Hoplas Aimara is the largest species to be found in French Guiana. If the average size of the catch is 4kg, it is quite reasonable to expect a specimen of around ten kilos during your stay.
A variety of behaviors and outfits
The Amara is a predator capable of adapting to any river configuration. You'll find it in rapids, behind large boulders like a trout, in the heart of submerged trees or at the bottom of a deep calm.
The approaches, techniques and lures used can therefore be of all kinds, and everyone can find a way to practice the ones they like best.
Explosive surface attacks
However, with its eyes pointing upwards, the aïmara easily and spectacularly rises to attack the surface lures that come its way. Adrenalin rushes in the heart of the jungle are moments you can't afford to miss. Whether you're using poppers, stickbaits or any propeller lure, every eddy or swallow of stones and branches can be the occasion for an explosion on the surface.
Bigbait
However, because they are sometimes less active, it's best to go for them below the surface. Bigbaits, whether jerkbaits or swimbaits, work very well here. Spinnerbaits, soft Texas-mounted lures, have also proved very effective in the heart of submerged trees. However, if there's one lure you'll need to throw into the water if there's enough space, it's a big 50 to 70gr lipless... The beads and the volume of water displaced are unrivalled when it comes to luring aïmara out of its hiding place!
Jungle fishing
While some of the fishing in the most crowded spots is done by pirogue, fishing from the shore is also feasible, notably by scrambling over the sometimes slippery stones of the jumps, or by fishing under the rod in the heart of drowned trees. A technique that works particularly well in this configuration is to strike your soft lure several times on the surface of the water to arouse the curiosity and aggressiveness of the aïmara and then let it sink. On the retrieve, a powerful strike is recommended and, above all, there's no room for finesse - you need to bridle as hard as you can!
A short but powerful fight
With its broad tail and streamlined body, the aïmara is a powerful adversary that not only knows how to use the current, but will try to reach the most crowded environments no matter what. Your drag must be set to the breaking point, your equipment powerful and reliable, and you must not give him time to react and take the fight to him.
During the fight, this fish will make many jumps, especially when approaching the boat to try to unhook, so you need to lower the rod to dissuade it from jumping and to avoid unhooking.
Getting started
Aimara has a powerful jaw and a set of teeth reminiscent of the hostile environment in which it lives. While it is possible to pick up a fish by the gills, the use of forceps or a landing net is recommended. In the jungle, a wound can quickly become infected and compromise the rest of your stay.
As you can see, to face Hoplias Aimara, your lure box doesn't necessarily have to be well-stocked, but varied, and the equipment you choose will be in keeping with your opponent's power and the environment in which he lives.
