Connecting Two Worlds of Topwater Fishing: Mexico’s Bass and Argentina’s Dorado
Through twenty or so exceptional trips to Mexico’s famous Lake El Salto, I can narrow my absolute favorite times down to a few hours – it wasn’t necessarily when I caught the biggest bass, or the most bass, but rather when I got on a hard core topwater rat bite. Watching 6- and 7-pounders smoke that SPRO 50 reminded me of why I love bass fishing – and why topwater fishing in particular is my favorite whether I’m chasing grayling or peacock bass or marauding yellowfin tuna.
That love for explosive topwater strikes is exactly what drew me to golden dorado in Argentina. I’ve been intrigued by these powerful, hard-hitting fish for years, but what finally pushed me to book a fall 2026 trip to Don Joaquin River Lodge was seeing trophy dorado caught on giant, bushy mouse flies by serious fly anglers. The parallels to my Mexico bass adventures are impossible to ignore—just on a bigger, faster, wilder scale.
If the idea of chasing golden dorado on topwater mouse patterns gets your heart racing like it does mine, read on—and consider joining us on this southern-hemisphere adventure.
Why Topwater Mouse Fishing for Bass Prepares You for Golden Dorado
Whether we’re fishing amongst the tuna boils of Panama or for remote stream rainbow trout in Bristol Bay, Alaska, I’ve found that being a serious bass angler provides you with a leg up when it comes to fishing for new species. We tend to be accurate casters, we understand the role of current in how fish feed, and we’re concerned with keeping low profile when fish are spooky.
But there’s one thing bass anglers rarely experience: truly massive opponents. I’d wager that most anglers never touch a true double-digit fish unless they frequent waters like Mexico’s El Salto. And when we do catch larger-than-average bass, it’s often on heavy tackle, meaning we rarely get overpowered.
Now, imagine your favorite topwater bass strike multiplied by ten… or twenty. Golden dorado, the explosive predators of Argentina’s rivers, routinely hit 20–30 pounds or more. They combine raw power with cunning, using fast currents to their advantage and delivering strikes that put even the most aggressive bass to shame. That’s the heart-pounding challenge we’ll be chasing: Topwater action like you’ve never experienced, on a scale that will push your casting, tackle, and fight skills to the limit.
Adapting Mouse Patterns Across Borders
Do you know what really gets me excited about taking our mice and rats down to Corrientes? It’s that even though I’ve seen plenty of footage and pictures of fly anglers with big golden dorado that chomped on mouse and rat flies, I’ve yet to see or hear anything about similar lures on conventional tackle. I’ve searched YouTube and the web, and it’s clear that Argentina’s golden dorado will eat topwaters, but there’s no evidence of them eating these patterns specifically.
That gets my “explorer” tendencies excited. I’m not 100% sure that I was the first person to catch bass on a Whopper Plopper at El Salto, but over a decade ago they ate it like they’d never seen it before. Any time I go to a fishery and show my quarry something new, I feel like I have a huge advantage, and that gives me confidence that every cast will be productive – and that I’ll tempt trophies.
Here's a video that confirmed I’m on the right track:
Hunting Down HUGE Golden Dorado With Mouse Flies
While the principle is proven with flies, I’m betting these fish haven’t seen rodent-inspired hard baits on conventional gear – yet.
The Rat and Mouse Lures I’ll Bring for Golden Dorado
So while I’ve amassed quite a few mouse and rat lures, I don’t want to assume too much about how golden dorado feed, and I may be limited on how much tackle I bring due to luggage restrictions, so I’ll need to choose carefully. Also, because golden dorado are bigger and stronger than largemouths – and have teeth – I’ll have to take certain precautions. Specifically:
Will we need to use wire or fluorocarbon leaders? If so, which rats produce best under those scenarios?
Will the standard hooks and split rings on a lure like the SPRO 50 hold up to these powerful fish? If not, will they perform properly with upgraded replacement hardware?
Do the fish prefer a surface clacking action or a crankdown?
Does the amount of noise a clacking rat make increase or decrease its effectiveness?
With those concerns in mind, I’ll likely bring the following:
By focusing on these lures – which provide a range of sizes, colors and actions – I’ll give myself the best shot at triggering explosive strikes from trophy golden dorado while traveling light and prepared. Don’t assume I won’t get one or two more between now and departure time, but I’ll be judicious in my choices and packing.
Rods, Reels and Line: What I Plan to Bring and Why
I have plenty of “bass tackle” that has stood up to the rigors of fishing for strong and outsized fish like peacock bass and yellowfin tuna, so when choosing my golden dorado rods and reels I’ll know that they’re up to the task. Still, again respecting luggage limitations I’ll need to be careful.
I expect that I will bring a full-sized rod tube, which opens up my rod options substantially, but it’s nice to know that the same Megabass Valkyrie travel rod that caught tuna up to 40 pounds in Panama is a reliable option – just in case we decide not to bring the big tube.
The following are rods already in my arsenal that I’ll likely bring:
I’ll bring several of the travel rods even if we bring a full-sized tube. Frankly, the best of the bunch perform as well as one-piece sticks.
Reels I’ll Pack:
Line Selection – 50-, 65- and possibly 80-pound braid
Of course, we will also need to bring upgraded hardware including extra treble hooks and stronger split rings. I’ve seen that some conventional anglers switch their trebles to inline singles down there – and we may do that with other hard baits, but it seems like a poor idea with topwaters.
Experience Argentina’s Trophy Golden Dorado on Topwater
If this blog has you imagining giant golden dorado smashing rodent-inspired lures, our inaugural hosted trip to Corrientes, Argentina is exactly what you need. You’ll get first-class service, hands-on guidance and access to some of the most productive waters in the world.
Spots are limited to ensure a personalized experience and maximum fishing success. Email us today to reserve your place and be ready for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to cast for trophy dorado in explosive topwater style.
