Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Catching Tilapia?

I stocked 8 tank raised meat tilapia in my .5 acre pond about 3 months ago. They have spawned and have done an outstanding job of cleaning up the shallows around the feeder.
I have not seen any downside so far.
After observing them, I realize they are a very skiddish fish. They won't even look at a worm or fly. Catching them
On a R&R is not going to happen. They are too large for my cloverleaf trap.

So, as the water starts to cool- how to catch them? Cast net?
I'd prefer to celebrate their lives in a fish taco style ceremony.

Anyone have any tilapia specific tricks?

I have read here on PB about folks catching them with your basic hook and a small cut piece of rubber worm. This resembles a sinking piece of feed. Obviously the TP must be feed trained. Otherwise, apparently they get real lethargic in the fall and can be seen near the surface where they can be dip netted from a boat.

I might have to wait for the water temps
To get low and catch them in the shallows.

Toss some food. Then put a Stubby Steve, no weight, and toss it out when they are feeding. Of course, they will have to beat the BG to it.

In my pond, the CC are king when it comes to the feeder. They grew much faster than I expected. Everything is afraid of them.
They get first dibs on all pellets.
Very aggressive fish.
I had visions of them being the primary predator and I think they are.
The LMB are after the forage all day, but the CC rule the night. I suspect they are more successful, percentage wise, than the LMB.

I really don't think Steve will like being used as fish bait! If he is OK with that...the tilapia better be huge (I doubt he likes being called "Stubby" regardless).



Wait 'til they see Steve!

http://stubbysteves.mybigcommerce.com/pellets/

These are what DD1 is talking about.

I knew it was some kind of fake-bait, but I did not know it was fake-pelletfood-bait...too cool.

I just could not help my self imagining the look on Steve's face when confronted with the fish catching plan of Dave's (BTW Steve is a co-worker of mine who is kinda stubby):)

I just use the plain brown ones. I was a night crawler fan until I found out about the Stubbies. I use a long shank #8 hook and put it just below the barb. They are pretty tough and will last through a lot of bites.