Bowfishing

[11fish1]

Has anyone been bowfishing in lakes yet? These past couple of days have been perfect, I'm gonna try this weekend if it doesn't get too windy.

[Dan Wood]

I know my Dad was out looking around last weekend and it was too early... I think he is planning to head back out this weekend, should be about the perfect time.

what lakes do you normally bowfish?

[Haywood]

What do you guys have for set ups? I rigged an older whitetail 2 with an 828 in the stabilizer mount, but I am always a little afraid of shooting an arrow on a string.

[AllenW]

Picked up a used Hoyt all set up for bowfishing, but since the guy I was going to go with is still turkey hunting I haven't even shot it.

Looking to get out though.

Al

[11fish1]

what lakes do you normally bowfish?

I have a cabin in Chisago county, that's the only place I've tried, I got a 25 pounder this weekend last year, here's a pic from my cell, I do it out of a paddle boat so I really hope its calm Saturday, its not that easy sneaking up on carp in a paddle boat especially in the wind

Haywood, I don't know what kind my bow is, its a long bow with a 35lbs draw, I don't know much about bows, I got it a couple years ago, it seems to work for me, you should give it a try sometime, its a really fun way to get some big carp, I even shot a little 2 pound bowfin last year, I don't normally kill those but I saw and thought I would try to hit it

[11fish1]

I gave up looking for carp on Saturday, way too windy and cloudy most of the day, I wasn't gonna try today but then saw a few while bass fishing around 3pm so my buddy and I went back to the dock grabbed the bow and headed back out, he took the first three shots and missed them all but it was his first time ever so maybe next time, then I took a turn took my first shot of the year and hit one that was probably around 12 pounds but I hit it too low and the arrow popped out leaving me with its air bladder or some kind of internal organ not sure what it was, after that it was almost time to eat and we had already been through the little patch of weeds a couple times so we packed it in, next week should be perfect the weeds will be all the way in and the water warmer, water was 70 this afternoon so they should spawn soon, some bass and crappies are still spawning too

[Steve Wood]

What do you guys have for set ups? I rigged an older whitetail 2 with an 828 in the stabilizer mount, but I am always a little afraid of shooting an arrow on a string.

Haywood, I use a short rod that reaches about to the end of the nocked arrow and a large capacity close faced fishing reel. I have the reel loaded with about 30 yards of 300 lb kevlar braided line with backing line of 30 lb Fireline. I have the arrows rigged with a stainless wire from tip to nock and a hardened steel (muskie duty) split ring onto which I tie the line. This set up allows the line to stay entirely in front of the bow and my hand at all times. The tip of my rod is positioned close to the arrow so that the arrow isn't jerked to the side too much at release. I also use a heavy duty whisker bisquit rest for bowfishing arrows which minimizes the deflection from the cable and nock passing through. I suppose a drop-away rest would work too, but I haven't tried one for bowfishing. I used to use a roller rest, but you have to have zero protrusions on the nock end of the arrow. You also need to paper test your set up to be sure the arrow enters the water straight. It is very frustrating having the arrow veer to the side when you shoot at a fish a few feet below the surface. I don't think the bow matters much, but I use an older Hoyt which I retired about 5 years ago from deer hunting. I use a release and a string look, but I wouldn't have to with this (longer) bow. If I get time, I'll post a few pictures. It took Dan and I a while to learn how to find, hit, and hang onto larger (20+) carp. Little carp on the surface are no challenge.

[Steve Wood]

Haywood, I'm attaching some photos of how I've been rigging my gear for shooting big carp. This took some refinement over the years, but works quite well.
Relationship of rod tip to arrow, nocked position. Must depress reel button to draw back.

Whole set up with Whisker Biscuit Bowfishing rest (stiffer for heavy arrows).

Detail of stainless wire slide and split ring. Note line tied directly to split ring. Snaps don't work. Three types of arrows and nocks. The heavy wall aluminum arrows (top and bottom) aren't made any longer by Easton and the plastic screw-in nocks aren't either. The bottom arrow is a replacement nock set up, but can interfere with some arrow rests.

Detail of string loop (optional for release) and kisser button. NO PEEP SIGHT. You can't see well as it is and looking through a peep is not the way to go for carp hunting.

Several different types of tips. For big fish you need to snag as much meat as possible to hang on. With the Talon tip (single barb) I use a small rubber band to keep the barb from hitting the reel at full draw.


OK. You guys are laughing at all this so show me what you use!!

[AllenW]

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OK. You guys are laughing at all this so show me what you use!!
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Just the opposite Steve, I look at your stuff and see things I might try, hoping to get out with my new/used bow soon and see how it works, I'll try and post a picture of it soon.
Buddies done turkey hunting but he just got married so not sure when I'll ever get out.

Al

[Steve Wood]

Dan was out on Clearwater and said the carp were spawning pretty much everywhere today (5/31). Water temp was about 73 in the shallows.