I caught my first bowfin today and now have the bow-fever. I heard from a buddy that a spillway had massive bowfin in it. I threw a squarebilled crank bait and it got immediately devoured by the biggest freshwater fish I have ever seen.

I fought the beast on screaming drag to the bank and got a look at it. It was easily nearly three feet long. Just as I was pulling it up the bank my line broke and off the bowfin went with my favorite crankbait in its mouth. I can't tell if it was the line breaking (8 lbs test, but easily much heavier bowfin) or the thing bit clean through it.

I've had a glimpse of this beast, have been defeated by it, and I don't take defeat well. What do I need to learn to get better at finding and landing these monsters?

Any advice at all on lures/bait, line weight (I like mono), technique, and gear are all welcome. My goal is land a trophy sized bowfin by end of the year.

And, just maybe catch the same fish and get my favorite crankbait back. Hey, I can dream.

Hard to beat a 3 - 4" Bluegill under a cork for bait. A Spinnerbait has caught most of my Bowfin. I'd use as heavy a mono as you can get away with.

Spinner bait or red Shad ribbon tail worms.

But be prepared to throw the spinner bait away after one mudfish. They will flat destroy whatever they hit. They spin aggressively which usually does the lure in. I’ve had them twist 4/0 worm hooks into pretzels.

This is my last one I caught, just over 11#

Senkos work well too.

Wouldn't bother me if I never caught another one again.

Thanks for all the advice. Sounds like I need to source some cheap spinners.

I think I'm going to rig up like surf fishing. 20 lbs main line with a 50 lbs shock/bite leader.

Overkill? Under kill?

2 hours ago, Rucksack said:

Thanks for all the advice. Sounds like I need to source some cheap spinners.

I think I'm going to rig up like surf fishing. 20 lbs main line with a 50 lbs shock/bite leader.

Overkill? Under kill?

They aren't line shy. Go for it.