How to catch Sardine doree
Astyanax bimaculatus (Linnaeus, 1758)
About Sardine doree fishing
The twospot astyanax belongs to the family Acestrorhamphidae and features a short, deep body with a striking dark humeral spot and another prominent blotch of pigment at the base of the caudal fin. Reaching a maximum length of 17.5 cm and a modest weight, this freshwater benthopelagic species inhabits clear flowing rivers, small streams, ditches, and impoundments across South America. It is an omnivorous schooling fish that feeds on plant matter, zooplankton, detritus, and occasionally the scales of other fish, while playing a critical role in aquatic food webs by transferring energy to larger predators. Although primarily studied as a wild Neotropical characin and utilized widely as live bait, its adaptability and peaceful schooling nature make it a familiar presence in diverse aquatic habitats.
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Difficulty
Medium
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Average size
12 cm
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Habitat
Freshwater
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Season
Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
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Also known as
Two spots astyanax, Two spotted sardine, Twospot astyanax
Humeral Spot
Prominent dark round spot behind the gill cover identifies the species.
Lateral Stripe
Dark horizontal stripe extending onto the caudal fin base.
Adipose Fin
Small fleshy adipose fin sits between dorsal and caudal fins.
Sardine doree fishing facts
Characteristics
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Typical size
12 cm (max 17.5 cm TL ) -
Typical weight
0.2 kg (max 0.1 kg ) -
Longevity
18 years -
Body shape
Short And / Or Deep -
Vulnerability score
25.4
Best hours
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Active
Dawn
First light
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Peak
Morning
After sunrise
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Low
Midday
High sun
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Peak
Afternoon
Late day
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Active
Dusk
Last light
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Low
Night
After dark
When to fish for Sardine doree
How to catch Sardine doree
Tips for catching Sardine doree
Anglers targeting small characins like the twospot astyanax achieve the best results by using light tackle geared toward surface and midwater feeding behaviour. Float fishing with fine tackle, light lines, and small hooks baited with fragments of worms or bread crust effectively mimics their natural omnivorous diet in slow-moving streams and marginal currents. Feeder fishing using fine groundbait mixes or small maggots draws active schools into localized areas around aquatic vegetation and structure. Because these fish are active visual feeders during daylight hours, morning and afternoon sessions yield the most consistent sport, particularly during warmer months when metabolic rates and feeding activity peak.
Other names for Sardine doree
Local and alternate names anglers use for Sardine doree.
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Twospot astyanax
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Two spots astyanax
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Two spotted sardine
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Sardine doree
Best equipment to catch Sardine doree
Compare fishing methods for Sardine doree — 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
Feeder Fishing
Ledgering with a swimfeeder or method feeder and a quiver-tip rod.
70% Effectiveness
Rod
Feeder rod
A feeder rod is a long, quiver-tipped fishing rod for casting a feeder and watching the tip for bites.
Sized for a typical fish
medium · 3.3 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
Baitholder hook
A baitholder hook has barbs on the shank to stop a worm or piece of bait sliding down. Classic float and feeder hook.
Sized for a typical fish
12
- Points
- 1
- Offset
- No
- Barbed
- Yes
- Gap
- Standard
Bottom Fishing
Presenting bait or rigs on or near the lake or sea floor.
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
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.
50% 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 Sardine doree
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
Bread
- Float Fishing
Soft inner bread compressed onto the hook for surface feeding.
03
Maggot
- Feeder Fishing
Segmented white body provides enticing natural movement and scent.
04
Inline spinner
- Spinning
An inline spinner with a blade that flashes on a straight retrieve.
How Sardine doree migrates — Potamodromous
Migrates within rivers and lakes only. Fish upstream runs and seasonal lake movements, not saltwater.
1 Eggs
Upstream
Laid on gravel or weed upstream or in flooded shallows.
2 Larvae
→ Main river or lake
Fry drift or swim down to slower water.
3 Adults
Main river or lake
Feed in the main river or lake.
4 Spawners
→ Upstream
Move upstream or into the shallows to spawn.
The whole cycle stays in fresh water.
Hover or tap a number to read each stage.
Diet and behavior of Sardine doree
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Diet
Omnivore -
Feeds by
Mixed feeder -
Hunts
Morning · Afternoon -
Main prey
Bottom prey · Baitfish
Prey and predators of Sardine doree
Prey is what Sardine doree eats. Predators are the animals that eat it.
That is how it feeds, and how it is hunted.
Prey
What it eats
Where Sardine doree lives
Lives near the bottom but swims in the water just above it. Cover the lower column, not only the mud.
Where this species lives
Sardine doree photos for identification
Compare these photos with the catalog plate to identify the species.