Swamp Bass, Cypress Bass, Grindle are other names that I have found. I have removed about nine from my pond. They averaged 4-6 Lbs. They put up a better fight than the 6lb LMB that I have caught in the pond. One broke the eye of a #1 Gakamatsu LMB hook. I later found the broken hook in the fish's gut when I caught him again. Two 6lb Bowfin were my 16 yo son's first larger fish. Numerous jumps, powerful tail so it was fast in the water hence it quickly covers a lot of water. My son was wide eyed & excited when he landed the fish. They have a lot more mucus than other fish. Most we removed to other waters. I have never tried to clean & cook one. Some say they are OK to eat if prepared properly. I am sure I still have at least one in the pond. I want them out as they compete with the LMB for forage. They are active & feeding at the same time catfish are.
