Bow Fishing

Bow Fishing

Bowfishing is a type of fishing that employs specialized archery-type equipment to shoot and retrieve fish. The barbed arrow spears the fish, and is attached to a special line to a reel on the bow. Carp is the most commonly bowfished in freshwater. Rays and sharks are regularly pursued in saltwater. Bowfishing arrows are significantly heavier that arrows used in other types of archery, and are most commonly made of five-sixteen inch fiberglass, but aluminum and carbon fiber can also be used. The line is most commonly made from braided nylon or spectra.

Bowfishing Boats

Bowfishing is most commonly done from a boat, though it is possible to fish from the shore. Most of these boats are made specifically for bowfishing, made with raised platforms for shooting, and generators for lights used in night fishing. Some are also made with propellers for fishing in shallow water. The fan and motor are usually positioned on a raised platform at the stern. Most of these boats are also flat-bottomed.
These boats operate anywhere from 8-12mph. The speed will be determined by the amount of water displaced by the boat. If it is positioned higher up in the water, it will go faster. They are designed for very shallow water, and to go over weeds and small brush. They do not muddy up the water unless the hull rubs on the bottom.
Steering will depend on the setup. Some fans are set up to steer from the back, but this is not the ideal setting, though it will work. It is best to be able to steer the boat and fish at the same time. Steering form the front usually uses a cable and hub system. The weight in the boat affects the steering. If you have too much weight on either side of the boat, it will affect the way the boat tracts through the water.

Bowfishing History

Bowfishing has always been done in shallow waters. Ancient fishers used spears more often, but the bow and arrow proved to be a more efficient tool. Archers have had to “brush up” on their skills, over time, however. One useful fact was that water distorted the image of the fish, making it difficult to shoot directly at the prey. They learned to take into account the refraction angle of the target when releasing the arrow, making sure to release the arrow positioned slightly below the fish.