26
April, 2015
The Price of Silver is on the Rise
Silver carp are devastating river systems across America and are seen by many as Public Enemy #1 in these ecosystems. Luckily for bowfishermen the silver carp has opened opportunities to enjoy our sport with very little apprehension from the masses.
These fish grow quickly, are very prolific, and their habit of leaping from the water when disturbed gives an amazing opportunity to take aerial shots in a target rich environment. Now that these fish have had a chance to put on a little size, there are very impressive specimens showing up too. Here’s a rundown on two recent fish that have shattered state and world records and the stories behind them.
The World Record
Nick Davis is a bowfisherman from Indiana and just like you and I he enjoys his time on the water. Unlike most bowfisherman though, Nick has realized something most of us never will, the opportunity at a world record.
On October 3, 2014, Nick and his teammate Ricky Ray from Bloodshot Bowfishing decided to chase gar and buffalo in southern Indiana. The weather was cooling down and the fish were spread out. They only planned to be on the water for a couple of hours.
When Nick laid eyes on this fish he had to do multiple takes as he tried to identify it. Releasing the arrow he was hoping it would stick in what he thought was a bighead carp. When the fish came to the side of the boat and Nick realized it was an extremely large silver carp he jumped around the boat, danc-ing with excitement. It was the only silver they saw that night and far larger than their normal 10-15# average for this species.
Nick immediately thought of the Indiana State Record, so the next day he had it officially weighed at 38.9 lbs. This shattered the former Indiana record held by Tim Escott by almost 15 lbs. (24.13#). Later, after checking on the Bowfishing Association of America (BAA) website he realized that the fish was also big enough to take the top spot as a BAA world record.
Nick is confident in the setup he shoots. He’d like to thank Woody-Wire Bowfishing Braid for making a line he considers to be the best. Nick spools it on a Zebco 808 connected to his Oneida Osprey set at 55#. He made the shot thanks to his Quick-Draw rest and TJE Shoot-Thru rod.
RECORD FISH
Photos courtesy of Nick Davis and the United States Geological Survey