For anyone that reads this blog (big thank you for those that do), you may be beginning to think “is there any fish that this dude really doesn’t like, or refer to as one of his favorites?” Truthfully, that analysis would not be wrong in that I have always been outspoken about wanting to fly fish anywhere, at anytime, for anything.

With this said, 2020 did introduce me to a new fish species (which is always a major thrill to me) and I’m looking forward to sharpening my sword in how to catch these guys more often. I’m referring to the Bowfin (also known as the mudfish, dogfish, grinnel, and the list goes on).

Strangely enough, this fish had been on my US fish species “bucket list” for some time. While fly fishing for bass in some of the backwater freshwater areas of Florida over the years (Panhandle, Everglades, etc), I had from time to time seen these fish, but never had put in the time to actually target them. From everything I had heard and seen, they fought hard, were mean, and were a grossly underrated fly rod species. Since I moved to the Southeast, I made it a goal find some places to catch Bowfin, and more importantly learn how to consistently make day trips out for them. Fortunately, I would say I have found some success thus far.

I have been lucky to find a few spots where I consistently see these fish, and more importantly, areas where they have been willing to cooperate with a fly. Although I will not claim to be extremely knowledgeable with these fish quite yet, there are a two constants to success I have found:

1. Yellow or go home : Usually not one to swear by a single fly color, but the Bowfin I have caught seem to have a major crush on any material that is yellow/chartreuse (bunny strips, marabou, bucktail, whatever).
2. Never say never in terms of where to throw : These fish will get up in all sorts of swampy, loggy, lily pad landscapes where you don’t think a big fish could be. The biggest bowfin I have caught was right up in the “junk” of a GA backwater creek system, and never in a million years was I expecting a big fish to come from the cast I had made.

Not to trash talk on bass, but these Bowfin really can put a largemouth to shame in terms of a fight. Based on what I have experienced so far with these fish, I would NEVER be disappointed to hook into one of these even if I was targeting bass. Truthfully, would probably even prefer it! They jump like crazy, thrash their heads like a saltwater predator, and become extra lively at the end of fights. Especially for me when I fish from them off of the micro-skiff/stand up paddle board. Their teeth are no joke, and I would recommend a minimum of 15-pound test if purposefully fishing for these guys (preferably 20-pounds). Although there will be opportunities to sight fish for them based on water clarity, I have had the most luck so far in dirtier back waters where visibility is low, which has made me so far not be too worried about spooking them with heavier tippet.

In terms of where to fish for these guys, I had to do a vast amount of research to find an area within a hour of me that was a feasible option, but boy was it worth it. I have also found that warm water is usually good, and these fish will even roll from time to time making them a bit easier to target. My recommendation would be to search for areas with low oxygenated water that are a bit off the beaten path. What is nice about these fish is that they are anywhere in the Southeast, and I have found success with them in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina.

I hope that 2021 will consist of more of these fish, and it’s not every day that you can catch a fossil/fish/almost dinosaur. These fish are crazy (they can even breathe air!), and I look forward to fine tuning my approach to catching them.

Joe