Bowfishing Evening Trip – $150 per Person (Max 5)
Private Trip
River Fishing
Evening bowfishing trip targeting snakehead and catfish speciesFour to six hour guided charter accommodates five guests maximumNo fishing license required for Potomac River adventure
When the sun starts dropping over the Potomac River, that's when things get interesting for bowfishing. AT Fishing Charters runs these evening trips from 5:30 PM, giving you 4-6 hours to target some of the most unique species swimming in Virginia waters. For $150 per person with up to 5 guests, you're getting a guided adventure that combines archery skills with fishing tactics – something you won't find on your typical charter. The best part? No fishing license required, so you can focus on drawing back that bow and making your shots count.
These Potomac River bowfishing trips start when most anglers are packing up for the day. The evening hours bring better visibility for spotting fish near the surface, and the cooler temperatures get species like Northern Snakehead and Blue Catfish moving in shallower water. Your guide knows exactly where to position the boat for optimal shots – usually in calm backwaters and creek mouths where fish cruise just below the surface. The whole setup is beginner-friendly, but experienced bowfishermen will appreciate the quality of the target species and the guide's knowledge of fish behavior patterns. You'll spend most of your time in productive areas where multiple species gather, giving everyone aboard plenty of opportunities to draw and release.
AT Fishing Charters provides all the bowfishing equipment you need, from compound bows to specialized arrows with retrieval lines. The technique is straightforward but requires practice – you're looking for fish in 2-6 feet of water, accounting for light refraction when you aim. Your guide will teach you to aim low and lead moving targets, especially when going after fast species like gar. The boat setup includes powerful LED lights that penetrate the water column, making fish easier to spot as darkness falls. Safety gear and instruction come standard, and guides will coach you through proper draw techniques and release timing. Most successful shots happen within 10-15 feet of the boat, so you're not dealing with long-distance archery challenges.
Northern Snakehead are the prize catch on these Potomac bowfishing trips. These invasive predators can reach 15-20 pounds and fight hard even with an arrow through them. They're most active during evening hours, cruising shallow flats and ambushing prey near structure. Snakeheads have that prehistoric look with their mottled pattern and aggressive attitude, making them a favorite target for bowfishermen looking for both action and helping with invasive species control.
Blue Catfish grow massive in the Potomac system, with fish over 50 pounds swimming these waters. During evening hours, blues move into shallower areas to feed, giving bowfishermen clean shots at trophy-sized fish. These catfish provide the biggest fight you'll get with bow and arrow, often requiring multiple people to boat them safely. Late summer and early fall produce the best blue catfish action for bowfishing.
Common Carp are reliable targets year-round, especially during their spawning runs in spring and early summer. These fish can exceed 20 pounds and often feed in groups, giving you multiple shot opportunities. Carp are excellent for beginners to practice on since they're less spooky than other species and tend to move predictably along shorelines and shallow flats.
Longnose Gar bring that prehistoric element to your bowfishing experience. These ancient fish can reach 4-6 feet in length and have that distinctive elongated snout filled with needle-sharp teeth. Gar are surface-oriented, often rolling or sitting motionless near the top, making them perfect bowfishing targets. They're most active during warm weather months and provide great photo opportunities with their unique appearance.
Goldfish might sound like an odd target, but the Potomac holds some surprisingly large specimens – escapees that have adapted to river life and grown to impressive sizes. These colorful fish often school up in quiet backwaters and provide excellent practice targets for new bowfishermen. Finding a group of big goldfish is always a highlight of any trip and makes for interesting conversations back at the dock.
This bowfishing adventure gives you something different from traditional Potomac River fishing charters. The combination of archery skills, evening atmosphere, and unique target species creates an experience that hooks both beginners and seasoned bowfishermen. With expert guides who know fish behavior and productive spots, plus all equipment provided, you're set up for success from the moment you step aboard. The $150 per person rate includes everything except your enthusiasm for trying something new on Virginia waters. These evening trips book up quickly during peak bowfishing season, so grab your spot and get ready to discover why more anglers are trading their rods for bows when the sun goes down.
Our 2022 Grizzly Tracker is built for serious bowfishing on the Potomac River. This 21-footer handles five anglers comfortably while the Mercury 150 HP gets you to the hotspots fast—cruising at 40 mph means more time hunting snakehead and gar instead of just getting there. The stable platform gives you solid footing when drawing your bow, whether you're targeting blue cats in the shallows or tracking carp along the banks. With plenty of deck space and good lighting setup, everyone gets clear shots without crowding each other. The reliable motor keeps you positioned right where the fish are feeding, and the smooth ride means you can focus on your aim instead of fighting choppy water.
Ictalurus FurcatusBlue catfish are the biggest catfish in North America, averaging 25-46 inches and often hitting 80+ pounds. These slate-blue giants are considered invasive here in the Potomac, which means no bag limits - take as many as you want! They're opportunistic feeders that'll eat anything from crawfish to other fish, making them perfect bowfishing targets. You'll find them in deeper holes and channels, especially near tidal creeks where they follow the current. Evening trips work great since they're more active as light fades. What makes guests love targeting them is their size and the challenge - landing a 50-pounder with a bow is something you'll remember. Pro tip: look for them scavenging under feeding striped bass schools. They hang just below waiting for scraps to fall.
Cyprinus CarpioCommon carp are stocky, golden-bronze fish that typically run 15-30 inches and 4-30 pounds in the Potomac. These hardy bottom-feeders love slow water areas with muddy bottoms and vegetation - perfect for our evening bowfishing spots. Spring and fall are prime times when they move shallow and feed aggressively, though they're active year-round here. Guests enjoy targeting carp because they're plentiful, fight hard when hooked, and make excellent practice for beginners learning to shoot. They're also invasive, so you're helping the river by removing them. These fish spook easily, so staying quiet and avoiding shiny gear is key. Watch for their backs breaking the surface in shallow areas, especially near creek mouths and muddy flats where they root around for food.
Carassius AuratusWild goldfish in the Potomac aren't the tiny pets you remember - they grow 10-16 inches and develop olive-bronze coloring that helps them blend in. These hardy fish thrive in slow-moving areas with lots of vegetation, making them common targets during our evening trips. They're active year-round but easier to spot in cooler months when they school up in shallow areas. Guests enjoy shooting goldfish because they're abundant, relatively easy targets for beginners, and surprisingly good fighters for their size. They're also invasive escapees that compete with native species, so taking them helps the ecosystem. The trick is finding their feeding areas - look for disturbed bottom sediment in shallow bays and creek mouths. They're not picky eaters and often give themselves away by rooting around in the mud.
Channa MaruliusThe great snakehead is a prehistoric-looking predator with dark red eyes and an elongated body that averages 18 inches but can grow much larger. These air-breathing fish are aggressive hunters that'll eat everything from frogs to small birds, making them fascinating targets. You'll spot them hovering in midwater near vegetation or lurking under overhanging cover in shallow areas. They're most active during warmer months from spring through fall, especially in the evenings when they come closer to shore. Guests love the challenge - they're smart, fast, and put up a serious fight. Plus, they're invasive in our waters, so every one you take helps native species. Here's the key: watch for them surfacing to breathe air. When you see those telltale ripples, get ready for your shot.
Lepisosteus OsseusLongnose gar are living dinosaurs with torpedo-shaped bodies and needle-like snouts filled with sharp teeth. These olive-green predators typically measure 28-48 inches and are perfect ambush hunters that cruise just below the surface. You'll find them near vegetation and shallow areas where they can surprise prey, especially during our evening hours when they're most active. Guests love targeting gar because they're unique - most people have never seen one, let alone shot one with a bow. They're also surprisingly good eating despite their prehistoric appearance. The meat tastes like a cross between chicken and fish. Pro tip: watch for their long backs just under the surface near weed lines. They're naturally curious and will often circle back to investigate, giving you a second shot opportunity if you miss the first time.
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