Big catfish on the move

Big catfish are active in the bigger lakes. Chris Cade, an Abbeville resident, has a farm at Clark Hill and he often goes on weekends to hunt and fish. This is the time of year when he and friends target big catfish. They are very successful and have a ball.

Chris Cade with 35-lb catfish taken last weekend

A little later in the spring, the carp will be spawning and bowfishing will be the consuming sport. The carp make good targets as they move through the shallows. Many hunt them at night with lights.

Special arrows with barbs are used to keep the carp from detaching from the arrow when they struggle. A line is attached to a reel on the bow and the arrow and fish can be retrieved after shooting.

L. Woodrow Ross with carp on bow in 2013

Turkey hunting is just around the corner and will be on the agenda for the month of April.

Chuck Mulkey with nice gobbler taken in 2013

Bow hunters need to practice year-round so that they maintain their skills for deer season. That is one reason that bowfishing is a good practice. It removes some of the fish that not many fish for and it provides a fun was to stay sharp for deer hunting with a  bow.