% Effectiveness
Rod
Spinning rod
A spinning rod is a fishing rod built to carry a spinning reel under the blank. You cast lures and light baits with it from shore or a boat.
Sized for a typical fish
ultralight · 1.8 m
- Reel seat
- Spinning
- Form factor
- Multi-piece
- Action
- Fast
- Grip
- EVA
Reel
Spinning reel
A spinning reel hangs under the fishing rod and is the default reel for casting lures and light baits. Line peels off an open spool with a bail.
Sized for a typical fish
1000 · 3 kg drag · 185 g
- Spool
- Fixed
- Mount
- Under
- Drag
- Front
- Retrieve
- Manual
Line
Monofilament line
Monofilament fishing line is the everyday main line: easy to knot, cheap to replace, and stretchy enough to forgive a hard strike.
Sized for a typical fish
1.3 kg · 0.125 mm
- Visibility
- Medium
- Abrasion
- Medium
- Stretch
- High
- Sink rate
- Slow
Leader
Fluorocarbon leader
A fluorocarbon leader is the clear, fast-sinking join between a visible main line and the lure or hook.
Sized for a typical fish
4 kg · 0.2 mm · 80 cm
- Visibility
- Very low
- Abrasion
- High
- Stretch
- Low
- Sink rate
- Fast
Hook
Circle hook
A circle hook turns in the mouth and usually finds the corner of the jaw. You do not strike hard — you come tight. It includes freshwater.
Sized for a typical fish
4
- Points
- 1
- Offset
- No
- Barbed
- Yes
- Gap
- Standard
Spinning
Casting and retrieving lures with a spinning rod and reel.
40% Effectiveness
Rod
Spinning rod
A spinning rod is a fishing rod built to carry a spinning reel under the blank. You cast lures and light baits with it from shore or a boat.
Sized for a typical fish
ultralight · 1.8 m
- Reel seat
- Spinning
- Form factor
- Multi-piece
- Action
- Fast
- Grip
- EVA
Reel
Spinning reel
A spinning reel hangs under the fishing rod and is the default reel for casting lures and light baits. Line peels off an open spool with a bail.
Sized for a typical fish
1000 · 3 kg drag · 185 g
- Spool
- Fixed
- Mount
- Under
- Drag
- Front
- Retrieve
- Manual
Line
Braided line
Braided fishing line is the thin, no-stretch main for long casts, jigging, and feeling every tick on the retrieve.
Sized for a typical fish
6 kg · 0.1 mm
- Visibility
- High
- Abrasion
- Low
- Stretch
- None
- Sink rate
- Floats
Leader
Fluorocarbon leader
A fluorocarbon leader is the clear, fast-sinking join between a visible main line and the lure or hook.
Sized for a typical fish
7 kg · 0.3 mm · 90 cm
- Visibility
- Very low
- Abrasion
- High
- Stretch
- Low
- Sink rate
- Fast
Best lures and baits for Argentinian silverside
Ranked lures and natural baits from every method, best first.
01
Worm
- Float Fishing
- Bottom Fishing
Rounded anterior end containing the mouth used for anchoring the bait on the hook.
02
Shrimp
- Float Fishing
Translucent segmented carapace protects the body.
04
Inline spinner
- Spinning
An inline spinner with a blade that flashes on a straight retrieve.
Diet and behavior of Argentinian silverside
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Diet
Omnivore -
Hunts
Dawn · Dusk
Where Argentinian silverside lives
Pelagic over the continental shelf — coastal open water, not the deep ocean.
River mouth
Where this species lives
Argentinian silverside photos for identification
Compare these photos with the catalog plate to identify the species.