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Payara

Payara

Hydrolycus Scomberoides · Amazonian Others

  • 2lakes
  • 76logged catches
  • 25.37 kg heaviest logged

Payara (Hydrolycus Scomberoides) is a predatory fish species found in the Amazon Basin in tropical South America. Very popular among sportanglers, Payara are known to be some of the most difficult freshwater fish to catch as they have fierce tempers and are usually found in quickwater areas with fast rapids. Payara is sometimes called the Vampire Fish due to its most noticeable and unique feature-two long fangs protruding from its lower jaw, that Payara uses for piercing its prey. These fish have elongated, somewhat laterally compressed bodies that are blue-silvery in color and fins that usually brown. Payara can reach up to 1.17 m in length with a maximum recorded weight of 17.8 kg, but most of them usually range in weight from 3 to 8 kg. Payara will feed on practically any fish that is smaller in size, including Piranha and members of its own species.

What actually catches it ranked by real logged catches

Lures

Major Popper 42 g, #5/0 10 Swimbait 71 g, #5/0 5 Walker 42 g, #4/0 3 Major Popper 70 g, #7/0 3 Swimbait 71 g, #5/0 3 Walker 56 g, #4/0 2 Major Popper 42 g, #5/0 2 Buzzbait 28 g, #5/0 2 Swimbait 48 g, #3/0 2 Walker 56 g, #4/0 1 Walker 64 g, #5/0 1 X-Series Walker 14 g, #4/0 1

Best setups by lake 2 lakes with data

Maku-Maku Lake — 45 catches , best 13.5 kg

  • Swimbait 71 g, #5/0 Spinning 5×
  • Major Popper 42 g, #5/0 Spinning 4×
  • Walker 42 g, #4/0 Spinning 3×
  • Major Popper 70 g, #7/0 Spinning 3×

Marron River — 31 catches , best 25.37 kg

  • Major Popper 42 g, #5/0 Spinning 5×
  • Swimbait 71 g, #5/0 Spinning 3×
  • Major Popper 42 g, #5/0 Spinning 2×
  • Buzzbait 28 g, #5/0 Spinning 2×

How to catch

How to catch a unique Payara? You can catch this fish either with bait or lures.

If you prefer to use natural baits, then the best way to catch Payara would be to use Shiners on a size #4/0 hook.

If you are more into artificial lures, you should go for some Poppers. The most successful lure is Blue & Silver Major Popper 42 g, #5/0.

Where to find it

Marron River Bolivia Maku-Maku Lake Peru

Also listed as effective documented, but not seen in the catch log

Aracu Minnow Small Minnows Shiners #132#133#2529#124#123#122#131

Data compiled from fp-collective and the Fishing Planet Wiki . Snapshot taken 2026-08-20. Game content and imagery © Fishing Planet LLC.