Tilapia thread

[nofish]

I caught one at the steamplant a few weeks ago. I didn't know what it was so i took a picture and sent it to a friend. He said it was a talapia and not to do anything with it until he contacted twra. He sent them a picture and called them. They said it was indeed a talapia and no matter what do not put them back in the water. I ended up catching a few in the castnet and quite a few more on a white 1/8 maribou jig. I tried using them as live bait and cut bait with no luck. I didn't know they were worth eating so the rest of them i cut their heads off and threw them back in the water.

[Danocaster]

I guess a few fresh water Tilapia have been caught in both JPP and OH

Here's one of several I caught a few months ago at a small local pond

[Transplanted Sportsman]

Tilapia is one of the tastiest freshwater fish you will ever eat, I miss those fish at the end of my line, great fighters!! pound per pound they outshine Smallmouth Bass IMHO, I used to fish them quite often back home in central Mexico, although not quite sure what subspecies it may have been, thay do grow big down there!!, I agree with the aforementioned tips, one thing I will add is that you must be very stealthy in your approach and be very still, (my Dad used to make me crouch!! and he used to outfish me 4 to 1 when I did not listen!!) they are very spooky and they will dart swiftly at any sudden movement (at least they did back home) real fun to catch!!

[bd-]

Normally tilapia can't handle cold water, and they will die when the water temp gets below 50 degrees or so. I suppose they could have a chance of living through the winter at the Gallatin Steam Plant though.

They are a tasty food fish but there's actually some cause for concern here though. They are extremely prolific breeders, and we could have a real invasive species problem if they are able to over-winter in our local lakes in any numbers.

Most likely, I suspect some "bucket biologist" dumped a load of tilapia into the Steam Plant water recently. We will have to wait and see what happens after the winter.

bd

[txnative]

They were caught last winter, as well. I've also read reports of them being caught during the spring by crappie fishermen. I hope they are going to fail at becoming a prominent species, and I suggest anyone who catches one to make a meal of it. You will be doing the ecosystem a favor and they are remarkable on the plate.


Chris