24.0 in. Bowfin caught by Henry V fishing in North Carolina on 11/01/09

24.0 in. Bowfin caught by Henry V fishing in North Carolina on 11/01/09
Everyone can see this location
Henry V

Fishing Report

24.0" Bowfin caught by Henry V fishing on Sunday November 01, 2009 at 11:00 near Chapel Hill in Orange County, North Carolina (NC), United States North America using a lure by Rapala International

I headed out to University Lake at 6:30 am to take one last shot at one of the lake's Bowfin. I have caught one there the two previous years, but this year I did not land a single lake Bowfin in 4 trips. The weather was brutal and cold, with driving wind and rain. I took shelter under a bridge and kept after the fish, but only managed a small bass. So I gave up and headed home, but the rain started to slow down. So I resolved to duck into the Lower Little Creek Impoundment for a few casts.

I started with a Rapala Glass Rap crank bait and it produced a small bass in the main channel. I lost the lure and tied on a Rattlin' Rap, headed to the main section, and started working the shallow water. This Bowfin grabbed the lure about 3 feet from the bank and headed for Tijuana. I set the hook like I meant it and the fight was on. The fish measured 24 1/4" and I guess it weighed a solid 5 lbs.

Posted by Henry V 19 days ago

Comments

Justin  Emerle

The Bowfin HAS to be the North Carolina state fish; right????

Posted by Justin Emerle 5 days ago

Henry, you are the Bowfin Master...I would like some advice regarding hot spots in Bergen County along the Passaic River...

We can chat via email--> adelis73@yahoo.com

Posted by Aris Delis 13 days ago

John Wright

we get the same comments about the chain pickerel and gar but they will fight on a line

Posted by John Wright 18 days ago

John Wright

i hear you henry me and my son also target bowfin cause we fish for the fight and i hear all the negative comments about so called trash fish and how some people think your suppose to remove them from the water but thats just lack of knowledge we always handle ours as little as possible and release them unharmed

Posted by John Wright 18 days ago

Henry V

I know it sounds funny imagining anglers arguing on the bank, but the sad fact is that too many people kill Bowfin out of ignorance or spite. It's just disgusting to find so many dead ones on the bank. I tell people - "if you don't want to eat it, throw it back so I can catch it." I can;t think of any other native species that gets a worse rap than the mighty Bowfin. It's just amazing.

Posted by Henry V 18 days ago

Neil Boghean

Lol, you have brought in quite a few fin. Im sure there still some left though, im sure they arent going to disappear

Posted by Neil Boghean 18 days ago

Brandon Mabrey

nice fin henry

Posted by Brandon Mabrey 19 days ago

Henry V

Kirk,
That's the beauty of the impoundments - they are loaded with fish, all the BAG guys handle them with care and return them to the water, and if I see anyone mistreating a Bowfin I read them the riot act.

H

Posted by Henry V 19 days ago

Henry,

really now nice fin...you need to move into a NEW spot..Part of our responsibiulites as fin fishermen is to leave a few for future generations..and youve caught every fin in NC..at least within 50 miles of your domicile.......pretty effective

If I swam Id be afraid youd catch me.

K

Posted by Kirk Kissack 19 days ago

Add your comment

Click here to get your free membership on Hooked-in
10 Votes
Sign in to vote
Justin Emerle likes this
Todd Harris likes this
Harold Henderson likes this
Joe A likes this
Mike S likes this
Brandon Mabrey likes this
Bill Aynes likes this
John Wright likes this
John a Wright likes this
Henry V likes this
back to report
Fishing report - 8.5 lb. Bowfin caught by Henry V fishing in North Carolina on 11/08/09 Fishing report - 21.0 in. Bowfin caught by Henry V fishing in North Carolina on 10/29/09
8.5 lb. Bowfin caught by Henry V fishing in North Carolina on 11/08/09 21.0 in. Bowfin caught by Henry V fishing in North Carolina on 10/29/09