Bowfishing from a Kayak: What You Need to Know Before You Draw
Like most outdoor skills, bowfishing isn’t something you pick up overnight. It takes time, patience, and a genuine interest to develop your technique. It’s not just a matter of grabbing a bow, hopping into a kayak, and flinging arrows at fish. There’s a learning curve—and a rewarding one at that.
Let’s get real for a second. If you want to get good at bowfishing, you’ll need to carve out time—not just to practice your aim, but to understand how light behaves on water, how to judge distances, and how to refine your approach. Sure, you can tag along with buddies who are already into the sport, but if you’re not prepared, you’re more of a spectator than a bowfisher. And when you’re on the water, that lack of experience shows.
If the idea of chasing fish with rods and lures doesn’t excite you, but you still want the thrill of the catch—bowfishing could be your thing. But before you dive in, here’s a little twist on a classic saying: “In bowfishing, slow and steady isn’t just a virtue—it’s a winning strategy.”
Get the Right Gear (Because It Matters)
Before you take aim, you need the right tools. Without them, you’re just wasting arrows—and time. Let’s break it down.
Bows:
Skip the fancy hunting bows. Stick with a recurve or compound bow designed for bowfishing. Choose something with a moderate draw weight that’s easy to handle. Remember, bowfishing involves shooting at close range and in wet, gritty conditions—don’t bring your prized hunting bow unless you want it covered in mud and fish slime.
Reels:
You’ve got options: drum reels, spincast reels, and retriever (bottle-style) reels. My personal favorite? The spincast “shoot-through” style reel. It gives you that familiar feel of a hand-wrap setup but with smoother handling—especially useful when going after larger fish like gar or even gator. If possible, look for a line that’s coated in silicone for cleaner shots.
Arrow Rests:
You don’t want your arrow sliding off when you’re lining up a shot. From full-containment styles to simple epoxy rests, having a solid arrow rest helps ensure your arrow stays ready until you’re ready to release.
Arrows:
Probably the most crucial part of your setup. Carbon arrows are sleek and pricey—great once you’re experienced. But for beginners, fiberglass arrows are the way to go. Affordable, durable, and perfect for learning the ropes.
Pro Tip:
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Stick with basic fiberglass shafts that have replaceable tips. You’re going to hit rocks, stumps, and who-knows-what else. Swapping out worn tips is way easier (and cheaper) than replacing whole arrows.
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Make sure your arrows are set up with a slide system. This prevents snapbacks—nasty incidents where the line gets caught and flings the arrow back at you. Safety first.
DIY or Pre-Built Gear?
You can either buy a full bowfishing kit or build your own. If you’re a DIY kind of angler, piecing together your own rig can be fun and more tailored to your needs. Either way, make sure the gear matches your strength and shooting style.
Why Kayaks Rock for Bowfishing
Once your setup’s dialed in, it’s time to hit the water. Kayaks are perfect for bowfishing—they’re quiet, stable, and let you sneak up on fish without creating a commotion. Stand-up fishing kayaks, in particular, give you enough balance to shoot comfortably.
Before taking your first shot, stop and observe. Light bends when it hits the water, making fish appear where they aren’t. A good rule of thumb: aim about 4 inches lower for every foot of depth. Practicing on visible targets like underwater cans or trash is a great way to train your aim and judgment—plus, you’ll be cleaning the environment as a bonus. Bring a bag, stash the trash in your kayak, and toss it out properly when you’re done.
Top Kayak Bowfishing Spots in the U.S.
Once you’ve practiced and feel confident with your gear, head out to waters that are known to be bowfishing hotspots. Here are a few must-visit locations:
1. Florida Gulf Coast
A bowfisher’s paradise. From stingrays and catfish to sheepshead and drum, there’s no shortage of targets in these saltwater shallows.
2. Trinity River, Texas
This one’s all about the big game—gar, bowfin, buffalo, and carp are just waiting to challenge your skills.
3. Bull Shoals Lake, Arkansas
Crystal-clear water, minimal boat traffic, and plenty of fish. Whether it’s gar or catfish, this lake is a favorite among seasoned bowfishers.
Wrapping It Up
Now you know what gear to get, what to look out for, and where to go. Bowfishing from a kayak combines stealth, skill, and the thrill of the hunt in a way few other methods do. So if you’re ready, grab your bow, hit the water, and let the adventure begin. Just remember—stay sharp, stay safe, and most importantly, enjoy every shot.
Read More: The Best Fishing Kayaks For 2025
- LIGHTWEIGHT: Weighs only 3.2 pounds for effortless maneuvering
- ACCURATE: 7" brace height ensures precise shooting
- ENHANCED ACCESSORIES: Equipped with the Arrow with Piranha point, Arrow Rest, and Winch Pro reel, the Shore Runner EVW is ready for action
- CONSTANT DRAW: Offers constant draw up to 30" for versatile performance
- THE HOOLIGAN V2 - 2 BOWS IN 1 The RAP Cam System (Rapid Adjustment Post) is a specialized, no let-off system, that is exclusive to the Hooligan V2. Due to the ability to change from one draw...
- PERFECT DRAW-FORCE CURVE: RAP cams feature Rapid Adjustment Posts at 40# and 50#. A unique no let-off system offers a perfect draw force curve at optimal efficiency and power at any draw weight.
- CUSTOMIZABLE TO ANY SHOOTER: While this bow can be customized to one archer, its wide draw range (22-32”) and its quickly adjustable draw weight (24-50#) mean it can be shared across the ages....
- HEAVY-WALL, DEEP-V CAMS: The heavy-wall deep-V cam system keeps the string in the bottom valley of the cams. sloppy form can cause string derailment and the bow to dry fire. The deep-V cams help...
- SIMPLE TO ADJUST: Adjustable with a single tool and no bow press is needed to adjust or swap bowstrings. DURABLE BOW CONSTRUCTION: The Hooligan V2 has powder coated, proprietary composite limbs...
