Salminus franciscanus
The Velho Chico (São Francisco River) golden dorado. Same temperament as the Pantanal golden dorado, in rocky stretches and rapids such as Pirapora and downstream of Três Marias.
Also called: dourado, dourado-do-velho-chico, dourado-do-são-francisco
A species native to the São Francisco basin, separated from the Plata golden dorado in 2007. In the water it is practically the same fish: a rapids predator, migrant and fighter, that leaps and shakes its head to escape the hook. It hunts curimatãs, piaus, lambaris and mandis in rocky stretches and rapid outlets. The classic spots are in Minas Gerais: Pirapora, the stretch below Três Marias and tributaries such as the Paracatu, Urucuia and das Velhas. Dams and silting have reduced populations in the upper and mid-lower river. Catch-and-release sport fishing is the most sensible way to enjoy the fish.
Golden body with lines of dark specks on the scales, reddish fins and a black band in the middle of the tail. It looks almost identical to the Plata golden dorado; the practical difference is the basin: in the São Francisco, it is this species. The tabarana is smaller, slimmer and silvery.
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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.
São Francisco main channel and tributaries. In MG: Pirapora, the stretch downstream of Três Marias, and the Paracatu, Urucuia, das Velhas, Abaeté and Pandeiros rivers. In BA: middle São Francisco and left-bank tributaries.
Habitat: Rocky stretches, rapids, side-lagoon outlets and backwaters behind islands. Running, oxygenated water.
native to the basins
states
Minas Gerais, Bahia
Dry season from May to October, with low, clear water. August to October is the peak at Pirapora and below Três Marias.
Daytime, with peaks at dawn and dusk. Best from dawn to mid-morning and late afternoon. In strong sun it drops to the pool.
Cold July mornings delay the strikes; fishing improves after 9 a.m.
Settled weather helps. Sudden change leaves the fish wary.
Small effect.
The first rains muddy the river and scatter the fish.
Stable flow and clean water. Sudden changes in Três Marias releases alter their behavior.
Approach the rapids from below, without the motor running over the rocky stretch.
Little effect in running water.
Shallow in the rapids; pool just below during the hot hours.
lures
natural baits
accessories
Work the lure from upstream to downstream through the rapids, close to the rocks. Once hooked, keep the rod tip low to reduce the jumps.
Summary of the regulations we found, with the source for each. Rules change; before keeping or transporting fish, check with the state environmental agency.
Conservation: Populations reduced in the upper and mid-lower São Francisco by dams.
Minimum catch size for Salminus franciscanus in MG waters. In BA and the other basin states, confirm with the state agency whether a specific rule applies.
Source: Portaria IEF-MG nº 111/2003 (minimum catch sizes in MG) - IEF/Semad-MG
Allowed: Only exotic or hybrid species, 3 kg + 1 fish per day, with handline, rod, simple pole, or spinning or baitcasting reel. Nets prohibited. Keep the minimum distances from dams and reservoirs.
Source: Portarias IEF nº 154/2011 (São Francisco), 155/2011 (East) and 156/2011 (Grande/Paranaíba)
Allowed: Sport and guided fishing only in reservoirs, catch and release with barbless hooks (no keeping, transporting or eating). Subsistence: up to 5 kg per day, for household consumption only.
Allowed: Recreational fishing from a boat or from shore with handline, rod, spinning or baitcasting reel, up to 5 kg + 1 fish. Prohibited within 1,000 m of dams, waterfalls and rapids, and within 500 m of confluences. Floodplain lakes have a longer closed season (see next item).
Source: Portaria IBAMA nº 50/2007
Allowed: No fishing in the floodplain lakes during the period.
Source: Portaria IBAMA nº 50/2007
Pliers and a boga-grip. Release it quickly into the current, holding the fish facing the water until it flicks its tail and swims off.
White flesh with Y-shaped bones; baked or in steaks. Respect the minimum size and prefer to release large fish.
Length-weight relationship W = a·Lb (a = 0.00832, b = 3.12; FishBase). It's an average: a fat or lean fish can vary by 10% to 20%.
estimated weight
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The season weights (months), the time of day and the sensitivities (cold, pressure, moon, wind, rain, tide, strong light, murky water and noise) are the app's editorial estimates, based on the literature below and on the field experience of anglers and guides. They are not official data nor a measurement made for this species, and they may vary by region and year. Closed seasons and legal rules appear in the rules section, with the norm and a link.
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