Redtail Catfish over a map of South America focused on Brazil

On my three trips to the Amazon Basin I fully intended to spend some nighttime hours trying to catch big river catfish. In particular, I’m fascinated by two species – the Sorubim and the Redtail. Unfortunately, after ripping woodchoppers for peacocks through 90+ degree heat and 90+ percent humidity, I was always too wiped out to follow that plan. I usually had some Emergen-C, took a shower and went to bed.

Accordingly, when we go back sometime in the next few years I’m going to make it a point to capture some whiskered giants. In fact, I might choose our next location based on the opportunity to catch some big cats – and while I might not be interested in replicating Hanna’s giant blue cat, or some future flathead trophy, I might very well get redtail replica. They’re super-cool looking and would be a nice river monster trophy.

Here are some of the redtail mounts I’ve found for inspiration: