Even MORE Lures that Imitate Tilapia
It’s abundantly clear that largemouth bass in Mexico (and some parts of Texas and Florida) grow fat largely by eating tilapia. Accordingly, many anglers heading South of the Border look for custom paint jobs to “match the hatch” and give them a leg up on double-digits. While my own success with tilapia-themed lures has been mixed, I still watch to see what’s available and may own more than a few naturalistic swimbaits, crankbaits, plastics and spinnerbaits. I cannot help myself.
Accordingly, I’ve previously outlines some of the lures meant to imitate tilapia here and here, I know that some of you have clicked through. Some of you have asked for assistance in locating some of the harder-to-find models or in identifying a custom painter. I’m happy to help where I can, and I’m also happy to feed the addiction, because new tilapia baits keep popping up.
Texas-based 6th Sense has introduced tilapia patterns in several of their hard baits, and now they’ve once again done so in their four-piece Trace swimbait. It comes in both floating and slow sinking models, each 6 inches long.
This is a combination of a swimbait and a jig, in a class like the Megabass Dark Sleeper, except with a different body and tail, along with ultra-realistic paint jobs. This is one I’m definitely buying soon. It comes in five different length/weight combinations.
I’m not sure how I missed this one previously, but the Live Magic Shad (available in three sizes) has long been one of the most popular but least-mentioned vibrating jig trailers.
Among the hard core swimbait guys, Pizz is one of the most coveted and respected brands. You may have to wait (and be exceptionally lucky) to get in on a drop, or show up at one of the swimbait “Gatherings” to find one, but it should be very much worth the wait.
The Gan Craft Jointed Claw is an entryway into the world of high dollar swimbaits, low triple digit pricey but not quite as much as some of the garage baits like the Pizz, above. As far as I can tell, the limited edition tilapia version is only available overseas, so order one from Asia or Australia, or else get a stock model from TW and engage a custom painter.
At the lower end of the swimbait price spectrum, the Jackall Gantarel and Gantarel Jr. are both respected three-piece baits that can be worked effectively at a variety of speeds. While there’s not a tilapia pattern per se, their new crappie version very much replicates some of the big tilapia we see at El Salto and Picachos.
Finally, if you like to use the long rod, Ole Florida Fly Shop sells a tilapia-pattered Umpqua Baitfish, tied on a #2 hook with a weedguard.
I’ll keep my eyes open (and my credit card ready) for more – if you’ve got some that I’ve yet to identify, shoot us a message and let us know.
