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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 342
Lunker
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OP
Lunker
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 342 |
I was pleased to catch this Tilapia yesterday, especially knowing that they begin to die off when the weather gets colder. This fish was 14 inches and weighed just over 3 lbs. I caught it on a nighcrawler. I didn't think that these fish could be caught - but if anyone has bait suggestions I would love to hear them. We eat store bought Tilapia all the time and I was curious if this fish would taste the same or "fishy". It did tast different...it was better! Super white flesh and tender. We like to cook our Tilapia in butter and lemon juice in a saute pan with italian breadcrumbs sprinkled on the top of them. I sure hope I can catch more before they die! I have seen a couple albinos swimming around that must be 20 inches and 5-6 lbs. Crossbow? 
"Our Life is frittered away by detail. Simplify, Simplify" -Henry David Thoreau -
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,256
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,256 |
We caught one about a week ago while sampling BG with No. 10 hooks and a pinch of Berkley's CC dough bait.
Haven't eaten one yet, but we will soon.
"Only after sorrow's hand has bowed your head will life become truly real to you; then you will acquire the noble spirituality which intensifies the reality of life. I go to an all-powerful God. Beyond that I have no knowledge--no fear--only faith."
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 402
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 402 |
How big were they when you stocked them and when were they stocked. Im just curious of their growth.
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 342
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 342 |
They were stocked in April and were about 1/2 pound a piece
"Our Life is frittered away by detail. Simplify, Simplify" -Henry David Thoreau -
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 644
Ambassador Field Correspondent  Lunker
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Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 644 |
Excellent growth rate Captain1! Is that a blue or a nile? Looks a little like both.
12 ac pond in NW Missouri. 28' max depth at full pool. Fish Present: LMB, BG, RES, YP, CC, WB, HSB, WE, BCP, WCP, GSH.
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,256
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,256 |
In Texas, I think mozambique tilapia are the only tilapia you can stock without a permit.
"Only after sorrow's hand has bowed your head will life become truly real to you; then you will acquire the noble spirituality which intensifies the reality of life. I go to an all-powerful God. Beyond that I have no knowledge--no fear--only faith."
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 342
Lunker
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OP
Lunker
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 342 |
That's correct davatsa...Mozambique for Texas. The color of the fish was almost shocking when I first pulled it out of the water with that blue purple lustre. Sure doesn't look like an East Texas native!
"Our Life is frittered away by detail. Simplify, Simplify" -Henry David Thoreau -
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,099 Likes: 23
Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame Lunker
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Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame Lunker
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,099 Likes: 23 |
The tilapia shown sure doesn't look like a mozambique. It doesn't have the lips or color. It looks like a cross between Male blue and a female nile to me. Also I don't think you'd get that growth out of a moz., but you will easily get that growth from the cross. Moz don't taste as good as the Reds, blues, or niles.
Either way NICE fish!
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,794
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,794 |
Tilapia caught N.E. Texas 09-24-08 @ ~3.50 pounds. Also stocked in April at about 1/2#, maybe from same delivery if from Overton? 
N.E. Texas 2 acre and 1/4 acre ponds
Original george #173 (22 June 2002)
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 13,966 Likes: 276
Moderator Lunker
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Moderator Lunker
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 13,966 Likes: 276 |
"Live like you'll die tomorrow, but manage your grass like you'll live forever." -S. M. Stirling ![[Linked Image from i.pinimg.com]](https://i.pinimg.com/736x/ed/b5/e7/edb5e7f935843b996cf52be593c9ebd2--smoothie-smooth-collie.jpg)
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,794
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,794 |
Gulp Grub on the fly .... 
N.E. Texas 2 acre and 1/4 acre ponds
Original george #173 (22 June 2002)
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 342
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 342 |
Mine were from Boatcycle in East Texas. So...a gulp grub on a fly rod huh? That sounds like fun.
"Our Life is frittered away by detail. Simplify, Simplify" -Henry David Thoreau -
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,721
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,721 |
The best bait I have tried for the tilapia was uncooked popcorn shrimp. I thought that the tilapia were vegetarians but I now think that they are opportunistic feeders that will eat whatever they can get. I have always caught more tilapia in November than any other month. Have any of you had the same experiance?
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 417
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 417 |
I've tried a lot of different things. Worms worked best but I haven't even tried this year because they just piss me off. The ones that get fed with the bass are hard to catch.
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 69
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 69 |
Caught in July 2008....stocked Mar 2008 from Overton, about 4" long then, now almost 3 pounds. We have not eaten any yet, but plan on frying some for Thanksgiving. We have had good luck on nightcrawlers and pieces of raw shrimp. They feed really good on AQMX 600. We live south of Houston, so hopefully most will over-winter. 
Thanks,
Darryl
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 267
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 267 |
Captain1...
Have you thought of feeding to bring them in and then getting them with a seine net? Might be worth a try.
Water dries, rocks crumble, and trees die. The only thing that is eternal is the reputation we leave behind.
- Ancient Viking Proverb
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,099 Likes: 23
Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame Lunker
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Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame Lunker
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,099 Likes: 23 |
Have fun trying to seine for tilapia in a pond not designed for it! Tilapia will lay down flat and dig into the mud to let the seine pass over.
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 644
Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 644 |
I have to second Rainman's opinion. It sure doesn't have the appearance of a mozambique. I'm no expert though.
12 ac pond in NW Missouri. 28' max depth at full pool. Fish Present: LMB, BG, RES, YP, CC, WB, HSB, WE, BCP, WCP, GSH.
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