Bowfishing help?

[bradshaw34]

I've always wanted to try it and am going today. My question is where do you find the fish? Coves or main lake? Are you always moving or just sit until you see them? Where do you aim low or high? Any tips and input would be appreciated!

 

[BDS05]

We'll shoot 'em in coves, creeks and rivers, and mud flats on the main lake. Look for shallow water. Stay on the move, shoot low, and stick with it! It's fun once you get the shot down brother!

 

[stik]

creek mouths are good and usually several hundred yards up the creek. aim low and i mean low. when you feel you are going to shoot yourself in the foot, hold 6 inches lower.

 

[Kirk]

I use to shoot carp a lot. Sort of got out of it but plan to start again.

I usually found my best fish is shallow water on flats this time of year. Later in the season you will occasionally see them suspended in deeper water along banks with trees and blow downs.

As mentioned above aiming is a trick. Water causes refraction which makes the fish appear to be closer to the surface than it really is. Rule of thumb is to aim about 10-12 inches lower than the fish. This does vary but it's a thing you will get the feel for with practice.

 

[ShaneHallum]

I know of several good spots on Center Hill.. like others mentioned, get up in the creeks or flats.

 

[spitndrum]

Its a learning experience as far as finding em, you just have to cruise banks, creeks, flats, etc etc. POLARIZED sunglasses are a MUST...never aim HIGH??? If you think you are low you better pull 3-5 inches lower If your trolling through a flat that you know is 2 feet or so keep an eye out in front of you for a mud cloud in the water, 9 outa 10 as you approch it you will see a big tail faning in that cloud he is on a 45 degree angle from the bottom up and generally if he dont see you 1st you can bust his rump!

Feel free to PM me for any further questions, I'm not a pro but I have bowfished for 3 years and killed some dandys!

 

[SilverFox]

I searched the back of coves this morning and yesterday on Douglas in the Flat Creek area. It was full of carp and gar. I was looking for bass and only saw one today and 2 yesterday... But I bet you I saw 20 gar and carp today. They were thick both days. I was only there about 4 hours.

 

[Tony USMC]

Is it better at night with spotlights or during the day?

 

[spitndrum]

Never been on a good night shoot, Only been once at that had a great time with HORNS but didnt kill alot, we had a unusual COLD spell come through and fish were few far and between, I'd say Night is better if I had to choose.

 

[Mossy Oak]

Is it better at night with spotlights or during the day?

There's bowfishing, then there's bowfishing at night. I love to shoot in the daylight but it is a whole new world at night. We shoot tons more at night than we do in the day time.

 

[BDS05]

Is it better at night with spotlights or during the day?

There's bowfishing, then there's bowfishing at night. I love to shoot in the daylight but it is a whole new world at night. We shoot tons more at night than we do in the day time.

x2

 

[rukiddin]

Is it better at night with spotlights or during the day?

There's bowfishing, then there's bowfishing at night. I love to shoot in the daylight but it is a whole new world at night. We shoot tons more at night than we do in the day time.

x3

I live around knoxville and shoot a lot fish. both daytime and night time. I may be able to help you.

 

[rukiddin]

Is it better at night with spotlights or during the day?

I am not a big fan of using spotlights, unless your targeting bigheads or grassies.
I have halogens mounted on the deck run by a generator and work great for me, but high pressure sodiums and metal halides are better. Common carp, buffalo, and all the gar, don't pay the generator any attention at all, but the grass carp and bigheads hate the noise.

 

[stik]

Is it better at night with spotlights or during the day?

I am not a big fan of using spotlights, unless your targeting bigheads or grassies.
I have halogens mounted on the deck run by a generator and work great for me, but high pressure sodiums and metal halides are better. Common carp, buffalo, and all the gar, don't pay the generator any attention at all, but the grass carp and bigheads hate the noise.

those big grass carp are my favorite targets.