SAN ANTONIO – It is happening more and more on lakes and rivers across Texas: hunters and fishers taking up the sport of bowfishing -- fishing with a bow and arrow.
"It's growing. (It's) insane. Almost everywhere I go, I see bowfishing boats," said bowfishing guide Cody Soele, who has been guiding lakes and rivers across Texas for the last eight years.
Sporting goods stores are even getting into the sport, stocking equipment and specialized boats.
People come from all over the country and the state to bowfish in Texas to bag a big one.
"It's hunting on the water, so if you enjoy bow hunting, bowfishing is good," said Josh Paul, a bowfisherman and outdoorsman.
Unlike conventional fishing, bowfishers are always on the move, keeping an eye out for fish to shoot. Bass, stripers, crappie and catfish are not allowed to be fished with a bow.
"Anything that is considered a game fish by the state of Texas, we cannot shoot," Soele said.
What they can shoot are tilapia, carp and the different species of gar. Alligator gar can get up to 250 pounds and 7 to 8 feet long -- that is the trophy fish bow hunters are looking for.
The equipment is pretty basic. A hunting bow is outfitted with a reel that has a line attached to the arrow for retrieval.
According to Soele, bowfishers are actually helping the ecosystem since the fish they hunt can do damage to their surroundings and they have no natural predators.
Even though the fishing is a little different, one thing bowfishermen have in common with other fishermen: those fish stories.
"Your story usually changes and gets a little exaggerated by the time they get to the dinner table," Soele said.
Cody Soele owns Extreme Bowfishing located at 3515 Canyon Parkway.