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Need help understanding Tilapia as the predominant bass forage in a tank. #12791124 06/14/18 12:24 AM
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ChristopherWayne Offline OP
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Does anyone know the habits of Tilapia as a big bass forage?

How do they behave in the winter? Do they go deep?
They seem to like the summer heat more than the bass do as I see them in the shallows more.

In trying to go after the big bass, I would like to understand more about the big forage.


Additional info:

One of our tanks was stocked with Tilapia due to outrageous uncontrollable vegetation growth.
Tank was un-fishable from the bank. Only the middle was clear and its 12 acres surface area.

Fast forward 3 years and can now fish from bank and the bass are feeding on the tilapia.
Vegetation is still there.
Not sure if the channel cats are eating the tilapia as well.
Glad to see the channels are still in there.

Moritz Chevrolet - 9101 Camp Bowie W Blvd, Fort Worth, TX - Monte Coon (817) 696-2003
Re: Need help understanding Tilapia as the predominant bass forage in a tank. [Re: ChristopherWayne] #12791173 06/14/18 01:13 AM
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Not sure where you live but they typically start dying off when the water temp hits 55. We stocked some to control the growth and in the fall caught them on a little piece of earth worm for 8 hours straight. They reproduce and grow rapidly. When stocked in early spring they were fingerlings, when caught late fall they were 3-4 pounds. I don’t recall ever seeing another one after that year.

Re: Need help understanding Tilapia as the predominant bass forage in a tank. [Re: ChristopherWayne] #12791188 06/14/18 01:21 AM
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If they were to survive, at some point the would populate almost 100% of the biomass.

Re: Need help understanding Tilapia as the predominant bass forage in a tank. [Re: ChristopherWayne] #12791235 06/14/18 02:10 AM
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Jumpin J Offline
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They will take over a body of water, and eventually eat everything small enough for them to catch. They are native to the Amazon, luckily they don't do cold well.

Re: Need help understanding Tilapia as the predominant bass forage in a tank. [Re: ChristopherWayne] #12791264 06/14/18 02:32 AM
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Jarrett Latta Offline
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But they do survive some lakes. LBJ I see them spawning and I know it gets below 55 degrees

Re: Need help understanding Tilapia as the predominant bass forage in a tank. [Re: ChristopherWayne] #12791269 06/14/18 02:33 AM
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ChristopherWayne Offline OP
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The location is roughly one hour east of San Antonio.


So If you want to catch them nightcrawlers would be the ticket?

Also, are they good eating?

Re: Need help understanding Tilapia as the predominant bass forage in a tank. [Re: ChristopherWayne] #12791276 06/14/18 02:41 AM
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Originally Posted By: ChristopherWayne
The location is roughly one hour east of San Antonio.


So If you want to catch them nightcrawlers would be the ticket?

Also, are they good eating?


Worms/night crawlers work great. Used to fish for them in our bayou with a cricket hook and piece of worm. A little bobber with a split shot weight less then 1/2 way down to the hook. As far as eating, they might be good for cat food.

Re: Need help understanding Tilapia as the predominant bass forage in a tank. [Re: ChristopherWayne] #12791288 06/14/18 02:46 AM
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Well there's a reason they are on restaurant menus. They are great eating

Re: Need help understanding Tilapia as the predominant bass forage in a tank. [Re: Jarrett Latta] #12791301 06/14/18 02:57 AM
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Originally Posted By: Jaret Latta
Well there's a reason they are on restaurant menus. They are great eating
they're not on the menu because they are "great eating". They are cheap and plentiful.


Eat. Sleep. Fish.
Re: Need help understanding Tilapia as the predominant bass forage in a tank. [Re: ChristopherWayne] #12791310 06/14/18 03:11 AM
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Have any of caught them on trout lines? With catfish bait or grubs?

Re: Need help understanding Tilapia as the predominant bass forage in a tank. [Re: ChristopherWayne] #12791314 06/14/18 03:13 AM
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Taste wise how do they compare to catfish?

Re: Need help understanding Tilapia as the predominant bass forage in a tank. [Re: Jarrett Latta] #12791315 06/14/18 03:14 AM
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Originally Posted By: Jaret Latta
But they do survive some lakes. LBJ I see them spawning and I know it gets below 55 degrees


LBJ has a power plant on it. They go up the discharge during cold weather.

Re: Need help understanding Tilapia as the predominant bass forage in a tank. [Re: SteezMacQueen] #12791318 06/14/18 03:16 AM
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Originally Posted By: SteezMacQueen
Originally Posted By: Jaret Latta
Well there's a reason they are on restaurant menus. They are great eating
they're not on the menu because they are "great eating". They are cheap and plentiful.


Agree with Jaret. Have never eaten store bought tilapia, but fresh caught and fried tilapia is not bad. Not crappie good, but not bad.

Re: Need help understanding Tilapia as the predominant bass forage in a tank. [Re: ChristopherWayne] #12791346 06/14/18 03:30 AM
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I would rather try to eat a big head carp as a Tilapia............nasty...

Re: Need help understanding Tilapia as the predominant bass forage in a tank. [Re: ChristopherWayne] #12791382 06/14/18 04:00 AM
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Do any of you know if they will eat catfish food?


I ask because it may possible to chum them into shallow water.

I do believe that me and my brothers will have to do some culling of the fish from the tank.

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