How To Bowfishing From Shore-Bowarchery.com

Introduction Bowfishing from shore

When it comes to shoreline bowfishing, you really have to go some extra miles. In fact, many fishers including the veterans admit that there is more than to bowfishing around the shores of lakes and river tunnels. This article will explains about bowfishing from shore and give you some insight about it.

However, due to a number of reasons such as inability to acquire a fishing boat, you may be forced to go fishing along the shore. To some, the thrilling feeling of successful shots from the shore is just a good motivating factor. They really enjoy it.

In the shores, the fish are so skidding in nature. Any slight water disturbance can lead to them wading away. Second, the carps and gars can easily spot your shadow. Without some proper positioning, you will definitely carry home nothing. Furthermore, when fishing from the shore, the distance between you and the fish is quite long as compared to when using a boat.

Generally, you cannot be assured of consistent heavy catch while angling from the shore. Depending on the times of the year, your number of catches will always vary. Heavy catches are more often in spawning times. Some other times may mean low seasons.

Here is some outstanding practical guide to shoreline bowfishing.

• Choose Your Location Carefully when Bowfishing from shore

Unlike in the deep sea and other middle parts of the lakes and rivers, you will realize fish will only move to specific parts of the shore. These can be places with fish foods or tunnels for hiding. Thick bushes and steep grades may also limit your opportunities.

The big factor here is, you have to get good access to the fish in the shore before making a shot. Look out for visual cues such as tree stumps, rock structures, bays, points, vegetation, and some manmade objects.

Bays and points are the ideal places to watch out for. They provide shelter for different types of fish species. Bluegills and perches prefer bays for shelter due to the existing stable water conditions. Predator fishes like bass, northern pike and walleye always follow the two in their resting points.

Some other predator fish also patrol in points for some good catch in the natural current. Therefore, it too bears a large amount of fish.

These visual cues are exact indications to the existence of fish along the shoreline. And, since you do not want to plant your seeds in barren lands, watch out for them.

Choose Appropriate Equipment when Bowfishing from shore

Having bisected your water bodies and identified the ideal location, the next step is gathering your arsenals. But, unlike any other angler, with shore bowfishing, you will need to choose your arsenals carefully. Remember, you do not want to regret wasting your energy and time for unsuccessful shots in the long run.

Shoreline bowfishing is more like bow hunting. Choose a lightweight, effective and simple bow that is ideal for snap shooting. Recurves are more appropriate as compared to compounds. That old recurve that just lie around can be more appropriate.

A couple of arrows may be required. And, of coz some reel. You may also need fish foods where necessary.

Locate Yourself Properly when Bowfishing from shore

With appropriate arsenal at hand, it is time for the main act. A brighter sunny day is always ideal. To some, however, nights are more preferable. Your preference matters. Either way, you will need a light, natural or artificial to make a short. The light should be bright enough to let you see through the water particles.

But, you see, with nighttime shoreline bow fishing, you will need to ambush the fish and make a shot before they wade away. So let’s stick to day time bowfishing.

In the day, all you need to worry about is your shadow. The moment these fishes will spot your shadow, they will automatically swim away from you.

Locate yourself in such a way that the shadow is not cast on the water. The position of the water and that of the sun will immensely help. In many occasion, positioning of a shadow is always not that big deal lest you are surrounded by the water. In case you are busted, just wait for them for sometimes. The fishes will definitely swim back.

Wade Off Carefully

Any slight disturbance of the water will scare away the fish. You will need to wade in the water carefully. Move your feet slowly by advancing one in front of the other. Do not step by lifting your feet. Do not also raise your feet above the water surface.

Remember you are more of bowfishing. Any slight mistake like tripping or hitting your feet on any object will automatically scare away your target. Meaning, you should keep an eye on the fish and at the same time watching out for objects such as slippery stones that can make you fall.

Take a Snapshot

You will realize that unlike in other deep waters, in shoreline bowfishing, the distance between you can be as long as 20 feet. Your recurve should, therefore, be of higher poundage level.
Once you have angled yourself appropriately, take a snapshot. Through this, the fish will not be given time to wade away. You will realize that upon shooting, some other untargeted fishes will wade away. Do not be worried. They definitely come back most of the time.

After a successful shot, detach the fish from the arrow and repeat the same process.

Conclusion

Shoreline bowfishing can be a good experience or a bad one. Your angling skills will determine the amount of catch to carry home. However, incorporating some other fishing skills can help you a great deal.

Fish foods act as an ideal attraction to the fish. Soaking and baiting corns on the spot is one of the common attraction methods that many people use. A can full of coffee when thrown in the foot of the water for some days always get the carps thick. They cannot stay off it.

A light-colored shirt and good polarized glasses will enhance your overall bowfishing game.

Act smart, enjoy the whole experience.

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