Although Mrs. dustyvarmint would probably disagree I wasn’t as busy bowfishing this year as I would have liked.  However, we were out earlier than ever before, we made it to two new lakes; one of them the best bowfishing experience I’ve had to date and the other showing great potential; we hosted the Up North Journal Team and I helped set up three, yes three, boats.  The latest boat is the subject of this blog.

Once I introduced Super Slam archer and friend Gary to bowfishing he was hooked.  I personally think it’s because he’s already shot everything on land and now wants to work over the water creatures.  Anyway, Gary already had a small 14′ jon boat with motor he wasn’t using that would serve as a starter for the joint project.  Previously used as a bass boat, it already had a casting deck up front.  We extended the carpeted deck which also added storage and installed a low-cost PVC light rail inspired by the Up North Journal patriarch, Michael Adams.  Relatively economical battery operated navigation lights were added since we’d be out after dark.  Five, five-hundred watt halogen shop lights were installed on the light rail.  The lighting system was hard-wired to the generator with a single plug rather than relying on multiple plugs and power bars in the bottom of the boat that might get wet.  We found a 3500-4000 watt Champion generator at Tractor Supply for $300.

In the beginning.

The extended deck with storage area underneath.  The light rails are in progress.

A close up of the light rail.

Our Generator

A note on generators – here in south east Wisconsin the lakes we shoot are generally quite populated with houses close to shore.  Using a loud generator at 1:00 a.m. will generally get you a visit from a Conservation or local law enforcement officer or screamed at by a home owner.  When shopping for generators we found the very quiet Honda series products would run in the 58 db range while the Champion ran in the 67 db range.  However, the Hondas were five times the price of the Champion.  We decided to chance the Champion and have been happy with it thus far.  However, it is very apparent when running it next by friend’s Honda that the Champion is quite easily the noisiest. 

Having learned a lesson on the UNJ boat regarding trolling motor shaft-length we shopped for and bought one with a 42″ shaft.   It was only $10 more than the 36″ shaft and makes a significant difference in the ability to stand and operate the controls from the bow of the boat – even for my short carcass. Gary fabricated a mount for the trolling motor.  Just as with the Up North Journal boat modification we turned the stern-mounted troller’s control handle 180 degrees so that it could be used as a bow-mounted troller.  This is usually an easy change only requiring the removal of one screw.  However, if the trolling motor ever needs warranty service I recommend changing the handle back to its original configuration to save you any controversy.

The trolling motor mount with the control handle rotated 180 degrees.

That was pretty much it for functional modifications.  Lessons learned over time, though, led to a few more additions.  A $5 plastic tool box went in the storage compartment loaded with a screwdriver that fit the lenses on the shop lights, extra bulbs for same, a ratchet and socket that fit the trolling motor propeller nut in the case someone’s retrieval line gets wrapped up in it (I’ve seen it twice over the past two years), another socket used to adjust the shop light angles and, finally, extra batteries for the navigation lights.  A waterproof Rubbermaid tote keeps our extra clothing dry.

Gary poses with the final product. 

On our maiden voyage we shot four or five fish, got lost, forgot to open the vent on the motor causing it to die repeatedly and got stuck in some serious quack grass forcing us to paddle our way out.  Our next voyage on a new lake found a GPS in the tool box, we changed out one broken bulb, and shot four fish of personal record size for both Gary and I.  Additionally, Gary shot his first dogfish.

Gary poses with fish from our second voyage. 

In total we spent about $800 on the boat, no small amount, which would get you started on a nice fair-chase hog hunt.  However, we get to shoot fish more often and for less overall cost.  We have a few other odds and ends we want to do, but at the end of the season the boat is ready to go.  We’ve already got plans for the third weekend in April of 2010…

happy bowfishing, dv

If you liked this blog you may like the following: 

• The Bowfishing Boat – A Different Option
• Bowfishing With The Up North Journal Podcast Team
• Bowfishing – Preparing The Boat 

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The Bowfishing Boat – A Different Option

We’d all like to have a 16-22 twenty foot fan boat set up for bowfishing, but that isn’t always possible on everyday budgets.  My friends Michael and Mike Adams from the Up North Journal recently did an outstanding job setting up their boat, the Fowl Mouth Two, for a weekend of fish shootin’ here in Wisconsin.  Although Michael already did a blog on it over at Hooks and Bullets I wanted to share this with Mostly Archery readers. 

In my opinion there are three key components of a decent bowfishing boat; a platform big enough to stand on and shoot from, a lighting system (including power) and a trolling motor.  To address these requirements they started with their already existing, basic 14 ‘ V-hull aluminum boat with a 51″ beam.  Bowfishing buddy Seth and I were concerned about the draft of a V-hull boat limiting how well it could navigate shallow water.  I can assure you it was not a problem.  I was being ultra conservative when driving, but Michael took us into water so shallow that the trolling motor had to be raised. 

Using 3/4″ Oriented Strand Board, or OSB, and 2 x 4s they cut and fit a shooting platform into the forward portion of the boat wisely leaving storage under it.  Mike, an avid fisherman, notes that the platform makes a nice casting deck and also says that he may add a bass casting seat to it.  They are considering installing a hinged addition to the platform which will extend to the rear of the second seat creating even more shooting space up front and further storage.  The entire platform can be easily removed if not wanted/needed.  The addition of some indoor/outdoor carpet or non-skid paint will help with traction and protect it from wet weather. 

The shooting deck.

Having shot from the platform I can tell you that it is stable and safe to shoot from.  It will accommodate one shooter comfortably, but Michael and I both fit while shooting at some rascally gar and doing some underway mechanics.  Near the end we started shooting in tandem; he from the front of the boat and I from the rear standing on the boat’s normal deck.  This actually worked quite well and allowed me to back him up on shots he either missed or couldn’t get into position for. 

Addressing the need for lights is where Michael’s genius really came through.  He attached mounts to the newly installed shooting deck and then formed PVC into a railing system for affixing the lights.  They added six 250 watt halogen work lights to the rail utilizing conduit clamps and ran the cords aft toward the expected location of the generator.  There is something going on with how the lights performed on the water that I can’t put my finger on.  Intensity seems sufficient, but I was often unable to see fish until it was too late to shoot.  I did experiment with angles and they seemed to perform better when angled further out than I am used to.  I’ll be posting some pictures on Bowfishing Country USA and asking for feedback to satisfy my curiosity.    

The light rail.

A detail of the light bracket. 

Here in Wisconsin we shoot a lot of lakes into the wee morning hours where houses are crowded along the shores.  Lake homeowners do not appreciate (nor would I) loud generators and will call the police to report a noise disturbance.  My buddy Seth uses a 3000 watt Honda rated at 49-58 decibels.  Michael and Mike borrowed a similar Honda generator from family rated at 53-59 decibels.  Both work well and we had no problems.

A quiet generator. 

Finally, they added a 55 pound thrust trolling motor.  Originally mounted on the stern this thing would scoot that boat right across the lake.  However, for bowfishing the optimum location for a troller is in the bow so that a shooter or shooters can control it.  Seth, Michael, Mike and I spent a couple of hours working out a solution to the problem.  First, we removed the control handle and rotated it 180 degrees on the shaft.  Then, we began fabricating a mount.  After one failed attempt on the port, forward side of the hull we looked toward the “pointy end”. 

With a little woodworking, lots of teamwork and no bad words we got it worked out.  You can see the result in the picture below.  Depending on the weight in the bow the entire trolling motor wasn’t necessarily submerged even with the shaft fully extended.  However, it was quite stable and performed well.  We originally wired the battery to the back of the boat, but a difference in battery posts caused us to move it all the way forward.  It worked well in that location, helped to add a little weight in the front and was very convenient.  The forward navigation light was operable, but isn’t quite set yet.  Michael is going to work on that.   

Trolling motor mount.

This is a very worthwhile project for anyone who wants to get into bowfishing at low cost.  In lake trials the Fowl Mouth Two performed well.  Both Michael and I took fish.  What more could you ask for? 

Insert a couple of fish taken from the boat.

You can download the Up North Journal podcast, Episode 112, where they discuss setting up the boat here and Episode 114, where they discuss their Wisconsin Bowfishing Adventure here.

happy bowfishing, dv

If you liked this blog you may like the following:

• Carp O’ Rama!
• Bowfishing – Preparing The Boat
• Anatomy of a Bowfishing Rig 

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This past weekend outdoor buddy Seth and I had the privilege of hosting Michael and Mike Adams from the Up North Journal podcast for a few nights of bowfishing.  It was great to finally meet and get outdoors with this duo who keep me entertained in the treestand and while I’m running.  The action was rather slow and we hit some storm conditions on Friday night, but we managed to get them their first fish plus some.  You can dowload and listen to the Up North Journal discussing their Wisconsin Bowfishing Adventure here.   

Mike Adams poses with his first carp and Michael with his first quillback.

After a second night of shooting Mike shows off his first gar and sheepshead.

Michael’s second quillback on night two.

My shooting was off this night, but I managed to connect with this 13 pound carp and a 6 pound dogfish (a new personal record).

Sharpshooter Seth shows off his catch – look at that monster 18 pound carp (a new personal record).

Lexus helps me send Michael and Mike off after a great weekend.

happy bowfishing, dv

If you liked this blog you may like the following:

• Carp O’ Rama!
• Bowfishing – Preparing The Boat
• Anatomy of a Bowfishing Rig 

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Last Friday night we headed out to participate in local Lake Tichigan’s Carp O’ Rama.  The homeowner’s association surrounding the lake pay us $1.00 per rough fish which really equates to gas money for the boat.  Seth and I had the privilege of introducing our friend Gary Martin, taker of the sixteenth archery Super Slam, on his first bowfishing trip.  Gary caught on quick (far quicker than I ever did I’m sad to say) and the results are below.

Gary poses with his first fish, a mirror carp no less!

Gary and Seth pose with our catch -$43 in gas money.

happy bowfishing, dv

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Coming up on Mostly Archery

• Boar Attack – Anatomy of a Hog Shot Gone Wrong
• Preparing a European Skull Mount

Outdoors buddy Seth and I headed out for a short bowfishing trip last Friday night.  The weather was a little cool and shooting wasn’t fast, but we managed to stick a few.  I shot the largest quill back we’ve ever seen and Seth shot a pretty good carp, but we didn’t weigh either.

Seth poses with our Friday night fish.

happy bowfishing, dv 

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Coming up on Mostly Archery

• dv’s 2009 Turkey Season Review
• Boar Attack – Anatomy of a Hog Shot Gone Wrong

The Carp ‘N Quack 

Earlier this spring my outdoors buddy Seth called me and said it was time to convert his boat, the Carp ‘N Quack, from Quack to Carp.  The sixteen-foot, modified V-hull john boat with steering console primarily gets used for two things; bowfishing and waterfowl hunting.  A little bit of “normal” fishing gets thrown in.

The Carp ‘N Quack “Before”

So, I met him on a Saturday afternoon and got to work vacuuming all the leaves out and off the plywood bottom deck.  Read the rest of this entry »

Anatomy of a Bowfishing Rig

As we gear up for bowfishing I thought I’d go over my bowfishing rig and talk about the equipment we use.  Primarily we shoot fish under 20 pounds from a moving boat on lakes at night.  Water depth is usually 2-5 feet and shots are typically less than 4 yards.  We made our first trip to the Mississippi River last year and felt there may be a few changes needed for that specific shooting.  I’ll point those out as we go along.  Also, for those of you who want to put out minimum funds or change minimum equipment I’ll discuss what I did in my early days of bowfishing from the bank and from a canoe. 

Bow:  I use an early 1990’s Hoyt Spectra Fastflite bow set at 45 pounds.  It is a long axle-to-axle and brace height bow which is good for finger-shooting.  This bow is still in good enough condition to act as a back up hunting bow if need be and has done so.  While our typical lake shots are less than 4 yards the shots out on the Mississippi were sometimes up to 17 yards.  I believe turning the bow up to 50 pounds for those longer shots would be beneficial. 

A Hoyt Spectra Fastflite set up for bowfishing. 

Read the rest of this entry »

A Visit to the Forge Bow Company Factory Store 

I’ve had an affinity for blacksmithing and forging since a very young age.  So when I learned about Forge Bow Company, Inc in the early nineties at the Madison, WI Deer and Turkey Classic I was immediately drawn to the line.  However, Forge has always posted some relatively mild speed ratings in my opinion.  As owner Steve Pagel pointed out, I like to compensate for my 26.5″ draw length with a little more draw weight and a fast bow.  They no longer forge their risers, but Bowhunt America recently reported in the June 2009 Spring Buyer’s Guide that Forge was producing the Ventilator for 2009.  A 34″ axle-to-axle (ATA), 8″ brace height (BH) bow rated at 330 feet per second (fps) catches my attention.

Read the rest of this entry »

Here on Mostly Archery we’ll be talking quite a bit about bowfishing as spring and summer come along.

However, I found this post about winter bowfishing today on the Bowfishing forum at Bowsite. 

Cool!  Got to keep my eye out for an opportunity like that.

happy hunting bowfishing, dv

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Coming up on Mostly Archery

• How To – Make Your Own Turkey Friction Call Part 2
• Overhauling My Bow
• dv’s Gear Provider Recommendations – ACE, provider of ASAT, Sitka Gear and Wilderness Athlete Products