Fall is here. Bow season is in full swing, but fishing is still going strong. As much as I want to spend my days in the woods, I cannot pass up a few opportunities to be on the water either. What is an outdoor addict to do?

Simple, combine both passions into one trip.

Many sportsmen look down on bowfishing. They think it is easy, not real fishing, or even illegal. Nothing could be further from the truth. Hitting a fish with an arrow, even at short distances, is not as easy as one might think. Even a seasoned bow hunter will be humbled during their first outing.

While it is not fishing with a rod and reel, bow fishing is as real as spear fishing and has been a legitimate means of catching fish for hundreds of years. While there are restrictions on what species may be taken, bow fishing is a legal means of fishing.

Don’t believe me? Check out the state fishing regulations, and you’ll find a section on bow fishing, approved species and gear requirements.

The real reason many anglers do not recognize bow fishing as legitimate is that they have never tried it. This is no different than the rift between bait anglers and fly fishermen, or traditional bow hunters and crossbow users. Of course, it doesn’t help that bow fishermen are usually targeting what others would consider trash fish – carp, catfish and invasive species.

Instead of looking down on this aspect of the sport, try to recognize that it can benefit everyone by removing unwanted species, allowing bass, trout, and other game fish to thrive.

What you need

Getting started in bow fishing can be as straightforward or as complicated as you make it. All you need is a bow, a reel, and a specialized arrow with a barbed broadhead. You can spend a couple of hundred dollars on a complete setup, or you can convert an old bow you already have lying around.

Bow

• Light draw weight, between 30-35 pounds, is best. A youth bow is perfect because it combines a lighter draw weight with a lower profile, something that will be a bonus when making quick shots from a boat.

Arrow

• Heavy, specialty arrows designed not to explode when hitting the water are a must. You will also need barbed broadheads, like fishing spears, to prevent the arrow from coming out during the retrieval. Do not worry, you will only need a couple of each.

Reel

• Again, nothing too special is needed, just something to hold the line out of the way when shooting. Of course, there are specialty reels available, but they will cost more. Many beginners start with a simple closed-face spinning reel or even a bottle system to hold the line.

Biscuit rest

• Although not an absolute, I think that having a biscuit rest makes everything easier. You will be moving and making quick shots, and this simple addition goes a long way in making sure your arrow stays in place.

Finger savers and nock bead

• Because of the fast-paced shooting, an arrow release is generally more work than is needed. For this reason, many anglers will opt for finger savers and a simple brass bead to mark the nick point.

Line

• You have two options, heavy-duty bow fishing line (that resembles string or paracord) or 30-50 pound test fishing line. Don’t worry about reel capacity; you only need about 100 yards. maximum.

You are now ready to go fishing.

Where to go

Another great thing about bow fishing is that you can do it almost anywhere. As long as the target species is present, it could be a hot spot. Many experienced anglers will take their fishing to the next level and add a custom-equipped boat to their arsenal.

However, you can be successful wading in shallow areas or even walking the banks.

Hitting your target

One of the most challenging lessons for new bow anglers is hitting the target. Although many of your shots will be far closer than any taken during hunting, that does not translate into instant bulls-eyes. Because you are looking into the water, you need to adjust for refraction, which makes the target appear slightly further away than it really is.

If you aim directly at the fish, your arrow will go sailing past it every time. Instead, you need to aim approximately 8-10 inches below where you see the fish.

It takes some getting used to, but it soon becomes second nature. Just make sure to remember not to do this next time you are aiming at a deer.