islander727 0 Report post Posted August 22, 2016 Littlest and biggest ever caught on the glass 1 wt happened this morning! The big guy was barely hooked... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FlatsRoamer 0 Report post Posted August 22, 2016 That first fish was an absolute monster! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mikechell 0 Report post Posted August 22, 2016 Love a big bass on a fly rod. That one looks like it was fun, especially if you saw how weakly hooked it was before you got it to hand! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
caloosa bug 0 Report post Posted August 22, 2016 Nice job islander! I had a 5-6 lb blue tilapia hit my 4wt with a 6# leader this weekend. I've been trying for years to get one on fly as they are primarily vegetarian. I think it was just guarding the bed. It manhandled me till it broke off. Of course I switched to a 10lb leader and couldn't get any else of size. Good job on the 1wt. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
islander727 0 Report post Posted August 23, 2016 Caloosa, I catch them fairly regularly on a #10 bh olive crystal bugger. I've heard white crystal buggers work well, too. Although, none were 5-6 lbs! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mikechell 0 Report post Posted August 23, 2016 Islander ... different kinds of Tilapia. In most areas, the Nile Tilapia is the most common invasive. This is the one we have all over the Central Florida area. Hard to get them to take anything, and we try. Like Caloosa says, they protect their nests, and that's about the only time I've ever caught one. I know people do catch them, but not often with artificial offerings. Around my neck o' the woods, they cast net and bow fish for them. Looks like the one you have might be a Zebra Tilapia, or a hybrid. Both of the above are found in Southern Florida Waters. The Nile Tilapia (or Blue Tilapia) is found in a MUCH broader region, in many States. I am not sure about the Redbelly Tilapia, and where it's found, but it's pretty. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
caloosa bug 0 Report post Posted August 23, 2016 10-4.. May be the same may not . Not sure. I have only seen the Nile/ blue around here. Very spooky and a canal down from my house is loaded with them. I have buddys who gig and bowfish for them. The one I lost this weekend was on a white and red bugger. I'll definitely be trying again. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
islander727 0 Report post Posted August 24, 2016 (no tail) (on a girgler...) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mikechell 0 Report post Posted August 24, 2016 I am envious. is that a dried up pond you're fishing? Fish in a barrel that haven't eating anything for a week? Nice batch of Tilapia ... definitely two different species. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
islander727 0 Report post Posted August 25, 2016 Had to put in some work this morning. Fished four different ponds, then they finally started hitting. The biggest... How I landed it is beyond me... This one flew ten feet behind me when I set the hook... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mike West 0 Report post Posted August 25, 2016 Mike & Islander727 Those Tilapia look fun as heck..sure beats the bream I catch. I thought those things are vegans...eat algae and such. Like Grass Crap. What do you catch them on and is it an occasional accident or can you actually target them and catch them consistently? Edit: Sorry never mind,went back and comprehended what I read in the 1st place. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FlatsRoamer 0 Report post Posted August 28, 2016 Couple spotted tilapia today, good fun before the week. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bimini15 0 Report post Posted September 2, 2016 Pulled out a butt ugly popper from my "forgotten box". I was looking for a peacock, but... what do you know...? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mikechell 0 Report post Posted September 3, 2016 Flats and Bimini ... both good looking fish. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bimini15 0 Report post Posted September 4, 2016 This thread must be on its last leg when I am the one posting two fish in a row... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites