Monday, December 13, 2010

Bowfin, My Bowfin

Went out to Lake Fork at the direction of a friend from the TFF. Had a good time. Fished under a bridge and caught a male bowfin! The Hispanic family next to me, fishing with minnows, caught 5 or 6 and proceeded to kill the first 3 until I intervened and instructed them that it was unnecessary and that they wouldn't eat all the crappie (they were doing that themselves). On their stringer they had a number of really nice crappie, both black and white, a number of undersized ones, and around a dozen bass, the largest being around 6 lbs.
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The male I caught, Illustrating the males tail spot and green fins.
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A large female murdered by the meat fishers...
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Wouldn't want to get a giner in there!

6 comments:

  1. First let me say that I really like your blog. I have added to my blogroll.

    This is the first time that I've seen a bowfin. It looks interesting. It's a shame that some folks feel the need to kill them. What sort of flies do they like?

    Leigh www.finfollower.com

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  2. Thank you Leigh.

    They generally go for crawdad, sculpin or minnow immitations. General streamers. If sight fishing, something you can get in front of them with a big sharp hook. very tough mouths. Almost need to strip strike like with a tarpon. Will sometimes spit the fly, but will usually attack again if you recast it in their face. I have been using tyger wire leaders, but you could probably get by with some 20-30lb fluorocarbon. I actually think that might be superior. Learn their life cycle and they can be pretty easy to find. They have a very wide distrobution.

    J

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  3. Bowfin are awesome fish... living fossils. I have yet to catch on one the fly, but maybe one day I'll be in the right place at the right time with the right fly.

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  4. Very cool. Way to step in and protect the wildlife. Bowfin are such cool fish.

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  5. I'm still waiting to catch my frist bowfin. Nice job.

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