Bowfin!

[shot'm&hook'm]

For the last 2 years I've done alot of fishing in Rough Creek between The Green Mill and Hikes falls. The fist year I caught everything. Largemouth bass, stipes, bluegill, yellow cats, flaty's, carp, gar, and probably stuf I don't remember. Well last year I went to the same place used the sme bait and what do I catch noting but these ugly good for nothing bowfin! Shure they put up a good fight but I'm not about to eat them. I was wondering if anyone new of some thing these thaing wouldn't eat that I can catch a cat or something on?

[Xi Bowhunter]

I love fishing for bowfin with ultra-lite tackle! Man they put up a fight. I caught this one on an ultra-lite rod and 6lb test out of a local creek:

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a231/xibowhunter/bowfin4.jpg

[shot'm&hook'm]

Yea but they are a nucance when you are looking for a good cat! I caught a couple upwards of 20" last year! I was useing 6' rod and an ambasador with 25 lb. on and still didn't think I was going to get them in.

[Xi Bowhunter]

Yea but they are a nucance when you are looking for a good cat! I caught a couple upwards of 20" last year! I was useing 6' rod and an ambasador with 25 lb. on and still didn't think I was going to get them in.

Yeah that would get annoying, like catching those mud-puppys while I am trying to sauger fish.

[shot'm&hook'm]

yea I allway's heard they were bad in my part of Rough Creek but havent landed one yet! But I'm not complaining!

[MasterB]

I love fishing for bowfin with ultra-lite tackle! Man they put up a fight. I caught this one on an ultra-lite rod and 6lb test out of a local creek:

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a231/xibowhunter/bowfin4.jpg


What creek if you dont mind me askin....

I've only caught one and that was in a Florida canal with an 8" purple worm on Jighead. Was pretty big....

[killinmammals]

panther creek is full of bowfins

[MasterB]

Where bouts is that at? I'm looking for a new fish to catch this year to compete for the biggest fish of the year award. I've got 2 coming any time now with the 2 I already have.

[shot'm&hook'm]

biggest fish of the year award? I don't think you will win that with a bowfin! by the way where do you enter for that?

[MasterB]

Biggest fish of the year for that species.

Go here:

http://fw.ky.gov/navigation.asp?cid=135&NavPath=C101

[shot'm&hook'm]

Oh yea I knew about that but that is size limits not statewide fish size for the year. I don't think they have a requirement on bowfin. they aren't described as a trophy fish.

[MasterB]

This is how it works

Lets take Channel for example. Minimum size is 28" If you submit one 28" or larger, you will get a certificate. Now lets say you catch another that is 35", another angler enters one at 32", another at 38". The angler with the longest fish for the species will receive the Longest Fish of the Year Plaque for the Species.

In 2001 and 2004 I got 2 plaques for the longest channel of the year in the senior division. I got it for 2007 also but its not here yet. I got one coming for a grass carp also at 47". I had one coming for a gar at 40" but someone entered one at the end of the season at 41". Right now I'm working on at least a 12"+ gill, 40"+ Gar, 33"+ Channel, and a 15"+ Bullhead. I'd love to get all of those in one year.

And Bowfin are Elegible

I also have 1 Master Angler Award and numerous certs. I can get more but just want the Longest of the year award.

[MasterB]

That's a drive, 3 hours If thats the closest place to catch a bowfin then I guess I will make a trip :)

[shot'm&hook'm]

I didn't know about the longest fish of the year deal! You might have a run for your money on those bluegills and bullheads. I catch alot of gills close to 12. and Rough Creek is full of those little bullheads. so what is the limit on those bowfin?

[MasterB]

25" for Bowfin is minimum

[Jimmie in Ky]

Your best odds for a large bowfin are in the oxbow lakes along the rivers. And I would place a dang good bet the Big Turner or Little turner lakes on the Ballard county wildlife refuge would get you an all tackle record if you worked at it long enough. Five pounders are pretty common down there in all the oxbows. Jimmie