Let's Talk About Bowfin

[flyfisher]

The recent snakehead thread got me to thinking about bowfin.  I have caught one and had multiple others on that were subsequently lost but i would really like to target these suckers.  I know of a few places that have good populations of them but i can't seem to catch them.

 

ANy particular baits you guys use?  Also have you guys ever seen a spawning bowfin coloration?  If not do a quick google images search and you will be shocked.  They turn almost flourescent green. 

 

http://www.fishingbuddy.com/photos/uber_bowfin

[MCS]

That color is amazing, looks like it was dyed or painting.

[J Francho]

That is a male in full spawning dress.  My experience has been that the are like a light switch.  They sometimes attack anything in the vicinity, or completely ignore anything thrown at them.  Your best bet is backwater swamp areas during mid spring.

[SPEEDBEAD.]

LOL, I can see the caption to that pic now....

 

"You wouldn't like me when I'm angry!"

[Dwight Hottle]

They love spinner baits down in Florida.

[BrettD]

They love spinner baits down in Florida.

Yeah they do and the will destroy a spinnerbait quick. I think every bowfin I've caught has been on a spinnerbait.

[flyfisher]

The one i actually landed was on a fluke oddly enough and when i took a look at him i realized why i missed a few as they have really bony mouths.  One cool thing was the one i caught was tagged a few years before i caught him and when i contacted the DGIF i found out he grew about 2lbs and 4" and was basically tagged right across the cove from where i caught him.

[Capt.Bob]

Iv'e had them attack a fish basket hanging over the side of my boat more than once when it was full of bluegill, so what I do when I want the grandkids to have a thrill is put a 3 or 4 inch blue gill on a large hook and a big bobber and they allway's work, they come tearing them up. The grand kids think its great and it keep's me in #1 grandpa status!! sorry grandpa T----r  

[clayton86]

I haven't caught one in years probably 15 years. I used to catch them all the time when I was a kid on crawfish. The ones I caught had blue tongues I I remember correctly I have Polaroids of them some where just to give an idea of how long ago I hooked into one. I fish them same waters now and don't catch them.

[NEjitterbugger]

My friend caught an 8lbs bowfin on Champlain.

[fstr385]

I caught a smaller one.. maybe 1.5-2lbs about a week ago on a t rigged 10" pumpkin/pearl ribbontail worm. Looked like a bass mated with a snakehead. Cool fish!

[Brian Needham]

spinnerbaits is what I have caught mine on.........I once caught a 11 1/5 pound grinnel, err bowfin.

 

we call them grinnel here in the south. Their diet is made up mostly of small fish so any lure in that vein should work.

[OkeechobeeAngler]

Love catching mudfish

[00 mod]

I have a spot you can catch on about every trip. White spinnerbaits are key. They tear up cheap ones so I had switched to Terminator titanium but have since switched again to Megastrike. With the joint in them, they last alot better.

Jeff

[webertime]

To catch a bowfin:

Find swampy backwater area. 

Tie on most expensive lure you have (add reciept to hook for extra attraction).

Cast.

Set hook.

Land fish, release it.

Take broken bait and throw it in the bottom of the boat.

Repeat.

 

My buddy and I were flipping a weed bed on Champ.  He was on the front left and was in the rear on the right.  We both hooked into 11lb+ bowfin at the same time.  It was nuts... "You get the net!  No! You get it I'm busy!  Dude!!!! Dude, what!?!?!?! I'm going through the same thing you are!"

[Hanover_Yakker]

J - there is a spot a couple hours away that is loaded with them in case you're interested.  I'll hit it with you one weekend if you like.  Let me know.

[flyfisher]

J - there is a spot a couple hours away that is loaded with them in case you're interested.  I'll hit it with you one weekend if you like.  Let me know.

Let's do it.  Just let me know a good time for you and i am all about it.  I want to catch them on a fly rod.....

[Hanover_Yakker]

Sure thing - I'm checking on the best launch spot now.  Let you know soon.  You have my cell, so drop me a line anytime.  I'm sure my son would love it, too!

[Jay Ell Gee]

I'll never forget my first bowfin...

I had the flu for about a week a few years back. I had missed two fishing trips and had cabin fever something awful.

I managed to get myself out of bed long enough to tie my first few jigs, finesse types. Boy was I proud of those jigs.

Finally got out on the water with dad and after the frog bite turned off that morning, I pitched my own black/blue jig between some pads and the bank. Second pitch, the water just ERUPTED. This was the craziest fighting freshwater fish I had ever hooked. My dad just laughed, he knew what it was long before I saw it.

After removing the hook and taking a quick pic, I released it. My poor jig hook was all bent and mangled.... Most of the skirt was sawed clean off. I was heartbroken, but darn proud of my jig catching that bowfin.

[mnbassman23]

spinnerbaits and soft plastics work well as other have said. I usually catch around 5-10 a year depending on what lakes I fish. They do tear up lures, but fun as heck to catch.  

[MIbassin]

I have a cousin who has caught some pretty good sized ones on Senkos!

[Scorcher214]

I've hooked into several this year but have not managed to land one. Break off my line or get off. The first one I had on this year, I thought was a big muskie. Got it close to the kayak and saw it was a bowfin that was almost 3ft long. Was not too thrilled about taking him off the hook in a kayak but he shook off.