Stalking the Shores

[Dark_Knight_9C1]

I was up at Big Bear Lake on Sunday and did a little bowfishing for carp. I found the lake was getting lower and the water plants were filling in along the shoreline. This made an ideal place to stalk carp feeding in the shallows of the murky water. There wasn't much wind so you could see the carp moving the plants and occasionally see a fin as they fed in the 6 inch deep water.

I was seeing fish and taking shots at them but couldn't quite get the height of the aim right. Probably nicked a few, since they seriously exploded in the shallow water before they swam off.
There were way more fish in the plants then you could see. Just about every shot would scare a few other carp around it and I'd see torpedo trails as they swam off.
Later in the day they were surfacing in groups by the piling of the boardwalk.

Taking a shot at them seemed like a sure thing at only 10 feet away, but apparently there is a lot of space between them because I didn't hit one after shooting at about ten groups I found. Well, that's bowfishing.
I left with a stripe but enjoyed the thrill of stalking the shores for carp.

- Keith

[jrodda]

Stalking them on that flat looks really engaging.

Are there a lot of tourists on that boardwalk at this time of year? I can imagine the surprise of people seeing you marching on that walkway with a bow.

[Latimeria]

I really have an urge to go carp fishing right now.  lol

Nice hunt and still crazy to see you hunt them.  I remember a guy back in the 90's at TP that would hunt Corbina with a bow.  They really frowned on that in the 2000's and I haven't seen him since.

[Dark_Knight_9C1]

Yes. There are a lot of tourists on the boardwalk.  I do get a lot of curious looks but most are friendly and asking questions.
The locals all thank you for getting rid of those "damn" fish.
The carp are definitely feeding now so would be a good time to go with some corn chum and get them.
Started seeing schools of baby carp in the lake. They kind of look like a fish moving thru the water but have a less distinct shape.
Last year even saw schools of tadpoles along the shoreline and I saw a carp come up and start slurping them up. A fly fisherman took advantage of this and was casting a black nymph and getting a few.

- Keith

[Tim524]

That looks like a skill that takes lots of practice but it looks pretty fun too, not as easy as shooting fish in a barrel

[Dark_Knight_9C1]

That looks like a skill that takes lots of practice but it looks pretty fun too, not as easy as shooting fish in a barrel

Right. I practice on a target at 30 ft. For the closer shots I have to compensate a little. But, like last time, once I get it dialed in I can pretty consistently hit fish.

- Keith