If that is truly what I caught then it had no fight in it. 4# on an UL spinning reel

I've been wearing the tilapia out at the GSP. It took a short while to figure them out, but I did it. I caught around 30 or so in 2 hrs on Saturday morning. Biggest one was 14" long and weighed around 2 1/2 lbs (he tasted great, too). I'm hesitant to reveal any info on where/what to catch them since they are pretty easy. They are stacked in one area the size of a car hood, and I was catching them hand over fist till I ran out of bait. I started using lures, but quit keeping them after I had 17 on my stringer. Total weight was around 16 lbs before I filleted them. I ended up with just under 10 lbs of fillets, and gave about half to some relatives.


Chris

Chris I am just curious as to how they fight. But your post indicated they are prolific and can obviously survive the winter here....which is highly unusual. Texas and other states seem to be having problems with these fish....they are concerned they will take over the lakes they are in. The next question is how did they get in there? Makes one wonder if they will start showing up other places.


Regards

I read where they were stocked in various places in TN for algae control in ponds. Probably high water or flood allowed them access to the lake.

Chris.... your cover is blown now man!!! You were supposed to remain the incognito tilapia slayer.:D

Alpha,

They fight like a 'gill...though the big one did rip drag on 4# line, and I had two break me off. Some are fairly tame, others are much more energetic. The 7"-9" ones are abundant, and they fight ok at best, anything over 10" feels almost like a decent shellcracker. Bigger than that and they will give you a tussle. I was using a med power rod, so I imagine an UL would be great.

I'm assuming they escaped ponds during the flood. They are stocked for weed control, food, and as prey for bass. The ones I'm catching are blue tilapia, and a pure strain blue can tolerate water temps down to 47 degrees. I called TWRA about it, and they know the tilapia are in old hick, but I didn't get much more info from them. I researched them a lot after I caught one lady Sunday, then I tried some of my theories out on Thursday, and by Saturday I had a good handle on things. Looks like they are going to survive in the lake, which means my short list of fish I'll take home just grew by one species :)


Chris

Only 3 people know my super-secret guaranteed tilapia tactics, and if I see anyone copying them, you and midtnkayakangler must not be able to keep a secret :)


Chris

I am opening a guide service... :p

LOL

I'll be your silent partner. You do all the work and take care of the start-up costs, and I will provide all the info for a nominal fee, around 40% of the profits seems fair.


Chris

Thats good. I was thinking it had to be blue tilapia. I don't think any have been caught at Pickwick...Nickajack...Center Hill. But who knows where they will show up. In 1980's up through the mid to late 90's I could buy tilapia for about two dollars a pound. I will never forget the first time my ex-wife and I saw tilapia on a menu on a vacation home. We both just looked at one another and could not believe what they were selling for. Glad you have a good source for them.

Regards

Here's Tilapia Slayers Pics...

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/i.../IMG956523.jpg

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/i.../IMG951576.jpg

That's sound fair to me... there won't be much operational cost as I was going to use Jeremy' boats. :D

Who needs crappie...LOL. Great looking fish.


Regards

So if I go there, and duplicate this secret technique....I can get Travis C. and midtnkayakangler in trouble?? Haha!

Trust me... you can't duplicate this. It involves chicken blood, voodoo dolls and a garlic necklace.

Ooops, did I just type that outloud. My bad Chris...:D

Chicken blood, check.

Garlic necklace (who doesn't own one of those?), check.

Anyone know where I can get some voodoo dolls?

:D

Tilapia is some tasty fish!