Bow Angler Shannon Dutruch Talks Bowfishing

PartsVu Xchange Talks Boating host Tonia Becker spoke with Shannon Dutruch to discuss how she started bowfishing, why she loves it, and what it's like getting started in a traditionally male-dominated activity.

You'll learn about her bowfishing setup, how she practices at home, and tips for getting started.

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How did you get started bowfishing?

Shannon: I have a recurve bow that I like to shoot, and I've been doing a lot of trick shots and then got into competitions this year. Actually, I placed second in the state of Louisiana in traditional archery with my recurve bow.

Have you been involved in archery for a long time?

Shannon: My dad taught me how to shoot a compound bow when I was younger, but my husband bought me a longbow for Christmas a couple of years ago as an adult. I just picked it up from there. We bought our kids bows as well, so it became a family thing to do in the afternoons. At night we practice by shooting glow-in-the-dark balloons.

And how long have you been bowfishing, and what has the learning process been like?

Shannon: I just started this year when my husband arranged a surprise bowfishing outing for my 40^th birthday party. I’ve really gotten into it, so we try to go as often as possible.

This said it took some time to get the hang of bowfishing. In traditional archery, you typically aim directly at your target. Being in a moving boat, on moving water, shooting at moving fish provides some additional challenges.

One big challenge is that, when you look down, the fish look like they're in one spot, but because of the angle of the refraction of the water, the fish actually appear higher than they are. So, you have to learn to shoot under them. For me, that's been the most challenging concept because I'm so used to shooting directly at my target.

How did you first learn to bowfish, by going with guides or friends?

Shannon: We started with guides, and for us, that's the easier way to go because we often bring our 12-year-old son and 10-year-old daughter with us.

I didn’t hit any fish on my first trip and was pretty bummed. But, I bought a bow and started practicing at home, and the next time we went, I was the only person on the boat to get any fish. I was pretty excited about that.

How do you practice at home?

Shannon: It's pretty funny. We have a side X side and tie a 3D target that looks like a big garfish to the back of it. Then we drive around the backyard and shoot out the back at the target fish to practice shooting at a moving target from a moving vehicle.

We get a lot of strange looks from our neighbors, but this method of practicing really helps develop skills since we can't be out on the water nearly as often as we'd love to be.

What species of fish do you target, and how many do you usually catch?

Shannon: We like to go for the redfish, which has a limit of five per person, also gar and sheepshead. We typically always limit out.

What types of boats are used to bowfish, and what's your setup like?

Shannon: Where we fish in Louisiana, boats need to have a shallow motor or be air driven (fan boat or airboat) because we primarily fish in shallow marshes. We fish at night, so the boat needs to have a lot of lights, particularly upfront.

As far as my gear, I have an Oneida Osprey bow, and I like it because it is lightweight and not bulky. You have to stand for hours with your bow at the ready, so it’s important to use a bow that you can comfortably hold for long periods. My MegaMouth reel is excellent because it's fast and easy to use.

I use Harsh Lock Bowfishing arrows. I like them because it's easy to get fish off with the press of a button.

What is the bowfishing season in Louisiana, and do you need a special license?

Shannon: In Louisiana, to bowfish, you just need a regular fishing license. As for the seasons, bowfishing follows the same seasons as rod and reel fishing seasons. This said, cooler weather is generally better for fishing because fish come back into the marshes.

Do you feel you are treated differently as a woman in such a male-dominated sport?

Shannon: When I go out with charters, I feel like I get certain attention as a female. It's not necessarily a bad thing, but they want to make sure you know what you're doing and what fish you're looking for. Usually, when I first get out there, I'm pretty nervous because I feel like I need to prove that I'm worthy of shooting a fish and being on a boat with a bunch of guys.

If someone wanted to start bowfishing, how would you recommend getting started?

Shannon: I would definitely go out with a charter for the first trip. They are so knowledgeable and helpful. Charters have their own bows and the boat, so you’re already set up. They teach you how to use all of the equipment. They’re also great about pointing out what you’re doing right and corrections you need to make. You’ll also have a deckhand who’s helping you get fish in, which is great because it’s fast-paced and a little overwhelming at first.

Also, I recommend finding some way to practice at home if you can. Our practice method of shooting from a moving side X side may not be feasible for some people, but you can find ways to practice at home with a little bit of creativity.

Where are some of your favorite places to fish?

Shannon: We generally stay in the area and love the local people here. We go to Hopedale, and we’ll fish with Cajun Experience, and Captain Stephen is great. We also go to Port Sulfur with Bowfishing Unlimited. Captain Jason and Captain Daryl always make sure we have a good time. The fishing in both areas is excellent, and the people are top-notch. We also have a friend who has a boat, so when we go without guides, we still go out to Hopedale because it’s a little closer to our house.

Shannon is a proud member of Hook’d Fishing Gear’s pro staff.