Sorry, no pics. I was too scared to bring it into the kayak.

I set out in my kayak today in my first attempt to catch a bowfin in an area that several of my bass fishing friends told me that they had caught some in recent years. Success! On my 5th cast my lil bluegill got nailed! I knew they fought hard but I didn't expect them to be so ballistic. I have caught hundreds of pike so I thought that I would be able to handle it with fish grippers. Nope! When I had it next to the kayak I got scared and I am not ashamed to admit it. It jumped so many times that I thought it was going to take a chunk out of me. I grabbed the hook with my long nose pliers and released it while it was still in the water. It was maybe 4 lbs. I bought a folding net to keep in my kayak right afterwards. I think I have found a new summertime sport. Kayaking and bowfinning!

cool . i have heard they are feisty fighters . i have never caught one but one day i say 2 on thr bank completely dead . apparently whoeveer caught them were bowfin haters

Sounds like a lot of fun.I really want to catch one. Where were you fishing?

Also, for those that have kayaks or canoes I would like to plan a bowfin and flathead fish-in. This location is a great one. It is in a creek connected to a main lake. There is an awesome lodge less than 200 yards away. It can sleep tons of folks and it has a central common area. Party all night and fish all day. Best of all it is dirt cheap! For all of those that have a yak or canoe send me a pm and we will arrange a fish-in. It WILL be epic.

Oh yeah, there have been several 50 and 60 lb flatheads caught in this creek on trotlines. The lake record is over 100 lbs! Might be a good idea to bring your session fishing kit if you want to catch one at night. In a couple of weeks the flatheads should be hungry as all heck.

Also, there are 2 other nearby creeks, that have also produced fins, within easy paddling distance.

I know where to get plenty of bluegill for bait.

Sunfish, send me a pm and I will be more than happy to tell you. I don't want to post it in public.

Jason You were probably pretty safe in letting it go in the water. I'm only basing this on the fact that the guy that feeds the fish at BPS says he doesn't stick his hand anywhere near the water when the single bowfin they have comes to feed, He said it was easily the meanest fish in the entire tank.

Thats awesome! Krista has repeatedly told me the same thing when she used to do the dive show feeding at the Fisheries Center in Athens.

Sounds like great fun Jason.
I'm still trying to catch my first bowfin (and flathead, for that matter!).
I've got both a kayak and a canoe, and would enjoy a road trip. If you plan anything please include me.

Brian

Nice going Jason!

They are ornery bastids but they're fun to catch.

Very cool! Congrats Jason!

Grats Jason!

You big wussy! JK

Cool story. Never caught one myself. Not sure I'd mess with them teeth either. Sounds like fun though. WTG on your first gar.

Thanks all. I did feel kind of like a wussy. In my defense it was not only my first time to fish for bowfin but it was my first time to fish from a kayak. I had zero confidence in what I was doing, lol!

Will do Brian.

Awesome i've caught one wade fishing before. Once I had a one that size chasing me good thing he was hooked in the mouth so i could keep the bad part away. He spit the hook after i was able to get close enough to shore to get away. They are monsters!