Caught a huge African Spotted Tilapia

Questions about Freshwater Fishing

Caught a huge African Spotted Tilapia

Postby mig rod » Sun Jun 29, 2008 5:04 pm

It gave one hell of fight since I caught it on my panfish rod. I used two small golden crappie hooks with Berkley Crappie Nibbles as bait. These fishes are normally hard to hook since they are very wary of hooks. I've caught many smaller ones, but this one was a trophy.

I'm sure it could beat the Florida record by at least 1 pound. The current record is 3 pounds, my fish is estimated over 4 pounds.I released it so it can fight another day. Even though this species is an exotic they are very much established here and are the main reason the Government introduced the Peacock Bass to control their population. I don't agree or promote the introduction of foreign species, but I do enjoy catching all species I come across, native and exotic . You can see a picture of this big African Cichlid in this link
http://www.bigfishtackle.com/forum/gfor ... t_id=37887
mig rod
 
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Postby Bionic » Mon Jun 30, 2008 3:37 am

mig I have another exotic for you to try. Not sure how far it is for you,
but Lake Ida has a decent population of clown knife's. They jump like
tarpon and look quite unique. Live bait is best , but they do hit rattle
traps and deep divers. Fish bridges in deeper water.

Also about releasing fish. You are aloowed to release any fish as long
as you are releasing it back into the water you just caught it from (i.e.
as if you never caught it). It is illegal to move the fish and release it else
where. You can not be forced to kill any animal by law as it is a violation
of the first amendment (freedom of religon) as it might go against your
beliefs. :)

Scott
Just when everything is going your way, something breaks!!!
Bionic
 
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Location: Bradenton, FL

Postby mig rod » Mon Jun 30, 2008 8:14 am

Thanks Bionic
Those are definitely on my list of exotics to catch.
Thanks for the inside scoop of where to find them.

I'm heading out for some big Peacocks in mid july
to the C11 canal in Miami that holds big Mayans and
Jaguar Guapotes. Also the occasional Snakeheads roams
those waters. I've heard they fight good.

I have a Phobia of Flying. So going to certain exotic
places is difficult. It's great that I can still catch many
great Native species which Florida has many Salt water
and Freshwater species. But the exotics are also a
cool way of catching species that I would normally
have to travel across the planet to reach.
mig rod
 
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Postby outtaline » Tue Jul 01, 2008 10:24 am

Try poppin flies for clown knifes they go crazy they are beddin right now just like largemouths and go crazy on any thing that gets close
Go big or go home!
outtaline
 
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Postby mig rod » Tue Jul 01, 2008 1:45 pm

Thanks for the helpful tip.
mig rod
 
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Postby Bionic » Tue Jul 01, 2008 5:53 pm

[quote="outtaline"]Try poppin flies for clown knifes they go crazy they are beddin right now just like largemouths and go crazy on any thing that gets close[/quote]

Outtaline where are you catching them?
Also do you know about there being peacock bass in the
Golden Gate canels?

Scott
Just when everything is going your way, something breaks!!!
Bionic
 
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Location: Bradenton, FL

Postby outtaline » Tue Jul 08, 2008 12:13 pm

clown knifes are just about anywere you find peacocks can't name the canals we were just drivin around with rods in the truck lookin for fish
Go big or go home!
outtaline
 
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Postby Bionic » Tue Jul 08, 2008 6:20 pm

The only place I know of that has an established population of clown
knives is Lake Ida in Delray Beach. It's a 3.5hr drive for me to catch
them. If you know any place here on the west coast of Florida I would
appreciate any knowledge.
I asked about peacocks down your way do to a post I saw on Florida
sportsman forum about the Golden Gate canals having them in there.
Until now I knew of only the southeast coast haivng them.

Scott
Just when everything is going your way, something breaks!!!
Bionic
 
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Location: Bradenton, FL

Postby Bionic » Sun Jul 13, 2008 8:59 am

Mig picture of clown knife sent.

Scott
Last edited by Bionic on Sun Jul 13, 2008 5:13 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Just when everything is going your way, something breaks!!!
Bionic
 
Posts: 141
Joined: Tue Oct 31, 2006 7:11 pm
Location: Bradenton, FL

Postby mig rod » Sun Jul 13, 2008 4:23 pm

Hey Scot (Bionic)
Can't seem to see the picture in your link.

BTW You caught the fish yourself?
How game are those fish??
mig rod
 
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Postby Bionic » Sun Jul 13, 2008 5:07 pm

[quote="mig rod"]Hey Scot (Bionic)
Can't seem to see the picture in your link.

BTW You caught the fish yourself?
How game are those fish??[/quote]

I have caught two, 5.5lbs and 7lbs. They have great jumping ability and
pull pretty good. They are cool fish to see. Unfortunately I suck at posting
pictures. I only know of Lake Ida and Lake Osbounre to have them. I have
only fished Ida. To find them you watch for them to roll just like Tarpon.
Live bait is best but I understand they hit spinnerbaits and rattle traps.
I tried rattle traps and swimbaits with no luck. The good thing about live
bait is peacocks and bass are the by catch.
I was hoping outtaline would share some other spots. :D

Scott

P.S. Will send picture via e-mail
Just when everything is going your way, something breaks!!!
Bionic
 
Posts: 141
Joined: Tue Oct 31, 2006 7:11 pm
Location: Bradenton, FL

Postby mig rod » Sun Jul 13, 2008 6:32 pm

Saw the picture, it is a great looking trophy.
I bet it was a blast to catch. If I find myself
heading North on vacation, I might have to
make a stop on Lake Ida and have a go at
that wild looking fish. Take care. And thanks
for the pic.
mig rod
 
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