[CjBallard]

Hey guys I'm new to bowfishing well truth be told I have never gone! But I am going for the first time in a few weeks and super stoked!! I have been interested in bowfishing since I first heard about it. Anyways.... Any tips tricks or gear I should take? Maybe things to look forward to or look out for?

 

[mattman]

well first off welcome to a crazy fun sport. I get pumped before i go every time and i have been bowfishing for about 3 years. What kind of bowfishing do you plan on doing? from a boat, shore or wading? I would suggest to go with someone who has gone before and try to pick some stuff up from them. All i can say is its true what they say "aim low" If the fish is right at the surface shoot right at em but if there deeper shoot low. I helps me to have a friend to tell me if i was high or low. we all way try to call out the misses for eachother and then we can readjust for the next shot. good look and let us know how you do. if your in a boat at night look out for logs. I went swimming 3 times last year.lol

 

[CjBallard]

I'll be on a boat! I'm going with a guide service I booked a trip for me and my wife so we could learn and pick up a few things b4 I go and buy my own boat and stuff!! Yeah the sport looks awesome I was hooked the first time I heard about it and saw a video!

 

[mattman]

good deal. well on a boat depending on the water clearity the fish may appear just a white/yellow blob or you may see the fish clearly. also depending on the lights you shoot over the fish may "glow" (HPS). I started out in my dads 12 foot row boat with one bow, one arrow, a head lamps and a spot light. I got my friend into it right away and we shot about 20 fish like this. A good night use to be seeing 10 fish and getting 2 in the boat. we both got boats fully rigged and now I usually shoot at least 10 fish and see 20-30. Granted we dont shoot the best waters out there. as far as bows, any will do. I prefer my old recurve because i can "snap shoot" better with it, but theres no such thing as the wrong bow. If your with a guide they will probably have expensive equipment. Bowfishing is a sport that can be as cheap or expensive as you want. Oh another thing about bows is the poundage. My recurve is 40lbs and 45lbs. I believe 35-50 is great. Any more and you will have trouble getting your arrows back. I use to shoot 25lbs and killed plenty of fish its just harder to get em in.

 

[NuffDaddy]

Welcome to the sport man. Before you know it you'll have a boat that puts out more light than all the lights your house...you'll stay on the water till 4am...you're hands will forever smell like fish...you'll spend more money hunting a fish you probably can't eat than you ever dreamed possible...you'll have dreams of rolling carp and barrels full of fish.
These are just a few things that we bowfishermen have come to live with on a daily basis.
Good luck on your trip and let us know how you do.

 

[CjBallard]

Yeah I'm already looking at boats and putting together my own bow!! I bought an old PSE whitetail bow for $50 that ima have re-strung and set up for bowfishing!!

 

[CjBallard]

Hey nuffdaddy that's a good point.... What do y'all do with all the fish u shoot? I know u can eat gar pretty easy but what about all the other types? Carp is a pain to prepare and cook ain't it. What do y'all do with it all??

 

[CjBallard]

Thank mattman! I'll set my bow to about 40lbs when I re-string it! And I for sure watch out for logs lol

 

[zkoerber17]

Hey I'm new to bow fishing all around, never been, dont know anyone who goes, and don't have a bow, but this sport looks so awesome and i want to get into the sport, is there any particular bow and reel you can recamend , I've heard a diamond bow with an AMS retriever but i just want to get the best bang for my buck and go out have have a blast.

 

[NuffDaddy]

Hey nuffdaddy that's a good point.... What do y'all do with all the fish u shoot? I know u can eat gar pretty easy but what about all the other types? Carp is a pain to prepare and cook ain't it. What do y'all do with it all??

Too much pollution for me to eat.
I put my brother to work. Haha

 

[NuffDaddy]

Hey I'm new to bow fishing all around, never been, dont know anyone who goes, and don't have a bow, but this sport looks so awesome and i want to get into the sport, is there any particular bow and reel you can recamend , I've heard a diamond bow with an AMS retriever but i just want to get the best bang for my buck and go out have have a blast.

Pse discovery 2 is a good bow. I personally use an old whitetail hunting bow. Anything will pretty much work. Ams bottle reel is the best beginner reel IMO.