all kits
ready-made kit · intermediate
deep-water saltwater boat fishing (pargo cubera, ariacó, guaiúba and dentão)
Fishing from an anchored or drifting boat over reefs, ledges and wrecks, with natural bait on the rig, from 20 to 100 m deep.
| item | specification | why |
|---|---|---|
| rod Bottom rod | 1.8 to 2.1 m, 20–50 lb | Spine to lift the fish off the bottom and tip to see the bite. |
| baitcasting reel Round-profile baitcasting reel or 6000–8000 spinning reel | drag of 8 kg or more | On a baitcaster it's easier to let out line to the bottom. |
| line Braided line | PE 3–5 (50–80 lb), 200 to 300 m | Without stretch, you feel the bite at 60 m. |
| leader Chicote (bottom rig) | 0.60–0.80 mm mono, with 2 or 3 hooks | Baits off the bottom and not tangled. |
| hook Circle or octopus hooks | 2/0–5/0 | Hooks at the corner of the mouth and makes it easy to release small fish. |
| terminal tackle Pear sinkers and three-way swivels | 100–400 g, tied with weaker line | The current changes; the breakaway line saves the rig. |
| bait/lure Sardine and squid | fresh, on ice, with elastic cord | Sardine's smell and squid's firmness. |
| accessory Gloves, pliers, cooler and seasickness medicine | cooler with ice for bait and fish | Protected hand, fish preserved and a settled stomach. |
| electronics Boat sonar and GPS | with fishing spots marked | Stopping right over the reef is half the fishing. |
| safety Life jacket | approved for the navigation area | Open sea, far from shore. |
| safety Descending device (decompression) | hook or clip with a 0.5 to 1 kg lead, attached to a cord, for returning the fish to the bottom | Bottom fish brought up from 30 m or more suffer barotrauma (swollen bladder and bulging eyes). Red snapper, badejo, caranha and grouper can bite the same bait: they're protected and only survive release if they return to the bottom with the device. |
budget
- basic
- R$700–1,400
- intermediate
- R$2,000–4,000
- advanced
- R$7,000+
Reference prices in reais (2026), no brand recommended.
tips
- Red snapper, badejo, caranha and grouper may show up on this trip, but they are threatened species: release them right away, with the descending device. Check the rules for each one.
- Take seasickness medicine before boarding, not after you get sick.
- When you touch bottom, reel in half a meter: the bait stays out of the rocks and close to the fish.
- Red snapper, cubera snapper and lane snapper have minimum sizes, and some have closed seasons in the North and Northeast: check before keeping one.
- Bottom fish brought up from great depth suffer barotrauma; to release them, use a descending device.
