BowFisher

In this section I'll include a list of popular, regularly targeted species., including advice to help increase your chances of success!

Always consult local laws and regulations, before bowfishing!

 

Note these are only some species that i have selected to discuss, just about any fish can be targeted:

 

Carp

The best time to shoot carp is during the spring spawn (usually August to May)

When targeting grass carp aim behind gills as their head is guarded by a rock hard plate

Grass carp feed on weeds and aquatic plants, so walk the banks and search near weedbeds etc

 

Catfish

When shooting catfish, the best time is at night in between sunset till about one in the morning

Usually found in rivers and clear stillways.

Be prepared to shoot quickly and usually deep shots

 

Gar

Their scales provide a tough armour, success depends on using the sharpest tips available. If your tips are blunt, always sharpen before starting the hunt.

Heavy duty equipment is necessary, also the use of a float system would be highly recommended as gar grow to immense sizes!

 

Drum (Sheephead)

Drum are nocturnal, making night bowfishing the best time. Usually found in the deeper waters on gravel banks etc. Therefore deep driving equipment is required. When shooting near pylons, structures etc be sure to make a one hit kill otherwise they will take you straight under the structure!

Bowfin

Found in the shallows, regularly surfacing for air. Walking through the water or boat is recommended

 

Paddlefish

Paddlefish are bound to put up a hell of a fight, therefore an agressive head is required to hold the fish on.

Found in free flowing rivers made of sandy, rocky bottoms (spring spawn)

 

Suckerfish

Clean rocky rivers and streams during spring spawning is ideal. High quality, punishable tips are recommended as they will usually be amongst rocky bottoms

 

StingRay

Large numbers of ray will usually be found in the shallows, here they will sit waiting for the little bait fish. If you spot a ray, chances are there are others in the same area as they often share the one area

 

Tilapia

Night time during spring is a good time to hunt Tilapia, look around shallow coves and areas of thick vegetation. They also have huge spawning beds so are hard to miss.

 

Bull Shark

Bowfishing for bull sharks is generally best in shallow waters. Use fish carcasses or something similar to lure them in. Look for their fins protruding from the water, or amongst schools of bait

 

Redfish

Look for grassy ponds that are close to and fed by by bodies of water. Genrally shallow waters (1 to 3 foot) are best, as well as rising tides

Flounder

Typically found in very shallow waters, waiting for passing bait fish. They are the bottom huggers of the waterways. Night time and a decent spotlight will prove successful.

Mullet

Mullet regularly surface for air. Look for ripples on top of the water. Usually there will be a school of mullet gulping for air or feeding. If not look in clear shallows!

Barramundi

To optimise your chances for barra, go of a night with a decent light setup. There eyes will glow bright red, proving very easy to spot

Bream

Look in the shallows. Throw bread in and all the nearby bream will soon come. They will sit down on the bottom, so be sure to aim low

 

Shovelnose Shark

You will find these just lazying around within the sandy shallows. If you sneak up on them you will have a clear shot at a stationary target, be prepared for a decent run