Bowfishing Elites

The pros try their hand at bowfishing on Owasco Lake.

Capt. Jason
Capt. Jason “Big Jay” Barnes leads a boat full of first-time bowfishers onto Owasco Lake, one of New York’s Finger Lakes, located near Cayuga Lake, which was the site of a recent Bassmaster Elite Series tournament.
Bowfishing is a gear intensive sport, requiring a boat that can be fitted with an elevated shooting deck on the bow. Barnes' 24-foot SeaArk Super Jon fits the bill.
Bowfishing is a gear intensive sport, requiring a boat that can be fitted with an elevated shooting deck on the bow. Barnes’ 24-foot SeaArk Super Jon fits the bill.
As the sun sets on Owasco Lake, it's time to turn on the bank of lights on the bow and start looking for carp.
As the sun sets on Owasco Lake, it’s time to turn on the bank of lights on the bow and start looking for carp.
David Mullins, left, and Bradley Roy were piloted by Justin Rejman in a 20-foot Gator Trax boat. This is Barnes' shallow water craft; it's powered by a mud motor.
David Mullins, left, and Bradley Roy were piloted by Justin Rejman in a 20-foot Gator Trax boat. This is Barnes’ shallow water craft; it’s powered by a mud motor.
Nighttime is the right time for bowfishing most of the year, although it can be done successfully each spring and early summer when carp are spawning near the shore.
Nighttime is the right time for bowfishing most of the year, although it can be done successfully each spring and early summer when carp are spawning near the shore.
Mullins and Roy, perched on the shooting deck of the Gator Trax boat, are both accomplished bowhunters. Mullins' boat wrap sponsor is New Breed Archery.  But neither Mullins nor Roy had ever been bowfishing.
Mullins and Roy, perched on the shooting deck of the Gator Trax boat, are both accomplished bowhunters. Mullins’ boat wrap sponsor is New Breed Archery. But neither Mullins nor Roy had ever been bowfishing.
The flood lights on the bow make it easy to see the bottom of Owasco Lake's clear waters. The lights, however, do attract some bugs.
The flood lights on the bow make it easy to see the bottom of Owasco Lake’s clear waters. The lights, however, do attract some bugs.
Hank and Jaclyn Cherry may have become the latest on a growing list of bowfishers after this trip.
Hank and Jaclyn Cherry may have become the latest on a growing list of bowfishers after this trip. “That’s all she has talked about since that night,” Hank said of his wife. “Now she wants to start bowfishing. And I’d love to do it again.”
Guide Cory Vannederynen shows Emily Tucker how to properly reel in the line and prepare for the next carp shot.
Guide Cory Vannederynen shows Emily Tucker how to properly reel in the line and prepare for the next carp shot.
It doesn't take Emily long to spot another target. Emily is an accomplished bowhunter, having killed both whitetail deer and wild hogs with a bow.
It doesn’t take Emily long to spot another target. Emily is an accomplished bowhunter, having killed both whitetail deer and wild hogs with a bow. “It’s totally different from other types of bowhunting,” Tucker said. “It’s instinct shooting.”
Jaclyn Cherry had never been bowhunting before this trip. But she wasn't alone in her lack of bowfishing experience. It was the first bowfishing experience for all six people on the trip, which included some accomplished archers.
Jaclyn Cherry had never been bowhunting before this trip. But she wasn’t alone in her lack of bowfishing experience. It was the first bowfishing experience for all six people on the trip, which included some accomplished archers.
Bradley Roy reels in his line after a miss. Roy would score the only hit of the night. The common advice for first-time bowfishers is aim low, then aim lower. Light refraction in the water makes for frequent misses until you get accustomed to it.
Bradley Roy reels in his line after a miss. Roy would score the only hit of the night. The common advice for first-time bowfishers is aim low, then aim lower. Light refraction in the water makes for frequent misses until you get accustomed to it.
When viewed from the front, Mullins and Roy are barely visible behind the bank of floodlights, which are another example of the specialized gear required for this sport.
When viewed from the front, Mullins and Roy are barely visible behind the bank of floodlights, which are another example of the specialized gear required for this sport.
Mullins was handed a recurve and Roy got a compound bow from Barnes' collection. Barnes furnishes all the equipment and charges $100 per shooter for a four-hour bowfishing trip.
Mullins was handed a recurve and Roy got a compound bow from Barnes’ collection. Barnes furnishes all the equipment and charges $100 per shooter for a four-hour bowfishing trip.
Hank Cherry spots something that gets his attention as he's reeling in after a miss.
Hank Cherry spots something that gets his attention as he’s reeling in after a miss.
Photographer Garrick Dixon met guide Jason
Photographer Garrick Dixon met guide Jason “Big Jay” Barnes during a snow goose hunting adventure a few years ago. “Big Jay” is a guide for all seasons.
Barnes grew up in Union Springs, N.Y., hunting and fishing almost every day with his father, who also raised coonhounds.
Barnes grew up in Union Springs, N.Y., hunting and fishing almost every day with his father, who also raised coonhounds.
“The bowhunting industry is starting to back bowfishing in a big way,” Barnes said. “I want to be on that bandwagon.”