Bowfishing is an exciting sport as it’s enthusiasts will tell you how rewarding and exciting it is to spend the summer bowfishing. As you observe how passionate your bowhunter friends are about this sport, you might think to consider giving it a shot yourself. If you’re worried that you won’t get the hang of it easily, don’t fear. It is not really rocket science. All you are going to need is a good bowfishing kit, a boat, and a good spot for hunting.
If you are getting ready for your very first bowhunting trip, or want to compete in a bowfishing tournament, here are a few tips to take into consideration:
Tune your bow
Tuning your bow is important if you want to avoid missing the fish and if you want your aim to be true. You have several options like paper tuning, although it might be an unpleasant experience at first, it will prove useful at enhancing your aim. You can also do water tuning. Instead of using paper, you can aim at a leaf or anything floating on the water. If you arrow splashes or doesn’t go in a straight line, you can adjust the rest. If the problem persists, consider that the quality of the arrows you’re using is what may be causing the error. In this case, you’ll have to acquire better ones. This practice will bring you one step closer to perfecting bowfishing.
Polarized glasses
If you have already been bowfishing, then you already know that having a pair of polarized glasses is essential. When the sunlight is very distracting or even blinding, these glasses will help reflect a great part of sun rays to help you see better. Make sure you acquire a good pair to avoid missed opportunities. Polarized glasses vary in their quality so pay attention as you buy them. They should also have straps to prevent them from falling into the water.
Reels
If you’re a beginner, then it is okay to use line spools or an inexpensive reel, but as you start getting better at catching fish, you will need to up your game and buy some top-shelf reels. Heavy catches will require a strong, durable reel that can hold heavyweights. They need to be strong enough to not break as you reel in your fish. You’ll definitely be able to learn more if you do some research online as well. There are really helpful tutorials and guidelines available. If you want some advice on how to reel in your catch successfully, Archery Edge offers comprehensive guides for beginners on the correct ways for reeling and everything bowfishing related. It’s important to get the angling for the reeling right, and also to be well informed on what the best spots are.
Lights
Since most bowfishing tournaments take place at night, competitors need to install several lights in order to see shallow fish. You can find different types of fishing lights, including halogen lights, LED lights, and High-Pressure Sodium lights. Consider installing one of these to improve your bowfishing experience.
Two-barbed and three-barbed tips
If you don’t want your catch to slip away, a three-barbed tip will make sure it’s secured and the fish won’t be able to work itself free. Two-barbed tips, on the other hand, will have a looser grip and can easily slip from the body of the target, especially if your bowfishing in deep waters. However, this is unlikely to occur if you’re bowfishing in shallow water. So, the best option here is to use three-barbed tips in deep water for their durable hold and two-barbed tips in shallow water since there won’t be much resistance.
Scouting
If you’re going to go bowfishing regularly, you will have to find new bowfishing areas for different types of fish. Don’t hesitate to consult the internet on the nearest spot for bowfishing or the best riverbank side location to catch a certain type of fish. Explore the maps of your area and even check your location on the DNR website where there is a list of bodies of water around you with the different types of fish you can find. You can also explore the environment around you to find out different local species and which waters they prefer to inhabit. This way, you will know where to go fishing for certain species.
GPS
If you don’t already have one by now, you should go to the nearest store and buy one! A GPS will help you come back to your favorite spots and determine where your favorite species of fish lurk. In addition to being a great aid in area scouting, a GPS will help you explore untapped waters where the number of fish is large. It will also help you if you’re a competitor in a tournament.
Practice shooting submerged targets
Practicing in the comfort of your backyard with paper is great, but as you start shooting targets under water, you will find the situation is quite different in the ‘battlefield’. As we all know, light refracts in water; thus, submerged objects appear shallower than they seem. Your first missed shot of a submerged object is likely to have taught you that. This relays how important it is to train your hands to shoot for a deeper target than the water actually shows you, with your muscle memory, you will be able to master shooting submerged fish in no time.
Coves and creeks
It is nice to always have the boat to go back to when bowfishing, but why don’t you try bowfishing someplace else? Explore the area around you and discover coves and creeks that cannot be accessed by boat. You are likely to find these places rich with different types of fish and you will find yourself going back for that designated place for more catch. The same goes for bank fishing. If you go bowfishing primarily from riverbanks, then you are missing out on a lot. You also don’t have to have an expensive boat, you can go bowfishing on a canoe, kayak, or rowboat.
Many people will find this sport to be agreeable and satisfying because even beginners can have multiple successes their first time around. Just pick the right gear and scout for the best body of water near you and start bowfishing because every arrow you shoot will help you in perfecting your aim at fish and getting a bigger catch.
