Serving as a hunting method since the prehistoric period, bow fishing is the combination of archery and fishing. Outdoor enthusiasts are attracted to bow fishing for the challenge and thrill of pursuing game fish. Most states allow bow fishing for all game fish species, with the most popular species being gar, carp, catfish and stingrays. Bow fishing requires minimal equipment and has an easy process for a successful fishing trip.
Step 1
Choose your bow fishing equipment. Alyssa Haukom says on Bass Pro Shops' Outdoor Site Library that bow fishing bows don't have to be high-tech. You can use a recurve bow, traditional bow or compound bow set at 40 to 50 pounds of draw weight. The light draw weight allows you to quickly and easily draw the bow for repetitive shooting. Use a prong-type rest designed to bow fishing to hold the arrow. These rests prevent arrow "snap-back" that can potentially cause serious injury. A reel attached to the side of the bow holds and dispenses the fishing line so you can retrieve the fish. No sights are required on a bow fishing bow as most of the shooting is instinctive.
Step 2
Remember safety first. You are shooting an arrow tied to your bow into water. If your arrow or line gets snagged in the water, it could cause the arrow to snap back at you. Jason Wesbrock from Hunting Net recommends keeping the line in front of your bow at all times. Consider using cabling rigs that keep the arrow and fishing line in front of the bow before the shot and allow it to slide back after releasing the arrow.
Step 3
Find the fish. Similar to any type of hunting or fishing, you must find the fish before you can be successful. Roger Lee from Hoyt suggests looking for carp in marshes and lakes as the water warms up during the summer. Find carp in shallow water as they spawn from late May into early June and near the surface as they feed during the night. Wear hip boots to walk along the shore or a trolling motor to access the shallow areas.
Step 4
Prepare for the shot. Bow fishing requires different aiming than traditional archery, due to the refraction of light on the water's surface. Wesbrock recommends the 10-4 Rule of aiming four inches low if a fish is 10 feet away and one foot under the surface. If you double the distance or depth, you also double your aiming point. For example, a fish 20 feet away and one foot deep requires an aiming point eight inches low.
Tips and Warnings
- Use polarized sunglasses during the day to reduce glare on the water and spotlights at night to locate fish on the surface. Talk to the local bait shop personnel to find potential hotspots.
- Purchase all required fishing licenses, stamps or permits before bow fishing.
Things You'll Need
- Bow
- Reel
- Arrows
Member Comments