TWRA says new record tilapia

[Fishaholic]

I have a buddy works in the fisheries dept. and said they are entering tilapia in the state records and the winner right now is like 3.75 lbs. I know for a fact there are bigger ones out there because I saw a guy with one at GSp that went about 7lbs 3 yrs ago. It was funny because he had no idea what it was and it took me a minute to recognize it because I didn't think tilapia could live up here. So if you got a bigger one post it on here because I told him to join so he can monitor whats going on.

[Travis C.]

I have a buddy works in the fisheries dept. and said they are entering tilapia in the state records and the winner right now is like 3.75 lbs. I know for a fact there are bigger ones out there because I saw a guy with one at GSp that went about 7lbs 3 yrs ago. It was funny because he had no idea what it was and it took me a minute to recognize it because I didn't think tilapia could live up here. So if you got a bigger one post it on here because I told him to join so he can monitor whats going on.

If they are recognizing them in that department will they be managing them as well going forward?

[agelesssone]

I have a buddy works in the fisheries dept. and said they are entering tilapia in the state records and the winner right now is like 3.75 lbs. I know for a fact there are bigger ones out there because I saw a guy with one at GSp that went about 7lbs 3 yrs ago. It was funny because he had no idea what it was and it took me a minute to recognize it because I didn't think tilapia could live up here. So if you got a bigger one post it on here because I told him to join so he can monitor whats going on.

I've done all kinds of searchs and can't find any mention of tilapia records in Tennessee.

Definitely nothing in the fishing regulations about tilapia being an invasive species like the bighead card or the asian carp.

Here is the State of Florida and New World record tilapia....

http://www.gameandfishmag.com/fishing/fishing_saltwater-fishing_stuart_florida_woman_hooks_state_and_world _record_tilapia/

[Fishaholic]

I'll ask him to post it on here when I see him this Sunday at church.

[Fishbus]

Caught by Scott Fujimora

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/11/18/b6420e948eebbd7b15b9fdbb951040c4.jpg


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[jad2t]

I've done all kinds of searchs and can't find any mention of tilapia records in Tennessee.

Definitely nothing in the fishing regulations about tilapia being an invasive species like the bighead card or the asian carp.

Here is the State of Florida and New World record tilapia....

http://www.gameandfishmag.com/fishing/fishing_saltwater-fishing_stuart_florida_woman_hooks_state_and_world _record_tilapia/

It's a recent thing. Scott caught that 16" one a few weeks ago and it weighed almost 4 pounds. He kept us up to date on Facebook saying that he submitted it to TWRA and it was in consideration for state record as TWRA may decide to start recognizing them. There's no way we can get rid of them at this point, they just multiply so fast. They are good eating and plentiful so maybe some light management will keep them here in good numbers for continuous harvesting.

[olegibber]

When did Tilapia first start being caught in Tennessee waters? What lakes are they being reported in as this is the first ive heard of it? Thanks for any info!

[XxthejuicexX]

When did Tilapia first start being caught in Tennessee waters? What lakes are they being reported in as this is the first ive heard of it? Thanks for any info!


Old Hickory. Do a forum search and you will see everything.

[tkwalker]

Old Hickory. Do a forum search and you will see everything.

For old and new members alike To find out what has been posted on the site, we have a Forum Search ... In this case Tilapia ... Go the top right corner of any site page and you will see a search window ... Click FishingTN and add your topic ... Easy to use and very informative .... <'TK>< ;)

[XxthejuicexX]

For old and new members alike To find out what has been posted on the site, we have a Forum Search ... In this case Tilapia ... Go the top right corner of any site page and you will see a search window ... Click FishingTN and add your topic ... Easy to use and very informative .... <'TK>< ;)



I just used it earlier looking for Sauger reports from the steam plant Works great.

[Reel Tune]

When did Tilapia first start being caught in Tennessee waters? What lakes are they being reported in as this is the first ive heard of it? Thanks for any info!

We started catching them two winters ago. It was kept pretty tight lipped the first winter, and last winter became more popular, and now it's not even winter and it's blown up. So that I know of the winter of 2012/2013.

[Travis C.]

We started catching them two winters ago. It was kept pretty tight lipped the first winter, and last winter became more popular, and now it's not even winter and it's blown up. So that I know of the winter of 2012/2013.

Yeah. I imagine they are packed in ridiculous numbers where they were being caught back then right now.

My best guess is they arrived in the lake from the 2010 flood.

[Fishaholic]

Quite possible Travis. The first one I ever saw was that monster at the steam plant 2 winters ago 2012. What probably happened was somebody's private lake got washed out with the flood. and they have adapted to survive the cooler water which is not there normal habitat.

[txnative]

I called TWRA about them when I first caught one in 2012. The agent told me that there are no tilapia in OHL...I responded by telling him I had a cooler full that says he's wrong. I've caught several in the 14-16" range, and ate every one if them...guess I should've submitted my catches. I'm curious to see how the bass and flatheads react to a new potential forage species...we may start seeing lake records changing for a number of different species.


Chris Bryant

[jad2t]

I'm curious to see how the bass and flatheads react to a new potential forage species...we may start seeing lake records changing for a number of different species.


Chris Bryant

I wonder if the rockfish think they're as tasty as humans do?

[spottedbass]

Rockfish won't eat them. We all know rockfish only eat shad. ;)

[jad2t]

I'm curious now. Next one I take home (hopefully on Saturday) will have the stomach examined to see what's in there. I ate one from last weekend surely big enough to swallow Tilapia and there are plenty to gorge on.

[Pookie]

I called TWRA about them when I first caught one in 2012. The agent told me that there are no tilapia in OHL...I responded by telling him I had a cooler full that says he's wrong. I've caught several in the 14-16" range, and ate every one if them...guess I should've submitted my catches. I'm curious to see how the bass and flatheads react to a new potential forage species...we may start seeing lake records changing for a number of different species.


Chris Bryant
Someone here may know different, but as I understand it, Tilapia are stocked in farm ponds as a food source for bass and catfish. I further understand that they eat aquatic bugs and plankton. If that's the case, what do you use to catch them? Trout Magnet?

[Travis C.]

Someone here may know different, but as I understand it, Tilapia are stocked in farm ponds as a food source for bass and catfish. I further understand that they eat aquatic bugs and plankton. If that's the case, what do you use to catch them? Trout Magnet?

They have actually been eating a huge variety of things including trout magnets. All I read too was what you stated they eat prior to catching them. I have seen where bigger ones will hit and get the whole back treble of a shad rap in their mouth. Not sure if its food or just an aggressive nature.

[XxthejuicexX]

Someone here may know different, but as I understand it, Tilapia are stocked in farm ponds as a food source for bass and catfish. I further understand that they eat aquatic bugs and plankton. If that's the case, what do you use to catch them? Trout Magnet?


I use a trout magnet mostly. Last year I caught a skip jack and cut him up into pieces and caught a tilapia on about every cast. I think I am going to head up Saturday to try and catch some of those and maybe Sauger then focus on the striper as it gets later.

[jad2t]

Someone here may know different, but as I understand it, Tilapia are stocked in farm ponds as a food source for bass and catfish. I further understand that they eat aquatic bugs and plankton. If that's the case, what do you use to catch them? Trout Magnet?

Trout Magnets work well for them. I've also caught them on small in-line spinners.

[txnative]

Mealworms threaded on sz 6 Owner Mosquito Hook below a float is my go-to, but that was pre-barrier. My best technique this year is a cast net, lol.


Chris Bryant

[goreds.king]

Mealworms threaded on sz 6 Owner Mosquito Hook below a float...

I'll be chasing them for the first time in the morning and this is the method I was going to try. If anyone is out and you see a white Old Town Predator stop and say hey.

[XxthejuicexX]

I'll be chasing them for the first time in the morning and this is the method I was going to try. If anyone is out and you see a white Old Town Predator stop and say hey.


I know Jimmy will be out in the morning. I am hoping to get out around 11-12 and fish till dark.

[agelesssone]

Jimmy and Juice, you guys will be out on Friday morning?

[XxthejuicexX]

Jimmy and Juice, you guys will be out on Friday morning?


Saturday afternoon, Wife is having a girls party and I have to get out of the house. So I am fishing. Jimmy is going Saturday morning.

[jad2t]

I never said I was going to GSP for the Rockfish though. Maybe I know of another secret location...

[XxthejuicexX]

I never said I was going to GSP for the Rockfish though. Maybe I know of another secret location...


I'm sure you do........

[Fishaholic]

I'll see you at that spot next to that place lol:p
I never said I was going to GSP for the Rockfish though. Maybe I know of another secret location...