Bow fishing vs. rod and reel

[catman529]

I see a lot of bow fishing here and I would love to give it a try should I ever get a reel for my compound bow. Shooting carp, buffs, gar with an arrow looks like a lot of fun.

But compared to rod and reel, it doesn't sound quite as fun, except for the feeling of getting an accurate shot. Correct me if I'm wrong.

I like to catch bigger fish whenever I can because I love a good fight. I'm addicted to the feeling of a 10 pound fish surging against a 5'10" rod with 8 pound line, and working that fish in gradually till it's worn out.

I'm just guessing that a fish with a mortal wound through its body tied to a compound bow won't put up the same kind of fight as a mouth-hooked carp, catfish, gar, or whatever.

OK so you bow fishing gurus who are addicted to the sport, prove me wrong, and give me a good reason to give it a try sometime. I am curious about it and there are plenty of buffs I would like to snag, shoot, catch any way I can to get them out of the river.

 

[stik]

same kind of fight? probably not and the shots are not always mortal. when you have a 50+ lb grassie trying to pull you out of the boat, you will understand.

 

[catman529]

I guess I'll have to try it one day and see what it's about. But then I'd also like to hook a 50+ grassie.

 

[Mossy Oak]

They always put up a good fight when shot. In the thousands of fish I have shot, I have yet to reel in a dead fish. Plus once I shoot them, I drop the bow and pull them in with the string so that really increases the rush. Bowfishing is just one of those things you need to experience to truly understand it.

 

[rukiddin]

^^^^^I agree with him. I just like using the bow more than the rod and reel, whereas you may enjoy the rod/reel more than the bow.

But I have shot some carp before and "stoned" them. Just the right shot either brain or there is a "sweet spot" kinda high just behind the gills, but most will give you a fight. Its not the same kind of fight you get from a rod/reel, but sometimes you can get some serious battles. Big buffalo and grass carp will take you for a ride. Anything over 15lbs will give you serious "line burn" on your fingers if your not careful. IMO on big fish, you actually have to "play" the fish more than what you would with rod/reel.

 

[spitndrum]

I'll jusst insert a smiling gremlin!



Give it a whirl you will through that creek bullcrap in the garage for the dust mites :grin:

 

[Setterman]

same kind of fight? probably not and the shots are not always mortal. when you have a 50+ lb grassie trying to pull you out of the boat, you will understand.

How about having that same grass carp hooked up on a 6 wt. fly rod? We have been in the grass carp during this cicada madness the last few weeks. I have shot plenty with arrows, and it doesn't even come remotely close to hooking one on a fly rod. Having caught 150 lb Tarpon on Fly tackle, I put the fight about equal.

 

[muskyhunter]

the perfect mixture between hunting and fishing, got to go with bowfishing

 

[catman529]

I'll jusst insert a smiling gremlin!



Give it a whirl you will through that creek bullcrap in the garage for the dust mites :grin:

Nah...... it would probably just add another addiction to my list of outdoor fishing/hunting addictions. I love the creek fishing and probably still would love it even after bowfishing, because it's small, less fished, and I have fished it for close to 8 years now.

 

[spitndrum]

I enjoy creek fishing as well, need to get down to the creek soon speaking of which