Nicknamed the 'monster of the canyons,' the jaú fish is drawing sport fishing enthusiasts to the Araguaia Canyons in Baliza, located in western Goiás. According to Fernando Faria, a businessman with over two decades of experience in sport fishing, the species is considered rough and fierce, posing a significant challenge even for seasoned anglers due to its strength and defensive behavior when hooked.
Faria explains that the fish earned its nickname because of its large size and aggressive resistance on the line. When caught, it instinctively seeks out holes among the rocks to protect itself, making the capture process extremely difficult. In a video recorded approximately 30 days ago in the Baliza Canyons, Faria and guide Leandro Rodrigues displayed a large specimen measuring 1.45 meters in length, highlighting both the size of the fish and the scenic landscape of the location.
Despite his extensive experience, Faria noted that he was previously unfamiliar with this specific fishing spot in Goiás. Speaking to g1, he clarified that the jaú can reach lengths of up to 1.8 meters and weigh more than 100 kilograms. The species typically inhabits deep pools and hides among rocks and fissures, characteristics that complicate capture even for experts. The fish is distinguished by its robust build, wide head, and ambush predator behavior in the region's waters.
The video footage shows details of the specimen still in the water, including the line attached to its mouth and the surrounding rocky formations, with the fishermen referring to it as a 'monster' and a 'brute' of the Goian waters. The jaú is considered one of the largest freshwater catfish in South America. While the Araguaia River also hosts other giants like the piraíba, Faria emphasizes that the jaú predominates in the rocky and deep sections forming the canyons.
In addition to owning a lodge in Cocalinho, Mato Grosso, Faria works as a sport fishing presenter. He notes that the jaú is also found in river basins such as the Xingu and Teles Pires, on the border between Pará and Mato Grosso. It was in the Teles Pires River where he recorded his personal best catch: a specimen measuring 1.70 meters long.
Sources: G1.