Tilapia Fishing in Cebu

I was already in my 20s when I first tasted tilapia. I had no other choice as it was the only viand served at my aunt’s table when I happened to visit her home in Quezon City during one of my out-of-town trips.

“You don’t eat tilapia in Cebu, do you?” she asked me.

I had to agree. Prior to that, I never knew how that fish tasted. We’re so used to fishes produced by the sea. In those days, I could not even recall seeing tilapia being sold in Mandaue and Carbon markets.

But I know how a tilapia looks like because when we were kids, we’re catching them using our bare hands at some dirt pond a few meters away from our house. Eating them was unthinkable then.

But today, even supermarkets are selling tilapia. There are also a few fish-for-pay ponds in Cebu that have tilapia stocks. They also offer to cook the fish at the way you like it. I like it deep-fried though. Here are some places where you can experience tilapia fishing in Cebu.

Wetland Park located at N. Bacalso Avenue (that road leading to Inayawan, Pardo) is one of the firsts in Cebu. Their Facebook page is here. We used to go there five years ago and we just used ordinary bamboo rods. I didn’t have a decent fishing rod then but we usually caught palm-sized fishes. We had our catch cooked for us at an affordable price.

Co Jordan also has tilapia, as one worker there claimed. I never caught one in my many trips there. I only used dough as bait but tilapia’s fave is earthworm. They have tilapia sold at 160 per kilo but I learned that they sourced them from some other ponds.  

AC Tilapia Fishing near Mantayupan falls in Barili is also one place that you should go. They have ready rods and accommodating assistants to make your fishing experience unforgettable. Don’t forget to take a dip at the cool waters of the magnificent Mantayupan Falls when you go there. They are just a walking distance away from each other.

Victoria Hard Rock Resort in San Remigio, Cebu has a fish pond for fun fishing. The place is very nice and serene and I want to go back there someday. But it is quite far as you need to drive at least 3 hours just to get there. You have to go north to Tabuelan via Lugo (via Bogo is farther). Victoria is the first baranggay right after the Tabuelan-San Remigio boundary.

Last month, I had the opportunity to fish tilapia at my boss’ private pond. Here’s what we got.

Average tilapia weight is one kilo. Not bad really. I can’t wait to go back there soon.

Fishing at Co Jordan in Cebu

Co Jordan is one of the more popular pond fishing spots in Cebu today.  It is located in Tayud, Consolacion, Cebu.  To get there by public transport, ride a jeepney that will get you to SM Consolacion and embark just before the bridge a few meters from the front of the mall.  Take a tricycle and you’ll arrive there in a few minutes.  Here's the map >>> Co Jordan Fishing

If fishing is your trip, they have tilapia and bangus in which even noobs can catch within a minute, provided it is feeding time (between 4- 6pm) and you are on the right spot.  You don’t need to have your own expensive rods as they have bamboos already set up.  Rental for the rod is cheap at P10 and you have to buy the dough bait at P10 pesos each.  The net where you place your catch are free for use. You can also ask from them fish food pellets so that fishing will be much easier for you.

Some people have also caught other fish species but they are not the usual specie found in the dining table. So, it's better you release them alive if you do not know them.  Please don’t massacre them.  I even caught a giant crab which weighed 3/4 kilo.  The poor creature got entangled in my line so it was purely accidental. I released it alive upon learning that it costs P500/kilo. Bangus and tilapia caught are sold at 160 per kilo if uncooked.  If you want them cooked, it becomes 200 per kilo

They do not encourage catch and release.  You'll see them frown if you won't buy your catch.  You can also choose your own spot even if you not renting a cottage.  You can stay on the unoccupied huts or go farther away if you feel like it.

I have seen Co Jordan in its early days, when the access road was not yet completed and there were no other huts sprouting in the place. However, it has evolved more into a restaurant and family videoke place today, and fishing has just become an added attraction.  Cottages can be rented from 200 to 500 pesos for 3 hours.  They charge an additional amount if you exceed the time limit.  If you rent the biggest cottage, you have a videoke all for yourself.  Of course, you need 5-peso coins to play the songs you want.

The food is good and the prices are affordable.  They don't just sell bangus and tilapia but they also have pork, shrimp, talaba and even tangigue and quite a good range of food choices. 

Co Jordan is the most convenient place whenever wifey and I itch for a short fishing trip.  We usually go there on Sundays from 4 - 6pm and choose the spots far from the annoying sounds of the videoke.