Anybody ran into bowfin this spring?

[Trey77]

I’ve had a pretty decent spring catching wise, but I haven’t ran into any bowfin. I was really hoping to catch some this year as I have never seen their mating colors in person. I’ll be going to one of my favorite spots for them in the morning so we’ll see.

[NCfishingKing]

I've caught about 5-6 this spring. Few +5lbs

[Trey77]

That’s awesome. Where are you located? I went to a creek near Benson today looking for them. Didn’t run into any bowfin though just some longnose gar and largemouth. I really don’t catch much bowfin until summer with it peaking in September. I usually think it’s because of high water in the spring which gives them a lot more places to be where I can’t get to them, but I could be wrong. They are a newer target for me and I enjoy learning about them.

[Neilslure]

I have caught several at Jordan and Harris.

[la angler]

A little earlier this year

[la angler]

It was 10.73 lbs. caught on bottom while catfishing

[Pond Pounder]

I have had caught 3 this spring, up to about 7 lbs. I think the best concentration of them can be found in some of the wildlife impoundments between Chapel Hill and Durham. I have caught a few on the Cape Fear River around Buckhorn dam, but there is a lot of competition there with all of the gar / catfish swimming around (all fun fish to catch, if you ask me).


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[Trey77]

Ok it looks like you guys are getting them, my favorite spot is really flooded right now and I can never catch anything in this creek when it’s above it’s banks. My theory is there more water in the swamp and the predators go in there.

[Mack in N.C.]

I ran into a 5lber on 2 lb line early this year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VmdUpRxLmU

[ducksniper]

I’ve had a pretty decent spring catching wise, but I haven’t ran into any bowfin. I was really hoping to catch some this year as I have never seen their mating colors in person. I’ll be going to one of my favorite spots for them in the morning so we’ll see.

Yep. Caught two around five pounds on my last two trips. First one was up Blounts Creek (Beaufort County) near Herring Run. The other was on Contentnea Creek above Grifton.

[fodder]

I've caught more this year then any other year. Found a spot off of the Pamlico earlier this year(Durham Creek) that was loaded with them. Hit it twice and pulled 5 or 6 out of this same spot each trip.

[NCfishingKing]

I've caught more this year then any other year. Found a spot off of the Pamlico earlier this year(Durham Creek) that was loaded with them. Hit it twice and pulled 5 or 6 out of this same spot each trip.

Same with me. Found a spot on the tar river that's loaded with them. Landed 3 on Thursday (1 broke me of) and 2 on Sunday (another came off) at the same spot. And it was the 1st time I've fished this spot. Fierce fighters for sure. Using shad cut bait.

[Trey77]

Well I finally landed my first bowfin this year in July 4th, nice sized 26” maybe 7-8lbs. Using large shiners.

[Shawn62082]

Went to the Neuse River in Raleigh last Friday with the wife and caught 6 turtles and 2 bowfin , we went from like 7 am until around 10 am got really hot .