Want to make it out for the first bowfishing trip of the year this weekend. Anyone been of been doing any good? Looking for an area to start in

Don't shoot Bridgeport. But this time of year I hit flats as near as you can get to deep water. As a secondary, if you can find that area with vegetation on it it'll be lights out! Good luck

Shooting fish can get messy, and legally you have to use them for food or bait. If you want to check out the European method of catching Carp so you don't have to deal with dead fish then you're more than welcome to come out and join me at Ray Hubbard on July 13th

Also can try fly fishing, good luck

You may want to re read the law........ Any fish that is edible or can be used for bait (includes all gar species, common carp and buffalo) may not be released back into the water after being taken with lawful archery equipment.

It does not say you have to eat or use the fish.. It states you can not release the fish back into the water

Believe me I've read the laws and discussed them with TPWD numerous times. Here's a recent response a bowfisherman kindly posted up, even though it went against his claims.

Those crickets sure are deafening.

Basscatcher01, we have been absolutely smashing carp and buffs on Whitney! Can’t wait to get out there after the rain today it should really pick up even more.
How’s Bridgeport looking? Ever make it out to shoot it?

I have only went bowfishing one time in my life. I knew we would be getting fish (Buffalo) so I spoke with numerous co workers before the event. Not meaning to stereotype anyone, but several Asian co workers, and southern black co workers, Went crazy about being able to get these fish, they now ask when I am going again and routinely states they will take ALL the fish I procure. Another time I had a tiny little Philippino lady and her entire family meet me at the boat launch to pick up 6- 20+ pound buffalos. With a very little bit of research, I guarantee you could find people to take these fish. After my bowfishing event One group had a church fish fry, buffalo ribs. Again these fish are not to my taste to eat, but one mans trash fish are another persons treasure. These fish if properly handled could also go a long way to help feed some poor people and spreading good will. You would also be amazed at how many people fishing from shore would take some or all of these fish if offered.

Try the hunting forum http://www.texashuntingforum.com/

I often give fish away at the boat ramp, but the numbers on board on a typical night are more than a guy w a couple coolers can handle. I have found that pre-arrangement is the key and making sure those who want the fish understand the volume that might come in so they can be prepared. After interacting w several guys on TFF I was surprised how many people would love to have these fish.
Guys will drive for miles to get a few to make cut bait!

The laws should be followed and I don't know what the laws are but why do people have an issue with bowhunters killing carp and gar any more than killing hogs or cormorants?

Buzzards need to eat too.

They should give you a medal and a free fishing license for killing Gar and Carp.

Before you discard all of those smallmouth buffalo with your carp and gar, give one a try. Smallmouth buffalo have white meat and are good to eat. They were the number one commercial freshwater fish in the United States for years. They were typically sold as white buffalo. You can make great "tuna" fish with them and they are good fried or grilled. Like most fish, just remove the red meat. Now carp is another issue for me, and I am not a fan of eating gar. However, both are excellent sports fish if you are looking for a good fight on a rod and reel. I rarely have a bass pull line from my fly rod, but a carp will go well into the backing most of the time.