DANG Bowfishing the sport I love to hate

[lt-m-grow]

I really just started bowfishing about two years ago.  It really is a kick and I would highly recommend to folks that haven't done it, give it a whirl.  It is addicting.

Now having said that, I also hate it. Why?  Because it messes with my shooting form - alot.  I am not worried about snap shooting or half drawing at times, that is all in the fun of bowfishing.

I am talking about aiming!  Having to aim low, with a heavy arrow etc. takes me some time to get into, and more time to get out of every year.  And this year I can fish one day and turkey hunt this next so I need to mix the "sports".  Life is hard hey.

So my questions are:

How do folks adjust?  

How quickly can you switch?

Do you pick a spot below the fish?

Do you simply learn to lower the point and pick a spot on the fish?  

What's the trick?

Thanks. Dave

[Stone Knife]

I just pick a spot on the water below were I want to hit the fish, when there shallow i just pick a spot on the fish. Sometimes I think I just luck out but that's OK too.

[Jerry Jeffer]

Just do it. and I'm not talking Nike.

[The Vanilla Gorilla]

Originally posted by Jerry Jeffer:
Just do it. and I'm not talking Nike.

That sums it up pretty well.  You just anchor and release. You'll naturally compensate. Most of my shots are between 3 and 5 yards, though, but you can sure be surprised at how many fish you can miss at that close range, as well!

I do a lot of wading, and at the first of the season I get over excited and start throwing fiberglass as far out as I can see the fish.  Now, I like stalking up to them and seeing how close I can get...just like hunting pigs!

[stiltzMTA.44]

hey stone knife... that jeep you made with the buttons.... THATS NICE!!!!!!!!  

[carparcher]

It just takes missing/hitting a gang load of fish over the years.  Honestly, I don't even pick a spot below the fish.  I just try to figure out how low I need to aim while "aiming" @ the fish.  It's tricky, but lots of fun.  Yes, there are some bad habits to develop, especially on rolling gar!

[Brian Krebs]

I used to live where I could bowfish all spring and summer; and I was out there all the time. Like CarpArcher I would just kind of zen the arrow in there- refraction of the light gives you a bad impression of where you think you should shoot.

 One day on the opening of duck season; I went bowfishing; and had a flock of ducks come in just as I was drawing on a fish. I took a snap shot at a real real close duck; and then realized two things- one I was ankle deep in mud; and two; when your string runs out; the arrow comes to a stop and comes right back at ya      

 Bowfishing is really great fun; stalking and getting shots off is more like hunting than fishing  

[b.glass]

What a coincidence that you would post this! I just got back from shooting at some carp and want to talk to somebody about it but didn't want to post the same old "I got some close shots but no cigar, BUT I had fun" post.

I couldn't believe some of my misses!  :mad:  

I've been trying to figure out the same things. Do I aim high because this 1800 gr arrow drops so fast? Or do I aim low because of the refractory thing?

But dang...it IS fun!

Instead of trying to get in anymore turkey hunting, my son and I went bowfishing because we found a really good spot. I've never seen him try sooo hard to do something. Usually if it isn't easy he quits.

[lt-m-grow]

Hey I wanted a "magic answer" here. I didn't see it, what's up here??  :-)

Seriously, thanks for the responses.

Like others, I do well with fish close to the surface, but am horrible as the fish get deeper especially when further away from the boat (about 15 yards).   I almost always shoot over them which I can tell as I shoot a white arrow and most times I see it in the water.

Other help? Ideas.

[b.glass]

I don't know how many of you tune your fish arrows. But I have started to do that. I shot mine into the ground and they seem to be weak spined believe it or not! I took an inch off my shaft so far and saw improvement. I'm going to take another 1/2 in. off today and see what happens. That in. lightened my arrow by about 50 gr. My arrow now weighs exactly 1750 gr.

Do they have to be soooo heavy? Can a carbon arrow be fixed to use as a bowfishing arrow?
I have some 800 gr. carbons (when I use a 300 gr. point). If I could make a barbed point for them, do you think they would work.

They would not mess with my regular shooting as much.
I know I need to do better at aiming for different situations. ie, If their dorsal fin is above the water, aim normally. If they are totally submerged, aim low.

[b.glass]

I might be getting a false weak spine "reading" from my arrow flight. That makes more sense. I hadn't thought about that before.

[bowzonly]

When you start shooting under the fish, thats when you start to understand refraction.

When I go bowfishing I just uaually miss for about the first hour or so until I get tuned in and start aiming low enough.

Bisch

[oxnam]

It's easier to adjust if you are think of it like a gap shooter.  If you shoot instinctive, come to full draw, then with your peripheral vision, use the tip of the arrow as a reference point.  Just conciously move the tip of the arrow a foot lower in relation to the target and let her fly.  Make adjustment up or down (usually down) until you connect.  
Also, the closer they are to the surface the easier it is to hit them.

[crafty]

they say AIM LOW for a reason..  haha  Ive missed 20 ro so Gar already in the last few weeks. It takes a few to get it down.


Got a 7lb gar and a 20lb 12oz blue cat yesterday evening.   2 shots. 2 fish..  

[NorthernCaliforniaHunter]

Does anyone know offhand if it's legal in California?

    (nothing is here, excempt maybe whacky tabacco.)