5.0(3 Reviews)Southern Indiana Night Bowfishing Adventure
5.0(3 reviews)
Private Trip
River Fishing
Fourhour nighttime bowfishing trips targeting carp and gar species.Monday through Thursday availability accommodates weekday scheduling preferences.Small group capacity of four guests ensures personalized fishing experience.
If you're looking to shake up your weekday routine with something completely different, this 4-hour night bowfishing trip in Southern Indiana is exactly what you need. Monday through Thursday, we'll get you out on the water when the fishing is hot and the crowds are nowhere to be found. This isn't your typical rod-and-reel situation – we're talking bow and arrow, spotlight action that'll have you hooked from the first shot. Perfect for up to 4 people, whether you're bringing the crew or making it a family night out.
Once the sun goes down, that's when the real action starts. We'll be cruising the southern Indiana waters with high-powered lights, scanning for those telltale shadows moving just below the surface. The whole setup is designed for success – stable boat, quality bows, and all the arrows you'll need for a solid night of shooting. Don't worry if you've never drawn a bow before; we'll get you dialed in quick. The water clarity in these parts is perfect for spotting fish, and the carp activity picks up big time after dark. You'll be standing on the bow, bow in hand, waiting for that perfect moment when a big grass carp cruises into range. It's a rush that's hard to explain until you've been there yourself.
We provide everything you need – compound bows set up specifically for bowfishing with proper draw weights, bowfishing reels, and plenty of arrows with barbed points. The technique is all about patience and quick reflexes. We'll teach you how to account for light refraction in the water – that fish isn't exactly where it looks like it is. The spotlight work is crucial too; we sweep methodically, looking for movement and those golden flanks reflecting back at us. Most shots happen within 10-15 feet of the boat, so you don't need to be Robin Hood to connect. The key is staying ready and not rushing your shot when a monster carp slides into the light.
"Great Time lots of fun" - Nathan. "The boys had a great time, and were able to learn a lot. They are looking forward to another trip in the future. I highly recommend it." - Josh. "Great experience, we had a fantastic time. John put us right on the fish and was very accommodating to us novice bow fishers." - Jeremy.
Common Carp are the bread and butter of southern Indiana bowfishing, and these gold-colored fighters are active year-round in our waters. They'll range from 5-20 pounds, with the occasional monster pushing 30. Spring through fall, they're cruising shallow flats and feeding heavily at night. What makes them perfect for bowfishing is their size and the way they move – slow and steady, giving you time to line up your shot. Plus, they're everywhere, so you'll get plenty of opportunities to perfect your technique.
Grass Carp are the giants you're really hoping to see. These vegetarian bruisers can hit 40+ pounds and move like submarines through the water. They're most active during warmer months and love to cruise just under the surface on calm nights. When a big grass carp slides into your light, everything stops – they're impressive fish that'll test your equipment and your shooting skills. The fight after you stick one is something else entirely.
Spotted Suckers might not sound glamorous, but they're actually fantastic targets for beginners. They school up in good numbers, especially in spring, and their distinctive spotted pattern makes them easy to identify in the lights. Usually running 2-5 pounds, they're perfect for getting your confidence up and working on shot placement. They tend to hold in current breaks and feed actively after dark.
Longnose Suckers are the sleek, torpedo-shaped fish you'll spot cruising along the bottom. Their distinctive long snout makes them unmistakable, and they're surprisingly good eating if you're into that. They're most active during cooler months and early spring, often moving in small groups. At 1-3 pounds, they're quick targets that'll sharpen your reflexes.
Bigmouth Buffalo are the heavyweights that'll make your night. These native fish can exceed 50 pounds and look like oversized goldfish in your lights. They're spring spawners, so timing matters, but when conditions are right, you might see several in a single outing. Their massive size and prehistoric appearance make them trophy-worthy, and landing one is definitely bragging rights material back at the dock.
Southern Indiana's night bowfishing scene is top-rated for good reason – consistent action, accessible waters, and fish populations that can handle the pressure. Weekday trips mean you'll have the water mostly to yourself, better fishing conditions, and a more personalized experience. Whether you're a complete beginner or looking to add bowfishing to your angling skills, this 4-hour adventure delivers exactly what you're after. The combination of skill, patience, and pure excitement when you connect with a big carp makes this a customer favorite that keeps people coming back. Ready to try something different? Let's get you set up for a night on the water you won't forget.
The Uncle Jay Custom boat is built for serious bowfishing on Southern Indiana's rivers. This 20-footer runs on twin 40HP Gator Tail engines that'll push you to prime fishing spots at 30 MPH, then maneuver quietly through shallow water where the big carp and gar hang out. The spacious deck gives you and up to 3 buddies plenty of room to draw your bows without bumping elbows. When you're spending 4 hours on the water targeting grass carp and gar under the lights, the onboard icebox keeps your drinks cold and your catch fresh. Those Gator Tail engines are perfect for river bowfishing – they'll get you through skinny water and around fallen trees where other boats can't go. Whether you're stalking carp in the shallows or waiting for gar to surface, this rig has the speed to cover water and the stability you need for accurate shots.
Ictiobus CyprinellusBigmouth buffalo are underrated giants that can live over 100 years - some of the oldest freshwater fish around. These bullet-shaped fish typically reach 17-20 inches but can get much bigger, and they're often mistaken for carp. Key difference is their smooth dorsal fin without the serrated spine. They're filter feeders with upward-facing mouths, cruising near the surface eating plankton and small crustaceans. You'll find them in shallow lakes, floodplains, and backwater areas of large rivers. Night fishing works best since they're more active after dark, which makes them perfect for our evening bowfishing trips. What makes them special is their rarity - they're actually declining in numbers due to irregular spawning. The fight is worth it though - these heavy fish will test your gear when you hook into one. Local tip: look for them in areas with slower current near the surface, and use heavily scented bait if you're hook-and-line fishing since they're not attracted to live bait like other species.
Cyprinus CarpioCommon carp are the bread and butter of our bowfishing trips - tough fighters with that golden-bronze color and barbels hanging from their jaws. These stocky fish average 15-31 inches and 4-30 pounds, but we've seen some real tanks pushing 40+ pounds in our local waters. They love muddy bottoms in lakes, slow rivers, and backwaters where they root around for food. Spring and fall are prime time when they move shallow to feed and spawn aggressively. Summer finds them spread out in 8-12 feet of water. What guests love is their fighting spirit - they don't give up easy and will test your equipment. Originally brought from Europe for food, they're now considered invasive but perfect for bowfishing. They're bottom feeders eating everything from plants to crawfish to insects. Here's a local trick: look for muddy water or areas where you see them "mudding" - that's where they're stirring up the bottom while feeding, making for easier targets.
Ctenopharyngodon IdellaGrass carp are massive plant-eating machines that'll give you a real workout on the bow. These silver-scaled giants typically hit 65-80 pounds in our waters, though some monsters push way past that. You'll spot them cruising shallow areas with heavy vegetation where they're munching on aquatic plants all day. They love slow-moving or standing water with plenty of weeds to feed on. Best action happens during warmer months when they're most active near the surface. What makes them so popular for bowfishing is their size and the fact they'll jump clean out of the water when hit - they're fierce fighters that'll test your gear. Originally from Asia, they were brought here for weed control but spread throughout our waterways. These fish are incredibly spooky, so stealth is key. Pro tip: look for areas where you can see them "tailing" in shallow water as they feed - that's when you get your best shot opportunities during our evening trips.
Catostomus CatostomusLongnose suckers are smaller fish that run 8-15 inches and 1-5 pounds, but don't let their size fool you - they're interesting targets in clean, cool streams with gravel bottoms. That long snout extending past their upper lip makes them easy to identify, along with their tan-olive sides and cream bellies. Spring spawning season from April through July is your best shot when they gather in large numbers in shallow water. They prefer water temps between 30-60 degrees, so cooler conditions work best. While not prized as game fish, they're fun to target and actually indicate healthy water quality. They're bottom feeders sucking up algae, midge larvae, and small invertebrates with those specialized lips. During spawning, they develop bright red stripes that make them stand out. My advice: fish river mouths with decent current using worms on the bottom - keep your line tight because these guys are sneaky biters and will steal your bait if you're not paying attention.
Minytrema MelanopsSpotted suckers are pretty unique fish with those distinctive dark spots running along their sides - that's how they got their name. They typically run 12-18 inches and weigh up to 2.6 pounds. You'll find them in clean, cool streams and rivers with gravel bottoms around Southern Indiana. Spring is your best bet when they're moving upstream to spawn and feeding actively. What makes them interesting is they're actually great indicators of water quality - if you're seeing spotted suckers, you know you're fishing clean water. They're bottom feeders that suck up invertebrates and organic matter since they don't have teeth in their mouths. While not the hardest fighters, they're a fun target that shows you're in a healthy ecosystem. My tip: use light tackle with nightcrawlers on the bottom during their spring spawning runs - they get more aggressive when they're moving to shallow riffles.
5.0 out of 5.0Great Time lots of fun
Nathan Hart, Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. I hope to get yall back on the water i...
The boys had a great time, and were able to learn a lot. They are looking forward to another trip in the future. I highly recommen...
Josh Riley, Thank you! These young men done very well. massive change in pace for them but they adju...
Great experience, we had a fantastic time. John put us right on the fish and was very accommodating to us novice bow fishers.
Jeremy Tucker, Thank you for the review! 2025 season books are open and we are ready to get it under...
Southern Indiana