TIME TO BOWFISH

Splashing sounds are music to the heart of the bowfisherman. They expose the presence of spawning carp, the primary quarry of the fishing angler.

May is the primary month for most bowfishing. These large buglemouth bass (carp) move up into the shallows to spawn posing a ready target. It is also a great time of the year with the woods coming alive and each sunrise warming the water.

Around Mother's Day, the protruding dorsal fins glisten in the early morning sunlight. We walk along the shore and shoot or move quietly through flooded vegetation in a boat.

As water temperatures reach 60 degrees, carp begin moving to shallow water. As it gets to 62 degrees, spawning begins. Spawning reaches a peak at 65 to 68 degrees. By the time the water temperature is up to 80 degrees, the spawn is over.

The basic tackle is specialized yet inexpensive. Bowfishing kits, containing line, arrow, barbed arrowhead, and bow reel, can be obtained wherever archery tackle is sold. They also contain an instruction sheet for using the equipment. The entire kit is available for a modest amount. The only other thing needed is a bow.

For those who plan to wade, the use of waders is recommended. One can wade without them but the water is cold in the spring. In either case be aware of sharp objects under water that cause injury.

Advanced fishing anglers use tackle that can get a bit more specialized. Although heavy solid fiberglass arrows provide better penetration of the water, fish found on or near the surface, can be taken with aluminum or even wood arrows. Lighter arrows allow us to make longer shots.

Most shots are short. The line attached to the arrow provides all the stabilization needed. Thus most arrows do not have fletching. On longer shots, some sort of fletching is needed to aid stabilization.

A barbed arrowhead is necessary. The barbs keep the fish from coming off the arrow during the time it takes to retrieve it. Barbs can be reversible or with removable heads. Both allow us to remove the head from the fish with a minimum of damage to arrow and fish.

Most of the reels that come with the bowfishing kits are of a hoop design that is bolted or taped to the bow. Some of the more sophisticated types of reels are the spinning reel or the newer "retriever" types that are designed for bowfishing.

Fishing lines are usually braided nylon line. Some of the newer fibers and very heavy monofilament lines are also used. Regardless, it should have a test of at least 70 pounds.

Bowfishing spawning carp is ambush fishing. This allows us to control a number of factors. Among them are bottom make up, the angle of the sun, the effect of wind and cover for concealment. By taking a stand we cause less fish panic and get more shots. By standing still we use less motion decreasing the chances of the fish seeing us.

Carp usually will swim upstream during the spawn into tributaries until their progress is blocked by a dam or similar structure. This concentrates them below dams.

The best bottom material from the fishing archer's point of view is fine soft sand. The sand has the advantage of improving vision. Dark fish are highlighted on the light sand. A bonus is that the soft sand does not hold arrows that miss their mark.

Fish are spooked by shadows cast over the water. Working from ambush we can position ourselves with our face toward the sun. Any shadow will be cast behind us.

Windy water surfaces cause waves and ripples. Carp do not like them and bowfishermen have difficulty seeing the quarry. Fish will concentrate in protected areas where they are also more visible. Polarized sunglasses are helpful in locating fish as they reduce the suns glare off the surface of the water.

Light waves bend as they enter the water making the fish appear closer to the surface than is reality. Archers must aim beneath where submerged fish appear. How far to aim below the fish is a matter that must be learned by trial and error.

Bowfishing the buglemouth bass is entertaining and challenging. It is a simple and inexpensive sport. Why not give it a try next month?

Don Gasaway – The Ground Pounder

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