I am looking to start bowfishing this year and would like to know some tips you have. And please post some pics of what you caught or should I say shot with the bow.
If you get the chance , find a shallow about 2 foot deep area that you can target practice in . It will help you to learn how to compensate for refraction . I used to do this with a paper cup , with a little sand to hold it to the bottom .
Last spring was my first time bow fishing. The only opportunities I had were during the spawning of the suckers up the creek. I had an absolute blast. I was there at least once a day, sometimes twice, while they were making their voyage. The day I started after them they were running heavy. I took this fish first shot. I followed up with three more shots and three more kills. My brother was with me and doesn't own a fishing rig so I had to "share" with him every other shot...it sucks for two grown men to have to share a bow lol. I got fed up with that fast and went to town and bought a cheap spool type rig for him to shoot so a could have my rig to myself. We took a bunch of fish that day.
I started out with my AMS retriever rig on an old 45 pound. Ben Pearson. That worked fine when they were thick. Once they started to thin out the 45 pounds wouldn't do the trick. I ended up putting the set up on a black widow sa iii that's 56# @ 27". I was having to take shots at fish that are about a foot long in five feet of water from fifteen yards. I still took alot of fish but it takes alot of bow to do it. For this spring, I have an old 62 # bear td hunter with the AMS reel mounted to it. The suckers should be toast at fifteen yards and five feet of water this year!
(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o101/TnLadyHunter/image_zps20f9b204.jpg) (http://s118.photobucket.com/user/TnLadyHunter/media/image_zps20f9b204.jpg.html)
Best of fun. My daughter and I love it! If you need some equipment to get started, PM me as I might be able to help you out.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v333/vegas89/IMG_1896_zps90f70287.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/vegas89/media/IMG_1896_zps90f70287.jpg.html)
Aim low!
Here is the results from a few of my best trips!
(http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss239/archeryrules/13352215-af99-4135-aca6-77f34e70a089_zpsf9483bd0.jpg) (http://s579.photobucket.com/user/archeryrules/media/13352215-af99-4135-aca6-77f34e70a089_zpsf9483bd0.jpg.html)
(http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss239/archeryrules/1081cae2-a564-4d39-b8f5-3095a4b26ef6_zps79c5f282.jpg) (http://s579.photobucket.com/user/archeryrules/media/1081cae2-a564-4d39-b8f5-3095a4b26ef6_zps79c5f282.jpg.html)
(http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss239/archeryrules/6-12-12Bowfishing007.jpg) (http://s579.photobucket.com/user/archeryrules/media/6-12-12Bowfishing007.jpg.html)
I have bow fished for many years and at some time have used about every tip made. The Stingray tip has a lot of holding power because of the long barbs. Also very easy to remove just grab the arrow and turn it to loosen the tip and the barbs will reverse. The only downfall is big fish 25 or more pounds in weedy areas can start spinning and the arrow gets weeds wrapped around it and this unscrews the tip to reverse the barbs. Also it has a lot of tip to go through the fish before barbs spread.
(http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii185/bofish-il/bowfishing/stingraypoint_zps2439d7a3.jpg) (http://s264.photobucket.com/user/bofish-il/media/bowfishing/stingraypoint_zps2439d7a3.jpg.html)
The muzzy carp tip is good the only draw back is you have to turn the tip several turns by hand to reverse barbs to remove the arrow. This can be a chore with a 20 pound or bigger fish flopping around.
(http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii185/bofish-il/bowfishing/muzzycarppoint_zps6529d30e.jpg) (http://s264.photobucket.com/user/bofish-il/media/bowfishing/muzzycarppoint_zps6529d30e.jpg.html)
I have lost the least fish from pull outs with the innerloc 2 blade. It has the wider blades and gets great penetration but you also have to unscrew the tip by hand to reverse the barbs.
(http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii185/bofish-il/bowfishing/innerloc2barb_zps9bd79182.jpg) (http://s264.photobucket.com/user/bofish-il/media/bowfishing/innerloc2barb_zps9bd79182.jpg.html)
Some Carp from a few years ago.
(http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii185/bofish-il/bowfishing/Carp_zps29ced9f1.jpg) (http://s264.photobucket.com/user/bofish-il/media/bowfishing/Carp_zps29ced9f1.jpg.html)
That Stingray tip is what I used on this 11'1", 390# TX gator!
(http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss239/archeryrules/Bishgator006-1.jpg) (http://s579.photobucket.com/user/archeryrules/media/Bishgator006-1.jpg.html)
Bisch
WoW!!! that gator is huge. I have to scout out some places nearby to see what species of fish are available. I know we have bass,pike, and some saltwater species that run the shallows.
Get a good pair of polarized glasses. The first few years I didn't use any because I didn't like shooting with them on but once I got used to them they made a world of difference. Sorry no pictures but last year fellow Trad Gang member(Stone knife) and myself shot roughly three hundred pounds in an afternoon they pretty much filled the front bucket on my Kubota tractor.
I seldom take a camera when I'm hunting/fishing. But... I use an old fly reel attached to my belt rather than a reel/line holder on my bow. I mostly bowhunt tilapia in local ponds, and gafftopsail catfish off the stern of the sailboat I live aboard. Occasionally I try for mullet when they're schooled and cruising like this time of year. Will be trying some bigger saltwater fish later this spring.
QuoteOriginally posted by lpcjon2:
WoW!!! that gator is huge. I have to scout out some places nearby to see what species of fish are available. I know we have bass,pike, and some saltwater species that run the shallows.
Check with your game dept to make sure what species are legal. More than likely, all the species you mentioned above will not be legal to bowfish. In most places, only fish like carp, gar, and such are legal to bowfish. Louisiana, though, has some great bowfishing regulations!
Bisch
I just checked the regs and your right, they are not legal. carp,catfish(flathead), eels, suckers, and some others . All of the stuff you dont normally see around here,go figure
And it says all you need is a fishing license, I would think a bow license would also be a requirement, But it isnt.
Bisch what type of fish are in the big pile - man that's one ugly fish?!
Can't wait to start bowfishing again this year!
(http://i547.photobucket.com/albums/hh472/ishoot4thrills/2013-06-12212146_zpsf0d12b55.jpg~original) (http://s547.photobucket.com/user/ishoot4thrills/media/2013-06-12212146_zpsf0d12b55.jpg.html)
(http://i547.photobucket.com/albums/hh472/ishoot4thrills/20130606_200328_zpse159f6ed.jpg~original) (http://s547.photobucket.com/user/ishoot4thrills/media/20130606_200328_zpse159f6ed.jpg.html)
(http://i547.photobucket.com/albums/hh472/ishoot4thrills/20130606_194909_zpsbe83e202.jpg~original) (http://s547.photobucket.com/user/ishoot4thrills/media/20130606_194909_zpsbe83e202.jpg.html)
(http://i547.photobucket.com/albums/hh472/ishoot4thrills/WhiteMillsCarp.jpg~original) (http://s547.photobucket.com/user/ishoot4thrills/media/WhiteMillsCarp.jpg.html)
(http://i547.photobucket.com/albums/hh472/ishoot4thrills/WhiteMillsBowfishingSpot013.jpg~original) (http://s547.photobucket.com/user/ishoot4thrills/media/WhiteMillsBowfishingSpot013.jpg.html)
(http://i547.photobucket.com/albums/hh472/ishoot4thrills/BowfishingGar015.jpg~original) (http://s547.photobucket.com/user/ishoot4thrills/media/BowfishingGar015.jpg.html)
(http://i547.photobucket.com/albums/hh472/ishoot4thrills/WaspCarpatTrooperLake001.jpg~original) (http://s547.photobucket.com/user/ishoot4thrills/media/WaspCarpatTrooperLake001.jpg.html)
(http://i547.photobucket.com/albums/hh472/ishoot4thrills/201020Camping20Trip20001.jpg~original) (http://s547.photobucket.com/user/ishoot4thrills/media/201020Camping20Trip20001.jpg.html)
QuoteOriginally posted by Whitetailarcher:
Bisch what type of fish are in the big pile - man that's one ugly fish?!
They are called plecostomus. They are the same little sucker fish you buy at the fish store for your aquarium. Somebody let some loose and they have blown up in a river not too far from where I live. They really screw up the banks and ecosystem for the native species.
Bisch
One thing to always check on any type of the many reels they make. Make sure the wind does not blow your slack line behind your reel or handles of the reel before shooting.
If this happens you are going to break your line and lose an arrow. If the line doesn't break the arrow may come flying back and strike you.
One other warning a friend some times shoots his recurve bow with his index finger and thumb around the grip. His other fingers are pointed forward. Don't do this while bow fishing. This day the string wrapped around his finger and tore the end off, I had to drive him to the hospital.
(http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii185/bofish-il/BERNARD3_zps9be0a40a.jpg) (http://s264.photobucket.com/user/bofish-il/media/BERNARD3_zps9be0a40a.jpg.html)
Bowfishing is some kinda fun!!!
Boat or Bank...doesn't matter...just enjoy!!!
(http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n15/ken613/Trad%20Kills/CranesnestCarp2012-05-20avatar.jpg) (http://s108.photobucket.com/user/ken613/media/Trad%20Kills/CranesnestCarp2012-05-20avatar.jpg.html)
YO, Elmer!!! That's like "ooooohh YUCK"!!!!!!
homebru
My carp from a few years ago.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v33/neven1963/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps1696e23b.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/neven1963/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps1696e23b.jpg.html)
Looks like a blast. Time to go walk some riverbanks.
Tim, You have Carp in Jersy if you get away from the Coast.
If you come up to NY I will get you on fish. I sold muy boat so it would be bank fishing unless I can talk a buddy into taking his boat out.
IN NY the regs say you can only shoot Carp. Other states I have been in say Only Rough fish.
(http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/m637/cjohntalk/1340326193.jpg) (http://s1135.photobucket.com/user/cjohntalk/media/1340326193.jpg.html)
(http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/m637/cjohntalk/charliecarp2012.jpg) (http://s1135.photobucket.com/user/cjohntalk/media/charliecarp2012.jpg.html)
(http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/m637/cjohntalk/1311451320.jpg) (http://s1135.photobucket.com/user/cjohntalk/media/1311451320.jpg.html)
(http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/m637/cjohntalk/Charlieand2Fish.jpg) (http://s1135.photobucket.com/user/cjohntalk/media/Charlieand2Fish.jpg.html)
There has been good advice here. Also make sure you always have a spare arrow. When I was a youngster, I had to end a few bowfishing trips early due to no ammo!
(http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/m637/cjohntalk/1306985949.jpg) (http://s1135.photobucket.com/user/cjohntalk/media/1306985949.jpg.html)
(http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/m637/cjohntalk/CharlieNiceCarp.jpg) (http://s1135.photobucket.com/user/cjohntalk/media/CharlieNiceCarp.jpg.html)
(http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/m637/cjohntalk/BeckaCarp.jpg) (http://s1135.photobucket.com/user/cjohntalk/media/BeckaCarp.jpg.html)
Oh, Also, If you have a Fish Barrel to put the dead in, Its best to shoot the small ones otherwise the Barrel fills up quick with the 30+ lb fish.
I've been bowfishing since I was a boy. Even before I hunted big game I was crazy over shooting fish. Here's a few pics that span the years.
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/charlie/gar18.jpg)
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/charlie/gar70.jpg)
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/charlie/Carpbridgeton.jpg)
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/charlie/bowfishcarp.jpg)
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/charlie/BigGarR.jpg)
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/charlie/2004GarR.jpg)
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/charlie/Curtisgoodgar.jpg)
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/charlie/CTandCKgar.jpg)
Over time you'll develop your own honey holes.
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/charlie/loadogar.jpg)
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/charlie/Bigheadflood08.jpg)
Check your state regs and you might be surprised at the fish you can legally shoot. This is a Bowfin or Grinnel.
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/charlie/Bowfin05R.jpg)
Hey Charlie, did you shoot all 5 of those little gar through the heads with one shot? :bigsmyl:
Those bowfins and silver carp are cool looking fish! we don't have those around my parts.
Bisch
Bisch,
How do you think Charlie became a legend? Certainly not by only shooting one fish at a time ;) :p
Those Bowfin or commonly Called Dogfish where I grew up are cool fish. They Bark! dont shoot them in the head! although I have had penetration, I have lost more than I killed. Broke an arrow once too hitting one in the head.
I want to shoot a gar one day.
I have had the dogfish swim right up to the bank where I had shot some silver carp and blood had pooled on the shoreline and water edge. This one had 3/4 of his body sticking out of the water.
I don't know if he smelled the blood but couldn't figure any other reason why he would be almost out of the water he wasn't 2 feet from my boots when I shot him. I have caught them on pole and line before with chunks of Silver carp for bait.
(http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii185/bofish-il/Fish/ElmerDogfish_zpse5403305.jpg) (http://s264.photobucket.com/user/bofish-il/media/Fish/ElmerDogfish_zpse5403305.jpg.html)
My favorite fish to shoot I think they fight harder than any other fish I have shot. They will have every bit of line pulled from AMS retriever reel in a second.
(http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii185/bofish-il/Fish/bighead_zpsda89206a.jpg) (http://s264.photobucket.com/user/bofish-il/media/Fish/bighead_zpsda89206a.jpg.html)
Great pics and nice fish!
We mostly fish at night now so i dont have alot of pics. But here are a few. My daughter got her fist dogfish when she was 5 with her longbow. now she shoots a compound and loves to bowfish more than anything.
http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg133/jasonsamko/bellafish1copy_zps9e5b2dbb.jpg
http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg133/jasonsamko/IMG_20130430_163253_388_zps196e519c.jpg
http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg133/jasonsamko/IMG_20130430_171117_789_zpscc7db52f.jpg
http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg133/jasonsamko/IMG_20130515_190428_527_zps1669a859.jpg
http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg133/jasonsamko/IMG_20130610_224932_287_zpsaa15b284.jpg
http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg133/jasonsamko/ResizedImage951369057311268_zps73bd5fd6.jpg
http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg133/jasonsamko/IMG_20130617_115342_683_zps765cfb94.jpg
oops work links. heres the pics.
(http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg133/jasonsamko/bellafish1copy_zps9e5b2dbb.jpg) (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/jasonsamko/media/bellafish1copy_zps9e5b2dbb.jpg.html)
(http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg133/jasonsamko/IMG_20130430_163253_388_zps196e519c.jpg) (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/jasonsamko/media/IMG_20130430_163253_388_zps196e519c.jpg.html)
(http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg133/jasonsamko/IMG_20130430_171117_789_zpscc7db52f.jpg) (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/jasonsamko/media/IMG_20130430_171117_789_zpscc7db52f.jpg.html)
(http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg133/jasonsamko/IMG_20130515_190428_527_zps1669a859.jpg) (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/jasonsamko/media/IMG_20130515_190428_527_zps1669a859.jpg.html)
(http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg133/jasonsamko/IMG_20130610_224932_287_zpsaa15b284.jpg) (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/jasonsamko/media/IMG_20130610_224932_287_zpsaa15b284.jpg.html)
(http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg133/jasonsamko/IMG_20130617_115342_683_zps765cfb94.jpg) (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/jasonsamko/media/IMG_20130617_115342_683_zps765cfb94.jpg.html)
(http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg133/jasonsamko/ResizedImage951369057311268_zps73bd5fd6.jpg) (http://s247.photobucket.com/user/jasonsamko/media/ResizedImage951369057311268_zps73bd5fd6.jpg.html)
Bisch... nope I didn't get all 5 with with one shot. Silly!
Now I have shot as many 4 carp with one shot... does that count? :D
I pulled off the 4 shot several times actually. Tried to get 5 with one but the arrow just didn't have the "oomph" to get through that many.
The carp were really small and pressed against each other. One larger female with 4 or 5 suitors doing their thing.
I shot a carp in a state lake one time pulled it in and had a bluegill that I had shot through also.
Charlie you must be shooting some poundage I have shot 2 carp but never 3 or 4 at the same time.
Bow fish'n is just a blast, can be a bit nasty but a blast none the less.
And as stated, be careful, can be a quick way to get hurt, a line can get snagged on your equipment & the arrow will be catapulted backwards instantly, I've heard of people get'n eyes knocked out from this, even seen pictures of a pair of sunglasses that the arrow penatrated, directly thru the lens & into the eye.
But its worth the price of a ratty old bow just for the purpose of having a bow to fish with, like I said, its a blast.
have fun.
LB_hntr,
Please tell me about your boat setup. Putting a bowfishing boat together is a short time goal of mine.
Thanks
Bofishil... Like I said the fish were very small. None were over a pound and I was shooting 75# in those days.
Charlie(cyclic) I have to look into the lakes and streams west of me, I live a mile from the beach.
Mr Lamb those pics are like a timeline of your growth as a man, like pencil marks on a door frame.My how far you've come, and all those years with a trad bow in your hands.Thanks for the pics.
QuoteOriginally posted by mulie:
LB_hntr,
Please tell me about your boat setup. Putting a bowfishing boat together is a short time goal of mine.
Thanks
Mine is built for a combination of backwater, rivers, marshes, and lakes. Small enough to launch at crappy little backwoods openings to access small waters and yet big enough to handle big lakes. for what i do its just about perfect for 2-3 guys. 4 guys is doable but i dont like it and will only do it if its 2 guys and 2 girls or kids, 4 full grown guys is a no for safey.
Light wise i like halogen lights. easy to fix cheap to set up and replace. rocks on the highway, branches and stumps on the water all take a light out each season and cheap and easy to fix with halos. I use 300 watt bulbs in all 10 of my lights and power them with a champion 3500/4000 watt generator. My deck is a 2x4 frame with 3/4 plywood. next time I will use 2x3 for the frame as 2x4 is way over kill and extra weight. I like wood decks over aluminum personally becasue i dont have a aluminumm welder and its really easy to screw anything into anyplace and modify the deck. plus my deck cost less than 70 bucks ot make where alum deck materials alone can cost 10 times as much and only saves about 20% weight.
I just made a 2 podcasts about bowfishing boats. the first one will publish in 2 weeks from today and the 2nd one the week after. click the link below to go to podcast site.
There are many different ways to make a bowfishing boat. jons, mod v, trollers, kickers, fan rigs, air boats, etc. same with lighting...halogen, hps, MH, led, etc. options are endless.
If you pm me and tell me what types of waters, how many people, budget, etc I would be more than happy to offer any advise i have to help you. I have been on jons, mod v, trollers, kickers, and air boats. All are great boats and in that podcast I give the pros and cons to each style of boat and size recommendions. In the second podcast I cover lighting, accessories, generators, etc.
Thanks for the info. I'll watch your podcast and may get with you when I find a boat. I have the same generator. Bought it last summer for our hunting shack, but haven't used it much.
Thanks,
Judd
LB_hntr
Do your lights being above your deck attract thousands of bugs. I had my boat similar to yours when I shot on the Mississippi River at night. If there was not a little wind the bugs were in your ears, nose, and mouth if you opened it. Especially in Aug. when the may flies were out.
I had a raised aluminum deck built with my lights under it but have not used it at night yet. Everyone told me that would keep the bugs off you. I started my generator up in a camping area a few years ago and when I flipped the lights on you could see swarms of bugs coming out of the woods. Other campers started yelling to shut the dam flood lights off.
QuoteOriginally posted by bofish-IL:
LB_hntr
Do your lights being above your deck attract thousands of bugs. I had my boat similar to yours when I shot on the Mississippi River at night. If there was not a little wind the bugs were in your ears, nose, and mouth if you opened it. Especially in Aug. when the may flies were out.
I had a raised aluminum deck built with my lights under it but have not used it at night yet. Everyone told me that would keep the bugs off you. I started my generator up in a camping area a few years ago and when I flipped the lights on you could see swarms of bugs coming out of the woods. Other campers started yelling to shut the dam flood lights off.
Yep fishing at night with no wind bugs can be bad. Usually its only bad for the first hour after dark then they thin out (here anyway). Lights below the deck help but if bugs are bad they are gonna be all over you anyway you cut it. i have fished off of raised decks and like them for daytime fishing as you get higher up and can see deeper iwth less light refraction. But at night i like being on a flush deck closer to the water for a couple reasons. 1. its safer beacuse you dont have to climb up and down all the time especially when everything gets slimy. 2. walking off a flush deck with no railing is better than tripping and falling off a rased deck with a railing. this is just my opinion. but every once in a while we hit a stump, sandbar, etc that stops the boat and you end up walking off the front becasue your still moving when the boat stopped. on a flush deck without a rail its easy to walk off and then just hop right back on. agian just my opiniion on taht. many people like a knee high rail to stop them. I also would not wnat a raised deck on my 16x48 boat beacuse of its small size and being less stable with a raised deck.
So for me the flush deck with lights on top is my prefered way to go. But again thre are just as many people that like rasied decks with lights below. beacsue my lights are right at deck level i almost never get the line caught up in the lights even though it looks like it would. I love this set up. its my 3rd boat set up this way. I have been on a bunch of different boats and loved them all. you cant set up a bowfishing boat the wrong way. and there are pros and cons to each and every set up.
Out of respect for the original poster and to not hijack his thread im going to upload a video to youtube that goes over boat options i like. This video wont be ont eh podcast site until the bowfshing podcasts publish but i will post a new thread on tradgang so you can see it. Hoepfully others with boats will add to the thread as well.
will make the thread as soon as the video uploads to youtube.
Some fun: (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v336/bgeckle/DSCF2596_zps38c503c1.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bgeckle/media/DSCF2596_zps38c503c1.jpg.html)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v336/bgeckle/DSCF2597_zps25d06088.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bgeckle/media/DSCF2597_zps25d06088.jpg.html)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v336/bgeckle/DSCF2610_zps6ad9c32e.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bgeckle/media/DSCF2610_zps6ad9c32e.jpg.html)
My "baby" brothe (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v336/bgeckle/DSCF2623_zpsc955e832.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bgeckle/media/DSCF2623_zpsc955e832.jpg.html) r:
Good day with my buddy:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v336/bgeckle/DSCF2620_zps8df269ea.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bgeckle/media/DSCF2620_zps8df269ea.jpg.html)
My daughter is always there for moral support:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v336/bgeckle/dc26a4d0.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bgeckle/media/dc26a4d0.jpg.html)
Ben that is to cool!
Has anybody bow fished for salmon on the Missouri River in South Dakota?
QuoteOriginally posted by britt:
Has anybody bow fished for salmon on the Missouri River in South Dakota?
You should check the regs. Usually species like salmon are protected.
QuoteOriginally posted by lpcjon2:
Charlie(cyclic) I have to look into the lakes and streams west of me, I live a mile from the beach.
I wonder if saltwater fish have regulations. It would be wild to string a couple blues during a blitz. One thing is sure, you would need all the line you could get in the reel and then some.
Charlie, I do have some areas that are shallow and we use plugs for stripers, that would be a battle. I think Howard Hill did some salt water bow fishing back in the day with Errol Flyn
There was a recent article in a TBM or similar mag regarding shooting salmon on the Missouri River if I recall correctly. I think (hope) that it is legal to do up there Charlie.
ChuckC
Great photos (well except for the tore up finger one) guys!!! Thanks for sharing!!
We'll be taking our bows to the river in a couple more months for some fun :)
lpcjon2,
Obviously check your local regulations or the ones where you'll be hunting/fishing at :) I like my A-handle Fred Bear Mag riser recurve with 50# limbs for the bowfishing that I do. I think that it really helps to test your gear out at home. Shoot your arrows into a sand bank or target that you don't mind damaging and tune your rig for good arrow flight. This really helps penetration of fish in my opinion. Also, if you are going to be shooting in shallow hard bottomed rivers like I do...take several arrows, extra nocks, and extra "tips" for quick switching out of damaged parts....
I also highly recommend the AMS safety slides or their equals....
Polarized glasses can really help depending on the light and water clarity....
Also...you probably know from reading that you need to "shoot low" because of the refraction factor....unless you get some carp that are tailing and beating the weeds like redfish :)
No one needs to remind you to have fun....because that just comes naturally while bowfishing :)
QuoteOriginally posted by Cyclic-Rivers:
QuoteOriginally posted by lpcjon2:
Charlie(cyclic) I have to look into the lakes and streams west of me, I live a mile from the beach.
I wonder if saltwater fish have regulations. It would be wild to string a couple blues during a blitz. One thing is sure, you would need all the line you could get in the reel and then some. [/b]
Charlie, I know in Louisiana you can shoot some saltwater species, including redfish. That would be a blast, and good eating too!
Bisch
I shot stingrays in Florida while on vacation last year. Great time.
(http://i572.photobucket.com/albums/ss166/BrianfromTulsa/56493a07-a0e4-4cec-95bc-3bdf852d5f1e_zps23d42a44.jpg) (http://s572.photobucket.com/user/BrianfromTulsa/media/56493a07-a0e4-4cec-95bc-3bdf852d5f1e_zps23d42a44.jpg.html)
*sorry- double post*
Tim I've been itching to get out on the water and shoot some fish. I have access to a boat just needs some paint work and some lights. Trailer needs some tires too. I've been doing some reading over on newjerseyhunter.com there's a bow fishing section. I see you're back here in the glorious state of NJ. Still down south? Let's make a plan to figure this thing out and whack em in the spring I'm way up north in Vernon, sussex county just off the ny state line.
Jason,
Yes I am still in SJ outside of Atlantic City. I would love to take a trip up north over the spring. We will have to make a plan.
I will check out the NJ hunter site today.
Posted these many times. Sorry for the repeats for you long time TG'ers.
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(http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa121/kyTJ/Bowfishing/DSCN0245.jpg) (http://s197.photobucket.com/user/kyTJ/media/Bowfishing/DSCN0245.jpg.html)
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(http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa121/kyTJ/Bowfishing/DSCN0285.jpg) (http://s197.photobucket.com/user/kyTJ/media/Bowfishing/DSCN0285.jpg.html)
(http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa121/kyTJ/Bowfishing/P5250244.jpg) (http://s197.photobucket.com/user/kyTJ/media/Bowfishing/P5250244.jpg.html)
(http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa121/kyTJ/Bowfishing/P5250238small.jpg) (http://s197.photobucket.com/user/kyTJ/media/Bowfishing/P5250238small.jpg.html)
Kentucky what kind of fish is the last pic
Spoonbill Catfish Tim. They don't have any bones in their bodies, all cartilage. Their back bone looks like a long fishing worm. Really strange. Some of the finest eating in our waters though.
They are plankton eaters and at night swim along upstream at the surface with their mouths wide open. A very cool site when you get about 20 or so in a group.
I never saw anything like that. It looks more like a shark then a catfish...LOL
Great Pictures and Tips everyone.
You just never know what you'll run into while bowfishing! :)
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(http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m84/TJReceveur/Jen74Stingray.jpg) (http://s102.photobucket.com/user/TJReceveur/media/Jen74Stingray.jpg.html)
(http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m84/TJReceveur/JeffHolchinwithTurtle.jpg) (http://s102.photobucket.com/user/TJReceveur/media/JeffHolchinwithTurtle.jpg.html)
(http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m84/TJReceveur/AlgeaEater.jpg) (http://s102.photobucket.com/user/TJReceveur/media/AlgeaEater.jpg.html)
Awesome pics! This thread is getting me excited for the ice to clear out!
[/qb][/QUOTE]Charlie, I know in Louisiana you can shoot some saltwater species, including redfish. That would be a blast, and good eating too!
Bisch [/QB][/QUOTE]
The bow fishing in saltwater marshes of Louisiana is really good. On the 3 trips I made out of Leeville with Marsh Masters we limited out on redfish every time in no time. We also shot many sheepshead and stingrays. You go in airboats and shoot a lot!! Then you BBQ those redfish fillets scale down and munch out!