Spring Bass and Pike

[mattscru]

I caught my first bowfin last spring bass fishing in the creek. I looked down and there was about a 10 pound fish right at the bank and I didnt know what is was. So I reeled in my zoom fluke (one of my bread and butter lures) and let it sit on its head. That bowfin (called mudfish down here) inhaled my lure and put up a pretty good fight. They seem to have very powerful jaws with teeth plates like a catfish. I used plyers and pulled the hook out and kicked it back in the water. Now Ive seen alot of people catch them, cut them open and through them on the bank. I could see doing that to a snakehead but bowfin are native and yea they might eat bass and crappie but they belong here. I hate seeing people do that to bowfin and gar just because they consider them "trash fish". Personally I enjoy catching "trash fish" mix it up alittle bit. Plus they put up good fights, bowfin fight alot like a smallmouth in my opinion. And I'll target carp just so I can catch 25-40 pound fish. I guess what Im getting at is I love to catch anything that swims [] Matt
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