THE TRUTH ON LA ZONA

Practically every day since I have returned from a very successful golden dorado trip at La Zona on the Uruguay River, I get letters stating that there are new restrictions on the area you can fish!  Truth is nothing has changed.  A few months ago the Argentina government placed a restriction of entering the waters, 500 meters from the Salto Grande Dam due to terrorist prevention.  When contracts were drawn up between the Argentina government and permit holder, Hector Bradanini, the restrictive area know as the zone was from the beginning of the dam walls out to about 1000 meters.

 This area, known as the zone, prohibits local boats from entering except those with permits.  The Argentina government has issued 2 permits  whereas 1 boat on each permit can gain entrance.  Currently, the government of Uruguay has not issued any permits.  Due to breach of contract, lawsuits are being heard between the government and permit holder to set the restrictive zone back to that stated in the contract!  However for now the TRUTH IS 500 METERS from the dam wall, nothing has increased!!!   As stated in my report from the first week of January, I had my best trip to date, having fished for golden dorado since the opening years ago.  In my opinion, to much valuable time is spent fighting 25 to 30 lbs dorado when fishing directly near the dam.  So fishing slightly away increases the odds of landing a 50 lbs monster!   So you will say that you will now not catch many per trip.  This again is nonsense.  My top session was over 30 huge dorado caught and released by my partner and I during the afternoon.  So do not believe what is floating around on the "net".  Jealous US outfitters so some reason are making up these false rumors of what is going on at La Zona.  The truth is they have no contacts down there and probably never made a booking for clients at La Zona.  They are just trying to make money and have clients go elsewhere for golden dorado and put the screws to them after they are lucky to catch a 10 lbs dorado!

SPARKY'S DORADOKILLER SPINNERBAITS

On my recent trip to La Zona for golden dorado, the key to our success was the Sparky doradokiller spinnerbait.  These spinnerbaits held up to the massive strikes and fighting ability of golden dorado up to 50 pounds!  The spinnerbait is made of the strongest wire available and the dorado was not able to bend it.  It has either single huge Colorado blades or Willow blades or tandem blades of either style.  The top colors for our group were blades in either fluorescent orange, red, or chartreuse.  The 2 ounce spinnerbait head has a free swinging 10/0 single hook which prevents the dorado from bending the lure during headshaking runs.  Long quality skirts of many colorations are available. While we used the Sparky doradokiller spinnerbait, we dragged the spinnerbait along the rocks during our drifts in the zone.  I highly recommend attaching the spinnerbait to a strong leader which has a split ring instead of a snap swivel to prevent tangle across the spinnerbait arm.  I have not found spinnerbaits which are available in stores which can stand up to the dorado.  So, when getting your tackle ready to battle the mightly golden dorado and other ferocious species, I highly recommend you purchase a few Sparky's doradokiller spinnerbaits.

La Zona January 6 to 9, 2017

Had the opportunity to fish for golden dorado on the Uruguay River in the section known as La Zona during January 6 to 9, 2017.  This was my 10th trip to his fishing fantasy!  There was much uncertainty entering this trip as a few months prior, the Argentina government placed restrictions on the "zone" due to protection against terrorist activity near the dam.  So, a new boundary of 500 meters from the dam wall was put into place.  The "zone" is an area where government permits are required for entry.  Originally, the "zone" was 1000 meters and after the new set of rules it was reduced into half.  The water levels were ideal with 4 to 5 meters being the norm.  Fishing was absolutely on fire!  Our group of 4 fishermen who previously fished La Zona landed and released 17 dorado at 40 lbs or better.  I got lucky as was able to land the 2 largest golden dorado of the trip both weighing in at 50 lbs.

 We also landed 1 at 49 lbs, 1 at 48 lbs, 5 at 46 lbs. 4 at 44 lbs, 1 at 43 lbs, 2 at 42 lbs and 1 at 40 lbs plus numerous between 15 to 40 pounds.  The top lure by far were the Clark doradokiller spinnerbait and the Sparky doradokiller spinnerbait.  Guides Elbio and Alejandro did a tremendous job putting us on top of trophy dorado each session.  Hostess, Giuliana Bradanini, received 5-stars from all in the group as she made sure every detail in our trip was too perfection.  Also all of us put a few pounds on with chef, Marcello's wonderful meals.
In my opinion, there are too many smaller dorado near the dam, so the odds of catching a monster over 40 lbs are not good.  When you hook into the battling 20 to 30 lbs dorado, your drift takes you out of productive areas since the boat is rapidly moving through the zone.  So, I truely believe the odds are increased to catching trophies by starting the drift slightly away from the dam.  Cannot wait until my 11th trip to golden dorado heaven comes about next season at La Zona!