Bowfin?????????????
 

ok so after spotting the mystery fish yesterday i have narrowed it down to a bowfin or snakehead (since burbot is out of the question), I am leaning more toward Bowfin. No idea how 1 got into the lake i fish but i want to catch it anyone got any tips?

Re: Bowfin?????????????
 

match that hatch buddy. Cut bait works well. I have caught a couple up in Lake Tranquility, same spot where the state record is I believe. I literally catch sunfish, give them a quick hack with a knife, and attach a circle hook. Try it.

Re: Bowfin?????????????
 

I do alot of bowfin fishing. I use medium to large shiners or small sunnies. Expect to lose a few fish, they have boney mouths with sharp teeth. I use 50# braid with a 30# floro leader. I sight fish for them. Look for their fins, then cast the bait past them and work it right past their face. You will know it when they take it and make sure you set the hook as hard as you can. I've also caught them on large in line spinners but its hard to get a good hookset.

Hope this helps.

Re: Bowfin?????????????
 

thanks guys i mean all i know is there is 1 in there lol i will get him!

Re: Bowfin?????????????
 

Most likely a bowfin. Snakeheads are an evasive fish in NJ and look very similar. I personally have not caught a bowfin in NJ but have reeled a couple in on the ponds near my dad's house in FLA. Great fight...and if you have never seen or caught one your are releasing the fish wondering WTF did I just catch!

I think they have a few in the tanks at Cabelas in PA

Re: Bowfin?????????????
 

yeah i am thinking a bowfin most likely i know they have been caught in tullytown cove on the delaware which is less then a mile from the lake i fish maybe it got in naturally i mean hell the things swam with dinosaurs i am sure 1 can turn up in a lake.

Re: Bowfin?????????????
 

Used to catch them when I was a kid in VT,, caugth a yellow perch, cut off top fin, then hooked it, when you saw the bowfin swalllow it, it was set the hook and hold on.
We used to fish form an old car tube, and let them pulll us around, they were pretty big up there to a 13 year old. lots of fun.

Never tried to eat one though, was told they were ok in soup. :)