East coast Bowfishing (nj)
05-11-2006, 07:46 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Unfortunately, a \"Blue\" state
Posts: 1,943
East coast Bowfishing (nj)
Reel finally arrived and I have a quick question. What type of fish & areas should I be looking for ? I would assume carp. I have access to a few rivers and some lakes & ponds. So I guess my question is : Where do I start? Will be picking up a 12ft grumman this weekend.
05-11-2006, 09:55 AM
#3
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Too close to Chicago
Posts: 3,337
RE: East coast Bowfishing (nj)
Hey slugman,
You came to the right spot.
Notbeing familiar withwhere you are from, I'll have to start with the requisite "check your local regulations (DNR, CPO)" response, but any rough fish like carp, gar, buffalo, suckers, drum, bowfin, and some others make plentiful legaltargets. Often the same fish that are legal for spearfishing are OK for bowfishing. You can't always bowfish everywhere that fishing is allowed though, so ask before you unload the bow.
Now that you've got your equipment (a bow, reel, arrows, etc...), andif you have a place to go do it where you don't have to worry about local city ordinances against the shooting of a bow, you are good to go.
Check out anything from muddy rivers, clear lakes, backwaters, and the downside of spillways. Hopefully, another bowfisher from your area will look you up and share.
Good luck.
-Bulz
P.S. Make sure to wear polarized sunglasses. Without them, you won't even see half the fish in range.
You came to the right spot.
Notbeing familiar withwhere you are from, I'll have to start with the requisite "check your local regulations (DNR, CPO)" response, but any rough fish like carp, gar, buffalo, suckers, drum, bowfin, and some others make plentiful legaltargets. Often the same fish that are legal for spearfishing are OK for bowfishing. You can't always bowfish everywhere that fishing is allowed though, so ask before you unload the bow.
Now that you've got your equipment (a bow, reel, arrows, etc...), andif you have a place to go do it where you don't have to worry about local city ordinances against the shooting of a bow, you are good to go.
Check out anything from muddy rivers, clear lakes, backwaters, and the downside of spillways. Hopefully, another bowfisher from your area will look you up and share.
Good luck.
-Bulz
P.S. Make sure to wear polarized sunglasses. Without them, you won't even see half the fish in range.
05-11-2006, 05:17 PM
#4
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Illinois
Posts: 1,608
RE: East coast Bowfishing (nj)
I would look for shallow, weedy and/or muddy areas. Carp are generally lazy and will sit more in slack water, or water with very little current-movement. Look for 'puffs' of silt in shallow water. That is almost a sure-sign of carp feeding. But be sure it's a carp before you shoot. I've drawn on many soft-shelled turtles and snappers.
If you're using a canoe (I assume so since you said Gumman), look as far ahead of you as you can see in the water. Carp have good eye-sight, and if you can see them, they can see you. And they don't usually hang around long once they see you. Move slowly, and try to keep your bow up as close to your drawing position as you can to keep movement to a minimum once you see the fish. Movement sends them off pretty quick. That's when you'll get your 'running-rabbit' shots.
Remember that water refracts light, like how your fishing-rod looks like it's bent when you stick the end in the water. You'll have to aim lower that you'll want to, or else you'll shoot over them. Nothing can help you with this other than practice.
Hope this helps. Good luck, and post some pics if and when you shoot some.
If you're using a canoe (I assume so since you said Gumman), look as far ahead of you as you can see in the water. Carp have good eye-sight, and if you can see them, they can see you. And they don't usually hang around long once they see you. Move slowly, and try to keep your bow up as close to your drawing position as you can to keep movement to a minimum once you see the fish. Movement sends them off pretty quick. That's when you'll get your 'running-rabbit' shots.
Remember that water refracts light, like how your fishing-rod looks like it's bent when you stick the end in the water. You'll have to aim lower that you'll want to, or else you'll shoot over them. Nothing can help you with this other than practice.
Hope this helps. Good luck, and post some pics if and when you shoot some.
