I'd like to thank Terry (indianabowman) for taking me bowfishing for the first time. This all started about a year and a half ago when I dropped $20 worth of tickets into a raffle bucket at the JLMBH for a bowfishing trip. I was lucky enough to win one of the trips Terry was donating. Unfortunately due to family, weather, mechanical issues and everything else I couldn't get up to his place last year. So a few weeks ago he emailed me and says lets go!
After a 2 1/2hr drive from my place in Jersey up to his in NY I finally got to meet up with Terry and do some fishing. It was a great night overall and I figure I had atleast 20 or so shots. Some I just nicked em to a few give me's I totally missed on. I did get one good solid hit on what I would call a monster carp but we didn't get him landed cause he broke the head off the arrow as Terry was reaching down to grab his gill. Terry and I both think it was atleast 15# or more.
Bottom line is I had a great time and wanted to thank Terry for offering to take me. Best part is he offered to take me again and bring my dad along too since he couldn't make it this trip. Thaks again Terry for a memorable adventure and the spark to ignite the bowfishing fire. I'm already on the look out for a good bowfishing setup. Jason :clapper:
Oh and I did make it home safely at 3:30am just to get up at 6:30 for the 45min drive to work by 7:30am. My butt as dragging today but you wont wipe the smile from this face today.
Jason, it was a ton of fun! You can miss a carp by less space than anyone I've ever seen. I really know that the misses were intentional as you didn't want to slime up my boat. It didn't go unnoticed as no one could accidently miss a couple of the shots! : ) I knew you were a natural bowfisherman after the first shot. We were about 2 minutes out of the boat ramp and trolling along and I said "there's one.." and before I could say shoot the arrow was already splashing down. No hesitation in Jason's shooting! That's what it takes as they don't always just laze around and let you shoot at them.
I still like the shot you made on the little goldfish! Very nice shooting!
Ok, now the real deal of the trip! We were packing it in about 1:30 AM and saying our goodbyes and Jason hands me one of his coveted neck knives to say "thanks"! Holy smokes, what a surprise and tremendous gift. Skippy's knives are true works of art! I am humbled by the gift. Criminy Jason, we were going to go again many times in the future anyway! : )
Really looking forward to next time. Let's see if we can find someplace in between us. I think Guru is about halfway and we could probably talk him and Cade into going along.
Thanks again for the knife. I'll use it with pride.
Wish I was there! sounded like you had a hog of a fish on. I guess I will have to go tomorrow night. :bigsmyl:
Terry I cant make anything comprable to one of skippy's knives. I hope that's ok. :rolleyes: Of course you will have to show me your new little toy.
Thought I could bring my boat if you wanted. My motor works but I dont have a trolling motor yet.
I am glad you guys finally connected for this trip. It has been a long time coming.
Man sounds like fun. Im sure Terry was on the fish, if he is as good at finding them as he is stripers.
On a side note, you were about 40 minutes from where the Muzzy takes place.
Right across the river from where I live.
That's cool Jason...you're "hooked" for life now!
I turned our friend Glen onto bowfishing a few weeks ago and now he can't get enough of it. Of course cade is "officially" a bowfisherman now as well. Always cool to see the excitement in hunters old and new when they get into the bowfishing action!!
Terry, We're really looking forward to this weekend bud. Cade's not the only one "fired up"!!!
BTW....I know this was at night, but no pix?? :confused: :dunno:
Sorry for not having the pix. I forgot my camera and Jason was too busy shooting at fish. I blew his photo op on the big one. I was messing around with it outside of the boat instead of just pulling it in. I was trying to gill it. Fish got the last laugh when it took my Muzzy tip.
Jamie, we shot at several on the backside of the island.
Thats cool Terry. I know I was sure seeing a lot of them the last time I went striper fishing.
Curt and Cade, I just got off the phone in making some extra special arrangements for Saturday night. You two are in for a real treat. I have my buddy taking us out in "Carpageddon"! It is the pinnacle of night bowfishing luxury.
Cade, be sure to rest up on Saturday and don't do anything to wear out your shooting arm. You'll need all your strength for all the shooting you'll be doing.
Cade, I'll also show you and your dad my extra special carp attracting dance. It is the "Carp Jig" and if you do it just right, the fish practically jump in the boat. The "Carp Jig" is only for the most special guests. Sorry Jason and Charlie, I was saving the "Jig" for Cade.
I'm really looking forward to going with Charlie and his wife tonight.
Charlie give me a call about the boat. I don't think we'll need to have you bring it, but what size motor do you have?
Jamie, give me a buzz and we'll set up a time.
If you do the Carp Jig at certain locations on the Illinois River (Near Peoria) they WILL jump in the boat with you.
ChuckC
Terry, I will call you after work.
My motor is a 35hp.
I wish I still had my little 7hp I could have just thrown it in the truck. I gave it away when I sold my 12 foot row boat :knothead: .
Oh and dont worry aout showing me the carp jig I know how to do the carp Tinikle/polka :biglaugh:
Sounds to me like we could have a carp-a-palooza of sorts one night. Multiple boats and shooters? Sound like fun? Maybe a little bunny hunt reunion of sorts. I wish I had my own boat and a place to go. I guess I need to start doing some leg work and find some spots in my neck of the woods.
Thanks for getting me out there Curt.Nice job Jason and congratulations on your first!Glen
Wow Terry, I don't know what to say bud but thank you, :thumbsup: :thumbsup: much appreciated my friend :notworthy:
I just read this to Cade...he was fired up already, now he's gonna be hard to keep busy till it's time to leave tomorrow!
Can't wait to see my little man shootin' holes in the water....and hopefully a fish or three :pray:
Call me tomorrow bud to let me know anything I need to bring.
Cade also wanted to know if Tyler and Jen were coming as well?
"The carp jig"....that's gonna be a real treat :jumper: :laughing:
Glen, You're welcome buddy :archer2:
Curt bring Cade and a readiness to just have some fun! I'll pack a cooler with drinks and snacks. I'm sure Jen, Tyler or maybe both will want to tag along. "Carpageddon" is plenty big for all of us. It is a 21' wide beam jon boat with a big air motor on the back.
I'm just happy to have a chance to help make some memories for our kids.
Skippy a "Carp-A-Palooza" sounds like a lot of fun. Kind of like a big summertime JLMBH.
ChuckC, I'd love to give the flying carp shoot a try sometime. Kevin Bahr did it and said it was a hoot!
Gotta go Charlie, his wife and I will be heading out to punch holes in fish in a few minutes.
Instead of starting a new thread I may as well keep this one going to tell everyone how Generous and gracious of a host Terry is.
Becka and I had a great time last night. Terry put us on fish in ole' Muddy we just didn't hit to many!
Punch holes Terry? in what the water? :knothead:
Let it be known I didn't want to shoot a fish before Becka therefore I kept missing to make her feel better :rolleyes:
I had one Catch and release arrow :knothead:
Terry Becka had a blast which made me very happy. I had a blast too and cant thank you enough!!! :thumbsup:
Maybe you an post the picture of Becka's incredible shooting?
Curt and Cade Best of luck. I left plenty of fish for you guys. On purpose of course. Just be careful, these fish have a tendency to duck the string or disappear.
Call me greedy but I want stories!!!
Becka did a phenomenal job. She was right on the fish and connected a couple of times. Not bad for her first time ever bowfishing.
Charlie there is no doubt that she had better shots and shot better than you. I think we can safely say it was "goldfish karma". There's no doubt you would've stuck the big goldfish, but thanks to Becka they'll swim another day.
(http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m84/TJReceveur/Sitkinak/BeccaCarp.jpg)
Charlie you did a great job. It was a lot of fun watching you see how close you could get to the fish without hitting them. It still don't know how you missed the one that gave you the "between the eyes" shot. I really appreciate the gaff you made for me. I hope to give it a lot of use.
We'll definitely have to have a "carp-a-palooze" with Skippy, Curt, Jamie, and Cade. Bring your boat on down and we'll give it a go.
Thanks for a fun night!
(http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m84/TJReceveur/Sitkinak/CharlieNiceCarp.jpg)
Most excellent! Very nice pix!
Thanx for leaving some for us guys ;) :pray:
Raining right now but the forecast looks like it is blowing over and we should be good to go. Can't wait! Should be a lot of fun.
Thanks for making me sound like not that bad of a shot Terry! I just got off the phone with my Brother, he was upset that he missed 5 in a row. I told him "I will not tell you how many times I missed if you get upset so easily" :biglaugh:
Great Pics Terry and good luck tonight guys :cool:
Man I feel like a chump now. Got out shot by a girl............Nice shootin by the way.
Terry, Carp-a-palooza sounds like a blast lets get it figured out.
Jason,
It's not your fault, ask Terry, Becka knew what the problem was.
You shot at one of those Gold Fish. We saw a few but according to Becka, they are bad luck if you shoot at them. :nono:
Love your knives!!! See you at carpalooza.
Oh I got it for next time. No shootin gold fish. Lesson learned. Looks like I need to get some shop time in and make a knife or two for Carp-a-palooza. Maybe a prize for the most fish shot?
Guys watch for Curt's post from last night! It WAS a CARP-A-PALOOZA! Cade himself must've had close to 40-50 shots. Curt wasn't far behind and my son Tyler punched a lot of holes in fish. I even managed to shoot a few times and actually connected on a few.
Cade was smiling from ear to ear most of the night, so I'd say the trip was a success!
Just a sample of many more to come!
(http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m84/TJReceveur/CadeFishScales.jpg)