Bowfishing Basics http://www.outdoorsexperience.com/
Click to enter section title Basics Bowfishing • Have you thought about bowhunting and archery, but don’t know where to start? Bowfishing can be a great entry into these sports.
• Bowfishing is an action-packed activity, typically done in warm weather. • Many hunters find this to be a choice off-season sport. Children often enjoy bowfishing, as well (particularly those too young to begin hunting).
• At Outdoors Experience, we want to provide you with the tools and knowledge you’ll need to jump right in. Here, you’ll learn the basics of bowfishing.
Click to enter section title Learn What You’ll
Before You Get Started Gearing Up, Keeping Safe, Keeping Legal Choosing Your Adventure Daytime Wading or Bank Bowfishing, Night Bowfishing, Big Game Honing Your Craft Scouting Locations, Correcting Your Aim Cooking Carp 101
Click to enter section title Gearing Up What You’ll Need‌
Bow ($150-200) Any make/model, poundage set from 40 to 60 pounds Check out the popular AMS Fish Hawk
Bowfishing Reel ($20-60) Several makes available dependent upon user preference: Hoops and solid reels = least expensive, but slowest to use Large spinning reels and AMS retrievers = more expensive
Arrow ($9) Fiberglass with choice of tips and rigging; consider retractable barb arrow point for easy release of fish
Click to enter section title Gearing Up What You’ll Need‌
Arrow Rest ($10) Specialized rests available for heavier-than-usual arrows
Polarized Sun Glasses ($10) Counters the glare from the water
Click to enter section title Gearing Up Purchasing a Bowfishing Package
Outdoors Experience has several bowfishing packages available for an easy and convenient purchase.
• Cajun Sucker Punch Ready-to-Fish Bowfishing Package • PSE Tidal Wave Bowfishing Package • PSE Discovery Bowfishing Package
Click to enter section title Keeping Safe
Safety Risk: Snagged Line Could lead to reverse direction of arrow (“snap back�)
Countermeasure: Positioning -Keep the line in front of your bow at all times -Consider cabling rigs and AMS Safety Slides
Click to enter section title Keeping Legal
Make Sure… -Discharging a bow is legal in your area -You’ve obtained the proper fishing and hunting licenses -You’ve looked into which species are legal for bowfishing in your area
Daytime Wading or Click to enter section title Bank Bowfishing
Fish
Carp, suckers, gar, eels
When
Usually Springtime
Where
Lakes, rivers, and ponds with marshes or shore access
Pros
Low entry cost (just add some hip waders to your basic gear)
Cons
Pre- and post-spawn times of year have little action
Click to enter section title Night Bowfishing
Fish
Carp, suckers, gar, eels
When
Anytime of year, but best during the spawn
Where
Lakes, rivers, and ponds with boat access
Pros
Not limited to any season
Cons
High entry cost (boat and light expenses can be over $8,000)
Click to enter section title Big Game Bowfishing Fish
Gator gar, stingrays, sharks
When
Springtime
Where
Gator gar: freshwater lakes, rivers, and ponds Stingrays and sharks: saltwater or brackish marshes and open water
Pros
Challenging, high-action
Cons
Not suited for beginners; access to a boat generally a must-have
Click to enter section title Scouting Locations Assess water for the following: Water Depth- should see clear water 3-4 feet Water Clarity- avoid muddy waters; difficult visibility Attractiveness to Carp- look for flooded grasslands and exit points from large rivers and other bodies of water
Click to enter section titleYour Aim Correcting
Common Problem: Shooting High Results from refraction
Countermeasure: Shoot low! -Aim at the bottom of the fish, then drop your aim down less than slightly less than a foot
Click to enter section title Cooking Carp 101
1. 2. 3. 4.
Smell check: a musty odor from gills = a bad tasting fish Bleeding: cut artery near tail or between gills Gutting: lay it on ice immediately after Fleecing: cut off scales with a filet knife working from the tail fin to belly to dorsal fin
5. Skinning: after fileting, lay fish filet side down and cut through tail meat to skin, keeping knife parallel to skin
6. Scoring: break up small bones with shallow cuts 7. Cooking: cook however you desire, whether baking, frying, roasting, or broiling!
Click to enter section titleUp Wrapping
• Bowfishing has become an increasingly popular sport among archers. Therefore, demand for quality bowfishing gear is at an all time high.
• At OutdoorsExperience.com we carry everything needed to get you started or upgrade your current bowfishing equipment.
• We offer bowfishing bows, arrows, points and complete bowfishing starter packages or kits such as the PSE Wave Bowfishing Package.
• So, during the off-season, get a bowfishing set-up, keep your skills in tune, and go have some fun!
You may contact us by phone for orders, customer support or any product questions Toll Free: 1-800-536-0446 If no one is available to take your call please leave a message and someone will return your call within an hour Email: Sales/Marketing: info@outdoorsexperience.com Product Questions: brian@outdoorsexperience.com Our normal business hours: 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time
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Outdoors Experience P.O. Box 943 Troy, VA. 22974