So I'm sitting there, its almost dark, and I'm about to give it up when WHAM! This guy starts taking line off my reel like its nobody's business, by far the best fight I've had with a freshwater fish.

I love fishing for bowfin and this was awesome, don't know the weight but I do know he is the biggest I've caught. I know there are bigger ones in the spots I fish too, and I'll catch em soon!

Had 50lb braid and a 14lb leader with my drag set at about 4-5 lbs and I still couldn't get him in very fast.

Nice fish! Those things are strong fighters that's for sure...

Congrats!

I caught a 8 lb. bowfin in a 25,000 big bass tournament on Sardis reservoir in MS. my partner told me after he netted it that he was for sure we had won it when he saw the way my rod was bowed and knew he was going to be the best paid net man ever, oh well. But my ex-partner did end up wining it on a spot I took him to the week before. Another Oh Well   

Nice fish ~

 

PB's are Always a Blast.

 

So which hook & rig did you end up going with ?

 

A-Jay

Nice fish ~

PB's are Always a Blast.

So which hook & rig did you end up going with ?

A-Jay

Lol I actually took your advice and eliminated all terminal tackle except the hook, used a bream that was about 3" with a circle hook, felt the strike, reeled up the slack, and firmly raised my rod. The hook got him perfectly in the corner of the mouth.

Thanks for your advice A-jay

Lol I actually took your advice and eliminated all terminal tackle except the hook, used a bream that was about 3" with a circle hook, felt the strike, reeled up the slack, and firmly raised my rod. The hook got him perfectly in the corner of the mouth.

Thanks for your advice A-jay

 

Nice ~ You're Welcome.

 

A-Jay

Nice catch. Its awesome to see guys like a-jay sharing his knowledge to help others become better anglers. This site is the absolute best!

Those bowfin are like one big muscle, plus they're pretty cooperative in the dog days of summer when the bass bite can die some. 

That thing is a freaky beast! Very nice fish..Don't think I have ever seen one of them before?