Things You Need to Know about Bowfishing at night-Best 3 Ultimate Tips

Introduction about BowFishing at Night

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There is a fine line between bow fishing and fishing. Fishing entails using a hook or casting a net and waiting for the fish to get caught without spotting the fish. This article will explain about BowFishing at Night. As for fish hunting, you need to spot the fish aim, and shoot at it using a bow and arrow. A task that sounds easy but usually requires skill and patience to execute. This makes bow fishing more of a hunt rather than fishing.

While bow fishing is considered more of a hunting sport, most states consider it fishing and so you will need a fishing license. You should be aware of the fish that can be hunted. It is vital to know which fish is considered illegal or endangered. In bow fishing, you kill the fish and take the fish home; it is not “catch and release” like when anglers use rods and reels.

There is not much to set up for during the day except maybe to get polarized sunglasses to prevent the glare from the sun. The focus, in this case, is how to bow fish at night.

The greatest advantage of night bow fish is that it can be done at any time of the year. But the highest yield is probably during spring while the fish are spawning.

You are bound to be more successful at bow fishing at night than during the day because the fish are more active at night. Even though many claim good experiences using only the light from a full moon, it beats the point especially if you are guaranteed better results using artificial light to make the fish more visible for you to shoot at them with increased accuracy. You can search Youtube.com to understand about bowfishing at night

This is how to BowFishing at Night

-Know your waters

Whether it is the lake, ocean or river, your success lies in the depth of the waters you are fishing in. Deep waters have less success than shallow waters. Probably less than 10 feet is ideal because water slows down the arrow when it breaks the surface towards the fish. The most ideal areas are usually shallow waters with cover vegetation like grass or weeds. This makes it difficult for the fish to spook and scamper if you approach stealthily.

Clear waters is also an advantage when bow fish. Bowfishing is all about aim and the longer you see the fish the better your chances of striking it.

-Know the fish you are hunting when BowFishing at Night

Some fish enjoy the battle and will not give in without a fight. They will try to wiggle themselves out regardless of the damage they bring to their bodies. You need to reel them in fast. This is why a fish line is usually attached at the bottom end of your arrow. Some fish grow so large and feisty. They may need more than one arrow to kill them. An example is the alligator gar which is known for their fighting spirit and strength.

The common fish to look out for in fresh water is the carp, catfish, gars, eels, and perch. In salt water, you can hunt for sharks, stingrays or dogfish amongst others.

-Lighting is important when BowFishing at Night

Fishes are fast in the water, they will not give you an easy time to aim and shoot. You have very limited time before they disappear into the shadows. The perfect light, therefore, is one that casts over a wide area increasing your field of view. Good lighting and clear waters are the perfect combinations for night bow fishing. The lights on your boat should be flexible for you to move around while spotting new targets.

-Equipment

The arrows used in bow fishing is very different from the ones used for hunting or archery.

Weight

When the arrow travels through air it needs to be lighter and thinner to move fast. The opposite is true when it travels on water. Water is dense hence, the fiberglass used in bow fish should be slightly thicker and heavier.

Arrow fletchings

Another difference is the arrow fletchings. Bow fishing arrows don’t need fletching because in the water they will divert and change the direction of the arrow making you miss your target fish as opposed to when it flies through the air where they increase stability and accuracy.

Line and reel for BowFishing at Night

The fishing line is attached to the end of the arrow. The reel is attached to the bow itself. To avoid the line getting entangled when it travels, the fish line should not be spooled or wound. The line should be piled in concentric circles within a bottle. This way, the arrow will move fast without any interference from the line it is carrying.

Additional gear may include gloves to protect your hands when you are handling the fish or the fishing line.

-Taking aim and shooting

If you shoot regularly in the water you will know how easy it is to miss your target even with a perfect aim. The bending of light in water is called refraction. Light travels in water differently than when it travels in the air. A skilled hunter will take account of refraction and shoot at the actual point where the fish is as opposed to where the fish appears to be. The 10:4 rule guides most night bow fish.

The 10:4 rule

“For every 10 feet (Distance) and 1 foot (depth), shoot four inches below”
If the distance doubles, double the ratio.

It is also important to know the places to shoot at. When aiming at the fish aim for the top half of the fish. Aim to hit at the vital organs of the fish to make the fish die fast.

Conclusion when BowFishing at Night

In the end, a great hunt is characterized by the amount of preparation you take in setting up your ideal hunting grounds. The time you take to improve your aim and the depth of the water you are fishing at. Make sure you check your equipment and your boat before you leave for night bow fishing. Stealth and vision are quintessential for a successful hunt.

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