If you’ve never bowfished it’s still not too late in the year to go. In fact, I just got back from bowfishing a few minutes ago. Granted my best bowfishing trips have been early spring when carp are spawning. Carp will be running along the edge with their fins out of the water. In fact, one time there were six running parallel and I hit three in one shot.
But I’ve also had some super hunts after the spawn in flooded areas when they’re feeding. I remember once Katy and I were bowfishing in Nebraska.
The lake was semi high and had flooded out in a flat spot and formed a little bay. There was a ton of carp in it feeding. I didn’t keep count but I shot enough to have filled a boat.
So I’ve had good bowfishing trips when they’re spawning and when they’re up in flooded areas or sloughs feeding but something I’ve been doing the last two years is finding a likely spot and just setting there a minute.
I started this last year on a bowfishing trip in Kansas. There was huge log-jam at a big hole where a creek fed into the river. I climbed up on top of the log jam. It was somewhat like setting in a deer blind waiting on a shot. It wasn’t super-hot and heavy but I was getting shots semi frequently. I even shot a gar as he cruised by but the majority of the shots were at carp as they swam up in the logs sucking moss off of them.
So with the above said, last week Rick Beckman and I went bowfishing. We unloaded the boat and headed over to a big weed bed that’s on the outskirts of some flooded trees. We didn’t see any activity so we cruised along the perimeter of the trees. Still nothing so then we probed up into the thick willows.
We were in my little Jon boat and easing along in first gear with my Minn Kota. They weren’t really feeding but mainly just cruising along. I told Rick to be ready because as we eased along we’d come upon one and only have a chance for a fast shot.
We got to an open area and saw a few so Rick said let’s set here a minute. We did and they reappeared and we had a few shots. It slowed down and we moved. We then found another spot and pulled over and waited. Repeat. We did this the rest of the day.
All of our shots were as they were swimming by, some pretty fast and most shots were pretty deep which are harder to connect on, much less if they’re out further due to the arrow being more likely to deflect upwards.
For equipment you don’t have to buy a $750 bow. Many people like a recurve since they’re faster to throw up and shoot but then a lot of people like to use their compound so they’re using the same equipment all time. Tomorrow my Missions Craze II bow will be here Mission Craze II .
I’m excited. A buddy called today and we’re going to hit some ponds tomorrow. He’s been seeing some 20 pounders. I can’t wait to zip a few with my new bow. I think I’ll name her the Tattoo Queen.
Here’s the equipment you’ll need.
Bow.
Reel.
Muzzy fishing arrows.
Polarized sunglasses.
Clothing is simple. Cut-offs and tennis shoes. Although the other day Katy stopped me at the door and told me I couldn’t wear black socks with tennis shoes so I guess there is a dress code.
Some use a shooting glove. Wrap your fingers with white tape so you don’t get cut pulling in big fish.
It’s better if you have a Jon boat with an elevated platform and Minn Kota trolling motor but if you don’t, the first 100 years I bowfished while wading in a pair of tennis shoes and cut-offs.
Bowfishing helps a fishery. Carp are not good neighbors. And if you look around you might just find out that there are a lot of people not as well off as you that would appreciate it if you brought the carp to them to eat. Happy Bowfishing.
Tom Claycomb is an outdoor enthusiast and writes a monthly column for the Humboldt Sun.
