The prime time to fish for trophy tucunare on the Rio Negro north of Manaus is between the months of November and April. This coincides with the Brazilian dry season on the stretch of river north of the equator. In May, torrential rains swell the rivers, creeks and lagoons of the northern Amazon Watershed. The jungle is virtually inundated with thousands of acres of flooding. The tucunare can literally hide anywhere and an abundant food source is readily available for them in the jungle terrain.
High water is the most difficult condition to fish for the tucunare.
They are virtually inaccessible by boats and out of casting range of anglers when back up in the trees and vegetation of the flooded jungle. In August or September, the rains begin to subside and the rivers, creeks and lagoons shrink each day from the receding water. This now positions the fish back into areas where they are accessible to anglers. By November, the levels are usually low enough to provide for prime fishing opportunities in the northern Amazon Watershed. Occasionally, however, the rainy season fails to abide by schedules and may add unexpected water to the system during midseason downpours.