Eddie,
Bass from finger size to 24 inchers will get fat on tilapia. Tilapia are hardy, and can tolerate very turbid water. Stock them when the water warms nicely and all threat of cold is past (probably late April-early May). For best growth and early reproduction, warm water trumps early stocking. Turbid water may suppress algae and plant growth, so food for the tilapia may be scarce. So you may need to feed them extra in lean times.
How'd I do, Rainman?
LOL----Thanks for the shout out!
I can't stock them. I have to rely you guys to suggest the best methods. From all I've read on them (and that's a lot!), it sounds like you're pretty darn accurate.
Only thing I might add about food is if you have leaf debris, the tilapia will clean it up pretty quick without other foods.
A very knowledgable, semi-former, regular, Meadowlark, wrote some good stuff on tilapia based on his hands-on experiances with Mozambique Tilapia on
http://www.meadowlarkponds.com .
