Bowfishing for the Firsttime

[Tyler2045]

I am going bow fishing for the first time tomorrow. I will be going with a fellow trad ganger should be fun. This will also be the first time that I try and take game with a trad bow. Any pointers for gar fishing.  God Bless, Ty

[PAPALAPIN]

Make sure you aim like you are trying to put your arrow below the fish.  The deeper he is. the more under you aim.

This is due to the waters refraction of light.

Have fun.

[Tyler2045]

So if they are just under the surface aim just under them but if they are deeper aim further under them. Ty

[pickaspot]

You have got it. Refreaction will play tricks on you for sure.
If the fin is cutting the surface just shoot at what you see. The deeper the fish, the more you have to aim below him. It will look like the arrow bends when it hits the water...pretty cool.

Get some polarized glasses is you go in the day time, you can see underwater better. A cheapie pair from Wal Mart are OK. Night time is when it gets fun - especally when it is HOT.

Have fun & good luck!

[motorhead7963]

went out yesterday, and missed a bunch but that is alright I was resetting up my bowfishing bow after refinishing it. While I was shooting at a fish and missed, my arrow stuck in the mud and I actually took the time to really look at the difference the water makes things look. I am looking down the string and I was suprised how much refraction you get looking in the water, I made the aiming corrections and had a more productive afternoon. Tyler when you go tommorrow take the time to really look at the string after you shoot and you will know what I mean.

[FurFlyin]

Every time I take someone new, I spot their first several shots for them.  The only word I use when spotting is, Lower.  It gets repeated several times, louder each time, before they release, then they almost always shoot over the fish.  The higher the platform is on the boat, the less refraction you have to compensate for.  Also during the daytime, if your shooting in weeds, gar will be sunning, right on top of the water.  If you're shooting rolling gar be ready for plenty of snap shooting.  Have fun.

[PAPALAPIN]

Think about when you were a kid fishing with a cane pole.  You lower the pole ino the water, and everthing below the surface seems to bend up.

Follow the line of the pole above the water and imagine that is the line of flight of your arrow.  You can see how the arrow would go below the line of the pole beneath the water.

Water refracts light.  The deeper the target, the more it appears higher than it really is.

Did you ever think you would have any use for your High School Physics?  Well, there ya go.

[Tyler2045]

High school physics was only about 5 years ago. This should be fun. I like snap shooting, Bad me. God Bless Ty

[Friends call me Pac]

Don't worry guys.  I'm the one taking him bowfishing.  Then again maybe everyone should worry knowing that.  

Don't sweat it Tyler.  I haven't lost anyone yet.  You did read my "When gars attack" thread here on powwow didn't you?  

 

[Tyler2045]

Well I just got back I saw 2 gar and no carp. Pac did arrow a carp. The water on the river was really muddy and the wind kicked up so bowfishing was not the best but it was still a good day spent with a good trad gang brother. God Bless, Ty