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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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Joined: May 2018
Posts: 54
ChristopherWayne
OP
Outdoorsman
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OP
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Joined: May 2018
Posts: 54 |
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.
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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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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,756
Matt Jackson
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,756 |
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 dont recall ever seeing another one after that year.
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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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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 9,490
TR176
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 9,490 |
If they were to survive, at some point the would populate almost 100% of the biomass.
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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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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 447
Jumpin J
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 447 |
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.
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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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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 10,559
Jarrett Latta
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 10,559 |
But they do survive some lakes. LBJ I see them spawning and I know it gets below 55 degrees
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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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Joined: May 2018
Posts: 54
ChristopherWayne
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Outdoorsman
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Posts: 54 |
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?
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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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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,411
Bass Junkie
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,411 |
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.
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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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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 10,559
Jarrett Latta
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 10,559 |
Well there's a reason they are on restaurant menus. They are great eating
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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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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 23,170
SteezMacQueen
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
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Posts: 23,170 |
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.
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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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Joined: May 2018
Posts: 54
ChristopherWayne
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Outdoorsman
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OP
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Posts: 54 |
Have any of caught them on trout lines? With catfish bait or grubs?
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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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Joined: May 2018
Posts: 54
ChristopherWayne
OP
Outdoorsman
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OP
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Joined: May 2018
Posts: 54 |
Taste wise how do they compare to catfish?
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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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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,935
joebass2
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,935 |
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.
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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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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,935
joebass2
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,935 |
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.
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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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Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 44
basscatmo
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 44 |
I would rather try to eat a big head carp as a Tilapia............nasty...
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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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Joined: May 2018
Posts: 54
ChristopherWayne
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Outdoorsman
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OP
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Joined: May 2018
Posts: 54 |
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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