Bowfin
Amia calva

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Bowfin Description

Bowfin are an ancient fish inhabiting various waterways in the eastern United States and southeastern parts of Canada. Their long dorsal fin, from which they derive their name, resembles that of a snakehead. Bowfin typically inhabit weedy backwaters and are viewed by many with disdain as a gamefish. I have rarely targeted them specifically, but have caught quite a few over the years.

Bowfin, like gar, are able to breath both in water and air. You can sometime see them break the surface to gulp air. Air gulping increases with temperature, and in cooler temperatures they tend to stay in the water and not move much. Bowfin typically get to around 2 feet in length, but can get much bigger. They max out around 20lbs.

Bowfin are ambush predators and eat fish, amphibians, and crustaceans like crayfish. They can survive for many months without food if forced to. They have poor eyesight, so rarely swim far for a meal, but opportunistically eat what swims by.

Bowfin are poor table fare and should be released; please see the release tips here.

Bowfin Pound for Pound Fight Rating - 5 out of 10 on the Freshwater Scale

Bowfin have a lot of spirit, and often leap out of the water and shake their heads vigorously, but they are not particularly strong. They sometimes try to get into weeds, but they are not experts at wrapping you up in structure.

Bowfin Tackle

Bowfin require a fairly stiff hookset to get the hook into their hard bony mouths. A fast action rod with some backbone is the way to go.  Braided line of at least 30lbs is recommended. You don't need a wire leader, but you will occasionally get bitten off by their sharp teeth.

Bowfin Techniques

Bowfin can be caught on lures, but their eyesight is poor so they will not chase them from far away. You have to get the lure right in front of their nose. Bait is far more effective.

Bowfin Lures

Bowfin hit a wide variety of lures, from topwaters to soft plastic flukes. Topwater frogs can work well, as can plastic flukes because you can keep them in the strike zone longer. The specific lure is less of a concern; the bigger focus should be getting it right in front of their face to have a chance for a strike.

Bowfin Baits

Bowfin have a strong sense of smell, so cutbaits work well. Any fish that is found in their waters should work; just make sure it is legal. Live bait will of course work; again any small bait fish found in their waters should be fine. Actually, any live bait that fits in their mouth should work - shad, carp, shiners, etc.

Where to get the big Bowfin

The southeastern US has the biggest Bowfin. Florida has tons of Bowfin, as do Georgia and South Carolina.