BowFin Battle on a 5 Weight Fly Rod

Bowfin are awesome creatures. If you study them at all, you will be amazed, but almost everyone catches them by accident. However, they discover that they can be fearsome and aggressive predators, and they can give you the shivers when they battle, making you think you have a 10 pound bass finally a reality. Some trophy bass hunters cringe when they realize they have hooked one, because they know that they can destroy fishing lures, break hooks, and damage fishing line. They also have a very dangerous set of teeth that can severely damage fingers that get too close. They can leap higher and more often than a largemouth bass, especially at the heavier weights. They are awesome, but they get no respect. On a little 5 weight fly rod from a kayak, they become “Crick Water Tarpon”.

[@jakenoack6702]

I enjoyed watching that and the commentary was great too. Can't wait to catch my first bowfin when I move to Florida.

[@KenDaubert]

They really love FROG Lures also. There are lots of very big ones down here. Congrats on your move to Florida. Your first year here will make you crazy, trying to fishing everywhere you can. Don't forget to sleep and eat ! I still haven't calmed down after 40 years here.

[@jghost910]

I love fighting them just hate getting them off the hook. They destroy top water lures. A lot of people kill them, they get them confused with snakeheads

[@KenDaubert]

I was very worried about losing that fly because I only made one of them, and it was catching a lot of bass for me, but I was glad to have him on that light fly rod !

[@jghost910]

@@KenDaubert I bet, that’s a aggressive fish on lightweight gear. I live in Greenville nc so a lot of ponds I fish are feed by the tar river. I hook up on them alot

[@KenDaubert]

@@jghost910 That's why I say they are under appreciated. But you are right ! They do really mess up your lure & hooks. Fly fishing does make them more interesting, especially with a very light weight fly rod.