Tag: bowfishing

SC man sets bowfishing world record

Stuart Vandyke of Eutawville, SC set the new bowfishing South Carolina state and world record for catfish on Jan. 6, 2023 when he arrowed an Arkansas blue catfish that tipped the scales at 84 pounds, 12.8 ounces.

Vandyke’s catfish was 54 inches long, with a girth of 37 inches. And this fish tale has some twists and turns that make it a little more interesting than breaking a world record is to begin with.

First of all, 15 days earlier, Vandyke’s friend David Ard set the bowfishing world record for the same species with a fish that weighed a little more than 80 pounds.

Add to that, another of Vandyke’s friends that was in the boat with him on Jan. 6 took the first shot at the record fish, but missed. This gave Vandyke an opportunity, and he took full advantage of it.

Once his arrow pierced the fish, he knew it would be big enough to vie for the record. He and his friends wrestled it aboard, then called a friend with a certified scale. They weighed the fish and got it entered into the Bowfishing Association of America’s record book, ending Ard’s short-lived status as world record holder.

For other state and world bowfishing records, visit www.bowfishingassociation.com.

Ethan Gilliland arrows NC state record tilapia

Ethan Gilliland arrowed the new N.C. state record tilapia in late July, 2022.

Ethan Gilliland of Mooresville, N.C. runs Blue Mountain Bowfishing, a bowfishing charter business. And he recently set the pending state record for tilapia. 

Bowfishing records are kept by the Bowfishing Association of America. They currently list a 2.4-pound tilapia as the North Carolina state record. That fish was shot by Harold Brunner on Dec. 15, 2017. Gilliand’s tilapia, which he shot in late July 2022, weighed more than a pound heavier that Brunner’s. 

The paperwork to put Gilliland’s fish on top for the Old North State has been submitted. Once approved, his fish will replace Brunner’s on the list. 

Tilapia are not native to North Carolina, but have been introduced into numerous waterways across the state. 

On a typical night of bowfishing, Gilliland’s clients usually shoot gar, carp and catfish. Taking a trip with him is a great way to experience the outdoors in a little bit of a different way. Bowfishing requires the right equipment and a boat that is correctly set up for it. Gilliland has all that is necessary to provide a safe, fun night of bowfishing. To book a trip with him, call 704-918-0454.

Click here to see a full list of bowfishing state and world records.