bow fishing friends

[bowhunter73]

I just wanted to start a new tread to see who all is going to bow fish this year.

How long have you being doing it, where you do it, and if you are looking to find new people to hunt with. I feel this is relatively still a new sport and this would be a good spot to learn from or hunt with others how are interested in this sport.

I will start

This will be my first year. I plan to use my old Hoyt bow and I just got an AMS bow fishing Retriever pro real (still needs to be mounted) I have a 17 ft flat bottom boat and I am exited to get out and try it. I would also be interested in bow fishing with others. I live in the north metro.

[chip189]

I have been dabbling in bowfishing for a few years now and can say its a blast. I live near Mille Lacs lake and usually just hit the bridges on the Rum River looking for carp and suckers. Haven't invested in a bowfishing reel yet but have found a decent alternative. I use a big cheap spinning reel from walmart and clamp it to a stabilizer. Have been using 80lb test braided line on it. I just leave a little slack open the bail and tuck the line against the corner of the little line holder on the spool.

[kenhuntin]

Sounds like a decent setup Chip.
  I and a buddy along with his son get out alot. Three is a crowd so if you want some good local action after May 1st I know how to reach you Bowhunter. No big fish just a 3 lb. average.

[HD]

I have been bowfishing for quite a few years, (ok, I'm old, so alot of years) I have a few spots that are productive.
Mostly back waters off of the Rum river and the shallow areas on the local lakes.

Important thing is to have a few extra arrows, and turn your poundage down on your set-up.
You miss, and the arrows get stuck in the muck or a sunk'in log....they are a  to get back!

Next thing to remember is, the angle of your shot....you see the fish in the water, and unless it's swimming right at the top...you don't shoot directly at it. That's what makes it a challenge!

I have a recurve that has a spool or drum type set-up on it that I use, which makes it more of a challenge. I also use a old PSE compound with a canister type reel on it. It's faster to
"re-load" than the recurve.

And lastly....No sights...It helps you hone your skills at "instinctive" shooting.

Of course...this is the way I have always done it...and It's just my opinion.

Hunter

[Jdrummer]

this will be my first year ! I know a few creeks that have huge carp in it when they start running and ill hopefully time them out right. I'll also try shootin them out of the bass boat on a few local lakes ! 

[stevejedlenski]

i have done it a few times here and there over the last few years. i use a PSE bow with a canister reel. the canisters are amazing, it lets the arrow fly free and you just pull the trigger and reel it back up. no tangles. here is a picture the first time we went out. i was about 15 years old we got these one evening around brainerd. man was that a blast.

[snow]

Man thats quite the mess of "dog fish",good job.

[KTapper]

It will be my first year, haven't gotten my setup yet but will soon, and I will be fishing out of a 14ft alumacraft with a 15hp Merc. It will be easy to clean blood off it!

[kgauker7]

hopefully i will figure out my set up soon i wanted to get a cheap compound but the last guy flaked out on me and never showed so i think i might try and set up my dads old recurve any pointers on how to get a reel on it would be greatly appreciated

[KTapper]

Well I got my setup Browning Rage with AMS reel.  Can't wait to get on the water!

[kgauker7]

anybody got any pointers for finding the carp right now are they really shallow i'd like to go stick at least one this year ik i'll have my bow with everytime i'm fishing

[Weasel]

bow fishing sounds like fun wish i knew how

[HD]

bow fishing sounds like fun wish i knew how

You need to practice with a heavier poundage bow first...then, I'll teach ya.

[Jdrummer]

anybody got any pointers for finding the carp right now are they really shallow i'd like to go stick at least one this year ik i'll have my bow with everytime i'm fishing

It depends on how the water temp and flow is . I have noticed a few card shallow shallow shallow a week or two ago . but you need a reall small boat to get to them . other than that in a week or so they should start "running" up to small creeks or streams or intlets streams into lakes or rivers. If you want to go for a drive on the bikes let me know I have a few spots I know of ! 

[Jdrummer]

oh and usually a week or two after spawn on washington mud bay is full of huge carp!

[ChrisWallace]

Aim high in life and low in bowfishing!

[bowhunter73]

I got out for my first hunt yesterday it started slow and then exploded. I only got two but for my first time I was and am very pleased. I seen hundreds but trying to maneuver the boat and shoot at the same time, I found very hard. I did learn this is a two man sport at least with the boat I was using I am thinking about a foot controlled trolling motor to make life a bit easier.

 If you have never tried it, I would recommend you do. I knew I would like it, but now I think I’m addicted already   CHEAP AND FUN

[Mayfly]

What are your plans with the carp??

 

[bowhunter73]

Fill the freezer until bear baiting comes around. I don’t like to let things go to waste (even carp)

[MagicOPromotion]

i was thinking of getting a pse bow madness but never shot it i am wondering if it has any hand shock, i shot the bowtech captin and really liked the ZERO hand shock can anyone help?

[bowhunter73]

  Questions like this are common when people are looking for new equipment. As peoples opinions very I would recommend going to a few pro shops and testing every bow you are considering and then a few more.

good luck

[Pegg]

Here is a video for you. I know a few of the Double Bull guys. Brook is even out there with a recruve bow. Great Guys.