During a photoshoot last fall in Nebraska, I zoomed in on pro tournament angler Kristine Fischer as she was watching a fish swimming just below the surface. I snapped photos as she leaned down and, instead of grabbing a fishing rod, picked up a compound bow and arrow. I was struck by the challenge and simplicity of bow fishing from a kayak.
How to Give Kayak Bow Fishing a Try
If you aspire to try kayak bow fishing, the equipment isn’t fancy. Fischer says it’s possible to convert a hunting bow, but heavy draw weight isn’t necessary to shoot a fish at close range. “I like a bow with no let-off so I can snap shoot when I see a fish,” she adds.
Fischer debates between carbon fiber arrows and fiberglass arrows. “Carbon fiber is more accurate, but brittle and more expensive,” she explains. Fiberglass is a good choice for shorter shots over a rocky bottom. The toughest challenge in bow fishing is hitting the fish.
Light Refraction Adds to the Challenge
It’s hard enough to aim at a moving object while standing on another moving object; bow fishermen have to take light refraction into account. To calculate how much light bends through water use the 10-4 rule.
If you’re 10 feet from a fish one foot under the water, aim four inches below the fish. As the distance increases, add four inches for every 10 feet. “Plan to spend time practicing with submersible targets,” Fischer suggests.
“I like bow fishing from my kayak because I can access areas too shallow and narrow for a motorboat.”
Bow fishermen target saltwater and freshwater fish and they sight fish during the day and fish with lights at night. Some states have rules against shooting game fish with bow and arrow, so many participants focus on invasive species like carp or nuisance fish such as stingrays.
Since shoot and release is impossible, hunters are committed to consuming the fish they kill. Always check local regulations before heading out on the water.
Grab Your Bow for a Different Way to Fish
“I like bow fishing from my kayak because I can access areas too shallow and narrow for a motorboat,” Fischer says. She admits bow fishing from a kayak is difficult, but the payoff is a new challenge and a tasty fish in the pot.
This article was first published in the Spring 2018 issue of Kayak Angler Magazine. Subscribe to Kayak Angler Magazine’s print and digital editions, or browse the archives.
Kristine Fischer takes aim at a carp with her compound bow. | Feature photo: Dustin Doskocil
