Got a 17ft durocraft thats 6 feet wide. trying to get some ideas of how to rig it up for bowfishing. gonna put a deck on the front and back and thinking about some lights too. thanks Don
I can't wait to see this good post batman.
I, too, would like some ideas on how to maybe modify my 16' LOWE aluminum boat to be more "bowfishing friendly" as well as be able to still use it as a fun/fishing boat for the wife and kids too.
ttt
This is my set up: 18' polar craft with 6 50 watt halogen tractor flood lights, 2 deep cycle marine batteries, I have enough light to shoot but nothing like the guys with the generators. I chose to give up some light to gain total quietness.
I added the 3 storage boxes at the back of the front deck, 2 of the boxes contain the batteries. I have enough battery power for about 5 or 6 hours of trolling and lights.
Benjy
(http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee98/Benjy45/TradGang/DSC02316.jpg)
(http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee98/Benjy45/TradGang/DSC02317.jpg)
(http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee98/Benjy45/TradGang/DSC02318.jpg)
Benjy that is one cool boat bro. :thumbsup:
Nice boat Benjy...looking forward to September :bigsmyl:
Do I search for some of Skyler and DW's posts on their bowfishing trips. One of their friends has a really nice setup.
Good post Batman!
Benjy nice job. I'll be moving to Georgia soon, and been contemplating the same thing. You gave me some great ideas.
Regards
thanks for the pictures benjy. I like the battery idea. 5 hrs is long enough to hunt at a time for me anymore. Where did you get the lights? Don
The lights came from Auto Zone but I see them in most of the auto parts stores. The lights are available with different types of beam patterns. I use the "flood" light pattern. I also have the lights connected to 3 switches so I can turn them on and off as necessary to preserve battery power.
Don, I'm going to ATAR this weekend. I can try to find you if you want some more info.
Benjy
That would be great. I'll most likely be around the kanati quiver tent if I'm not out shooting. look forward to meeting you. Don
No lights on my boat yet, we have a 14' Creastliner modified V jon boat. When the lights do go on they will be powered by a 1000 watt Honda generator, I will be using four 70 watt High pressure sodium lights all hooked to a ground fault to avoid any accidental electrocution :scared: I just feel over the long haul that a generator will become more cost effective than buying batteries.
(http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y275/420W/IM000076.jpg)
TTT
Here's a few pis of my boat. It's a Crestliner 1860 with a 90 hp Merc and a 74# Minnkota troller. The deck comes off in a matter of a minute or 2 if you have someone to help lift it. All you do is pull 4 pins and lift it off. It can then be used for normal fishing or whatever else.
(http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/blaskowski/IMG_0986.jpg)
(http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/blaskowski/IMG_0990.jpg)
(http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/blaskowski/carpboat.jpg)
Holy cow that is one sweet setup!
Very sweet setup's thanks for posting pic's.
WOW, nice one. Benji, nice meeting you at ATAR, Sorry you had to shoot with such riff raff though. I can dress those guys up, but can't take them no where. Don
I wondered how long it would take the "big" boys to post. Awesome setup and a boat load of fish!
Don, I enjoyed shooting with ya'll. They are some very good shooters and made the ironman course look easy. Of course it didn't take me long to figure out to stay on the up wind side :smileystooges:
Benjy
Dang Benji, Now you got my juices flowing. I was in Aiken last weekend getting all the finishing details done on the house & barn. Barn is done and looks like house will be all finished by Labor Day. Then I can do some huntin'. Looking forward to meetin' you...maybe even hitch a boat ride :pray: Doc
That is one fine boat. How high is the railing and does it interfere with your shooting?
Anytime Doc, I've been looking for an excuse to get it in the water so give me a holler.
Benjy
heres mine..at least for a bit longer...shes forsale, its a 1756 xpress vx17db with lockable gunbox, 70 pound custom built minnkota tiller trolling motor and 70 hp evinrude tiller outboard, i can fish in a foot or less if i get the balance right
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c243/stevegrillot/IMG_0162.jpg
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c243/stevegrillot/IMG_0165.jpg
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c243/stevegrillot/IMG_0164.jpg
The railing on my boat is 24" high. If you lean on it it hits me just above the knee. I do not have any problem shooting with it and most times I shoot a 60" recurve. I lean into it and can shoot straight. The railing really makes it nice for staying in the boat also as we hit stuff from time to time!!
The only problem I have had with the rail is hitting the trim above the garage door when putting it away!!
This is what happens. I get a nice 1754 with a 24hp Mudmotor for duckin' and now you guys have me wantn' to put holes in it! Awesome stuff.
Batman ,
Im looking at getting a one man Creek Boat made right here in Albamarle N.C. . They look to be the ultimate bowfishing / hunting and fishing boat I know of . Check them out at www.creekboats.com (http://www.creekboats.com)
Mike
Had to bring this one back to the top since the season is nearing. Great ideas here....
I have only stood on seats and shot during the day. This year I plan on using spot lights. If that goes well, well lets see what next year ill bring. I have seen some really elaborate set ups with hydrolic towers and spot lights. i guess it all depends on how much you want to spend and how much work you want to put in.
Love the pics keep em comin.
Good to see this post up! Don(Batman) and I were just talking about this on the phone a week or so ago
I've been waitin' for this. I haven't even looked at page one.
Not a brilliant photo....
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y110/robtattoo/genny.jpg)
16' Bomber, 85hp Johnson, 34# foot controlled troller converted to stick-steer. Plywood flush deck & 6 300W halogen lights running from a Champion 3500W genny (not the one in the pic!)
The deck's just big enough for 2 guys to fish from.
Sweet! Nice Boat Rob
A guy I know has his boat set up with light with green filters on them . He said it really helps with glare and doesn't bother the houses on shore as much. He said you can see the fish much better also , going to go with him this spring. Drew
Don the most important thing you need on your bowfishing boat is me.lol.I know some good holes on jordan lake if you are feeling like traveling.I'm sure you will have no trouble figuring out how to set it up.
Preston, I was thinking exactly that. I got my boat running good, put new lights on the trailer and repacked the wheelberrings this week. I'm ready when you are. We'll talk saturday. Don
Don, Do ya'll ever do some flounder shooting?
Not mine! But take a look at Yononindo and his kayak!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8g07TLllL8Y
Hey Benjy, never tried shooting flounder. Had real good luck with a gig though. Don
whoa...those boats are way to big!
all you need is a 12' tinny. 12' is plenty big enough for an 8'2" tiger and a 7' 3 3/4" hammerhead. come guys, you've got got to give them a chance. :knothead:
(http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd349/ozyclint/DSCF3045.jpg)
(http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd349/ozyclint/8foottigershark.jpg)
(http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd349/ozyclint/7foot3and3quarterinchhammerheadshar.jpg)
Oh my.... Great pictures.
Hears mine 1852 Phowler, had this boat a few years now.
(http://www.angeloholsteins.com/images/Pictures/Hunting/Boat-006.jpg)
(http://www.angeloholsteins.com/images/Pictures/Hunting/Boat-014.jpg)
(http://www.angeloholsteins.com/images/Pictures/Hunting/Boat-009.jpg)
(http://www.angeloholsteins.com/images/Pictures/Hunting/Boat-007.jpg)
Here's my 1980, 16' Lowe with it's 1980, 25 HP Mercury OB. Been wanting to modify it for better use as a bowfishing outfit but it works okay for now.
(http://i547.photobucket.com/albums/hh472/ishoot4thrills/201020Camping20Trip20017.jpg)
(http://i547.photobucket.com/albums/hh472/ishoot4thrills/201020Camping20Trip20019-1.jpg)
(http://i547.photobucket.com/albums/hh472/ishoot4thrills/201020Camping20Trip20020.jpg)
(http://i547.photobucket.com/albums/hh472/ishoot4thrills/201020Camping20Trip20018.jpg)
(http://i547.photobucket.com/albums/hh472/ishoot4thrills/201020Camping20Trip20016.jpg)
(http://i547.photobucket.com/albums/hh472/ishoot4thrills/201020Camping20Trip20001.jpg)
2070 Xpress
90hp Yamaha and 15hp Nissan 4-stroke kicker w/ all controls rigged to front deck. All controls are removable and can be store under the deck when kicker is not in use.
Honda genny pushin 4-400w Metal Halide lights emmiting 130,000 lumens of light.
2-150w KC style driving lights.
When shooting bigeads it has a removable troller bracket which bolt onto nose of boat and removable 12v, foot switch operated -10' tall light pole that mounts in center of the deck.
(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af314/LoweBow/Lake%20Eerie%202010/DSCF1349.jpg?t=1305461597)
(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af314/LoweBow/Boat%20Deck%20and%20Kicker/IMG00122-20100512-2040.jpg?t=1305462416)
(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af314/LoweBow/Boat%20Deck%20and%20Kicker/IMG00086-20100426-1755.jpg?t=1305462477)
(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af314/LoweBow/Boat%20Deck%20and%20Kicker/DSCF1007.jpg?t=1305462534)
(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af314/LoweBow/Boat%20Deck%20and%20Kicker/IMG00117-20100512-2039.jpg?t=1305462949)
(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af314/LoweBow/Boat%20Deck%20and%20Kicker/IMG00118-20100512-2039.jpg?t=1305463702)
(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af314/LoweBow/Boat%20Deck%20and%20Kicker/IMG00121-20100512-2040.jpg?t=1305463612)
(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af314/LoweBow/Boat%20Deck%20and%20Kicker/IMG00100-20100429-2031.jpg?t=1305462771)
LoweBow That is one sweet rig. I think you may really like bow fishing! :) Very Nice.
QuoteOriginally posted by eddings220:
LoweBow That is one sweet rig. I think you may really like bow fishing! :) Very Nice.
You reckon?? :dunno:
Heading from KY to Sandusky, OH to shoot Lake Erie next weekend. Can't wait. One of my favorite trips of the year.
I have two, but I'm not going to show pictures, they are just a 14' and 17' jonboats with a flat deck in front and various choice on motors. Has anyone used LED lights? I used to work for a lighting manufacturer, but it was before the LED's were inexpensive or even widely available. Vastly lower current draw, cool to the touch etc.
very nice lowebow!! you like the kicker motor better than fans?
heres a blurry pic of ours...its a 16ft. semi-v with an older mercury motor and 50# thrust troller. we are now running 8 500watt halos on a john deere genny
(http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg258/bailebr3/june2010006.jpg)
I had an 1860 fan boat for a few years and sold it as I just wasn't using the fan much unless I was out of state. I shoot the Ohio river mostly and shoot miles and miles of straight banks w/ current...the kicker does just what I want. It'll take on grass and shallow water pretty well also. Just a better fit for me right now.
My old 1860 w/ 20hp Honda fan.
(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af314/LoweBow/n1250569432_30210693_48709261.jpg?t=1305583453)
My Xpress when it had an elevated deck on it prior to last years makeover.
(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af314/LoweBow/n1250569432_30211687_69347511.jpg?t=1305583453)
i gotcha! yeah ive never even been in a fan boat...but love the kicker setup! i have family up in elizabeth town and want to come visit them so i can shoot some fish. if you know anything about the area let me know...ill be lost on where to go.
E-town is a not much more than an hour south of Louisville. If y'er in town later this summer (when the river finally clears up) shoot me a PM and you're more than welcome to hook up w/ me and shoot some bigheads. It'd be worth the drive. You've got Rough River and Nolin Lakes in easy distance from E-Town. Both are good shooting w/ some nice longnose, buffs, and commons to be found year round.
that sounds awesome! i really want to shoot some bigheads. we have good fish here, of course at guntersville, but ive never shot anywhere that has good numbers of longnose and never even seen a bighead! i will definitely be talking to you. thanks
Nice setups, got me thinking . . .
Ozy, that is insane, but looks like a pile of fun. Did they drag your boat around?