We're gonna need a bigger boat.

[Walleye Express]

I've never shot deer this big with my bow. :eek::eek::eek::eek:

http://www.walleye-express.com/albums/Miscellaneouos/image001.sized.jpg

[Walleye Express]

FIELD JOURNALS ARCHIVE - BOW FISHING 2005
This is what it is all about. We love to hunt, but really love to bowfish! Follow along as we get after the big ones. We are behind with this year's journal, but will be getting it caught up very quickly. Hope you enjoy the entries and the photos!
Texas Day 6, Another Record Day!
8/12/05
This day was a day that is beyond what I ever imagined possible. After sitting a while on some rolling gator gar, we decided to move to a different spot for longnose. Just after we switched our Retriever reels for spincasts, a big one rolled out behind us, like it was sticking his tongue at us for giving up. So...I said, "Let's make one more pass thru there, and then we can get out of here." Halfway thru that pass, we looked down and seen an absolute monster right in front of the boat, only about 1 foot deep! We both said "Oh my God!" at the same time and both shot the fish at exactly the same time. Both were perfect hits right behind the gill and the fight was on!

I was very nervous trying to fight the fish due to not having our Retrievers on. I did my best to stay on the trolling motor to follow the fish on 3 different runs. The power those fish have is awesome! Just as we began to worry that one of our lines was wrapped up, the fish floundered to the top, about 15 yards out. Keith jumped down and grabbed a 3rd bow that did have a slotted Retriever on it and put a 3rd arrow into the fish. With that line, he hauled her right to the boatside while I put bows 1 and 2 on the deck and scrambled to get the gaff ready. Soon, the gaff was in the fish and we could actually take a look at the fish. WOW, I couldn't believe the size of the head. I knew the fish was a giant before we shot, but man, this was just breathtaking!

It took a while to get her into the boat. We literally could not drag her over the side. I was just about to concede to the fact that we would have to tow her to shore when it came to me to try the very back of the boat where the freeboard was less. Finally, both of us managed to grunt and strain enough to get her in.

Unbelievable, at least to us!

Here are a couple of pix. We got the fish certified at 244.5 lbs, a pending Rayburn record! She was 8'2" and had a 44.75" girth. This kept us busy for the rest of the day, so we will be heading home a day early. This day just can't be beat!


http://www.aimlowproductions.com/images/photo_gallery/TX05/Texas_2005_068.sized.jpg

[captain_crabass]

what a shame to kill a fish that big, unfortunately, they are still looked upon as trash fish, if I dont eat it, I dont kill it, Im not preaching, thats just my philosophy

[Walleye Express]

what a shame to kill a fish that big, unfortunately, they are still looked upon as trash fish, if I dont eat it, I dont kill it, Im not preaching, thats just my philosophy


Thats my feelings and philosophy as well capt. I remember once going up to Black Lake with my dad during the early 70's to walleye fish. The Lake was not safe out deep so the Motel owner talked us into one of his shallow water sturgeon shanties for the day. This was before the drawings and lotteries. Me and my dad speared a 98 pounder and we both ended up regreating it. Didn't know what to do with it, so we sold it to the local fish market who smoked and sold it. Not what either of us liked doing. :(

[Priority1]

I agree with that somewhat. I will kill a lamprey or a Goby and I have never eaten them. Sometimes trash fish have to be eliminated to preserve the resource. Cormorants fall into the same class. A rat or a mouse in my barn will also get whacked. Like the good Captain Crabgrass, I'm not preaching. Just my 2 cents.:)

what a shame to kill a fish that big, unfortunately, they are still looked upon as trash fish, if I dont eat it, I dont kill it, Im not preaching, thats just my philosophy

[Walleye Express]

I think good sense about everything's place and purpose in this world should rule everyone's judgment. I believe in hunting 100%, yet I'd never shoot a Bear, an Elephant or several other things that may be considered game animals by many other hunters in the world. In my eyes, their majestic charm and historic place in the world transcends what I consider fair game and/or table fare. But we all have to be careful not to get to carried away with thinking either fish or animals possess the same life force or place in this world as we do. That gives way to much ammunition to the antis of this world who would keep us from enjoying the chase or harvesting the food from any other living thing.