I finally got a bowfishing rig a few years back and piddled with it a bit. I would get an invite and it would always end with frustration...They were too low or it was too muddy...How low do I aim?
Everyone said these dang fish were supposed to be on the top and in the grass...but they never were.
I was also told by everyone to wear polarized glasses to see them. Problem was, I had the issue of not being able to shoot with sunglasses on. But I wont need them if the smelly fish would be on the top like they should be right?
I recently moved to the area where I first tried bowfishing. I now had the ability to go at the drop of a hat. Seeing all the pics being posted on marylandwhitetail.com had me wanting to get out to the lake so I sighted the Elite XXL in for my bowfishing rig. Again, all of the carp where really low and really far out. I took some pot shots but I was quickly growing frustrated again. To top it all off, I lost both of my arrows trying to rig them up with swivels for easy removal because I hate the way you have to keep it attatched at all times. I end up getting all tangled up in the bushes and leaving a trail of yellow string behind me. Kinda reminds me of my first few fishing trips as a kid.
I figured I would give it one more try because my friend Eric (who loves the completely stupid sport of bowfishing) wanted to go again. I told him I would go but he had to bring me an arrow. Of course we walked around for hours frustrated again waiting for a dumbass fish that Im not even going to eat. I was pretty sure I was done with the whole Idea of bowfishing........
Until last Friday!!! I had to go get my drivers license renewed...Joy...and on the way I drove past the lake. The water appeared to be boiling up near the grass. I almost turned around to get my bow but it would have to wait. I had to get the license thing taken care of. I actually got out of there in under an hour. The giant line I walked in to when I arrived at the MVA had me thinking hours would be wasted while I was missing my first real oppurtunity at some carp shooting.
I raced home, grabbed my gear, (camera, tripod, and all...that is how confident I was) and headed to the water's edge. I immediately saw a carp stick its ugly head out of the water in the grass. I thought to myself, "In range and on top...sorry bout your luck fish!!!"
I went 9 for 11 with the last being head shots because I broke the barb thingy off of a Eric's arrow. I just kept on reeling the things in, and just like that....the water was still and there was no action. I took some pics and headed home. Im still not sure what to think about shooting carp. They stink and are not yummy and It was only so so on the excitement meter. I will do it again...well I already did yesterday going 2 for 3 on a couple more... but I cant see me spending to much time on it. Unless someone wants to take me on a night trip on a boat or in the bay for skates!!!
