Shark bowfishing is a thing? Sign me up!

SHARK!

Wait! I’ve often sung the praises of an activity that combines two of my passions, bowhunting and fishing.

Yes, bowfishing.

But I had no clue that a third passion of mine had entered the game — SHARKS! Apparently shark bowfishing is possible and quite popular.

Here’s a scary thought for all of the helicopter parents that let their little bundles of joy splash around in the Southern California surf: A world record mako shark was pulled from the waters between Long Beach and Catalina Island this summer.

Let’s give Patrick Eger of Big E TV some credit. He pulled this beast in while, you guessed it, bowfishing. The 544-pound record-breaker took two hours to reel in. Most sport fishermen have the aid of a chair and or rod holders to bring in their trophy. Patrick opted to ditch the help and land this little guppy on his own.

I will have to admit that when it comes to fish that can eat me, I would at least tether myself to the boat. It does seem exciting shoot arrows at Jaws but I would suggest starting small.

If you are looking to try bowfishing, don’t reach for your new game bow. Start with an old bow because it will get some serious wear and tear. The bow rigging is a bit more complicated that tying a string to your arrow and bow. Invest in a basic bowfishing set up.

Then, practice, practice, practice. You will not be a pro right out of the gates, even if you are seeing tight groupings at 60 yards on land. This is a different ball game.

When you are ready to hit the water, start at your local spots and target invasive species like carp. They are everywhere and a blast to reel in.

Me? I’m calling my favorite Southern California charter and seeing if this is an option!