How to catch Brazilian flounder
Paralichthys brasiliensis (Ranzani, 1842)
About Brazilian flounder fishing
The Brazilian flounder is a large marine flatfish belonging to the family Paralichthyidae, featuring a short, deep, and heavily compressed body with both eyes positioned on the ocular side. Reaching a maximum length of one hundred centimetres and weights up to twelve kilograms, this demersal predator inhabits coastal waters, sheltered bays, and brackish estuaries down to forty metres over soft sandy or muddy bottoms. It leads a solitary, ambush-hunting lifestyle, feeding primarily on small fish and bottom-dwelling invertebrates. The species reproduces during the summer months in small groups and is highly regarded by commercial and recreational fishers alike for its exceptional culinary qualities.
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Difficulty
Medium
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Average size
40 cm TL
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Market value
Medium
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Habitat
Brackish, Saltwater
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Season
Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
Caudal shape
The caudal fin is more or less truncate with characteristic spots.
Ocellated spots
Distinct ringed ocelli scattered across the body distinguish this flatfish.
Brazilian flounder fishing facts
Characteristics
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Typical size
40 cm TL (max 100 cm TL ) -
Typical weight
1.5 kg (max 12 kg ) -
Preferred temperature
11.7–26.1 °C -
Depth
0–40 m -
Body shape
Short And / Or Deep -
Commercial?
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Vulnerability score
52.4
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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Active
Night
After dark
When to fish for Brazilian flounder
How to catch Brazilian flounder
Tips for catching Brazilian flounder
To target this ambush predator, concentrate your efforts over shallow sandy or muddy stretches in coastal bays and estuary mouths where the water column remains within its preferred depth range. Bottom presentation is essential, keeping your rig tight to the substrate where the fish lies buried in sediment waiting for prey to pass. Use sliding ledger rigs baited with fresh strips of squid, whole prawns, or small dead fish, or work soft plastic paddle tail jigs slowly across the bottom with short hops. Dawn and dusk offer productive lighting conditions for active feeding, while warmer summer months see heightened movement as fish aggregate for seasonal spawning activity.
Other names for Brazilian flounder
Local and alternate names anglers use for Brazilian flounder.
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Brazilian flounder
Best equipment to catch Brazilian flounder
Compare fishing methods for Brazilian flounder — sized kit for each technique.
Note: Typical fish is 1.5 kg Our algorithm will suggest the best equipment for you based on this weight.
Bottom Fishing
Presenting bait or rigs on or near the lake or sea floor.
85% 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
medium · 2.13 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
5.5 kg · 0.25 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
5.5 kg · 0.25 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
2
- Points
- 1
- Offset
- No
- Barbed
- Yes
- Gap
- Standard
Surfcasting
Long-range bait or lure casting from an open beach or surf.
75% Effectiveness
Rod
Surfcasting rod
A surfcasting rod is the long beach fishing rod for punching bait past the breakers. Length and a moderate-fast action load for distance.
Sized for a typical fish
medium-heavy · 3.6 m
- Reel seat
- Spinning
- Form factor
- Multi-piece
- Action
- Moderate-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
Shock leader
A shock leader is a thick mono or tapered section that takes the cast. Carp shock is heavy (around 0.65 to 0.75 mm), not thin fluorocarbon.
Sized for a typical fish
22.5 kg · 0.65 mm · 900 cm
- Visibility
- Medium
- Abrasion
- High
- Stretch
- High
- Sink rate
- Slow
Spinning
Casting and retrieving lures with a spinning rod and reel.
60% 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
medium · 2.13 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 Brazilian flounder
Ranked lures and natural baits from every method, best first.
01
Sardine
- Bottom Fishing
Elongated silvery baitfish body releases strong scent trails.
02
Shrimp
- Bottom Fishing
Translucent segmented carapace protects the body.
03
Squid
- Bottom Fishing
Elongated muscular body holds internal organs and secretes scent in the water.
04
Lugworm
- Surfcasting
Fleshy, segmented body provides substantial scent and natural appeal for bottom fish.
05
Sandworm
- Surfcasting
Distinct head region features prominent jaws used for live baiting presentations.
How Brazilian flounder migrates — Inshore–offshore
Shifts between shallow inshore water and deeper offshore grounds with the season.
1 Warm months
Inshore
Stay close inshore through the warm months.
2 Cold months
Offshore
Move offshore into deeper water as it cools.
Hover or tap a number to read each stage.
Diet and behavior of Brazilian flounder
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Diet
Top predator -
Hunts
Dawn · Dusk
Where Brazilian flounder lives
Lives on or just above the bottom. Work jigs, bait, and lures along the seabed.
0–40 m
Estuary
Where this species lives
Brazilian flounder photos for identification
Compare these photos with the catalog plate to identify the species.
Where to fish for Brazilian flounder
Mapped fishing spots where Brazilian flounder is recorded — open a pin for access and methods.
