Tilapia lures effective for Hyco bass

Lure selection sometimes is critical when bass-fishing during the winter.

Angler David Peninger of Timberlake prefers crankbaits at Hyco Lake because he knows the lake’s largemouths have become used to eating tilapia, a baitfish many people find in grocery stores or can order at restaurants.

“I sell a bunch of Live Target tilapia crankbaits,” said Barry Joyce of Hyco Lake Marina and Outfitters in Leasburg. “I’ve got ’em in red and yellow fin colors.”

Tilapia crankbaits, 3 to 3 1/2 inches long, resemble flat-sided Fat Free Shads, except their sides are painted to resemble baby bluegills — green and black with some yellow. However, dorsal and pelvic fin colors are red or yellow.

“You can get shallow-divers or big-lipped deep-divers,” Joyce said.

Tilapia have been in Hyco Lake for years; they congregate in winter near the hot-water discharge canal leading from the Roxboro Steam Plant.

“The water’s warm enough in the canal that tilapia can survive in winter,” Joyce said.

Bass congregate in the ditch to eat the tasty baitfish, but a fence across the entrance bars anglers, although lots of boats crowd near the fence in winter.

“People fish from the banks with live tilapia, using bottom rigs just like they were fishing for catfish,” Joyce said. “They catch tilapia for baits using marsh mallow bits on small hooks.”