How to Bowfishing Red Fish-What you should know?

Introduction for Bowfishing Red Fish

Bowfishing is an outdoor experience that is fun and challenging at the same time. The principles are easy, all you have to do is spot a fish in the shallow waters, move closer without spooking the fish, draw your bow and take aim then release the arrow and wait to see if you have hit the mark. The principles of hunting for redfish are the same as hunting any other fish allowed in bow hunting. If you are new to red fish bowfishing, following these tips will ensure you get it right with few tries.

1) Get a license when Bowfishing Red Fish

Redfish is considered more of a sport fish than a game fish in some states. The clause in sportfishing entails catch and release while bowfishing is about killing and taking the fish home. You should know the existing laws of bowfishing for the state you are in and get a fishing license that permits you to hunt for redfish. As a beginner, the common rule of bowfishing is “if you do not know it, do not shoot it.”

2) Where to get redfish

Redfish is a shallow water fish and can be found in both saltwater and freshwater bodies. They are widespread and can be found in many places. They can thrive almost anywhere and are adaptable to environmental changes. If there is food, redfish will thrive regardless of the depth or clarity of the waters. They can be found in open water surfaces and lagoons.

3) Bowfishing Gear when Bowfishing Red Fish

-The Bow

A bow and an arrow almost sum it up. You do not need bait as you are hunting. The first thing you do after getting your bow is tuning it. Make sure it makes less splash as it hits the water. Ensure it does not fly sideways but straight when it hits the water. Unlike a hunting arrow, a bowfishing arrow has to be made of heavier fiberglass. Water is dense and shooting through the water slows down the arrow. This is why hunting for redfish in depth less than 5 feet is ideal.

Beginners are mistaken to think any bow and arrow has the same rate of success. The secret to pro bowfishing is using a top shelf bow and arrow. There are a lot of options for getting the right gear, especially now that the sport is becoming popular. When it comes to bowfishing, it is advisable you buy a bow built for bowfishing.

The weight of the bow determines the penetration of your arrow to the fish. If an arrow goes all the way through, it takes longer to remove compared to the ones that don’t. There is the 45- 50 pound and the 25-30 pound bow.

-The arrow tips

You need different arrow tips when hunting different game. Fish have different skin or scale depth. Most of the popular tips are designed for fish with soft skin. The design is usually simple, sharp pointed tip with barbs on the side that gets replaced regularly after wearing out.

The best tip, however, is the quick release. The barbs that hook to the fish are released after a couple of turns in the opposite direction. This is ideal for shooting redfish.

When hunting for a fish with a tougher skin and very heavy scales, you need a fish point designed for maximum penetration. You will need a fish point that is bone- busting and still has a quick release ability.

4) The reels and lights

Reels are usually attached to the bow. Experts use durable reels to handle heavy fishing lines. A good reel flies out easy and fast and can be equally reeled in as fast. The best reel for bowfishing is one that does not break down easily. There is a lot of variety when it comes to reel designs. Amongst the popular designs are the ones that require you to hand wind or spool after every shot and the ones that have a crank on the handle to retrieve the line after a few turns on the crank.

You need good lights for night time bowfishing. In clear waters, it is easy to hunt for redfish at daytime but most tournaments prefer night bowfishing. For stealth, you need brighter lights that require less energy to light them up. Metal halide lights have since replaced the halogen lights that used power generators to light them.

Lighting increases visibility in the murky waters, generators and lighting are quite costly, but if you are doing it for a tournament, your boat must be rigged to succeed.

5) Aim and Shoot

Having in place the best gear and the best boat does not mean guaranteed success. Bowfishing requires practice. The people with the best shots are people who spend the most time shooting on the water.

You will struggle with your aim and often miss your target if you shoot straight at objects under water. Fish are often nearer than they appear in the water. Shooting underwater is not the same as shooting on air. When taking aim of a redfish underwater always shoot low and not directly at the target fish. The bending of light in water is called refraction. By shooting low you compensate for refraction.

Shooting at daytime has its own rewards. There are fewer bugs bothering you because they do not need to follow the light from your boat, and you do not need any lighting equipment. However, you will need polarized glasses to protect your eyes from the glare of the sun.

Additional gear is the gloves for the safety of your hands when reeling in the fishing line hooked to the fish and a GPS. A GPS will help you mark return spots that you discover as you continue to explore different spots.

Bowfishing is catching up as a family sport. What was traditionally a man’s sport is gaining much attention from women and children as well. The appeal to archery makes bowfishing a recreational activity and a social sport. Having the best gear and enrolling in local tournaments is an adventure that serves as the icing to the cake.