Unlike traditional angling – an activity in which tactics and patience prevail – bowfishing requires speed, aim and sharp reflexes. Those who practice it preferably use compound and recurve bows , although any variety can be used.
One of the main differences between its equipment and that of a conventional archery is in the arrows. This sport requires heavier and more solid projectiles , often made of fiberglass. Instead of a point, these usually have a kind of harpoon or folded tabs that open when they reach the target. And since the arrow's flight time is very short, they generally lack stabilizers and feathers. If anything, these are smaller and made of waterproof plastic. In addition, the arrows are equipped with a special line attached to a spool that releases it the moment the projectile is launched. Thus, the user can easily retrieve them.
Legislation affecting archery fishing varies between countries . In the US, for example, many hobbyists flock to areas where large Asian carp, an invasive species, thrive. Some specimens can jump three meters above the water, a moment that the archers take advantage of to try to hit the target.
Image: Toddmikelsmith via Flickr / CC
