Man 'definitely hooked' on bowfishing after getting state record fish on Lake Taneycomo

Sara Karnes, Springfield News-Leader
·2 min read
Andrew Hunt and his group bowfishes.
Andrew Hunt and his group bowfishes.

Andrew Hunt is already thinking he needs to invest in a bowfishing boat after catching a state record fish earlier this month.

The Hollister resident was celebrating his friend's 21st birthday by going with Firehouse Bowfishing guide Derek Marlin on Table Rock Lake and then Lake Taneycomo when he caught the catch of a lifetime.

Hunt is normally a trotline-sort-of-fisherman for catching suckers, but he was happy to try out bowfishing suckers and carp June 4. He had already shot a couple carp when the group moved on to Lake Taneycomo at about midnight.

Hayden Williams, Andrew Hunt, Derek Marlin and Ryan Wood pose with the record state fish.
Hayden Williams, Andrew Hunt, Derek Marlin and Ryan Wood pose with the record state fish.

Hunt had tapered back on shooting to let his friends have a go when he went to the front of the boat and spotted a redear sunfish.

"He popped up and was right underneath me," Hunt told the News-Leader. "I didn't think I would actually hit him."

Hunt shot his bow and started reeling.

"I didn't realize what it was at first and got him in the boat," Hunt said. "The guide was like, 'I think this is a record sunfish."

More: James River kayak series between guide service and nonprofit is 'unique step back in time'

Andrew Hunt holds a fish he caught bowfishing.
Andrew Hunt holds a fish he caught bowfishing.

Sure enough, it was. After getting it weighed at Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery and verified by Missouri Department of Conservation staff, the redear sunfish came in at two pounds, two ounces. The previous record was two pounds, one ounce shot in 2021 on Table Rock Lake. This is the fourth state record fish recorded for 2022.

Hunt jokingly told the guide this wasn't a good fishing trip and Marlin asked why.

"I said my girlfriend's gonna kill me because now I gotta get a bowfishing boat," Hunt said with a laugh. "I'm definitely hooked."

More: Fried or grilled frog legs: You can get a mess of 'em once frogging season starts June 30

Andrew Hunt, of Hollister, is the new record holder under alternative methods for redear sunfish. Hunt was bowfishing for the first time June 4 when he shot the 2-pound, 2-ounce fish on Lake Taneycomo.
Andrew Hunt, of Hollister, is the new record holder under alternative methods for redear sunfish. Hunt was bowfishing for the first time June 4 when he shot the 2-pound, 2-ounce fish on Lake Taneycomo.

Hunt has already dropped off the redear sunfish to be mounted and is thinking of how to convert an old bow from his childhood to use for bowfishing.

State record fish are recognized in categories

  • Pole-and-line

  • Alternative methods, which include: trotline, throwline, limb line, bank line, jug line, gig, bow, crossbow, underwater spearfishing, snagging, snaring, grabbing, or atlatl.

Sara Karnes is an Outdoors Reporter with the Springfield News-Leader. Follow along with her adventures on Twitter and Instagram @Sara_Karnes. Got a story to tell? Email her at skarnes@springfi.gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Man catches state record fish while bowfishing on Lake Taneycomo