[tjones96761]

I tell people it's like shooting a shotgun. When I shoot a shotgun, I don't see a rib, a barrel, or a bead. All I see is what I'm shooting at. Anybody watching me would SWEAR I'm looking down the barrel and aiming. It's simply muscle memory and repetition. Eventually, the arrow goes where you're looking.
Now where to LOOK, is any liars best story...

 

[Delawareriver]

you would be surprised! I can hit 3 bluegill in a row and 5 minutes later miss a 14 pound snakehead. nerves do funn things!

Yep that's me with grassies. Can shoot small carp all night long and hang with most guys but then a big grassie pops up and I miss by 2ft? Didn't even know that was possible till I did it.

 

[Noobshooter]

I shoot better when taking quick shots. If you think too much you will make mistakes

 

[Hoythntr96]

Yep that's me with grassies. Can shoot small carp all night long and hang with most guys but then a big grassie pops up and I miss by 2ft? Didn't even know that was possible till I did it.

Story of my life... Sucks!

 

[Delawareriver]

Story of my life... Sucks!

Yep then lucky me about 2 weeks ago shooting a big lake that we never have seen a grassie in before. Turned on the lights, water was all turned up by the wind we all commented how bad the water was then saw a big shadow turn on edge of the lights without thinking I shot and a 50lb+ grassie cart wheeled out of the water with my arrow in him but threw it as he landed. Was heart broken to say the least haha or last year when I just put my arrow back on my string after shooting a fish and a huge grassie explodes off the bank behind the boat. Went right under the boat and came out directly under me and paused. I went to draw and arrow feel off the string from not pushing the button. Smh haha that one still gives me nightmares

 

[spineshanker88]

Didn't read all the responses so I may be repeating but as soon as you start trying to aim and be "consistent" for lack of a better word, you're done! Might as well pack it up and go home. One of my favorite things about bowfishing is that every single shot is different in one way or another so you have to trust your instinct. That being said, the best shots in the game and the guys that have been around for a minute still miss quite a bit. It just takes time and ALOT of practice and it'll become second nature. Oh, and don't get frustrated bc, again, you'll start overthinking it.

 

[goldenghost]

Ok guys, one more question. When you have to shoot low are you looking at where you have to shoot, 12" low lets say, or are you looking at the fish knowing you have to shoot 12" low?

 

[Hoythntr96]

Ok guys, one more question. When you have to shoot low are you looking at where you have to shoot, 12" low lets say, or are you looking at the fish knowing you have to shoot 12" low?

I dont use any distance or measurement at all. I look at the fish, see how deep and far it is, and without taking my eye off the fish my bow arm moves accordingly to account for that without me even thinking about it. With that being said i know my bow like its a third arm, i know where it will hit depending on where i point it. And thats really all do, point and shoot. Usually the quick shots are my best because i dont think about where im pointing i just do it.

Best advice i can give is shoot your bow every chance you get. Practice on land shooting at bottles and once you are hitting them every shot keep on doing it, lock in that muscle memory. Practice close shots, far shots, quick shots... If you can make yourself hit a bottle on dry land, you remove one more variable from your shooting on the water, because you wont have to worry about your left/right shooting, just have to get used to the aiming low part which will come with more shooting experience. You will eventually develop an automatic response to the fishs depth and distance