Bowfishing rigs? Need ideas

[duckman49]

I have a 1752 boat that I want to bowfish out of sometimes. It's main job Is duck hunting so don't want anything permanent. This past week we just used a qbeam and it was ok but would much rather have lights set up so two can shoot at a time.

So if you have any good setups that would work for my needs let me know thanks.

This is my boat.

[duckman49]

Ttt

[N.DaWoods]

Get some construction type halogen lights with clamps. Clamp them to the edge of the boat about 4-6 should be plenty. Set up generator. Fish. You can just unclamp and store somewhere else when not fishing. Not permanent but effective.

[duckman49]

The lip on the front of the boat is 5inch wide will they clamp on to something that wide?

[TxSuperDad]

You could build a plat form for the front of the boat that is removable. All your bowfishing lights can be mounted to that and then the plat form slides on and off and you can secure it when it use. When duck season comes around just pull it off and store it.

I had the same boat but had the built in deck up front. You can get 500 watt halogens from Lowes for like $10 bucks each. I made my setup perm and screwed them to that lip. But I am sure if you want to remove the lights during duck season you will not want to do that.

Before I got my boat and I first got into bowfishing We would load a couple of halogens that were on small frames with 25 foot extension cord rolls on them. Cant buy these anymore that I can find them. But used those and threw the gennie on his bass boat and would go hit some coves. Its not the best setup but it got us on the water and shooting some fish.


I dont see a troller on your boat though. How are yall moving along the shore at night when fishing?

I will find a picture of my boat and post it so you can see what I am talking about

[TxSuperDad]

Here is a view from the external side. I have one from inside too. Just got to get it off my phone

[TxSuperDad]

Inside view

[duckman49]

That was a old pic I have a trolling motor now just a clamp on. I'm guessing a cheap and easy way to mount then lights would be a 2x4 across the from of my boat and then 2 on each side with the lights mounted in them. That way I only have a couple holes in my boat?

[SaltwaterSlick]

One note of caution... Once you start bowfishing from your boat, you might have a bowfishing boat that can be used as a duck boat... Bowfishing is more addicting than crack! You can easily make yourself a platform that sits in the gunwales of your boat and mount the lights under it. Sure makes the bugs less of a problem. The only thing is you'll need a troller with a long shaft if the platform is very high. I welded up a stainless frame with an aluminum deck. it's bolted to the gunwales, and in about 15 minutes I can unbolt it and 2 people can pick it up and set it off... However, it hasn't been off my boat but once since I built it in '07!

[duckman49]

I don't think I want a big platform two of us used mine easy the other day. Just got tired of holding a q beam

[czechgrubworm]

You will like the platform because it gives you a bit better vision with the height as well..

[Z7_Matt]

You could build a bolt on deck like I did.

[TxSuperDad]

Here is what I would do if you want something easy to pull on and off and not mount ANYTHING to the boat itself.

Use some 2x4s to frame from the front top back to the drop off on the second level. Brace it well to support a piece of plywood that you will cut to fit inside from the bow to the back edge of second level.

Build the frame so it will go in easy by itself. Then they plywood can slide on top and you can screw the plywood to the frame to secure it. You can mount the lights to the wood.

When you want to take it out. Unscrew the plywood from the frame and remove it. Then remove the frame. Easy to do if you dont have help and perfect for a temp deck.

[JohnS]

One note of caution... Once you start bowfishing from your boat, you might have a bowfishing boat that can be used as a duck boat... Bowfishing is more addicting than crack! You can easily make yourself a platform that sits in the gunwales of your boat and mount the lights under it. Sure makes the bugs less of a problem. The only thing is you'll need a troller with a long shaft if the platform is very high. I welded up a stainless frame with an aluminum deck. it's bolted to the gunwales, and in about 15 minutes I can unbolt it and 2 people can pick it up and set it off... However, it hasn't been off my boat but once since I built it in '07!

Note this advice first and foremost!!!! And then build a deck like this one or z7_matts. Matts can be taken off easily by the two of use and he has a bad back

[duckman49]

Here is what I would do if you want something easy to pull on and off and not mount ANYTHING to the boat itself.

Use some 2x4s to frame from the front top back to the drop off on the second level. Brace it well to support a piece of plywood that you will cut to fit inside from the bow to the back edge of second level.

Build the frame so it will go in easy by itself. Then they plywood can slide on top and you can screw the plywood to the frame to secure it. You can mount the lights to the wood.

When you want to take it out. Unscrew the plywood from the frame and remove it. Then remove the frame. Easy to do if you dont have help and perfect for a temp deck.

I like that idea. I will only use it a couple times a year and done want to weld or screw to much into my boat.

I know it's addicting but y'all don't know how much I duck hunt lol

What lights are best? The utility lights like posted above or a green lights. Led or ??? Thanks again guys