Montana Woods N Water July 2016 Print Edition | Page 8

ARCHERY TALK CONTINUED
Now I exclusively use the Cajun Archery Garpoon Tip (http://
www.cajunbowfishing.com/bowfishing-products/points/
garpoon-bowfishing-point). These tips are tough, simple, quick
and easy to use. Bass Pro Shops carry these tips and preassembled arrows for a good price.
Now about that boat. I’ve seen guys with custom aluminum
decks built over the front of the boat with hundreds of dollars
in lights and other gadgets. Any boat will work though. The
more you bowfish, the more you will bowfish. Plan ahead!
My boat is a flat bottom with an aluminum deck welded
between the seat boxes. This turns the whole boat into a deck
so I’m up off the water. I also added a few LED lights for night
fishing. If you like bowfishing during the day, wait ‘till you try it
at night! I put a trolling motor on the front so I can steer the
boat and be ready for a shot at a moment’s notice. With MinnKota motors just unbolt the upper unit and turn it around for a
front mount. I went with a flat bottom because Carp are often
found in very shallow water when they are spawning.
When: Carp spawn from April to July depending on water temp. The peak of the spawn is usually June depending on water temp. If it is hot
enough to fish in shorts, shallow water usually has carp moving around from spring and into fall. I try to target warm or hot weather so the
fish are active and it’s just more fun if it’s hot enough to jump in once in a while.
Where: Look for shallow weedy bays or lagoons. Listen for splashing like salmon in shallow water. The males will push the females up into just
inches of water when they are in a frenzy. Get a good pair of polarized glasses. If the water is murky from the spawning activity, the glasses
allow you to see “shadows” of fish better. If you don't have a boat or the water is too shallow for a boat, walk the shore or wade the shallows
looking for a fin or a shadow in the weeds.
Another bonus is that most, if not all, reservoirs in Washington, Idaho
and Montana that have carp also have trout and walleye. If the carp are
laying low, go fish for something else! Check the reg’s as other species
may be legal to bowfish should you run across another species.
Who knows, maybe bowfishing 150 pound gator gar and hog hunting
across the country will be your new thing! Be safe, have fun, fish when
it's hot-hunt when it's not!

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