When I was a kid, I learned How To Catch Tilapia in my uncle’s fish pond by using a rod and line. Now that I am a grown-up, It’s now the time to share with you the most challenging yet thrilling way that I have been doing in chasing one of the most popular aquatic species in the world—tilapia.
Fishermen usually catch tilapia by using nets so they can get a bountiful number of tilapia. However, catching tilapia through angling is an entirely different thing as it requires some skills, knowledge, and patience. But do not worry; this article will help you toward becoming a skilled angler by teaching you how to catch tilapia.
Things Or Equipment Needed For catching tilapia (Quick List)
- Lures (or Baits)
- Fishing Rod and Reel
- Hook
- Fishing License / Permit
How to catch tilapia: (Quick Process)
- Step 1: Know The Best Time To Fish And Trap Tilapia
- Step 2: Find The Best Fishing Location
- Step 3: Look For The Best Bait
- Step 4: Fasten The Lure/Bait With A Hook
- Step 5: Move The Rod Correctly With the Proper Posture
- Step 6: Lifting The Rod Once The Tilapia Is Hooked And Casting It Gently
Let’s do it!
Best way to catch tilapia (Detailed Guide)
Here are Some Things Or Equipment Needed while fishing
1. Lures (or Baits)
Lures and Baits are both used to attract fish; the only difference is that lures are artificial. Baits can be any insect or tiny animal, such as worms, flies, or other small fish. In my experience, nightcrawlers easily tempt tilapia, so you should as well find many of these before you catch tilapia.
Also You can refer the get the all information about How to keep Nightcrawlers Alive here
2. Fishing Rod and Reel
Fibred glass, bamboo, and wood are the standard materials suitable for making a fishing rod; they’re usually long and flexible. According to ebay.com, the ideal size for it can be anywhere between 6 to 7 feet. It’s also better to use a monofilament test line weighing anywhere between 4 and 8 pounds.
The reel is the device attached to the rod. The purpose of this is to wind and unwind the fishing line. Modern reels allow fishers to have more control over the amount of force they will use because they have a sophisticated adjustment system.
3. Hook
There are different types of hooks depending on their appearance. Some of these are the circle, treble, octopus, and jig hooks. All of these are effective, so it’s up to you to choose.
It suggests that you use a size six hook with a leader that is about 12 inches in size or 30 cm.
4. Fishing License / Permit
Not all fishing spots have free public access. It’s advisable to know first if a particular fishing location requires a fishing license/permit before you fish tilapia so that you won’t get fined or penalized.
If you are fishing in the United States.
The Step-by-step Process For Catching Tilapia
The following are the step-by-step process for Catching Tilapia
Step 1: Know The Best Time To Fish And Trap Tilapia
Tilapia are usually very abundant all throughout the year, but capturing them during spawning season leads to the higher success of catching. Also, mornings during sunrise, evenings during sunset, and mid-day are all good times of the day for tilapia fishing.
It defines spawning as the time when the water temperature is between 26 to 29 degrees Celsius. It is also the time when tilapia lay eggs and group themselves near vegetation or branches. They normally do this to avoid predators.
Step 2: Find The Best Fishing Location
In catching tilapia, location is an essential thing that you must look at. It is not unusual for tilapia to roam around shallow water because this type of fish is rarely present in brackish water.
One must-know information about tilapia is that they have a very shy personality, so you need not be too close to them, or else they will stay away from you. Along the shoreline is a recommended place where you should catch tilapia.
Step 3: Look For The Best Bait
The tilapia’s diet is not the same in all fishing locations, so you must find the bait that the tilapia in your place find tasty.
Aside from nightcrawlers, bread balls are also enticing to tilapia. Some fishers suggest that you freeze these bread balls, so the hook can easily penetrate through it.
Step 4: Fasten The Lure/Bait With A Hook
There are two best ways to attach the bait or lure.
The first is to ensure that the hook is exposed. This advice is important because if the hook is inside the lure, tilapia will eat the lure all up without getting entrapped.
The second is to pin the hook right through the middle of the bait/lure. Once you do this step, tilapia will have a hard time eating the bait/lure.
Step 5: Move The Rod Correctly With the Proper Posture
Many anglers move the rod vertically and horizontally. That is still effective, though; in my experience, I can catch better when I make downward sweeps. I normally do this from 3:00 o’clock to 5:00 o’clock.
Fishing tilapia requires extended periods of sitting and standing, so knowing your proper posture is a must. Exercise is helpful in preventing back pain while fishing.
Step 6: Lifting The Rod Once The Tilapia Is Hooked And Casting It Gently
Just like other fish, you will feel the tilapia fighting the hook in the water. When this happens, hold the fishing rod for 3-5 seconds, then raise it straight up.
Once you’ve trapped the fish, you control the fishing rod and reel gently so that the hook does not tear off the mouth of the tilapia, which is typically very soft and tiny.
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Did You Have Fun Reading This Tilapia Fishing Tutorial?
I know that you may find this recreational activity challenging if you’re an amateur in this field. But I’m positive that your angling skills will dramatically improve if you follow the steps that I mentioned in this article.
It is my pleasure to share this material as it will benefit anyone who would like to know more about how to catch tilapia. Whether you are doing this for fun or a livelihood, this is a perfect guide for you.
Before I end, I would like you to know that fishing with enthusiasm and passion is also valuable equipment, so tilapia will not be hard to chase.
If you find this article helpful, please feel free to post your comment below or share this with your friends.
FAQs
Catching a tilapia on a baitfish is challenging. Remain with corn, peas or breadsticks. Earthworms and plastic lures that imitate tiny fish or invertebrates are occasionally sought after by tilapia.
Because they are frequently flighty, tilapia are infamously difficult to catch. They are also herbivores, thus bait is of no interest to them.
Feeding options for tilapia fish include plant materials including leaves, cassava, sweet potatoes, cane, maize, and papaya as well as a variety of waste materials such fruit, rice bran, brewer’s scraps, cottonseed cake, peanut cake, and coffee pulp.
