BOWFISHING IS GETTING BETTER BUT....

Don't forget turkey season will be here soon, especially here in Missouri youth season is only a few weeks away, double check it but the way I understand the new regulations, you will be allowed to hunt all day. A good tactic would be to get set up in the afternoon close to a known roosting spot with a couple of decoys, some clucks and feeding purrs should be all you need to get a kid a bird.
James at the Lake of the Ozarks is reporting to me that with the high water levels the carp are already on the flats in the afternoons, some excellent shooting opportunities. The snagging at Table Rock continues to sporadic, if you catch one your best off to keep snagging that bend, the spoonbill seem to be congregated. Good luck this weekend.

TIME TO GET YOUR BOWFISHING SUPPLIES IN ORDER

Before it gets to close to summer, get your bowfishing supplies ready. In a small cooler I always carry the following: first aid kit that includes some rubbing alcohol and bandage material:gar gills can be sharp. Also include a flashlight with spare batteries, pair of leather gloves, sunscreen, insect repellent, spare bowfishing line, fillet knife, pliers and a leathermans tool. In the big cooler don't forget to bring plenty of liquids and maybe some jerky. My friends down south near Branson are reporting fair catches of crappie as the water rises, and snagging is better than average on Table Rock. Better get out there and catch some fish.

BOWFISHING EQUIPMENT CHECK UP TIME

It is time to make sure all of your equipment is in the best condition for bowfishing season. Check your string for nicks or abrasions and replace if needed. Now is the time to clean and oil your reels. Though almost indestructible check your line for wear. Cut off and restring if you need to. It rarely happens, but you don't want to break off on a fish of a lifetime, plus you lose your arrow and point. Inspect your points and arrows also, replace dull points, discard any arrows that are cracked or damaged in any way. They are affordable to replace and it is still better to be safe than sorry. I once saw a girl in High School shoot a cracked wooden arrow, most of it ended up in here forearm and wrist. Here is Jake, the man with the plan on taking Trumans spoonbill. The snagging has been sporadic, but persistence pays off. His 61lb fish is proof. His group also shot quite a few carp in mid morning. Most Missouri lakes are high due to the pounding of rain last week. This is and will continue to provide some exciting shooting in Missouri. Now with the newly flooded coves in the lakes the carp are moving up, after the water starts to recede the shooting near rivers and tributaries should be fantastic. Almost like shooting fish in a bucket, a great time to get your kids shooting, you don't even need a boat, just a pair of rubber boots. Last year we had 2 weeks of great shooting at areas of the Little Blue that flooded. Schools of small gar mixed with carp and buffalo. Good luck and good shooting.

BOWFISHIG WAS TOUGH, BUT THE SNAGGING WAS GOOD

Snagging season opened up this weekend with good success, bowfishing was tough, best was in the midday after the water had warmed. As usual the weather was predictably unpredictable. Cool frosty mornings, mixed with intermittent sprinkles and some sunshine usually in the afternoon.
I am not feeling sorry for the boys who stayed down all week, as it is thunderstorms and an expected to receive an inch or better of rain today. The water will rise so the carp fishing will improve as warm rain water comes into the lake. Snagging water level doesn't seem to matter until much later in the season. Crappie fishing off the docks would be considered fair. Be sure your raingear is with you and go out and have some fun.

BOWFISHING AND SNAGGING

Snagging season in Missouri opens up soon. According to reports Table Rock Lake should offer above average fishing, followed by Truman Lake and Lake of the Ozarks. Don't forget your bows, there should be some carp in the shallows or gar off of secondary points. Give yourself a break from pulling that weight for 8 hrs. Opening weekend weather is forecasted to warm, unfortunately there is a good chance of rain. A friend of mine was at Truman last weekend and had a good time shooting fish and fishing for crappies in the afternoon. Also a good time of year for drifting some jugs, you can have some catfish to add to the bag. Most popular jugline baits for now, cutshad, turkey hotdogs and live shad if available. Good Luck.

TAKE A KID BOWFISHING

Bowfishing isn't just for bowhunters. It is a sport that women and kids enjoy also. Many women wouldn't even think of shooting a deer, but have no problem shooting gar or carp. It is fast paced enough to keep even the most hyper kids happy. If you don't have a boat you can still shoot. There more than likely is plenty of places near you that you can bowfish from the bank. Boat ramps on a river system seem to be prime spots to sharpen your archery skills, small rivers, especially during high water or flood conditions offer some very exciting shooting. Look for the slowest water and be sure to wear a good pair of polarized sunglasses as the water will be muddy. Good luck!

It is not to early to start bowfishing

Just yesterday we were having a Sunday drive and went down to the river, along the small creeks running in were numerous small gar in the shallows, at the tailwaters of the creeks were hundreds of big headed carp, so we went back and got the bows, original plan was to take pictures of the turkeys out in the bottoms. Bowfishing took over, although the turkeys are starting to split up now. There is not near as many big flocks. A little over a month from now fried turkey steak. Pictures from Sundays bowfishing will be posted tomorrow. Good luck and good bowfishing. Don't forget snagging season opens in 2 weeks, the spoonbill will be there, but will you be ready. www.bowfishingplus.com is currently under construction, when completed you will be able to purchase all your bowfishing needs in 1 location.