Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations what am i going to do with all the dead tilapia ??

I am going to wear my cast net out when the water temp gets in the low 70's, catching the ones big enough to fillet. I guess you can fillet them ??? But, i believe 1 am going to have thousands of 2-5 inch tilipia that my 6-8" SMB have not been able to eat.If i were to introduce a couple of large predators,my SMB would be at risk.. I thought about a compost pile,but i really don't have any need for one.I could pitch them over the fence into a big pasture, but I'm afraid i might draw snakes and other critters to the area. I could dig a big hole,cover the fish with some dirt,and keep a cover on the hole till I am done.I figure it may be an ongoing process for awhile.Or, i could do nothing, but we have dogs and cats that access to the pond.That could get ugly!!

I am leaning toward the hole,but would certainly entertain other suggestions..

My money sez you don't end up having anything to consider a problem. "Mother Nature's Cleanup Crew" - raccoons, hogs, who knows what all - will take care of those Tilapia that die without being eating (by you or the SMB) first.

anyone else in the area want to fatten theri bass? If so invite them to throw the net until it cools.

Those should he the fattest SMB in North Texas come early December. I thought I would have lots of dead Tilapia to clean up each winter ....... but that was not the case. It was really just the original May stockers that made it to the end.

I think my SMB (about 6-8") are too small to eat anything larger than about 2-3". It should be better next year,tho. I think i will suspend my "heron deterrent" program,when the time comes.

i have put any kills in my garden ifin ya dont have one i bet someone close dose.

I bought an old handcranked meat & sausage grinder off dabay. Shipping was more than the winning bid. I have ground up 6" bream & put them back in the pond. I was surpised that the fishburger was not devoured quickly by small fish. It disappeared slowly. I would not do this in a small pond. I have 3 acres & did not have to worry about the ground fish not being eaten & contaminating the pond.

I stocked 50 lbs of tilapia in a 2 acre pond. I lost all of them and their offspring when it turned cold. I saw one dead tilapia and that was it. So don't worry too much

as long as "mother natures cleanup crew" doesn't include Sammie,Robo,Tootsie,Sox,Pretty Boy, and Star..I guess i won't worry!