Cynoscion guatucupa
The large-eyed weakfish of the Southeast and South, one of the main fish in trawl and gillnet fisheries. Bites in bottom fishing from boats.
Also called: pescada-olhuda, maria-mole, pescada-maria-mole, pescada
The pescada-olhuda, also called maria-mole, is a weakfish of subtropical and temperate waters, from Rio de Janeiro to Argentina. It is more oceanic than other weakfish: it lives near the bottom on the shelf, usually at less than 50 m, but reaches nearly 200 m. It eats small fish and shrimp. It is one of the main demersal resources of commercial fishing in southern Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina, caught by trawl and gillnet. Recreational anglers catch it in bottom fishing from boats, on reef banks and on the shallow shelf, with sardine, squid and shrimp baits. The meat is soft and spoils quickly unless chilled right after capture. For a long time it was called Cynoscion striatus, a name that still appears in legislation.
Elongated, silver body with a blue-gray back and oblique lines of dark spots above the lateral line. Large eyes, which give it its name. Large mouth with a pair of canines at the tip of the upper jaw. Differs from the vermilion seatrout by its larger eyes and the spotted lines on its back, and from the pescada-foguete by its blunt, not pointed, tail.
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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.
From Rio de Janeiro to Rio Grande do Sul, continuing to Uruguay and Argentina; most abundant in the South.
Habitat: Continental shelf over sand and mud bottoms, from shallow coastal waters down to about 50 m, sometimes deeper.
coast
states
Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Paraná, Santa Catarina, Rio Grande do Sul
Present all year in the South; schools shift depth with temperature and current.
Any time. In deep water it bites throughout the day; near the coast, best at dawn and dusk.
Tolerates cold water better than tropical weakfish.
A strong cold front scatters the schools for a few days.
Small effect.
Not very sensitive.
Not dependent on water level; follows water masses on the shelf.
Not very sensitive at depth.
Rough sea prevents boat fishing.
Moderate current helps spread the bait's scent.
From 10 to 50 m in most boat catches.
lures
natural baits
accessories
Chill the weakfish right after catching: the flesh softens fast in heat.
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: Not on the national list (Portaria GM/MMA 1.667/2026). Minimum size of 30 cm from ES to RS (IN MMA 53/2005, as Cynoscion striatus).
On the coast from ES to RS it is banned to fish for, keep on board or land pescada-olhuda under 30 cm total length. The 20% tolerance of the catch (by weight) provided in the rule is for enforcement at landings; recreational anglers must release the small ones. The rule does not apply to trawling.
Source: IN MMA nº 53/2005, Annex II (pescada-olhuda or maria-mole / striped weakfish, Cynoscion striatus)
Brought up from depth, it suffers barotrauma: release it quickly and use a descender if it floats.
Soft, light meat, good fried, as fillets or in stew. Needs ice right away.
Length-weight relationship W = a·Lb (a = 0.00871, b = 3.06; FishBase (estimativa bayesiana, comprimento total)). 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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