The bowfin is wholly carnivorous, and exceedingly voracious....He is the ravening wolf of the dark lagoons, the nightmare of the slumbrous coves. Skulking in deep water by day, he invades the teeming shallows by night, spreading terror and bloody execution in his wake.
(from "Hellhound of the Sloughs" by Havilah Babcock, Field & Stream, April 1944)
The bowfin is an absolute thrill to catch, hardy, aggressive, and very widespread. It's a perfect target for the dedicated roughfisher. Of all the ancient species of bowfins that once lurked in dinosaur infested swamps long ago, only one species still exists today. And he's not going anywhere. Although they are scorned in many areas, they also have a cult following among those people who appreciate tough, nasty fighting sportfish.
Other Names: Dogfish, Cabbage Pike, Grinnel, Mudfish, Cottonfish, Spottail, Blackfish, Cypress Trout, John A. Grindle, Swamp Lawyer, Shoepick, Shoepike, Choupique, Scaled Ling