Pacemaker Fishing Forum

Ernie · Jun-20-23 4:04PM

Yes, the bowfin! According to Wikipidia, "the bowfin (Amia calva) is a bony fish, native to North America. Common names include mudfish, mud pike, dogfish, grindle, grinnel, swamp trout, and choupique."

why do people call it a trash fish?

I clearly remember my 1st bowfin. I was bass fishing with a good friend on the North River in NC. I threw something at the base of a cypress tree and what happened next was explosive, the fight was that on steroids! What power! One of the most intense fights I've ever experienced.

But...I will never know how big that fish was because as I got it close to the boat, my friend cut the line before I could net him. He was disgusted! Well, so was I...at him!

Fast forward to fishing with Capts. Mike and Dave on the Piankatank River. They were were giving us glowing reports about catching these fish in the swamp. I got existed. I wanted to land my 1st one. I and I did...many of them

Personally, if I could target these in our area, that's all I would do. Their bite i ferocious. They will destroy a spinner bait on a bite!The may a smallie look weak!

Why do they get a bad rap?

Osprey · Jun-23-23 3:37PM

They were in MD at some point in time (50's). Boat ramps used to have pics of them and hellbenders. Save the hellbenders and destroy the grinnel. Never saw or caught one till fishing with Mike and Dave in the Dragon.

Ernie wrote:
Yes, the bowfin! According to Wikipidia, "the bowfin (Amia calva) is a bony fish, native to North America. Common names include mudfish, mud pike, dogfish, grindle, grinnel, swamp trout, and choupique."

why do people call it a trash fish?

I clearly remember my 1st bowfin. I was bass fishing with a good friend on the North River in NC. I threw something at the base of a cypress tree and what happened next was explosive, the fight was that on steroids! What power! One of the most intense fights I've ever experienced.

But...I will never know how big that fish was because as i got it close to the boat, my friend cut the line before I could net him. He was disgusted! Well, so was I!

Fast forward to fishing with Capts. mike and Dave on the Piankatank River. They were were giving us glowing reports about catching these fish in the swamp. I got existed. I wanted to land my 1st one. I and I did...many of them

Personally, if I could target these in our area, that's all I would do. Their bite i ferocious. They will destroy a spinner bait on a bite!The may a smallie look weak!

Why do they get a bad rap?

drxfish · Jun-23-23 4:26PM

I have not caught one. If they are more vicious than a snakehead, then that is something.

Ernie · Jun-23-23 5:23PM

The snakehead take is not vicious. But the fight is.

The bowfin’s strike is violent. As is the fight.

They absolutely destroy spinnerbaits. Literally!

hookup · Jun-25-23 2:59PM

Bowfin rock. I would never give them a bad rap.

You want a bowfin bit from a smallie? Head north

Never knew they had a bad rap ... if for anything is I understand they're bony and not edible and that could be why?

Bryan · Jun-26-23 6:05AM

They're a neat fish. Kind of like a native version of a snakehead. Definitely tackle destroyers.

Pacemaker Fishing Forum

#1 Jun-20-23 4:04PM

Have you ever caught a bowfin?

#2 Jun-23-23 3:37PM

Re: Have you ever caught a bowfin?

Ernie wrote:

#3 Jun-23-23 4:26PM

Re: Have you ever caught a bowfin?

#4 Jun-23-23 5:23PM

Re: Have you ever caught a bowfin?

#5 Jun-25-23 2:59PM

Re: Have you ever caught a bowfin?

#6 Jun-26-23 6:05AM

Re: Have you ever caught a bowfin?

Board footer