Bowfishing

JDunlap · July 02, 2022, 07:15:50 PM

My children [grown] are giving me a bowfishing trip for Father's Day. My son even wants to buy me a bowfishing rig — wow! However, I will probably use my black bear Ilf conversion with trad tech limbs. I need all the other stuff though. What do any of you bowfishermen use for rests, reels, arrows, etc? Thanks in advance

gregg dudley · July 02, 2022, 10:38:44 PM

How is your bow set up? Do you have a hole for a stabilizer? If so, I would go with an actual reel by muzzy or zebco. They are by far the easiest to use. I have an AMS retriever and get outfished by the boys with actual fishing reels in target rich environments. I'm sure that there are ways to mount them to your bow without a stabilizer thread, but I haven't looked into it that much.

gregg dudley · July 02, 2022, 10:41:38 PM

Also, not all fish points are the same. The smaller diameter points work a lot better for me on tilapia, gar, mullet, sheepshead, etc than the larger points. It doesn't matter much if you are shooting fish on the surface, but the smaller points travel through the water a lot better.

JDunlap · July 03, 2022, 01:21:15 AM

My bow has a stabilizer mount. I do have a Zebco 808 reel...with a mount for my bow. But I was thinking a genuine bow fishing reel might be better.

JDunlap · July 03, 2022, 01:24:51 AM

Greg, interesting about the smaller points being better for fish below the surface. I will keep that in mind. Right now I have a cheap arrow that I bought a few years ago just for a trial. I will be getting a better arrow setup.

arrow30 · July 03, 2022, 08:17:15 AM

some arrow points require you to remove them completely, and then reinstall them after the arrow has been extracted. just not a good idea if your wading or out in a boat, get the ones that you unscrew a little and flip the tangs around to pull arrow out.

its to easy to drop the point while fiddling with a flopping fish.

gnome · July 03, 2022, 02:55:40 PM

Quote from: JDunlap on July 03, 2022, 01:21:15 AM
My bow has a stabilizer mount. I do have a Zebco 808 reel...with a mount for my bow. But I was thinking a genuine bow fishing reel might be better.

... an 808 is a genuine bow fishing reel... I will pick the Zebco over an ams retriever any day...

Bowguy67 · July 03, 2022, 06:02:09 PM

If you happen to shoot off a shelf, that's the best rest. Arrows need no fletch. Tape on reels, strap on reels, thread in reels, all work

JDunlap · July 03, 2022, 07:00:21 PM

Thanks guys! I'm listening any other thoughts will be appreciated.

GCook · July 04, 2022, 09:32:33 AM

Just be sure you get that button pushed on that 808 every time. I've seen some bad things happen when it doesn't release the line.
I got rid of mine after having a nock stab me and a buddy took one in the cheek bone.

dnovo · July 04, 2022, 09:42:06 AM

I've used the 808 reel for years and really prefer over the retriever reel. Had good luck with mine.

Bowguy67 · July 04, 2022, 10:54:01 AM

Forgot to mention, of of them most important things if it's a daylight trip is polarized glasses. The color/type is determined by water color and cloud cover as to what's best. Don't forget them if it daytime

Tim Reese · July 04, 2022, 10:55:57 AM

Been out a few times but have yet to see any spawning. Anyone else struggling to find them?

Bowguy67 · July 04, 2022, 11:35:07 AM

Gotta be honest, everytime I get to go it pours right before so it's been tough but even in driving past spots I look and it's not like a normal year. Not sure why

gnome · July 04, 2022, 11:52:16 AM

Quote from: GCook on July 04, 2022, 09:32:33 AM
Just be sure you get that button pushed on that 808 every time. I've seen some bad things happen when it doesn't release the line.
I got rid of mine after having a nock stab me and a buddy took one in the cheek bone.

...the drag was set too tight...

Gun · July 04, 2022, 11:56:29 AM

Water temp needs to be 55 degrees for carp to spawn. I always used a zebco 808 too. I need to find my rig set up and take a pix. I always used a Bear mag TD. I built a mount out of aluminum 3/4" x 1/8" flat stock and bolted it to the side like a bow quiver. Shoot off the rest as its the fastest and easiest.
Bowfishing is a blast.

JDunlap · July 04, 2022, 11:02:58 PM

Great stuff guys thanks! I think I will stick with my Zebco for now unless I decide to get another spin cast since my son is offering to buy a new rig. I would really like to get into some needle nose gar...I've seen some youtube videos of people cleaning and eating them and they don't look half bad.

arrow30 · July 04, 2022, 11:11:54 PM

if your going after gar, i would recommend the points that have a trocar tip, i shot a big one yesterday with a pencil point tip, i hit where the jaw meets the head. and got no penetration. but mine might be a little dull. i think it just pushed him. i know im changing.
gar are very edible.