A beautiful Three Spot Tilapia caught on a small spinner in the Zambezi River, Africa
Tilapia
Tilapia genus including Oreochromis and Sarotherodon
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Tilapia Description
Tilapia is a genus of fish belonging to the Cichlid family. Some of the more well-known species include the Blue Tilapia, the Nile Tilapia, and the Mozambique Tilapia. However, there are many other species and they sometimes hybridize, making exact identification difficult in some cases.
Tilapia are a warm-water fish that can survive in some incredibly challenging environments. As an example, they have survived in the Salton Sea, which has become more and more salty over the last 30 years, killing nearly all other species. Tilapia have adapted to saltwater in other places, and can be found in the ocean in parts of Africa and Hawaii. They were found in the Sea of Galilee during New Testament times, and were one of the types of fish that some of Jesus' disciples caught for a living before being switching professions.
Most of the well-known Tilapia species originated in Africa, but due to their incredible ability to adapt they have spread to most warm parts of the world. In some areas they are viewed negatively as an invasive species, while in others they are seen as a valuable food fish. They are commercially farmed for food on a large scale in many places and are a common sight in fish markets and grocery stores throughout the world.
Tilapia do not get very large, with most averaging a pound or two and the largest species maxing out around 11lbs.
Tilapia Pound for Pound Fight Rating - 5 out of 10 on the Freshwater Scale
Tilapia are scrappy, but do not put up an incredible fight. Their soft mouths are relatively easy to hook, and they are not adept and running into cover.
Tilapia Tackle
As noted above, Tilpia are not hard or dirty fighters, so you can comfortably target them with light tackle of 10lbs or less.
Tilapia genus including Oreochromis and Sarotherodon
HOME
Other Species
Tilapia Description
Tilapia is a genus of fish belonging to the Cichlid family. Some of the more well-known species include the Blue Tilapia, the Nile Tilapia, and the Mozambique Tilapia. However, there are many other species and they sometimes hybridize, making exact identification difficult in some cases.
Tilapia are a warm-water fish that can survive in some incredibly challenging environments. As an example, they have survived in the Salton Sea, which has become more and more salty over the last 30 years, killing nearly all other species. Tilapia have adapted to saltwater in other places, and can be found in the ocean in parts of Africa and Hawaii. They were found in the Sea of Galilee during New Testament times, and were one of the types of fish that some of Jesus' disciples caught for a living before being switching professions.
Most of the well-known Tilapia species originated in Africa, but due to their incredible ability to adapt they have spread to most warm parts of the world. In some areas they are viewed negatively as an invasive species, while in others they are seen as a valuable food fish. They are commercially farmed for food on a large scale in many places and are a common sight in fish markets and grocery stores throughout the world.
Tilapia do not get very large, with most averaging a pound or two and the largest species maxing out around 11lbs.
Tilapia Pound for Pound Fight Rating - 5 out of 10 on the Freshwater Scale
Tilapia are scrappy, but do not put up an incredible fight. Their soft mouths are relatively easy to hook, and they are not adept and running into cover.
Tilapia Tackle
As noted above, Tilpia are not hard or dirty fighters, so you can comfortably target them with light tackle of 10lbs or less.
A Blue Tilapia caught in Florida on bread
Tilapia Techniques
Tilapia can be targeted with flies, lures, and bait. Many species are mostly vegetarian, so bait is often the way to go.
Tilapia Lures
Tilapia do not have big mouths, so small lures are the way to go. They are not aggressive predators, but they can sometimes be enticed to hit small spinners, flies, and occasionally crankbaits.
Tilapia Bait
Bread has worked great for every species of Tilapia I have fished for. You just mold it onto the hook. They are also fond of worms.
A Spotted Tilapia caught on bread in Miami, Florida
Where to Catch Big Tilapia
Africa is where the large Tilapia species originated. The big Nile Tilapia can be found in many places including coastal portions of Israel and, of course, the Nile River system.
The author's daughter's big Tilapia caught in Lake Agua Milpa, Mexico on a small Fat Free Shad crankbait