More Windcrest Pond Mutant Fish!?!

I caught another mutant fish today.

What the heck!?

That's definitely an Oscar. I had some as pets. They are some agressive feeders and can get 16 inches within 2 or 3 years. I wish we had some in the ponds around here. Nice catch!

Whoa! An oscar?! I didn't know those would live in a pond... my Mom used to have those - they were horribly mean which I guess translates as aggressive for fishing.

It's the second one I've caught. They are very pissed off when you catch them. It crapped all over me when I was trying to take the hook out, and when I put it back in the water, it really didn't swim away....

Nice Fish You don't see Oscars that often. You never know what you are going to catch at your local community pond.

If I remember right, it's pretty common to catch those in Florida, nice catch!

Hey throw those back so I can catch those when they are 20+ inches please. . Which tank are you catching them in? Looks like the upper in the left hand side. I'd like to see them first hand personally, just so I can watch them grow. Wouldn't it be fun for all of us to have a new fish to conquer? And please, whatever you do, don't throw them into any other body of water in Texas lol.

Definitely an Oscar. If you think they are mean to anglers, you should see how they treat other bream and bass. They push around the bass and bream bad; bully them off of there beds and compete highly for the food. When ever I catch any invasive species, I gut 'em and throw them on the bank. Just my $.02

Drrouter, that's is just AWESOME!!! I too had them as pets. Those are some really cool fish. Man you need to show me this place. I have always dreamed about catching one of those things on a fishing rod.

That's all I need to know to make sure I get rid of them from the body of water if I find one. Sheesh... how do those even get in there - someone throwing their pets away?

I caught them on the smaller of the two ponds. They are a mean nasty fish; they [censored] on you and make a gurgling/growling noise when caught.

hahah you can't say C-r-a-p on here?

Aw c'mon guys, I'd like to catch one of those when they push 10lbs ><. But if you want to get rid of them I won't be disheartened, as long as that pond still manages to produces those 10+lb green trash fish!

And yes Ms. Mar... Sunfish they are probably someone who grew a fish too big and decided it was a good idea to throw them into a pond that is full of Texas natives. I will gladly fish the banks with you and give you great directions to get to these ponds. They do in fact hold monster gills and sunfish, as I have seen them on beds (some push 10+ inches). Chuck or Mike if you're game I'll gladly help you too, as long as you promise to put me on more bank fished bass! I don't mean to hijack the thread but I definately wouldn't mind catching a 10+lb oscar and releasing to grease!

no worries ill put them in my fish tank. ha! they will die in the winter they need warm water year round which is why they survive well in florida.

where is that pond anyways?

It's off of Montgomery road right before it turns into Walzem. You will see a Chevron (on your left or right depending on which way you are coming) and a neighborhood straight across from it, and the ponds are in that neighborhood.

tight thanks

i was talking with a biologist today, he suggested they be removed also. they are not good for a lakes ecology. he believes they taste like talapia..(sp).....

Yeah they should taste very similar to Tilapia. They're both cichlids afterall.

Oscars are bad news to some but apparently they provide a good fishery in south Florida. Some say they taste bad and some say good. Have never heard of one being caught in the FL panhandle.
It's against the law to release back one that is caught, same for flathead cats since they are not naive fish.;

http://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/fish/freshwater-fish/oscar/