Humans have been using archery tackle to catch fish for thousands for years. But it wasn't until the late 1950s that archery legend Fred Bear revolutionized the pursuit by introducing more modernized bowfishing equipment to the American sporting goods market. Since then, bowfishing has surged in popularity, particularly with those who like to stalk big fish in calm, shallow waters.
The Bowfishing Association of America, formed in 1990, keeps meticulous records for more than 200 different species of fish taken with archery tackle, and we recently combed their books for 10 of the all-time biggest. Among other things, the records reveal carp and paddlefish weighing more than 100 pounds, enormous sharks (one clocking in at over 540 pounds), and a 200-plus-pound butterfly ray with an 88-foot wingspan.
Check out photos of the top ten fish below—including record holder names, official weights, and the state where each record was broken—then grab some bowfishing gear and go set a record of your own.
1. Mako Shark
Record Holder: Patrick Eger
Weight: 544 pounds, 8 ounces
Date: 6/15/2014
Location: California
2. Lemon Shark
Record Holder: Dylan Camus
Weight: 247 pounds, 3 ounces
Date: 9/15/2023
Location: Louisiana
3. Alligator Gar
Record Holder: Micheal Hutto
Weight: 245 pounds, 3 ounces
Date: 5/19/2015
Location: Texas
4. Butterfly Ray
Record Holder:Jeremy Gipe
Weight: 222 pounds, 8 ounces
Date: 6/30/2022
Location: Deleware
5. Great Hammerhead Shark
Record Holder: Paul Gragg
Weight: 142.8 pounds
Date: 9/7/21
Location: Alabama
6. Tiger Shark
Record Holder: Paul Gragg
Weight: 130 pounds, 12.8 ounces
Date: 6/05/2019
Location: Alabama
7. Bigmouth Buffalo
Record Holder: David Hanson
Weight: 106 pounds
Date: 10/16/1999
State: Texas
8. Paddlefish
Record Holder: Clancy Harris
Weight: 105 pounds
Date: 5/27/23
State: Montana
9. Grass Carp
Record Holder: Bryan Hughes
Weight: 92 pounds
Date: 5/17/2015
State: Alabama
Read Next: The Biggest Trout Ever Caught
10. Smallmouth Buffalo
Record Holder: Dennis Redden
Weight: 90 pounds
Date:4/3/2020
State: Kentucky
