all destinations RJ · Arraial do Cabo · rocky shore

arraial do cabo and cabo frio

Cold-water upwelling, rocky shores and islands. Olhete, bluefish and grouper close to shore.

In Arraial do Cabo, the upwelling brings cold, nutrient-rich water from the bottom and concentrates fish along the rocky shores and islands. Shore fishing yields bluefish, xerelete, bonito and grouper. From a boat, vertical jigging on the ledges and islands targets olhete and bigeye scad, and trolling catches bluefish and bonito. Cabo Frio, next door, has beaches and ledges with similar fishing. In summer, mahi-mahi farther offshore. Rocky shores require non-slip boots and respect for the sea.

best season

JanFebSeaAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Autumn and winter, May to September, for bluefish and olhete. Mahi-mahi in summer, farther offshore.

Local rules: The Arraial do Cabo Marine Extractive Reserve has its own rules for recreational fishing, with restricted areas and methods. Grouper and badejo may have special rules by conservation status. Goliath grouper (mero): catch banned nationwide. Check local rules.

getting there: Cabo Frio airport. Rio de Janeiro is about 160 km away via the Via Lagos.
facilities: Inns, marinas, fishing boats, guides and shops in Arraial and Cabo Frio.
coast: Southeast Coast

tip

100 to 200 g jig on the ledge, reeled in fast. Olhete rises from the bottom and strikes mid-column.

next 7 days here

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Each card shows the day's index (0 to 100) and, below it, a strip with the index for each hour, from 0h to 23h. from poor to excellent.

what you can catch here

Carangidae

Yellowtail amberjack

Seriola lalandi

A jack from the cooler waters of southern and southeastern Brazil. Fast and strong, it hits jigs and surface lures on ledges and islands.

Sea

time of yearbest: May–Sep

Carangidae

Greater amberjack

Seriola dumerili

The bulldozer of the submerged reefs. Fights on the bottom with brute force and is the main target of vertical jigging in Brazil.

Sea

time of yearbest: May–Sep

Pomatomidae

Bluefish

Pomatomus saltatrix

The winter fish of the South and Southeast. It hits jig and sardine hard, jumps, and has teeth that cut line.

SeaEstuary

time of yearbest: May–Aug

Carangidae

Blue runner

Caranx crysos

The small schooling blue runner. It hits micro jigs and is one of the best live baits in the sea.

Sea

time of yearbest: Oct–Apr

Scombridae

Little tunny

Euthynnus alletteratus

The bonito that comes closest to shore, common near islands and reefs. It fights hard for its size and livens up any boat trip.

Sea

time of yearbest: Nov–Apr

EpinephelidaeVU

Dusky grouper

Epinephelus marginatus

The most sought-after rock fish of the South and Southeast. Vulnerable, with a closed season from November to February and a size window of 47 to 73 cm.

Sea

time of yearbest: Sep–May