Huge Bass?

[j_martin]

I was fishing with my wife when I saw a disturbance at the edge of some lily pads. I threw my zipper worm, buttered up with Kick-N-Bass Crawfish flavor at the spot. Two seconds later, the spot erupted about like a toilet flushing, then all quiet. My line started to slowly move along the lily pads, so I set the hook.

The huge silvery fish boiled once, then took off for deep water, peeling about 40 yards off my winch reel and loading up my worm rod like a willow stick. After a good hard 5 minute fight, we finally netted.......

A 10 lb Grinner.

Man that thing was ugly.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Huge Bass?

The Bowfin aren't the prettiest fish in the water but you have to admire the fight they put up!

There's people that swear they're excellent table fare when prepared properly, but I've never eaten one.

 

[j_martin]

Re: Huge Bass?

I've heard that the method of cooking them is called planking. You nail the fish to a wooden plank, cook it slowly over charcoal, throw away the fish and eat the plank.

Hauled a couple of nice bass off the same area last night. Another boat was fishing just around the point and came over with a bowfin, wondering what it was. It looked like the same fish. I wonder if it's protecting a pod of fry.

Weighed it this time. It was about 6 1/2 lbs.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Huge Bass?

I've heard that the method of cooking them is called planking. You nail the fish to a wooden plank, cook it slowly over charcoal, throw away the fish and eat the plank.

Hauled a couple of nice bass off the same area last night. Another boat was fishing just around the point and came over with a bowfin, wondering what it was. It looked like the same fish. I wonder if it's protecting a pod of fry.

Weighed it this time. It was about 6 1/2 lbs.

Use Cypress, it's easier to chew!


Seriously though, a guy from Louisiana posted on another board that his kids and wife and any company they had at a fish fry would choose Bofin over Crappie and wouldn't touch the Crappie until all the Bowfin was gone.

I've read that Bowfin meat is too mushy to do anything with except make a fish soup, but the guy from La. claims the secret is to never let the meat touch water... then it becomes mush. I might try it sometime.

They farm Bowfin down in La. and make a fine Caviar from the roe, haven't tried that either.

 

[scipper77]

Re: Huge Bass?

Mr Martin, are you saying the ten pounder turned out to be a bowfin? I am not at all familiar with the term grinner. I'm sure if it was a bass your wife would have caught it (i love her).

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Huge Bass?

Grinner is short for Grinnell which is another name for Bowfin.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Huge Bass?

I will get a dogfish once in awhile, same deal, not much to look at but but they put up a pretty good fight, benn catching alot of turtles this year.

I'll be it has been 5 years since I caught a turtle and I have gotten 3 this year, the last one had to be 25 lbs, the head on it was as big as a coffee can.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Huge Bass?

Cypress Trout

 

[scipper77]

Re: Huge Bass?

2 Grinners.

 

[j_martin]

Re: Huge Bass?

Mr Martin, are you saying the ten pounder turned out to be a bowfin? I am not at all familiar with the term grinner. I'm sure if it was a bass your wife would have caught it (i love her).

You got that one right. Here's what she let me net tonight.

 

[fishndirk]

Re: Huge Bass?

Coon *** advice,...the shoepik or "bowfin" are good eatin if your down for a little work. Cut the head and fins off,...cut the belly and scoop the guts out (dont forget the black sack above the anal its filled with mercury). Scale the body and freeze it. Thaw it out after frozen and cut the belly down to the spine to lay out both sides of meat. The meat will be a pink mush. Scoop the mush out with a spoon. Boil and mash some potatos. Mix the potatos and fish mush with flower and seasoning till its like doe. Form into patties then coat in flower or fish fry. Deep fry and serve with cheeze and buns. Takes a couple tries to get the mixture right but when you do its delicous and very filling.