OJdidit Loc: Oak Creek Wisconsin

They do fight like a bulldog. Lots of power in that body!

Whitey Loc: Southeast ohio

Right on thanks j. Buddy of mine bout got in a fight fishing a Marina up there the guy said he was on private property lol. Cop told him it's good that he stayed in his boat. Can't remember the Marina🤔

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

Can you send me some of that stuff you smoking?

Jarheadfishnfool Loc: Woodlake/Tulare ,Ca.

Never have seen one Mike,, Thanks for showing your strange catch !🤙🤙👍

Whitey Loc: Southeast ohio

Bapa I don't know how I missed that post but I'd like to try that sh_ _ to must be good stuff lol 😆

Papa Jack Loc: Indianapolis

I know they are around but I have never hit one

hacksaw Loc: Pasadena, Texas

Strange looking fish Mike.
Hack 🇺🇸🍺🇺🇦

MNMudminnow Loc: MN (MSP metro/Alexandria) & FL (Ft.Myers)

I will add to the enthusiasm for the Bowfin being one of the hardest fighting fish you'd ever contend with, and do not get near those teeth! They will tear up whatever they decide to bite on in no time...almost like what you'd think a Piranha would do, damage wise. I have caught a handful of large ones at and over the 24 inch mark, and it is a situation you are forced to make a plan for when you find yourself without a landing net & one of these twisting tubes of mean-spirited muscle arguing with you at the side of the boat.

They are actually a very interesting fish, quite unlike any others you may have seen.
The only fish I can suggest as being the slightest bit similar would be the South American "Wolf Fish" from jungle waters of Suriname & Guyana(others), if any of you are familiar with that species.
Anyone interested to know more, do a search of their scientific name ====> Amia calva ("Bowfin")
You might learn something new about one of the oldest North American Native fish species..?

They are in a class all their own. No, really, they are the lone surviving species of their ancient genus that could be correctly called prehistoric. A very aggressive ambush predator that displays protective parental behavior & actively defends their young for a relatively long time after they hatch. They will eat anything they can fit in their mouth and usually are not shy once they decide to eat something. The coolest thing is their dorsal fin that runs all the way down their back in uniform height right to their tail. They move the dorsal in an undulating wave pattern that makes it look like an eel as it ripples almost continuously. They are also capable of surviving in areas of very poor water quality that most other fish will die from. They are able to use air from the surface instead of their gills if their situation requires, as in a muddy puddle that is nearly dry. As long as they can remain moist, they will live.

Bigmark Loc: Lower Alabama

Down here in Lower Alabama they are know as Bowfin or Grinnel. Never herd of anyone eating them. They still have rodeo's here for them b'cause they do eat a lot of game fish

BM

DCGravity Loc: Fairfax, VA (by way of Cleveland OH)

MNMudminnow - everything you wrote about the Bowfin applies to another unrelated species, though much more plentiful here in the Chesapeake and its tributaries, the Northern Snakehead. Invasive but so fun to catch and excellent table fare!

HenryG Loc: Falmouth Cape Cod Massachusetts

👍😂😂👍😙💨

Harris T. Fudpucker Loc: Lafayette, Louisiana

We have many here in Louisiana. We call them 'chupeak' spelling? Lots of fun on rod and reel, they tend to love shiny baits. Not invasive here, not sure if there. You can eat them, the meat is much like cotton, all ground up. The way they cook them is 'fried' surprise. Clean, roll up in to balls, with pepper, and onion, roll in fish fry, cook. Not bad.

MuskyHunter Loc: Torrington, CT

I talked to our local biologist and he told me most people treat them as scum, but in actuality they are extremely beneficial as they are one of the few predators of carp. He said we should handle them with care and release them. My wife caught a nice one about a year ago and that is when we had the conversation with the biologist.

hacksaw Loc: Pasadena, Texas

I have a friend I worked with that caught them on purpose to make Grinnel balls out of them. He brought some to work one time, fried them and they were delicious. I didn’t know they were called Bowfin. The meat was ground up and made into balls then dipped in milk and egg and rolled in flour and cornmeal.
Hack 🇺🇸🍺🇺🇦

Jarheadfishnfool Loc: Woodlake/Tulare ,Ca.

Somethings chasing them perhaps?🤙☠