Bow fishing in Illinois?

[S.B.]

Anybody going to try their luck with bow fishing in Illinois this spring during the Carp spawn (usually hits around Memorial Day)? If so, what gear are you planning on using? I put a hand wrap reel on my old Oneida bow, I would love to have one of the newer crank reels and the rig that goes with them but, finances aren't fight, right now? One of these days?

[GRIMJIM]

I've never been, but it sounds very interesting. I would like to go on the Illinois river for those Asian jumoing carp. That looks like a lot of fun.

[sniper2u00]

Those reels with the plastic jugs are a great idea!! I have one one a old bear compound bow. I have not had time to go the last few yr. but it was always a good time.My buddy had the old hoop on a recurve and he soon was tired of me out shooting him 2-3 times to one. So he bought the jug reel and drilled his recurve to put a stabilizer insert on it I also made a platform to put on the boat to get the shooter up in the air 4 or 5 feet. Makes it easy to see and shoot the fish when your looking down on them! I'll post a pic. later if I get the boat out and set it up to shoot fish

[S.B.]

But, expensive and thanks for your offer of posting some pics. I look forward, to them.
Steve

[S.B.]

I've never been, but it sounds very interesting. I would like to go on the Illinois river for those Asian jumoing carp. That looks like a lot of fun.

Those Asians would be a real challenge, Jim. They jump over boats, I hear and knock the drivers out of boats?

[GRIMJIM]

I've seen videos on youtube and the drivers wear a football helmet in some of them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twKZ5u8wz6M


.

[GRIMJIM]

Here's a news clip

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGWiaqGjQaU&feature=related

[SDS-GEN]

I've never been bow fishing, but thought about trying it, I have a few recurves that could be set up for it.  I used to spear them with a gig when I was a kid, it was lots of fun.  Anymore it seems like I just don't have time. 

You should have plenty of shallows to hunt with all the flooding this year.

[S.B.]

I've been looking for one of the plastic jug spool reels but, no luck in Pontiac? Maybe Gander Mountain in Joliet? Randy, are you up for a ride?

[Glanceblamm]

I've been looking for one of the plastic jug spool reels but, no luck in Pontiac? Maybe Gander Mountain in Joliet? Randy, are you up for a ride?

Would be a great trip for sure whether you wanted to go to Joliet or Peoria. A lot would depend on whether or not I was on the long or short chemo week. I am tolerating the treatments better as time goes on
But am still lucky to get five good days out of a 14 day cycle. I will keep this in mind for sure and try to provide you with possible dates that will fit our scheduals.

[S.B.]

Sounds good. I thought if we rode to Joliet, we could stop by Maga Sports, right down the street from Gander Mountain on Rt.30? Weekends are best for me, right now?
Steve

[GRIMJIM]

I had an altercation with the manager at mega sports and won't spend my money there anymore.

[S.B.]

My son did also but, Randy expressed a interest in seeing this store?

[GRIMJIM]

It is an awesome store, and you can find pretty good deals but the customer service is non existant.  The moral of the story is if everything goes okay it's a good place but if you have a problem even though you've spent thousands of dollars in their store they won't take care of you.