Bow fishing is a sport that involves shooting an arrow at fish. Instead of using the traditional rod and reel, bow fishing has the reel and fishing line mounted directly to the bow and attached to the arrow. After shooting the traditional bow at a fish, you can retrieve the arrow by winding the reel. Traditional bow fishing provides avid anglers or bow hunters a new challenge.
Equipment
Traditional bows include any longbow or recurve bow. The main difference in longbows and recurve bow is that the limbs on recurve bows curve back toward the bow at the top and bottom. The bow must be capable of having a reel screwed into the side of the riser. You must attach bow fishing arrows to the fishing line, and the arrows must have barbed heads, which help to catch the fish. ATHAOnline.com recommends heavy fishing line with a 200-lb. to 400-lb. test to prevent fish from breaking the line.
Species
Bow fishing species can vary based on the region. The most common species pursued with traditional archery equipment include carp, catfish and other fish located near the surface of the water. These species are generally regulated for specific seasons and legal shooting times. Nebraska, for example, has a traditional bow fishing season for game fish from July 1 to December 31. For nongame species, most states allow bow fishing 24 hours a day.
Practice
Traditional archery can be challenging for even the most experienced archers. Adding the difficulty of bow fishing requires practice to be successful at shooting a moving underwater target. A general rule for traditional bow fishing is to aim under the fish to take into consideration the refraction--the changing of the direction of light waves--from the water. As the fish moves deeper, the aiming point will increase below the fish.
Benefits
Bow fishing with traditional archery equipment can be a family-fun outdoor recreational activity. Shooting traditional bows can improve archery skills by building patience and self-control. Bow hunters can extend their season and hone their form and technique, and hardcore anglers can use traditional bow fishing as an alternative method for catching fish. Another benefit of traditional bow fishing is to control fish populations and reduce the populations of invasive species.
Regulations
Every fishing area and state is subject to specific traditional bow fishing regulations. A general fishing permit is typically required along with specialty permits or stamps for a specific area. Kansas, for example, has a regulation that prohibits bow fishing within 50 yards of an occupied boat ramp, swimming area or camping area.
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