BOWFISHING CARP AND GAR!

[ROD BENDER]

Does anyone on here bowfish and if so where are your favorite spots? It's not the same as a rod and reel but is still pretty exciting if you shoot a 40+ lb carp, and then try to reel him in on a bow.

[chesapeakecarper]

'bender,

Lot of bowers hang out at this Forum:

http://www.bowfishusa.com/index.php

Last couple years have learned of some great carp fishing info from some fellas that bow Chesapeake tidal rivers in Md and Virginia. Being on the water they're on the same level and come across far more huge carp than bank sitters could ever dream of.

[ROD BENDER]

Hey, It's nice to know that there are some more bowfishers out there!

[chesapeakecarper]

I don't bow...just yet [grin]
Teenage son in Boy Scouts is an archery nut and we're both getting fitted for bows this year...like computers he'll be the Master and I'll have a hard act to follow being a novice. My brother-in-law used to bowfish the Upper Bay before moving to upstate New York and I been chatting with some fellas that bow rays on the Bay. Neighbors, friends, coworkers and other family all shoot and bow hunt so it'll be nice to finally join the clan.

A few rivers I'm aquainted with bowfishing and bowfishers: Patuxent, Potomac, South, Chester. Many years ago there used to be bow tournaments on the Back River...I know bowers still frequent the area in spring. Jug Bay area on the Patuxent is hot...that wetland basin is a primary spawning area...the wetland managers like having the carp removed. South River above Riva Road bridge @ the headwaters...each spring I get a few e-mails asking if I've seen spawn activity yet and calendar forcasts for up there. Chester River above Deep Landing w/the big mud flats.

[onewyr]

http://www.carpanglersgroup.com
ask these guys what they think about bowfishing for carp.

[TommyRobinson]

I think you have to understand catch and release to appreciate that comment. How would you feel if those big cats in the rivers were target practise? Left to rot all over the place.... hmmmm. I don't get into the debates over it - it usually ends up in a mess. You'll see what I mean [shy].

[chesapeakecarper]

onewyr originally wrote:
http://www.carpanglersgroup.com
ask these guys what they think about bowfishing for carp.


Its not part of their objectives so bowhunting for carp can not be discussed on the Forums. They do look down on it.

[chesapeakecarper]

TommyRobinson originally wrote:
I think you have to understand catch and release to appreciate that comment. How would you feel if those big cats in the rivers were target practise? Left to rot all over the place.... hmmmm. I don't get into the debates over it - it usually ends up in a mess. You'll see what I mean [shy].


I understand C&R and the comment. There is only a big bowhunting mess when there is a debate over it... I recommend trying to avoid the mess and on sticking on topic to the original post. Regardless of their past time, anyone that leaves unwanted catch (cats, perch or whatever) or trash laying around is an idiot. Angle and bow hunt responsibly and be an ethical sportsman.

[onewyr]

onewyr originally wrote:
http://www.carpanglersgroup.com
ask these guys what they think about bowfishing for carp.

this was supposed to be a sarcastic remark. sorry that I didn't make that clear.
I made the mistake of asking about bowfishing for carp on that site and I had about 20 hits in about 10 minutes. The passion that these guys have for their beloved carp is unbelieveable.

again I apologize for not making my sarcasm clear

[TommyRobinson]

Well in that case .... [grin].

I never had anything against bowhunting for carp really. To me it's no different then the russians/polish taking their share for the table. I don't like anything to be killed for "the sport" of it and nothing done with the kill. I have watched it done many times but the thing that makes it difficult for us trophy seeking catch,photo , release guys is we both target the biggies. A few of my closest friends do this and have passed on some good spots -

We do like those stinky , smelly bottom dwellers [grin]

[chesapeakecarper]

Don't worry 'bout it onewyr...no sensibilities bruised here! I once said to be an "outed' carp angler in the USA in this day and age one has to have a few screws loose [grin]

Fact is us specialist/hardcore carp anglers as well as carp bow hunters are vast minorities within our larger demographics...bow fishers tend to be conventional bow hunters that pursue it off-season; most carp anglers also multi species anglers or also pursue catfish. Russians/Eastern Europeans as well as the multitudes of American carp eaters and bow hunters take their share, but it'll never dent the astronomical ever-growing carp populations we have here in America; there's plenty of recordbreaking lunkers for the few that pursue them (unlike the big cats where it seems everyone is going after them vs population dynamics and C&R is the recommended management strategy). Problem with carps is they can be picky biters and how to catch the damned things!! This is the rub for carp anglers!

For a progressive perspective on the carp issue and bow hunting fish in a conservation-based approach, maybe check out the new North American Bowfishing Society (www.bowfishingsociety.com)

[ketch69]

They ain't thrown away in Disputanta. Carp make good feitilizer for the garden[grin]


DEAN

[ROD BENDER]

I don't kill to kill for fun. I do it for the sport and no fish I kill goes to waste! I know a few people that eat those stinking bottom dwellers and will take any that they can get there hands on. And they do make good fertilizer!

[chesapeakecarper]

ketch69 originally wrote:
They ain't thrown away in Disputanta. Carp make good feitilizer for the garden[grin]
DEAN


ROD BENDER originally wrote:
And they do make good fertilizer!


A most noble end for carp...the circle of life ya know, and definately not waste...its recycling. Millions of huge carp die annually in the USA of natural causes than will ever see a hook or arrow. And you're also doing the Bay a favor using an organic fertilizer...I've met some sandle-wearing tofu-eaters that would give their right arm for resources like this for their organic gardens.