Big Bowfin

[BassAddict]

I took my 3 year old boy fishing Sunday afternoon figuring we may catch some crappie and small bass. I rigged is little Zebco rod and reel for him with a crappie jig tipped with a small minnow and put a cork above it. Well he's throwing rocks in the pond behind us when his cork goes down. I set the hook for him and tried to get him to reel in the fish. Well the fish was more than I thought it was and he didn't want anything to do with it. After a long battle several close calls of the 8 lb line almost breaking I finally got the fish in and it ended being a Bowfin that was probably near 8lbs. It was a fun fight but he will never swim in that pond again. We ended up catching 6-7 bass and I did catch one that went 6.1 lbs on a Strike King Bleeding Bait Series spinnerbait. She was fat as a toad and was in the back of a cove in about 2' of water. I was hoping my boy would get in on the pictures but he wasn't too sure about those big fish. Guess I should have started him out catching Bluegills instead of 6 lb bass and 8 lb Bowfins. LOL Here are a couple pics.

Eric

[betursweetbass]

Nice bass buddy, thanks for the pics. I had a friend catch a 4 pound bowfin last year, and they are fighters that's for sure, but you won't see me trying to lip that toothy critter. They sure have mean looking mouths. I don't blame your son for backin off from that fish.

[H2O]

Nice catch!

Last summer, I caught couples of almost exact same bowfin on Zara Spook. It fought even harder than a same size pike. So I definitely believe that was a lot of fun for you guys.
Next time, try any kind top water lure, bowfin loves to strike topwater lures, specially in morning and late afternoon. And you know it will be lots fun!
Glad to hear your story, and a little bit jealous for your local weather

Cheers.

[Rodman_Rob]

Its good to take your son out fishing, however you should prolly ease him into the sport catching Bluegill and Specks, instead of those MONSTERS! You're scaring the poor kid.

[Hef]

I know what you mean. This was the first bowfin I had ever seen and I almost lipped him. Almost had a big mistake.
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y17...Dusty/Dust.jpg

[bass kicker]

on a local river while fishing trout i caught a 20 lb bowfin

[crankybait]

3 years old? geez im really thinking i can catch some good fish if a 3 year old can get a bite

[lizardsrule]

Glad you and your son got out. Who cares if you caught any fish, but even better that you did. Next time he'll be a little more used to it, and in a few years he'll be kicking dad's butt LOL.

Lizards

[seaphantom]

BA,

what did you do w/ the bowfin? Was that your lake?


sp

[BassAddict]

Thanks guys! I think right now my boy just likes to cast. He really doesn't care if he catches a fish or not. He just likes to see how far he can cast a lure. He's getting pretty good actually and doesn't want daddy's help anymore. My daughter is 6 now and she likes to fish too but she was too sick to go on this last trip. I'll post a picture of her first bass she caught a couple years ago with daddy's help. She caught it in my dad's little pond at his house. Then she caught her own on her "Dale Earnhardt Jr." rod. LOL

SP,

We killed the Bowfin. I don't really want them in the ponds I fish. The property I fish at has 9 ponds on 540 acres. A river runs down the side of the property and thats where the Bowfin's come from. I don't own the property but a good friend of mine owns some and leases the rest. He gave me the keys to the place and said treat it like you own it. There are plenty of Chain Pickerel in there so I don't see the need for the Bowfin's. They will eat everything in the pond. I usually take the big ones out.

Eric

[bassfisher02]

looks like a fun time. i caught a bowfin that size a while back on a beetle spin, i posted a pic here. but ya they are some pretty good fighters, especially on light tackle.

[bass kicker]

thats a nice bass your daughter has there

[seaphantom]

Yeah,

I used to live on a river that had the chain pickerel/bowfin combo.

I don't think there's anything wrong with big bowfin in there though... if you're catching trophy size bass, it's a pretty healthy lake.

watever floats your boat though man,


sp

[big redneck fisher]

i seen a bowfin that big , there a big fight eh but i dont think there as nice as pike , maybe more teeth who no's, your kids most have some fun and thats one nice bass your girls got there
so what family is bowfin in , like really what is it not real a nice looking fish and can u even eat them, dont think i wanna

good luck fishing man ,and next time just take the kids bass fishing

[bass kicker]

hey matt rember my 20 lb bowfin from jordon

[big redneck fisher]

hell ya man was that a bleeder the boats was like red , and thats the only one i seen since

[bass kicker]

that was my first biggest and only bowfin i have ever caught

[1FASTLASER]

BasAddict

My hats off to ya. Ma it does me good to see kids and there parents having a good time fishing. More kids need to be on the water instead of punching keys on a remote or playing playstation. Keep em on the water and you shouldnt have any major problems with them when they get older. I got 5 kids myself and thank god they love to fish.

[lizardsrule]

BA,

I'm with ya on the Bowfins also. Nobody eats them, and nobody likes them. Good fertilizer though.

Lizards

[bass kicker]

its illegal to waste fish like that here

they put up an awsome fight though

[lizardsrule]

Originally Posted by bass kicker

its illegal to waste fish like that here

they put up an awsome fight though

I take it you don't do any yard work or gardening. It's not wasting it to use it, just maybe not what you would use it for. There are Bass tournaments down here that they offer a prize for the biggest drum brought in to the weigh in(I believe that's the name they call them?, I call them ugly!) . Wanna know why? Take a guess LOL.

Lizards