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Rod and Gear for Tilapia<\/span><\/h3>\n
The best method to target Tilapia<\/a> is with a rod and reel and a good sampling of bait. Rod choice is key.<\/p>\n
Choose a 6-8 foot rod with fast action and a medium power.<\/p>\n
The reel should be in the 2,500-3,000 series range, and you can choose braided (15-20 pound test), mono, or fluorocarbon in (15-20 pound test.)<\/p>\n
Hook size is #2-4.<\/p>\n
Bait Options for Tilapia<\/span><\/h3>\n
Corn is one of the best baits for Tilapia.<\/p>\n
You can make or buy small bait balls and stuff them with sweet corn.<\/p>\n
Other options include bread balls.<\/p>\n
You can use minnows and worms also.<\/p>\n
Tilapia are very territorial, and they may strike out at small fish that enter their area.<\/p>\n
To make a bait ball, you use a piece of netting. Cut it into a square – start with a 3″x3″ square.<\/p>\n
You can adjust the size as you get used to making these.<\/p>\n
You place a teaspoon to a tablespoon of sweet corn kernels in the center of the netting, gather the corners together and then tie the netting closed using fly-tying thread.<\/p>\n
Trim the excess netting away and place the bait ball on your hook.<\/p>\n
A good tip is to make up several dozen of these at a time.<\/p>\n
Take as many as you need with you, and you can opt for different types of vegetables in them.<\/p>\n
Corn works well.<\/p>\n
Peas can also be good as is bread.<\/p>\n
If bait balls are not your idea of a good time, you can thread a worm onto the hook and give it a go.<\/p>\n
Tilapia like worms too.<\/p>\n
Another option for fishing Tilapia is a throw net.<\/p>\n
Generally, these are monofilament netting in a circle that you toss out into the river or delta.<\/p>\n
They close and you can draw them back.\u00a0 Throw nets are not legal in all water bodies<\/a> so be sure to check the regulations for where you want to fish.<\/p>\n
If you are fishing in marshes or along lakes, you can bowfish for Tilapia.<\/p>\n
Once you find a pocket of Tilapia you can target them all day long.<\/p>\n
You will find Tilapia along the weedy beds because that is what they eat. Be still and patient, and the fish will emerge to feed.<\/p>\n
Once you see them, site, fire, and reel them onto the shore.<\/p>\n
A pair of polarized sunglasses are essential for bowfishing.<\/p>\n
The polarization of the glasses<\/a> will cut the glare and allow you to see into the water.<\/p>\n
Choosing the Best Rod Setup<\/span><\/h2>\n
The best rod is one that has a fast action and medium to medium-heavy power rating.<\/p>\n
The length can range from six feet to nine feet – though longer or shorter will work.<\/p>\n
For reels, you want one that is in the 2,500-3,000 range – spinning or baitcasting are fine.<\/p>\n
You can fly fish for Tilapia too. The same type of criteria for fly-fishing as for spin casting in terms of rod choice.<\/p>\n
It is important to balance your rod<\/a> so reel weight and rod length are important options.<\/p>\n
Because you are mostly fishing with baits, you will choose a balance position with the tip up for quick hook setting.<\/p>\n
Line options are 100 percent up to you.<\/p>\n
If you love braided line, go for it.<\/p>\n
You want a 15-20 pound test braid. If you want to fish for more options that just Tilapia, then you may want to choose mono or fluorocarbon lines.<\/p>\n
Again 15-20 pound test is cool.<\/p>\n
Rigging – You will need a bobber or float – medium is a good option.<\/p>\n
You will need a bullet or slide sinker say a 2-3 ounce range works.<\/p>\n
You can go heavier if you need to cast farther, but not more than four ounces.<\/p>\n
Sinker choice needs to balance with the float.<\/p>\n
The idea here is to keep your hook off the bottom and out of the weeds.<\/p>\n
There is also a bit of conflict between anglers.<\/p>\n
Some believe Tilapia to be a bottom feeding fish, since they are mostly vegetation consumers.<\/p>\n
Others find that the sweet spot for targeting Tilapia is the mid-water range.<\/p>\n
For the most part, you will find that about 2-3 feet off the bottom is ideal.<\/p>\n
That is how you want to rig the line for Tilapia.<\/p>\n
They will come off the bottom and out of their burrows to strike quality bait.<\/p>\n
Tilapia Behavior<\/span><\/h2>\n
Tilapia are cichlids. These are mostly fish that dig a burrow and hang out in the burrow.<\/p>\n
They are territorial and will chase off any other fish that come near their burrow.<\/p>\n
If they are in pairs and have young, they will be highly aggressive.<\/p>\n
Their feeding habits are to lurk, snatch, and return to their burrow.<\/p>\n
You can turn that information to your advantage by allowing bait to float\u00a0just off the bottom and down the water column.<\/p>\n
In still water settings – oxbow lakes, and ponds, you will cast out farther and retrieve the bait slowly.<\/p>\n
If you are fishing with minnows as bait, try to use a flick motion to retrieve the minnow.<\/p>\n
Rinse and repeat for best application.<\/p>\n
A pro-tip for catching Tilapia is to wait until the sun is up, and the water is warming to fish them.<\/p>\n
They tend to be lazy sleepers and rise much later than other types of fish.<\/p>\n
Selecting a Great Location<\/span><\/h2>\n
Shallow rivers are a good spot to fish Tilapia. You want to look for weedy beds where the fish can find shelter and food.<\/p>\n
Small ponds, oxbow lakes, and lakes are also excellent spots for Tilapia.<\/p>\n
Marsh settings, bayous, and wetlands can also be an ideal location for Tilapia.<\/p>\n
These are fish that will want slower water, but you may find them at the bottom of riffles if they are out of their burrows and hunting.<\/p>\n
They will use structures to dig burrows so look for sunken logs, rocks, and other objects that will provide them with protection and calmer water.<\/p>\n
When Is the Best Time to Catch Tilapia<\/span><\/h2>\n
Unlike many other fish that spawn once and then call it quits for the year, Tilapia continues to spawn as often as necessary.<\/p>\n