Super User Catch and Grease Posted May 27, 2015 Super User Posted May 27, 2015 I got skunked at the lake bass fishing so when I got back I said what the heck and went to a secluded pond that's behind my Nanas house, it's usually flooded and you have to wade to get to it but during the summer sometimes it's not like it was today. So I packed up my stuff and took the 4 wheeler to the spot to go catch some Bowfin. This pond/swamp carries some huge warmouth and Bowfin (pretty much the only fish in there) and since it rained a lot today after I left it might be flooded again by now.... Caught some good ones on everything thing from 10lb braid with roadrunners and marabou jigs to 50lb braid and cut-bait! Caught one pretty good sized one and lost another that was probably even bigger! It's sad that lots of people outright kill these when they catch them and call them trash fish, I'm glad I have this awesome little area all to myself that is practically untouched by anyone outside of my family. I love catching bowfin! 6 Quote
Super User flyfisher Posted May 28, 2015 Super User Posted May 28, 2015 i love catching them and really want to get one on my fly rod. I agree that people are just ignorant when it comes to certain species. I couldn't bring myself to kill a fish that has been around since the time of dinosaurs just because....nice looking fish too 3 Quote
OkeechobeeAngler Posted May 28, 2015 Posted May 28, 2015 I love catching mud fish. I hate catching them in a tournament though, always makes ya think ya got a 10lb bass. Quote
Super User scaleface Posted May 28, 2015 Super User Posted May 28, 2015 Im always thrilled to hook into one . Quote
powerduster Posted May 28, 2015 Posted May 28, 2015 I never understood the logic of "trash fish" either. I also see that same logic in saltwater fishing too. For instance, there are plenty of harder pulling fish species with more tenacity than stripers or red drum, but people would rather not deal with them. It truly is ironic when you think about it. Quote
Global Moderator Bluebasser86 Posted May 28, 2015 Global Moderator Posted May 28, 2015 Unless a fish has a real negative impact on a fishery (Asian Carp), it's really hard to classify it as a true trash fish. Our lakes are overpopulated with common carp to the point the state has programs to remove large numbers. There is so many that they are actually effecting how muddy the water is in some lakes because of their rooting around the bottom and eating plants that hold the bottom and shorelines together and reduce runoff. 2 Quote
Super User SirSnookalot Posted May 28, 2015 Super User Posted May 28, 2015 I never understood the logic of "trash fish" either. I also see that same logic in saltwater fishing too. For instance, there are plenty of harder pulling fish species with more tenacity than stripers or red drum, but people would rather not deal with them. It truly is ironic when you think about it. Me either. Most fish are good for something, cut up for bait, good on the plate or a great fun fight. I've got species that I catch that will give you all you can handle on the end of rod, they eat well too, yet they are not gamefish. Contrary to that I catch gamefish that I can easily handle that I wouldn't want to eat. When push comes to shove there is no question in my mind what my priority target fish are going to be. Nice catch on those bowfin, that's a lotta fun. Quote
John G Posted May 28, 2015 Posted May 28, 2015 If I had a pond behind my house with Mudfish in it like the ones in your pic, I'd be there everyday! Quote
BassMaster17 Posted May 28, 2015 Posted May 28, 2015 The only fish that should be considered "trash fish" are ones that are invasive to the area. but that don't mean they should be considered "trash fish" where their native. Bowfin are my second favorite species to target, and a blast to catch too. Quote
Super User BassinLou Posted May 28, 2015 Super User Posted May 28, 2015 I come across mudfish often. Although I do not prefer catching them, I also don't have any ill will against them either. I really hate it when people kill so called "trash fish" just because they happen to catch a different species of fish that was not there target fish . 2 Quote
Silas Posted August 5, 2015 Posted August 5, 2015 That's a CHOUPIQUE down here in South Louisiana. (pronounced "Shoe Pick" Some people will scrape the meat off with a spoon and make CHOUPIQUE Balls or Boulet with them in a brown gravy and served over rice. If cooked right they can be pretty tasty. One rule on CHOUPIQUE. No live ones in the boat. They will bust up tackle quickly when thrashing around. Also, don't "Lip" em like you would a bass. 1 Quote
CFS Posted August 5, 2015 Posted August 5, 2015 Bowfin were around before we were. They really look interesting. Never understood the concept of "trash fish" either. There always should be variety in the lakes and ponds. Let's face - only hooking up bass even gets boring after a while. Always is nice to catch something different for a change. Quote
Brett Strohl Posted August 5, 2015 Posted August 5, 2015 The first time I saw a big one of those I screamed because I had no idea what it was, and it looked like some kind of prehistoric dinosaur fish lol Quote
Josh Smith Posted August 5, 2015 Posted August 5, 2015 I don't think I've ever caught one. What do they taste like? Quote
atcoha Posted August 6, 2015 Posted August 6, 2015 Don't know what they taste like, but they are fun to catch. Especially when that's the only thing biting. Quote
CFS Posted August 6, 2015 Posted August 6, 2015 They are said to taste pretty bad. What's more, they have quite a dose of mercury in them. Quote
Big C Posted August 6, 2015 Posted August 6, 2015 I don't think I've ever caught one. What do they taste like? Chicken. 3 Quote
Super User Catch and Grease Posted August 6, 2015 Author Super User Posted August 6, 2015 They are said to taste pretty bad. What's more, they have quite a dose of mercury in them. Everyone I've talked to (that have actually ate them) say they are good. I think its a myth that they taste like crap but I've never had one... Don't knock it till you try it I guess lol! In Louisiana they are a delicacy supposedly Quote
Super User SirSnookalot Posted August 7, 2015 Super User Posted August 7, 2015 Over the years I have written many threads about gamefish vs trashfish. I want 2 things out of my fish whether game or trash, challenge to locate and entice strikes and the battle itself. Snook for example is my favorite fish, I have caught them on bait which is shooting fish in a barrel, given the same conditions catching them on artificial can be a challenge. A non gamefish that is another favorite of mine is barracuda, an easy fish to catch with bait, on artificial not so easy. This is fish gives an outstanding strike, stamina isn't quite as good as snook, but not bad (snook don't compare to jack, another trashfish), cudas are table favorite down here. Quote
dave Posted August 8, 2015 Posted August 8, 2015 My partner and I take our Maryland customers to the northen neck of VA to fish in the fall. They could give a rats rear end about bass, they want to catch bowfin! Quote
Super User Catch and Grease Posted August 8, 2015 Author Super User Posted August 8, 2015 Me and my grandpa went to a place called reed bingham fishing this morning and got skunked but he caught a HUGE bowfin we didn't get a pic but it had to be over 12lbs.... 2 Quote
spencer12 Posted August 9, 2015 Posted August 9, 2015 Me and my grandpa went to a place called reed bingham fishing this morning and got skunked but he caught a HUGE bowfin we didn't get a pic but it had to be over 12lbs.... How did you guys do, I fished there this week after not fishing it for more than 10 years. It appears they had a hydrilla invasion while I was away, but I did manage 2 small ones near the river mouth. 1 Quote
Super User Catch and Grease Posted August 10, 2015 Author Super User Posted August 10, 2015 Not good, I got a good hit while flipping some grass and my grandpa lost one but we came out empty handed... That place is really grown up with grass now, I fished it early last year and it wasn't nearly as bad... There are still some great bass in there but I'd definitely say summer is not a great time to go because the grass is ridiculous but that's how most lakes around here are.... If you go back in the river it has running into it it is 100 times less ate up with grass and you can find some deeper water so that would be your best shot I would think Quote
desmobob Posted August 10, 2015 Posted August 10, 2015 I saw the bowfin of a lifetime in Lake Champlain last weekend. For one thing, it was big, and for another, it was melanistic (totally black!). It was cruising slowly over the grass bed I was fishing. It was traveling at about the same speed I was drifting so I was able to get my lure in front of it several times. It was not the least bit interested in the T-rigged Havoc Pit Boss I had on. I wanted to catch it so badly! :-( Tight lines, Bob 1 Quote
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