This Weekend's Targets!!!

For personal use:

1. Peacock Bass

HABITAT – Successful in warm, slow flowing canals, ponds, lakes, deep rock pits, and lateral canals; frequently found in shady areas around bridges, culverts, canal intersections, bends, dead ends, and near fallen trees; spawns and often feeds in shallow water adjacent shorelines with overhanging vegetation.

FEEDING HABITS – Feed almost exclusively on fish; tend to use great speed to capture prey; typically feeds only during daylight hours; this fish has helped reduce the number of undesirable exotic fishes, especially the spotted tilapia.

SPORTING QUALITY – Hard-fighting, panfish-type fishery; strikes a variety of baits including cut fish, cut shrimp, crickets, and worms; best artificial baits include small jigs tipped with cut bait and small spinnerbaits; flyfishing also productive; described as a boom and bust fishery since periodically experience major winterkills but when abundant, angler catch rates are exceptional; no bag or size limits.

EDIBILITY – Good but the real value of this fish is in its use for controlling over-abundant exotic forage fishes and its sporting qualities; therefore FWC encourages anglers to catch and release these fish, especially those longer than 14 inches. (not so in Malaysia?)

2. Blue Tilapia

HABITAT – Widespread and abundant; found in fertile lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, and canals. It is tolerant of saltwater and found in some near shore marine habitats.

FEEDING HABITS – Feed primarily on plankton and small organisms living in or on bottom detritus; dominant food items in stomachs of fish were detritus, algae, diatoms, and plant material.

SPORTING QUALITY – Not normally known for their angling quality. The exception being some urban anglers catch these in ponds using small pieces of hot dogs, bread balls, dog food, or live worms; rarely caught on artificial lures. There is also a group of avid bow anglers that target this species.

EDIBILITY – White flaky meat with a mild flavor; considered excellent eating, and farm-raised fish often sold in grocery stores.

gotta try the hot dog this weekend…lol