Welcome to TheOhioOutdoors
Wanting to join the rest of our members? Login or sign up today!
Login / Join

Florida Bowfishing

ajupsman

*Supporting Member*
811
70
New Hampshire
Some of you may remember I went on hog hunt in Florida last February with West Shore Outfitters and it did not go well. I only saw one small pig in over 8 hours on stand. The owner of the guide service assured me that was not the norm and if I wanted to come back in 2015 he would give me a free half day hunt. Fast forward to this year and I'm making my plans to go to Florida and I look him up. Now due to my recent shoulder surgery I can't hunt or fish. I ask him if I could bring my boys (18 & 14) bowfishing and if he could give me a discount. He agreed to give me $125 off a 4 hour trip so I booked it. All I can say is Wow!. I've only seen bowfishing on TV but I can't imagine it being any better than this. The boys were up on the shooting deck letting arrows fly for 4 straight hours. The guide was shooting also but only if the boys didn't see a fish he pointed out or they missed (which happened a lot but that's OK). By the end of the night there were over 100 tilapia in the boat weighing an estimated 350lbs. I bet each of my sons shot 250 -300 arrows. It was unreal. They loved every minute of it and it was fun for me to watch them. I'll be doing this again next year but this time I'll make sure I'm healthy enough to do some shooting too.

Nick, Luke and the guide.
20150223_180340 (2).jpg

10 foot gator we came across
20150223_195025-1 (2).jpg

Nick
ATT_1424893460363_20150223_192621 (2).jpg

Luke
ATT_1424893689046_20150223_210843 (2).jpg

Stacking up fish on the floor after we filled the cooler!
20150223_204755 (2).jpg
 
Last edited:

Hoytmania

Dignitary Member
Supporting Member
11,518
167
Gods Country
Beings you posted a picture from Deland, where did you do the bow fishing? By all rights I should be down in Deland again next Feb. and me and my son would love something lime that.
 

ajupsman

*Supporting Member*
811
70
New Hampshire
We went to Lake George in Astor. It's north of Deland but not that far. Maybe 30 miles. February is when the tilapia are moving so that is one of the best months to bowfish. At least that's what the guide told us. If you're in Florida and have the time it's well worth it.