5.0(2 Reviews)Beginner Bowfishing Adventure in Tampa Bay
5.0(2 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Evening bowfishing trip targeting stingrays, sheepshead, and drumAll gear, licenses, and instruction provided for beginnersFourhour guided experience on specialized bowfishing boat
If you've been curious about bowfishing but weren't sure where to start, Captain Ike's got you covered with this top-rated evening trip that's perfect for first-timers. Launching at 7:00 PM from Tampa's Gandy Boat Ramp, this 4-hour adventure takes you into Tampa Bay's shallow waters where the real action happens after dark. You'll be hunting stingrays, sheepshead, drum, and other species that become active once the sun goes down. This isn't your typical fishing charter – it's archery meets angling, and it's way more addictive than you might expect.
Captain Ike runs a specialized bowfishing setup that's built for this exact style of fishing. The boat comes equipped with powerful LED light arrays that illuminate the water, making it possible to spot fish cruising through the shallows. Once you're on the water, the captain will position the boat in prime areas where these species like to feed and move around during nighttime hours. The whole vibe is relaxed and educational – perfect for beginners who want to learn without any pressure. You'll spend time getting comfortable with the bow setup, learning how to aim for fish underwater (they're not where they appear to be), and understanding how to read the water. Captain Ike provides all the gear you need, including bows set up for both right and left-handed shooters, arrows, and even takes care of the fishing license requirements.
Bowfishing uses specialized recurve bows with heavier draw weights than traditional archery, typically around 35-50 pounds, which gives your arrow enough power to penetrate water and reach the fish. The arrows are attached to the bow with heavy fishing line, so when you connect with a fish, you can retrieve both the arrow and your catch. The key technique you'll learn is accounting for light refraction – fish appear higher in the water column than they actually are, so you'll need to aim low. Captain Ike will walk you through proper stance, draw technique, and release timing. The bow setup includes a bottle rest system and specialized bowfishing reels that let the line feed out smoothly when you shoot. Most beginners get the hang of it within the first hour, though connecting with fish consistently takes practice. The shallow waters around Tampa Bay are ideal for learning because you're typically shooting at fish in 2-4 feet of water where visibility is good under the lights.
"Great experience for the whole family had a lot of fun" - Jayden
"Thank you - it was a great introduction. Maybe next time we'll be ready to get some fish! I hope your boat feels better tomorrow!" - Kim Herbig
Black Drum are one of the most rewarding targets for bowfishing in Tampa Bay. These chunky fish can weigh anywhere from 5 to 30 pounds and are fairly common in the shallow grass flats and around structure. They're bottom feeders that cruise slowly, making them excellent targets for beginners since they don't spook as easily as some other species. Black drum are most active during warmer months and can be found year-round in Tampa Bay. When you connect with a good-sized drum, you'll know it immediately – they're strong fighters that will test your arrow setup and give you a real sense of accomplishment.
Southern Stingrays are probably the most abundant species you'll encounter on this trip, and they make fantastic targets for learning proper bowfishing technique. These rays can range from dinner plate size up to 4-foot wingspans, and they're fairly predictable in their movements. They like to bury themselves in sandy bottom areas during the day but become active feeders at night. Stingrays move with a smooth, gliding motion that gives beginners time to set up their shot. They're found in Tampa Bay year-round, with peak activity during summer months when water temperatures are warmest.
Sheepshead are considered one of the premier bowfishing targets because they're challenging to shoot and excellent table fare. These fish are notorious for their wariness and quick movements, making them more difficult targets than drum or rays. They typically weigh 2-8 pounds and are most active around structure like dock pilings, bridges, and rocky areas. Spring and fall are peak times for sheepshead in Tampa Bay, when they move into shallow water for spawning. Their distinctive black and white stripes make them easy to identify under the lights, and connecting with one is a real achievement for any bowfisher.
Crevalle Jack bring serious excitement to any bowfishing trip with their aggressive nature and powerful runs. These fish typically range from 5-20 pounds and are known for their muscular build and fighting ability. Jacks are opportunistic feeders that often travel in schools, so when you find one, there's usually more around. They're most active during warmer months in Tampa Bay and can be found in both shallow flats and deeper channels. The challenge with jacks is their speed – they can accelerate quickly when spooked, so shot placement and timing become critical.
Cobia are the prize catch on any Tampa Bay bowfishing adventure, though they're less common than other species. These fish can reach impressive sizes, with specimens ranging from 20-50 pounds not uncommon in these waters. Cobia are curious fish that will often approach the boat lights, giving bowfishers opportunities for close-range shots. They're most active during spring and fall migrations when they move through Tampa Bay in good numbers. Their distinctive brown coloration and shark-like appearance make them unmistakable under the lights. Landing a cobia on bow gear is considered a trophy accomplishment and something most anglers remember for years.
This beginner-friendly bowfishing trip offers something you won't find on traditional fishing charters – the combination
Your bowfishing adventure starts aboard this 2017 Mako Pro Skiff, a solid 115HP Mercury-powered center console that'll cruise Tampa Bay's shallow waters at 30 knots when you need to move between fishing spots. This boat was built for hunting fish at night - high-intensity lighting rigs illuminate the water so you can spot stingrays, sheepshead, and drum moving below the surface. The wireless trolling motor keeps things whisper-quiet when you're stalking targets in the shallows, while the GPS and fish finder help Captain Ike position you over the best bowfishing grounds. The flybridge gives you elevated sight lines for better shooting angles, and the multimedia system keeps the mood right during those evening trips. With space for 2 anglers, this skiff handles Tampa Bay's protected waters perfectly, getting you close to structure where the fish like to hang out after dark.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of Tampa Bay's shallows, running anywhere from 5-30 pounds with occasional monsters hitting 50+. These grey-black bruisers love cruising oyster beds and muddy flats where they crush crabs and shellfish with powerful jaws. Spring brings the best action when they school up for spawning in March and April. What makes them special? They're built like tanks and fight hard, plus the smaller ones under 15 pounds make great eating with flaky white meat. During bowfishing trips, we spot them tailing in knee-deep water around structure. Pro tip: look for their distinctive drum-like croaking sounds - you can actually hear schools before you see them in the shallows.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are Tampa Bay's brown sharks that aren't sharks - these chocolate-colored fish can reach 6 feet and 100+ pounds, though most we see run 20-40 pounds. They're loners that cruise shallow reefs, wrecks, and channel markers from April through October, often following rays and sharks looking for stirred-up food. Spring migration brings the biggest fish into 30-70 foot depths for spawning. Guests love them because they're curious, approachable, and make premium table fare with firm, white meat that tastes like a cross between grouper and shark. During bowfishing, we spot them gliding just below the surface around structure. Pro tip: they're inquisitive - if you see one, stay calm and wait for a good shot angle.
Caranx HipposCrevalle Jacks are the bullies of Tampa Bay - aggressive, hard-fighting fish that typically run 3-5 pounds but can hit 20+ when you find the right school. These brassy-green speedsters patrol grass flats, channel edges, and around structure from spring through fall. Look for diving birds - that's usually Jacks pushing baitfish to the surface. What makes them popular is their raw power and willingness to fight until the bitter end. They're not great eating, but the battle more than makes up for it. During bowfishing trips, we spot them cruising shallow flats chasing mullet and pilchards. Watch for that distinctive golden flash when they turn - and be ready for multiple fish since they often travel in packs.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are Tampa Bay's "convict fish" with their black stripes and human-like teeth that crush barnacles off dock pilings. Most run 2-8 pounds and 14-20 inches, though 15-pounders show up around deeper structure. They hug any hard bottom - bridges, docks, reefs - especially during their spring spawn from February through April. Guests love targeting them because they're challenging to hook (notorious bait thieves) but make outstanding table fare with sweet, flaky white meat. During bowfishing, we find them suspended around lighted pilings at night, picking at growth. Here's the trick: they're spooky, so approach structure quietly and watch for their distinctive profile hovering near cover.
Hypanus AmericanusSouthern Stingrays are perfect bowfishing targets in Tampa Bay's sandy shallows and grass flats. Females can reach nearly 5 feet across while males stay around 2 feet - both bury themselves in sand during the day and become active at night when our lights make them easy to spot. They cruise 2-6 feet of water hunting crabs and small fish by flapping their "wings" to uncover prey. What guests love is the challenge - these smart rays detect movement and bolt quickly, making for exciting shots. The key is being ready when you see that diamond shape gliding just under the surface. Watch for the telltale puff of sand when they're feeding - that's your best shot opportunity.
5.0 out of 5.0Great experience for the whole family had a lot of fun
Thank you - it was a great introduction. Maybe next time we’ll be ready to get some fish! I hope your boat feels better tomorrow...
Kim Herbig, Thank you! You folks were awesome. Looking forward to our next trip.. You guys did bette...
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