Why are so many people keen about catching Tilapia?
Tilapia is common in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. However, you should be able to find the fish species in some parts of the United States. They are usually found in the Southeast portion of the country.
Now, if you are looking to know how to fish for Tilapia in a pond… You are at the right place.
We will give you simple and actionable information to help you get started.
So, stick around and keep reading, and you will learn the secrets by professional anglers when it comes to fishing for Tilapia.
Let’s get started!
Contents
Getting to Know the Tilapia
The Tilapia is regarded for its fleshy meat and unique taste.
It is a staple in a wide range of seafood suppliers in various parts of the world.
But one thing to know about the Tilapia is that they are typically herbivores. This is why you are only wasting your time if you think any bait will do the trick.
In fact, this fish will not quickly give in to your baits. Combine that with their flighty attitude, and they will surely be tricky to catch.
But here is the plus point to that – with the right bait, you should be able to catch yourself this fish!
So, let us talk about the best location to determine where you should set your tools to get going.
In the United States, Tilapia are commonly found in Texas, Alabama, and Florida. You should be able to find an abundance of this fish in these states.
As for the body of water where Tilapia thrive, it can be the lake, canal, river, and of course, a pond. In fact, many go to ponds because this species prefers to hang around and feed in this area.
The best time to head out and fish for Tilapia would be during the spawning season. Usually, this is the time they remain in shallow water. Although, they do prefer to swim here most parts of the year except when the water has become frigid. Once it has dipped to 60 degrees, they burrow deeper into the waters.
The Best Bait to Use for Tilapia
As we have mentioned earlier, Tilapia is an herbivore. This is why you need to determine what bait to use to catch this fish.
We recommend that you use things like corn, peas, or bread balls as bait. They may also go for some artificial lures and bait. Be sure these look like small invertebrates.
Next, the tackle. You will need a light one to catch this fish. You should opt for a 4 up to 8 pounds test line, which you will rig on a lightweight and small spinning reel. The ideal hooks to use are either the size 4 or 6.
Going back to bait, a corn bait is a commonly used type of bait by anglers.
You can forget about those expensive and hard to find live baits such as nightcrawlers and minnows. Just use your plant-based baits to catch Tilapia, and you should be ready to get one.
Man-made lures are often easy and cheap. These include invertebrates and the items mentioned above. As Tilapia has a territorial nature, it is likely to strike because of its assumption that the lure is in its territory.
It is important to note that Tilapia will have a delicate and somewhat light bite. Because of this, you need to use a shorter lure and a smaller hook. This way, you can easily determine once there is a bite.
Additionally, we recommend using some small floats along with your bait. You can use these over the spawning area, which will attract your target. If you are in a certain water condition, adding a split-shot will also allow the bait to go down deeper. This is particularly true when the water is cooler and the Tilapia prefers to be underneath more.
Read More: Why Does Tilapia Taste Like Dirt? Surprising Facts You Need to Know!
Where You Should Go
If you want to know how to fish for tilapia in a pond, you need to be aware of the right spot.
For instance, you should go to a place where the water is brackish and shallow. The fish love this type of surroundings, so it should be rather easy to spot them there.
When it is spawning season, you should head out to shallow water. In fact, the shallower, the better. Also, choose an area teeming with vegetation. Tilapia love this kind of environment because the vegetation helps to keep them protected from their predators.
But do not forget one important thing – you need to be as quiet as possible.
Tilapia gets spooked out quite too easily.
Once they are scared, they will flee the place and go to a different one. So, it is best to use the right tools and be as discreet as you can.
Additional Tips and Tricks on how to Fish for Tilapia in a Pond
The first thing is determining where exactly you need to go.
Ideally, you should use canned peas and corn, which is best when frozen. In fact, they go crazy about these baits when in such a condition.
Use a couple of rigs and place a frozen piece of corn on your hook. Then, you can place frozen pea on your other rig. You should choose an area that you have surveyed a few days before the actual fishing day.
The fish prefer suspended, so you have to make sure your bait is right in front. The moment you see their beds, you can keep the bait right on the bottom and in the bed itself. The edge of the bed should be fine, too. But most importantly, do not allow your shadow to scare off your target. Otherwise, you will lose your chance of a great catch!
For more tips on how to fish for Tilapia, check out this informative video below:
