13 hours ago, riverat said:

While they may not be good to eat there is a market for their eggs. The product is called American Bowfin Caviar. Supposedly it's very good, although I've never tried it.

Double barf

 

You let us know how it is @riverat...

I've watched several catch / clean / cook videos on bowfin.  The eaters all seem to like it, but I'm not crazy about eating fish in general, so I probably won't try it.

On 2/15/2022 at 7:05 AM, Captain Phil said:

 

This summer, go to the shallowest muddiest back water flat you can find. The hotter the water, the better. Throw a weightless worm or a spinnerbait in less than three feet of water.  Hang on....

this is what we do ...............

Everyone should catch a bowfin at least once. It was a thrill and a mystery the first time I caught one. I knew it was big, and then I didn’t know what it was. Turned out it wasn’t that big (4lbs) and ultimately they just ruin spinnerbaits. The first time was exciting and worth it.

2 hours ago, billmac said:

I've watched several catch / clean / cook videos on bowfin.  The eaters all seem to like it, but I'm not crazy about eating fish in general, so I probably won't try it.

I’ve heard the meat described as having a jelly like consistency. That’s a big nope 

12 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

I’ve heard the meat described as having a jelly like consistency. That’s a big nope 

So basically Lutfisk without the Lye treatment.

 

Great Big Nope. (I may be 1/2 Swedish, but there are limits to my palate.)

39 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

I’ve heard the meat described as having a jelly like consistency.

That means someone has tried to eat it.  ?

2 hours ago, gimruis said:

That means someone has tried to eat it.  ?

Oh I’ve spoken with them 

I prefer to release all the bowfin I catch just like I release all the largemouth bass I catch. Both of these fish are native fish which I prefer to release. If I wanted to keep freshwater fish I would keep exotic fish such as Oscars and Mayan cichlids, which taste much better than any native freshwater fish I have eaten including crappie and walleye.

Caught 3 in 30 minutes on a popper once, one was pushing 9 lbs.

 

In the years since then I've managed two, one that I caught on a cricket while getting some bluegills to eat.

 

The other screwed up a savage gear swimbait, that's the only time I've ever been unhappy to see one.