shooting carp

[Watershadow]

question for you carp bow and arrow hunters out there. For beginner that doesn't want to spend a lot of cash, what is a decent, inexpensive set up for shooting carp? c
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[FNA]

Buy a cheap 40#ish bow from Craigslist etc and slap an arms reel on it.
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[GoodGravy]

Watch ksl classifieds for a cheap light draw bow (35-50 lbs or so is plenty) and get the arrow/retriever setup from the local sporting goods retailer of your choice. I bought my bow for 35 dollars and the retriver set for around 60. There are cheaper retrievers than the one I got, but I do like the AMS retriever system. Check the bow limbs for damage, and if it comes with sights or stabilizers those come off. You might need to invest in a new arrow rest, they are usually for lighter arrows than what you bow fish with. I got a straight arm roller rest and it worked well without breaking the bank.
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[Boatloadakids]

Buy an AMS retriever and build from there.

Was at UL today chasing catfish and the carp were starting to get love on their minds. Saw several carp clusters and a few carp that were enjoying the sun on their backs. Water temp hit 60 degrees just before I left. Won't be long now.

BLK
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[SkinnyLynnie]

I got an old, beat up compound bow at a pawn shop a few years ago. It cost just $25, and it has served me fine. I don't mind getting mud on it, and I'm good enough a shot to not need a sight on the bow.

This year, however, I'm excited about a new PVC bow (with fiberglass reinforcing rods inside) that I've made. It's nothing fancy, but the materials cost less than 10 dollars at Lowes or Home Depot. Making it takes less than an hour. You can find the instructions on YouTube. Just search for "How to Build a 40 Pound No Heat PVC Bow for Less Than $7" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmxn-nPNhY8

You can also find YouTube videos that show you how to make a reel out of a soda bottle and some pieces of inner tube. Search for "Bowfishing Reel Made From a Soda Bottle" or go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1mEmRN6X3A

You can't get much cheaper than that, and you feel a special satisfaction when you make the shooting equipment yourself.
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[a_bow_nut]

With the way they are going nuts at Deer Creek just grab your pitchfork and go to town.
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[SkunkedAgain]

I wonder how many of the new generation will get a chance to fork carp. They were some of my best summer memories as a kid. Used to really load up on big ones. Fun times. Later J
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[a_bow_nut]

Fun times.

Got plenty of catfish bait now.
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[Boatloadakids]

Jeff, I doubt if most of today's generation even know what a pitchfork is.

Remember that one that tried to go between your legs and your errant stab resulted in a trip to the doc for tetanus shot? Never did it myself but saw it happen twice with friends. Fun times.
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[a_bow_nut]

Almost got myself a couple of times yesterday.
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[SkunkedAgain]

That happened to you guys too!! I think my cousin did that or was it a rusty nail he stepped on while carp stabbing? Used to get a tetanus shot way too often during those summer wading and raft building adventures. Sure had some fun times though. Long time since I thought about those days. Thanks J
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[SkunkedAgain]

I need to do the same thing, my carp never lasts long enough from what I catch so I better go stick a few while they are easy to find. Thanks J
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[SkinnyLynnie]

So are the carp spawning along the shore of Deer Creek now? I haven't checked, but it seems a bit early in the season. I thought we would have to wait until the water got warmer. I need to take some boys bow fishing, so any pointers on where to go would be appreciated. I imagine that the best place is at the northeast end of the reservoir where the shoreline is gradual and shallow would be best, but I could be wrong.
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[a_bow_nut]

The water at the north end of Deer Creek was 60 degrees the other day and the carp were stacked up like cord wood in less that a foot of water.

These storms might push them out a little but by the middle of next week they should be going crazy again.
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[SkinnyLynnie]

Thanks! I'll head up as soon as the weather warms up.
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[Watershadow]

Love all the great tips guys, I was thinking about how when I was younger and how much fun I used to have gigging bullfrogs at night with a spotlight, gigging spear, and some jim beam or some such stuff...I bet a frog gig with a bigger, stout fork would nail those carp. But I will get a bow as well per some of your recommendations. FYI the carp are up in the shallows and reeds big time right now at willard, saw them all over the south marina Thursday nite just flopping around all over in there
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