Anybody Bowfish?

[GrumpAzz]

Hey all. I was cruising the threads and saw someone mention starting a fishing thread and that had me wondering how many of ya'll bowfish. Growing up, I didn't have the patience for fishing and my dad decided it would be a smart move to get me into "hunting" them instead.

I've shot thousands of fish over the years, mostly walking the Arkansas River and bank shooting spillways. As I grew up and began adulting, I ended up with an old 1648 flatbottom john. Rigged it up with 14 250w LED floods and really started bringing in the fish.

Eventually, a friend of mine that used to be a boathand, took me up into the Colorado mountains for some pike fishing on a crystal clear, middle of nowhere resevoir. It completely changed my perspective and have since shot a lot less fish. I no longer enjoyed filling the boat with carp to just dump them somewhere on a country road. Eating our kills on the campfire can't be beat and I no longer enjoy the long nights staring into the chocalate milk of my home state's lakes.

Anyway.. I just wanted to see some of your trophies and setups. I no longer have my boat. Taking care of my baby, I can't justify the late nights of wasted energy and funds.

Here are a few of my favorite shots and biggest fish. Maybe don't scroll down if you're a softy. Thanks for stopping by
This big gal was a half pound shy of the state record.

 

[Moshmen]

Nice! Most don’t realize how difficult that is I see your in the water sometimes ? That prolly helps ? Some super impressive fish ya got with a bow ! - not much on fish but I do shoot a recurve often , prolly 15 years ago had a nice group goin -should have been shooting 5 spots ! lol ( this was before carbon fiber ) please ignore the garage we b movin

 

[ZombieRider]

I fly fish but bowfishing looks pretty sick.

 

[GrumpAzz]

I fly fish but bowfishing looks pretty sick.

Man it's a good time. It was tons of fun back in the day. Back when I had no concern with the needless killing. "I'm feeding something," I used to say.

Now it's once a year at most and it's more about the experience. Camping at 9000 feet and hiking to the boat dock to go shoot dinner on the clearest lake ever is just a whole different time. So much fun, but so much less fixation on the kiling. Bag of shrooms for the week. Campfires. Zen.

We finally figured it out 2 years ago, though, and my fishing buddy brought in 2 20+ pounders over 30 inches. We both took home over 20 pounds of meat that trip.

 

[stonemason]

Man it's a good time. It was tons of fun back in the day. Back when I had no concern with the needless killing. "I'm feeding something," I used to say.

Now it's once a year at most and it's more about the experience. Camping at 9000 feet and hiking to the boat dock to go shoot dinner on the clearest lake ever is just a whole different time. So much fun, but so much less fixation on the kiling. Bag of shrooms for the week. Campfires. Zen.

We finally figured it out 2 years ago, though, and my fishing buddy brought in 2 20+ pounders over 30 inches. We both took home over 20 pounds of meat that trip.

Nice fish bro.you can turn those carp into the best nitrogen fertilizer you can get your hands on, if your looking for a reason to shoot them.we use our fish heads for it.

Cut them up into fist size chunks.put a layer into 5 gallon bucket, then a layer of brown sugar.layer of fish layer of sugar layer of fish layer of sugar. Until its full sugar on top.put a tight sealing lid on it and forget it for 3 to 6 months. After it ferments 3 to 6 months strain and filter out liqiud and use liqiud 1 teaspoon per gallon of water.plants love it.ages like a fine wine .

 

[GrumpAzz]

Nice fish bro.you can turn those carp into the best nitrogen fertilizer you can get your hands on, if your looking for a reason to shoot them.we use our fish heads for it.

Cut them up into fist size chunks.put a layer into 5 gallon bucket, then a layer of brown sugar.layer of fish layer of sugar layer of fish layer of sugar. Until its full sugar on top.put a tight sealing lid on it and forget it for 3 to 6 months. After it ferments 3 to 6 months strain and filter out liqiud and use liqiud 1 teaspoon per gallon of water.plants love it.ages like a fine wine .View attachment 8224View attachment 8225View attachment 8226View attachment 8227

We had heard about this, no doubt. I was still young and wild and had no need for that much fertilizer.

Should I ever end up growing outdoors, I will for sure be using some homemade fish ferts. Thanks for the recipe!