James RickardEver try bowfishing?
December 7th 2008 02:23
Not all angling is done with a rod and reel. Granted, if you're into skin diving you can do some spear fishing. But, if you already hunt with a bow, you're only a short step away from adding to your pleasure. All you need are some specialized arrows and you're on your way! Species commonly hunted with a bow include carp, large bass, alligator gar, and paddlefish. If you prefer saltwater, rays and sharks are often the prey.
If this is whetting your appetite and you don't have a bow, don't worry. Bow fishing is hardly going to break the bank. Bows are usually very simple so you don't have to worry about the latest and greatest. In fact, unlike a lot of hunting bows you'll run across, most don't have sights and aiming is done by line-of-sight judgment right down the arrow. This may sound hap-hazard but shots of only 10 feet are not uncommon. An old recurve bow will be fine but, compound bows may be more readily available. Whatever the case, you only need a bow with around 40-50 pounds of pull.
Although bows are made just for anglers, the most important piece of equipment would probably be the arrows. Arrows for bowfishing are made from fiberglass, aluminum, carbon fiber, or carbon fiber reinforced fiberglass since the arrows you'll be using are usually quite a bit heavier and stronger than arrows used in other types of archery. Bowfishing arrows usually lack the fletching found on other arrows because it can cause the arrow to go to one side or the other underwater and fletching usually isn't needed at the short ranges you'll get into with bowfishing. You'll attach line by tying to a hole in the arrow shaft. This is a good time to mention that, although I've seen it done, the fishing lines you usually use are NOT used for bowfishing. Line weights for bowfishing range from eighty to four-hundred pound test.
Like any activity, there are peripheral items you can have to make the task easier. In my limited experience, I would have to say that polarized sunglasses are a priority. A good pair of glasses cut the glare on top of the water and it make it easier to see what is below the water's surface as well as offering protection to your eyes.
The biggest problem you'll probably have the first time you bowfish is knowing where to aim. Remember your physics from school and don't forget the refraction of the water. Aiming straight at your target usually results in a miss so, aim below your target to compensate. Depth and distance also change how far below the fish you need to aim so this is where experience will come into play.
Missing shots you should make can be frustrating but, no matter what happens bowfishing can be a LOT of fun!
If this is whetting your appetite and you don't have a bow, don't worry. Bow fishing is hardly going to break the bank. Bows are usually very simple so you don't have to worry about the latest and greatest. In fact, unlike a lot of hunting bows you'll run across, most don't have sights and aiming is done by line-of-sight judgment right down the arrow. This may sound hap-hazard but shots of only 10 feet are not uncommon. An old recurve bow will be fine but, compound bows may be more readily available. Whatever the case, you only need a bow with around 40-50 pounds of pull.
Like any activity, there are peripheral items you can have to make the task easier. In my limited experience, I would have to say that polarized sunglasses are a priority. A good pair of glasses cut the glare on top of the water and it make it easier to see what is below the water's surface as well as offering protection to your eyes.
The biggest problem you'll probably have the first time you bowfish is knowing where to aim. Remember your physics from school and don't forget the refraction of the water. Aiming straight at your target usually results in a miss so, aim below your target to compensate. Depth and distance also change how far below the fish you need to aim so this is where experience will come into play.
Missing shots you should make can be frustrating but, no matter what happens bowfishing can be a LOT of fun!
Until next time--watch yourself and watch your line!
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