Anyone ever went Bowfishing?

Joined
Nov 10, 2010
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Hello folks, sorry to post two threads in a row, They just weren't related at all. So anyway, has anyone here ever went bow fishing before? I was at my local archery shop and saw there Fishing Bows, and I was pretty interested. But Ive never heard of anyone doing this before. So I wouldn't even know what to do to even get started, lol. I dont want to just start shooting a bow into a lake.. So heres some things I need to know, Do you need a specific type of bow? or can I just buy the reel for my normal bow. Secondly, Do I need special arrows and tips? And Finally where do you normally bowfish? In a river? shallow of a Lake? What? If there is anything else I need to know?

Thanks guys! Take Care!
Cody D
 
Thanks man. You said check my local game laws? Ive searched far and low on the Michigan DNR site and haven't found one speck of info regarding it. But I dont see it being illegal here in Michigan anyway, my state is the hunting and fishing capital of the U.S. man, we got the biggest lakes in the world I dont see it being illegal to bow fish out of them lol.
 
Thanks man. You said check my local game laws? Ive searched far and low on the Michigan DNR site and haven't found one speck of info regarding it. But I dont see it being illegal here in Michigan anyway, my state is the hunting and fishing capital of the U.S. man, we got the biggest lakes in the world I dont see it being illegal to bow fish out of them lol.

its not illegal to bow fish out of them but my guess is without looking up Mi. fishing laws you can only shoot carp and gar, that means you aren't breaking the law until you shoot a trout or salmon, or bass.
bow fishing is a blast, and yes you need fishing arrows, and a center shot bow, 1000 grn fiberglass 100lb spine arrows don't fly quite right off of an actual longbow,(shooting around the handle).
shoot some fish, its a blast.
 
I use to bow fish was a kid. I had a 30 lb recurve that wasnt strong enough. It would not penetrate a carp but it would go clear through a gar.
 
I love bowfishing. I prefer at least a 45# bow, 50 is better for me. Carp are tough! You can go higher, but the fiberglass arrows are not really designed for high poundage. I usually just buy old compound bows in rummage sales each year, when my old one is wearing out. One summer I used my deer hunting bow, but at 65# and the draw curve, it was tough to get on carp and be able to shoot. Plus I was worn out early in the night from pulling back repeatedly, and sometimes holding the bow back waiting for a good shot. Also, if your poundage is too high, the arrows drive clean through the carp, then you have a tough time untangling all the loose line, and getting the arrow back out of the fish. Do yourself a favor and get the AMS bowfishing reel. The spools that mount on the front of the bow are dangerous ;) Also, "mechanical tips" are easier to deal with than the screw out barbed arrows. Don't cheap out, unless you just want to try it. We go in rivers and some larger lakes here in WI. 4' of water or less. Spot lights work great after dark if its legal in your area. Muzzy 200# line is the way to go. You don't need it that heavy, but it doesnt wear out as quick, and you wont lose any arrows. Most of all have fun!!! And be safe ;)
 
Heck yeah! You guys rock, thanks a lot for the help. Too bad winter is here... Im gonna have to wait till next spring, but that gives me time to get the equipment.
 
Went turkey hunting this spring with my Howard Hill Halfbreed and thanks to poor turkey hunting and a flooded creek full of carp, I ended up bowfishing instead. Just used my longbow and my blunt (varmint / stump shooting / etc.) arrows. Worked great - with careful shot selection, I lost not a single arrow and took quite a few carp.

Here's a couple...

20100515_ac_07.jpg
 
Nice GingivitisKhan. Thats awesome. I cant wait to go now. Nice shot lol you got that one right between the eyes! That was slick. Bow-fishing down at the creek sounds nice. Winter just started here, and im already sick of it and ready for summer. :) But that's cool that just used your normal archery hunting gear. Surprised you didn't shatter an arrow on a rock though. Thanks for showing me those pics man!

So what am I supposed to do? Just stand and wait for fish or some way to bait them in or something? Might just find a log bridged over the creek and stand on it and wait for some to come through.
 
Glad you liked the pics. :D

As to what to do - I think the classic way is to walk or float (if you have a boat) along a river known to contain trash fish (gar, carp, etc.) and hunt them. You can see carp pretty easily in the right conditions, then get as close as you can and take the shot. I got lucky with the setup I had - the fish were in a flooded creek and were moving in the long grass. I waded in and just had fun with it.

Good luck on your moist hunt!
 
Nice GingivitisKhan. Thats awesome. I cant wait to go now. Nice shot lol you got that one right between the eyes! That was slick. Bow-fishing down at the creek sounds nice. Winter just started here, and im already sick of it and ready for summer. :) But that's cool that just used your normal archery hunting gear. Surprised you didn't shatter an arrow on a rock though. Thanks for showing me those pics man!

So what am I supposed to do? Just stand and wait for fish or some way to bait them in or something? Might just find a log bridged over the creek and stand on it and wait for some to come through.

Carp spook easily. You can sneak up on them though. Wear cammo and move very slowly, or wait like a Blue Herron for them to come to you.
 
20 dead carp....jpg

20 and 15# carp!.jpg
Carp spook easily. You can sneak up on them though. Wear cammo and move very slowly, or wait like a Blue Herron for them to come to you.

:thumbup:

Also thirdeye, if you go at the right time in the spring, (usually right after mothers day here in WI) they are spawning in the shallows and its easier to find them and get shots. Go on a calm day, or in an area sheltered from the wind, you cant see into the water if theres ripples. Also, bright sunlight is good if going in the daytime. Cloudy days are a real bummer. We go well into summer, but its at night with lights. Night bowfishing is alot easier than daytime! We can't bait here. Definately check your game laws! A carp ain't worth $300.00 :D

Nice pics GingivitisKahn! The only problem here, is the game wardens will nail us if we don't use "barbed" arrows. They can be sticklers for game laws, even if they are rough fish!
 
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i ve done alot of bowfishing from carp , redfish, to aligators


i like AMS reels and set ups

I use a recurve but a long axle soft cam compound can do a great job
 
Alligators, that sound like some fun. Crikey! Where is that legal? Florida?

But yeah, I think Ive decieded to go with a reel I can attach to my usual bow for Deer hunting, Thats if I even get a real. Should I? Then Ill get some of them barbed arrows. Good save man. Cool pics also, I hope I get headshots, dead on when I do it. I just read the laws, and they are specific to area and species at the area. I can go up to my cousin's in St. Clair Shores and bowfish Catfish with lights anytime of the year. I live in a town called White Lake, and what would you know I live right next to a HUGE lake, It says you can can go on inland lakes during a spring and winter season. So I'm set! I live in a county where every 5 miles in every direction you touch water. No matter what. It's pretty nice.

But, Winter bowfishing? HUH? how would you break ice? or how would you even see? It says "through the ice" so if its thin enough to see through, I wouldn't walk on it... Every time I go out ice fishing its a good 4 foot at least! I am not gonna shoot through some hole, four foot deep lol. I'm assuming on a creek, or preferably heavier flowing river, that doesn't freeze over as thick and you wont drown in as easy. ....actually I take that back, Ive heard of people drowning from walking on frozen over rivers and getting sucked under and cant break through.. Sad stuff.. Scary, I couldn't imagine that. Should be a good reason for you guys to carry a knife with a glass breaking pommel, In case you went underwater in a car, or ice fishing or anything. Better safe than sorry. A couple kids died here couple years back when they drove off road into a lake and drowned, under the ice. Horrible...

So how would You bowfish in winter? I would love to hear from someone who did that, cuz Ill be able to do it much sooner than planned.

Ill be sure to wear cammo, and be geared up and know the laws!
Thanks guys!
Take care.
Cody D
 
depends on where you live. But around me, It doesn't say anything about not being able to use them, I read it all. (the whole fishing section of the DNR, Plus every search result on there page for bowfishing) just go to your states official site, and add dnr. For example michigan.gov/dnr or Google it.
 
depends on where you live. But around me, It doesn't say anything about not being able to use them, I read it all. (the whole fishing section of the DNR, Plus every search result on there page for bowfishing) just go to your states official site, and add dnr. For example michigan.gov/dnr or Google it.

or DEP (department of environmental protection)
 
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