Im not saying that Tilapia will just ravage a body of water as soon as they enter, but the fact is that they are an invasive species and compete against other native species for food. On top of that, they are very good at what they do, so there is the chance for a problem though it has not been that big of a deal yet.

However, Tilapia are a very good source of protein. This is why people began to stock them in bass lakes. The thinking is the high protein source will help other species grow bigger. However, once a Tilapia gets past prey size, this is when the problems really start. Now, I dont typically fish lakes stocked with tilapia, Im just going off what I have heard and trying to use common sense. As with Bass in Japan, non native species can cause a problem though effects are not always felt right away. Bass of really hurt Japans native species which they depend on for food.

The only place where I have caught Tilapia is in Fayette lake and I was told that you were possed to kill upon catching. I guess they dont want to find out if they will do damage or not. My friend has a stock tank in Uvalde and they have huge Tilapia well over 10 lbs. I will tell you that the bass fishing has gone down since the days before they were in there. Actually, they have began to target the Tilapia over bass because they are everywhere.

As for Florida Bass, it is not like they are fish from accross the globe. However, they too seem to dominate the bass population when stocked, yet most people see this as a good thing. Regardless, there is just not that mcuh difference in a bass from a few states away, afterall it is still a bass. I dont think that this was a good thing to compare Tilapia to.

As for table fare, I have meet people who like and dislike Tilapia. Me, I do not like it unless it is blackened with Ponchetrane sauce over the top. Then again, an old boot would taste good like that. They are not bad, there is just many other fish that are much better. However, they are very high in protein making them extremely valuable to poorer nations. Many resturants serve Tilapia because of cost effectiveness. You can by a pound of Tilapia for less than a dollar, no joke. I worked at several resturants while in school and Tilapia was on the menu. The profit off Tilapia is huge. That is why so many resturants carry the fish.

LooptyLoop,

Yoy wouldn't have that recipe for "Tilipia blackened with Ponchetrane sauce" handy would you? Sure sounds good.

Is it just me, or did Tilapia all of a sudden become popular table fair last year? I never heard about it and then BAM, it is in all of these restaurants and in the grocery stores.

It has been popular for a long time. The two most common fish species in restaurants are cod and tilapia.

I thought you didn't feel good you vagina! You should be in bed.

Longhorn, be carefull, Ive been kicked out of here for saying a lot less than that!!

My best friend is the chef at Two George's Seafood here in CC and he gave it to me a while back but I lost it. Ill try and ask him again. However, it is in many cookbooks though not quite like his. If you ever are in town stop by the resturant. It is famous!! Is alot like the kings Inn. Same style food but just a little more to choose from. Famous!!

Loop, if Two George's Seafood is as good as King's Inn, I might make a trip to Corpus just to eat!
Tilapia is an excellent fish grilled in butter. I am ashamed to say I have even purchased it in a grocery store. I would love to have some Tilapia from the "wild" since I am sure it is even better than the pond raised.

Two George's serves the exact same style and kind of seafood that the Kings Inn has except that they have more to their menu. They have a really good chef as well.

Some say that King's Inn is better, others like Two G's. I grew up eating Kings Inn and worked at Two Gs all through college. In my opinion they are about the same, Kings Inn has a better atmosphere while Two G's has a little more to offer menu wise. Its a toss up!!!

Hooked

I was hung over, not dead. Still have time for TFF. For some reason after a $50 bar tab on beer alone, you don't feel like going out the next night.

cought around 60 today at fairfield ...

Flex -
I am going out to Fairfield for the first time tomorrow targeting reds, but never caught tilapia... how do you catch them and where at?

Ugh. Been there. Lol. I always hate when I plan on getting up early to go fishing, but a hangover gets the best of me.

I want to stock tilapia too. They taste great. I dont know how the legal texas type taste.

Well anyone go get any ....? I also limted out onn the Red's also...

I noticed more posts than have trouble catching tilapia and one or two that brag about catching great numbers. Would one of you who know how to catch them please explain your method?