Are you wondering how to determine the draw length you need for bowhunting? Check out our draw length calculator below to easily and quickly determine it!
Draw Length Calculator
Wingspan (take a measurement of your wingspan between the fingertips of your middle fingers)
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03/06/2024 10:15 pm GMT
What is draw length?
With traditional bows, you can basically pull back as far as you are able, based on the draw weight of that particular bow. The same is true for a recurve bow.
Draw length is an extremely important component to good form and repeatable shot mechanics.
However, you will typically find that draw length is discussed in regards to compound bows. This is because a compound bow has a set maximum draw length, once you hit the “back wall” of the draw cycle (the back wall is the place in the draw cycle where you can no longer pull the bow any farther.)
If you don’t want to use the N1 Outdoors draw length calculator above and instead want to figure your estimated draw length with good ‘ole mathematics, the first thing you need to do is measure your armspan (or wingspan).
Spread out
First you need to determine your armspan. Simply spread out your arms (don’t over-stretch) with your palms facing forward.
Measure
Measure the distance from the tip of one middle finger to the tip of the other middle finger.
Do some old school calculating
Take the measurement from step 2 and divide it by 2.5. This will provide you with a fairly reliable estimate of your appropriate draw length. Check with your local bow shop to help you fine tune.
Here’s what the Archery Manufacturer’s and Mechants Organization (now the Archery Trade Association) says about draw length:
“Draw length is a specified distance, or the distance at the archer’s full draw, from the nocking point on the string to the pivot point of the bow grip (or the theoretical vertical projection of a tangency line to the pivot point parallel to the string) plus 1 3/4”. Draw length from pivot point shall be designed at DLPP and shall be called TRUE DRAW LENGTH. EXAMPLE: 26 1/4” DLPP plus 1 3/4” is the equivalent of 28” draw”
AMO Standards Committee FIELD PUBLICATION FP-3, 2000
So, by this definition, if you have a “28-inch draw length”, that means that at full draw the distance from the deepest point of the grip to the nocking point of the string would be 26.25 inches.
It’s important not to confuse draw length with arrow length. While they may be similar lengths, they are measured differently.
Arrow length is measured from the front end of the arrow shaft (not including the broadhead or field point) to the throat of the nock.
Your arrow length can vary depending on what you are trying to achieve regarding the FOC and spine of your arrow. (Spine is how much your arrow flexes at a set length with a set weight attached. More on arrow spine here.)
Arrow length is the measurement from the end of the arrow shaft to the throat, or groove, of the arrow’s nock.
When it comes to archery and bowhunting in regards to compound bows, “full draw” is when you have reached the farthest point that the bow can go in the draw cycle, reaching your anchor point.
What is an “anchor point?”
The “anchor point” is a reference point for an archer or bowhunting that they can “anchor” the bow string or the shooting hand when they are at full draw.
An anchor point helps make the archer’s shot repeatable, so that shot consistency can be achieved.
For example, many bowhunters will anchor the knuckle of their index finger just below their ear lobe behind the jaw.
Others may use a “kisser button,” (of all the parts on a bow, this might be the most memorable) which is usually a small disc that is installed on the bow string, above the nocking point.
Many bowhunters will use an anchor point just below the ear, resting the knuckle of the index finger in the area right behind the jaw.
As you can see, draw length measurement is a critical part of becoming a good archer. We hope this article and our draw length calculator has been helpful to you!
Step-by-step instructions for tying the palomar knot:
Thread fishing line through the eyelet of the hook.
Thread tag end of line back through the hook eyelet.
With loop end and other end, tie a simple overhand knot, but be sure to keep it very loose and large (you’ll need that loop in the next step!)
Now, take the hook and insert it through the loop end of the line…
Grab the hook in one hand and the line strands in the other and pull slowly. The knot will begin to cinch. (Be sure that the loop cinches above the eyelet of the hook!)
Trim the tag end of the line and you’ve completed the palomar knot!
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03/06/2024 02:25 pm GMT
When I was a kid and learning how to fish… one of the first knots my Dad showed me was the clinch knot. I used that for years. And then I came across the palomar knot. It’s the go-to knot for me. It’s very strong and it’s very easy to tie.
“I stuck my hand down in this hole and pulled out a giant catfish.”
Wait… WHAT??
If you’ve ever heard about noodling for catfish, you might wonder what in the world might possess someone to stick their hand into a dark hole and hope something latches on.
This is… noodling!
Does the thought of grabbing a big catfish with your bare hands make you want to learn more? Read on!
You can jump straight to any of the following sections of article:
Grabbing a catfish with your bare hands will definitely make you want to raise your hands in victory!
So, what exactly is “noodling?” Well, it’s basically catching a fish with your bare hands.VIDEOS BELOW…
What Is Noodling?
Some call it hand fishing. Some call it grabbling (or grabblin) or hogging, and of course, some call it “noodling.”
The bottom line is that you are catching a fish with your bare hands!
Even though it might seem scary at first, it can be fun like you’ve never experienced when you #putahandN1!
So, How Can I Learn to Noodle A Catfish?
Do you want to learn to Put A Hand N1? Read below for a step-by-step tutorial!
Time needed: 10 minutes
How to noodle for catfish:
Safety First!
Always have at least one person in the water with you, spotting you, when you noodle for catfish. Noodling can sometimes require you to go under water and holding your breath.
Don’t overestimate your ability to hold your breath. Also, catfish are extremely powerful fish, so be sure you don’t underestimate their strength. You may also want to wear gloves to protect your hands. They bite hard!
Find where they’re hiding…
Check under boat ramps and in holes in the bank. Some people also noodle in man-made catfish boxes that have been submerged to attract catfish during the spawn.
You can use a stick to probe in the holes. If there’s a catfish in the hole, it will often bite the stick with a distinct “thud.”
Stick your hand in the hole
This can be the most unnerving part of noodling catfish. Be sure to keep your 4 fingers together so you don’t break a finger unnecessarily (see picture below!) Slowly move your hand around in the hole and get ready to get bit!
Grab it!
Once the catfish bites your hand try to close your hand, grabbing its lower jaw. Once you get a grip on it, try pulling it from the hole.
Once you are able, slip your other hand up under the catfish’s gil plate (see picture below). This helps prevent the catfish from “rolling” and getting away.
The roll is very powerful, so don’t neglect this step. On larger fish, you may want to wrap your legs around its tail to lock it up.
Celebrate!
There’s nothing like the rush of grabbing a catfish with your bare hands. You’ll be able to handle this step with no problem! And be sure to shout, “Put A Hand N1!”
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03/06/2024 08:30 pm GMT
What Do Other People Say About Hand Fishing?
You might have seen people noodling for catfish on social media. Here’s what some of our friends have to say about this crazy hobbyof catching catfish with your bare hands…
Aly from Alabama has grabbed her share of catfish bare handed!
“I love noodling because there isn’t anything that can prepare you for it. Every aspect of noodling is based on your ability to conquer your own fears — you can’t prepare yourself and you can’t practice. There is a level of surprise that is untouched in any other sport or hobby, and the adrenaline rush is absolutely incredible.”
Aly “Aly from Alabama” Hall
“Noodling challenges me every time and the feeling of conquering fear is absolutely addicting!”
Jess Bond
“There’s just something about the adrenaline rush of going into a hole blind, but expecting to get bit every time! That’s what I noticed the first time I tried it a 12 years old! From the first bite of a little 3 lb blue cat, I was hooked on that adrenaline rush! It’s become something of a passion for me, not just a hobby! Couldn’t really see myself going back to not doing it at this point!”
Nate Kennedy
“It’s just the adrenaline you get from getting on a big fish, and the experience of having fun while doing it. But it all comes down to putting a hand N1 and that’s what I love the most!”
Lane Allen
Since learning to noodle catfish, it’s now enjoyable to teach others how to grab big cats(those whiskers though!) Learn more below about how I learned to catch these dinosaurs with my bare hands!
You may have watched these videos and read the stories on this page and said, “There’s no way I’m ever doing that!”
However, you might be one that loves the thought of catching a catfish with your bare hands and wonder, “Is noodling legal in my state?”
Find out if noodling is legal in your state. If so, you can click “more info” to visit that state’s department of natural resources to learn more about the local game laws for legality and restrictions on hand fishing for catfish.)
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If you want to see pure outdoor joy, watch these videos below of our friends, Andrew Urban and Luke-Avery Urban and “Aly from Alabama” as they noodle some huge catfish! The videos below will make you smile… we promise!
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03/06/2024 10:45 pm GMT
But first, a limit out
Luke-Avery was generous enough to spend the whole day with us, teaching the N1 Outdoors audience how to fish for striped bass and hybrid bass.
So, we spent the first part of the day striper fishing and it turned into a striped bass and hybrid limit!
Once we had limited out on striped bass and hybrid, we were off to some boat ramps that had produced some quality noodling trips over the years for Luke-Avery.
Spawning time is the optimal time to noodle for catfish. We learned that water temperature is key in learning when the catfish spawn happens.
The female lays her eggs in hollow logs, crevices or caverns under the bank, and in holes or openings under boat ramps, which is where we would be searching.
Once the female catfish lays her eggs, the male guards the nest fiercely until the hatch occurs. We found out that they will bite down hard on anything entering the nest!
Spawning of catfish can vary depending on location, however, temperature ranges of 65-84 degree water temperature will trigger spawning action of blue cats and flathead catfish. Some believe 81 is the magical temperature for some species, but again, that can vary depending on location.
Well, whatever the perfect temperature is for each, we were able to experience both species in one outing!
Underwater Footage Of Getting Bit By Giant Flathead Catfish!
This video shows what it’s like to get bit by a big catfish [Underwater footage!]
At our first stop, I got to experience what it feels like to get bit on the hand when trying to noodle a catfish for the first time. I learned quickly that it’s best to keep your fingers together when trying to entice a catfish to bit your hand!
The first bite was actually on just my little finger. It sure didn’t feel very good! If you have never experienced how strong the mouth of a catfish is, hand fishing will help you understand very quickly!
Getting a big catfish to bite your hand and then pulling it out of a hole will get your heart beating at high speed!
Luke-Avery said he’s taken a lot of grown men noodling and most of the have yelled underwater the first time they get bit. I was determined to not do that. But, I will say I was certainly startled.
I tried multiple times to grab the catfish in that first hole and just could get a grip fast enough.
Finally, Luke-Avery said to let him try. He stuck his hand into the hole and got bit as well.
When he came up he said, “that’s a blue cat. They bite harder than a flathead catfish does.” (Flathead catfish are sometimes referred to as mud cats, yellow cats or shovelhead catfish.)
We left that hole and moved farther down the boat ramp. Eventually, we were both diving down in 10 feet of water checking other holes. Luke-Avery was able to pull out a nice blue cat.
To “put a hand N1” is a rush quite unlike any outdoor activity I’ve ever tried. I highly recommend it!
My first bare-handed catfish!
When we left there, we went to another ramp where Luke-Avery had noodled some 40+ pound catfish in prior years. We got bit several times but were having trouble landing any cats. Finally, I was able to get a hand N1 and land my first flathead catfish! It was a rush for sure!
It’s fun now to take others to experience this same rush (like when I took our friends from FOB Archery).
I certainly found out that noodling was definitely worth all the hype. Let’s just say that was the first of many trips to come!
