Catching Tilapia Is No Child’s Play!: Things You Need To Know For A Successful Catch
If I remember right, Tilapia was the first fish I landed when I started fishing at 7 years old. Since then, I got hooked on fishing... It brings back memories of when I was so noob at fishing yet I try my hardest.
For young anglers, take inspiration from catching Tilapia! In this article, I’ll teach the how to catch Tilapia. Read on!
Tilapias chiefly inhabit fresh and brackish waters as well as lakes and ponds. They are omnivorous organisms and would likely eat everything edible from leftover food to garbage pieces, though not at all times.
They spawn fast and thrive even at low oxygen levels, making them one of the ideal fishes to culture. They’re also pretty popular among chefs due to their unique soft white flesh that is mild-tasting and can be easily be seasoned into various delightful dishes.
Anglers frequently say that catching tilapia is child’s play. Maybe it’s not as challenging as catching trout and other large fishes but honestly, catching tilapia is no child’s play.
They’re shy, they possess very keen eyesight, and they are choosy feeders so catching them will require skills and proper gear.
Moreover, they are very sensitive to their surroundings and they’re easily spooked, making them even harder to lure. I’m telling you, they are smart fishes so never underestimate them.
Before introducing to you some effective methods of catching tilapia, it’s best to know their species and habitats as well as the requirements necessary that will prepare you for the fight encounter.
Know Your Tilapia
Tilapias come in a variety of colors and species. Tilapias originated from Malaysia and are now distributed all over the world. The three common tilapia species are Red Tilapia, Nile Tilapia, and Mozambique Tilapia.
Above is a Red Tilapia
Reds can be found on the surface of most ponds whereas the Niles thrive in warm waters around 80 degrees especially in lakes and ponds.
Niles can easily be spotted in clear waters due to their grayish color. Also, Niles are bottom dwellers as opposed to Reds which are surface feeders.
Here’s a Nile Tilapia
Lastly, the Mozambiques are characterized by an olive-gray tone and yellow belly. They’re mostly found in lakes and ponds.
Above is a Mozambique Tilapia
When to Catch Tilapia
The best time to fish for Tilapia is during their spawning or breeding season. Tilapias are hungry and very territorial during this particular season.
Yes, they look for food all the time but they are the hungriest during this season because too much energy is expended on spawning.
Furthermore, Tilapias get viciously territorial in this season, like, they’ll bite anything that passes through their spawning beds.
Tilapias spawn every 2 months after reaching sexual maturity. Males are usually bigger than females who spend most of their time breeding.
How To Catch Tilapia
Step 1. Preparing the bait
As I have mentioned earlier, Tilapias tend to eat everything edible but not always. They prefer plant-based food more than anything. Bread pieces, corn kernels, peas etc.
will drive a hungry Tilapia right into your hook. Alternatively, you can use fish pellets. Just pour a cup of hot water inside the pellet bag and shake it for 1-2 minutes to soften and expand it up. Pour out the water afterward. For best results, use both.
If you plan to use artificial baits, choose lures that mimic small fish or invertebrates such as those jelly-like worms.
Step 2. Preparing the fishing rig
Photo from landbigfish.com
A rig is an arrangement of items used for fishing. It includes the lines, hooks, sinkers, lures, beads, and tackles.
Perhaps the best rig for fishing is the umbrella rig. It looks complicated but is highly effective for Tilapias. It makes use of thin lines with small hooks hanging on it where you can put the bait.
It has no sinkers because the weights of the hooks plus baits alone are heavy enough to sink deep. You can personally buy it at tackle shops.
With regards to the fishing line, you might want to use the lightest line which is a transparent monofilament for ultimate concealment because Tilapias are very wary of their surroundings and if they sense something amiss, they won’t bite your lure.
For the rod and reel, choose the lightest ones too. A 6ft rod and 1000-size reel will make the perfect gear.
Step 3. Hit the waters!
Enjoy your catch!
First, know which water body your species of choice inhabits. I’ve pointed it out earlier in the article. You have the river, the pond, and the lake. Personally, I find the most Tilapias in ponds so you might want to try it out for starters.
I suggest you try the shallow part first then move on to the deeper region where the mud thickens. For best results, throw some pre-soaked pellets first to draw a sheer volume of Tilapias near your area.
After which, submerge your fishing tackle and wait for a few seconds for it to sink. Be prepared to be stunned to see three or four Tilapias hanging on your little hooks. What a beautiful sight! Remove the catch from the hook and transfer it into an ice-filled cooler or bucket.
Immediately hit the waters again before the pellets run out to make more catch. If you're still not satisfied with the volume of your catch, keep on replenishing the pellets and throwing your line.
You see, catching Tilapia is the easy part but before you can get there, you need to have knowledge of what rod, reel, line, bait, and rig to use. Knowing the behavior and habitats of the Tilapia species of your choice plus the appropriate fishing gear will ensure your success in catching Tilapia.
What better way to reward yourself for a day-long fishing than to chomp on a spicy curry-fried Tilapia?
Hey there angler! Are you fond of fishing Tilapia? Have you tried our technique? What’s your style? Teach us master!
One more thing before you go.. Will you share this article please? We’d really appreciate it. Bring home the catch and happy fishing!
