FAQ’s

What is bowfishing?

A: Bowfishing is just like it sounds- we harvest rough fish with archery equipment. Using a bow and an arrow with barbs, the archer shoots a fish. The arrow is secured by heavy braided line to the bow, and the fish is retrieved with a bow-mounted reel. Like fishing or bowhunting, equipment varies, so if you have any questions, shoot us a message.

 

I see this is a tournament, but we have never been bowfishing. Does my child still have a chance to compete?

A: Yes! We encourage first-timers, and dozens of kids have shot their first fish during the event. Even better, many first-timers have earned a trophy and/or big fish prize. This is a big 3 tournament, which makes it very easy for new bowfishers to have a chance to win. Plus, we give away prizes for big fish of all species, and we have a scavenger hunt that anyone can win as well. Every child has many opportunities to win something.

 

We don’t have any equipment or a boat. Can we still enter?

A: Yes! We have equipment and boats available on a first come, first served basis. Please contact Brian (contact info above) at least one week before the tournament to get on the list. Volunteers from B.A.M. are competitive tournament fishermen, and they will mentor your kids on the water.

 

Can I shoot fish with my kids?

A: No, this is a youth tournament only, so adults are not allowed to participate. The child must stick the fish first. After their arrow or spear is secured to the fish, the adult is allowed to provide assistance by any means necessary to get the fish in the boat. Whether it’s a backup arrow, gaff, net, or jump in and hug the fish, it doesn’t matter.

 

Do my kids need a fishing license?

A: If your children are younger than 17, they do not need a license.

 

Do I need a license since I will be tagging along to take pictures?
A: No, since you aren’t shooting any fish, you do not need a license.

 

What is the minimum age? I don’t believe my kid is strong enough to pull a bow back.

A: There isn’t a minimum age, and we’ve had participants as young as 2 years old. We allow spears to be used since many youngsters aren’t able to shoot a bow yet. If the kids get bored on the water, there is a beautiful playground at the park, and every kid will leave with a door prize, so don’t leave any kids at home!

 

What kind of fish can we shoot? Are there size or creel limits?

A: Only rough fish (carp, longnose gar, dogfish, goldfish, drum, suckers) are legal to shoot, and there aren’t any restrictions for size or quantity. Game fish are prohibited, and all MI rules can be found here: MI Regulations

What To Bring

1. Polarized sunglasses for the child(ren), and parent. Polarized sunglasses help cut through the reflection on the water to see fish. Amazon has a lot of great options, and our favorite lens color is yellow or amber.
2. Sunscreen, for obvious reasons.
3. A hat can be helpful to keep the sun out of a youngster’s eyes.
4. Life jacket if you have one for your child(ren). The captains usually have extras, and we have some spares as well, so it’s not a deal killer if you don’t have one. If you do, that’s fantastic.
5. Boat snacks & drinks. Definitely one of the most important items on the boat!

Rules

1. This is a youth tournament only, No adult shooters.
2. All participants must be accompanied by an adult 18 & over.
3. Only fish taken by spear or bow and arrow will be counted.
4. Legal fish species include carp, gar, bowfin, buffalo, drum, goldfish, and shad. Catfish are legal to shoot in Michigan, but they will not count in the tournament, nor are they allowed in the dumpster.
5. Youth shooters must either shoot targets or fish to be eligible to win prizes.
6. Heaviest three fish of any combination of legal species (except catfish and bullheads) will win each division. Not all winners will shoot a fish, so the remaining winners will be decided by highest scores on the archery range.
7. Archery range must be shot with equipment provided.
8. Fishing time for tournament is 9:00 am until 3:00 pm. Archery scores must be shot prior to 3:00 pm finish time.
9. All fish taken and brought back to shore must be turned in at tournament site for proper disposal. Exceptions are catfish and bullheads.
10. Tournament shooters are responsible for choosing the three fish they want for official weigh-in.
11. Adults may assist youth to shoot targets on their own by holding their arm behind the wrist and assisting to pull the bow, but the child must aim and release without assistance. If a spear is used, the child must spear the fish without adult assistance.
12. Once a youth shoots or spears a fish, an adult may help the youth land the fish with a net, gaff, hands, backup arrow, or any means possible to get the fish in the boat.
13. A fish can be weighed anytime during tournament hours.
14. All laws from Michigan boating guidelines must be strictly followed.
15. Life jackets must be worn by all youth shooters while traveling to and from fishing spots.
16. Legal shooting boundaries are: the west shoreline of Saginaw Bay from the mouth of the Saginaw River in Bay City up to the mouth of the Au Gres River, plus as far as you can travel inland by boat on any connecting tributary.
17. All fish must be harvested within these boundaries.
18. Failure to comply with rules will result in immediate disqualification.
19. Competitors must compete in their gender assigned at birth.