Bowfishing advice, please

[robtattoo]

I'm dying to have a go at a spot of bowfishing, but as a one off attempt, I really can't warrant spending a whole load of money!
I was wondering, is it possible to use my longbow & shoot off the shelf, or will I need to shoot off a roller? I'm thinking about fitting a pair of sight adapters into my Pronghorn to fit a Retreiver (Hey, I figgered it'd be cheaper than buying a PSE Kingfisher!) but I don't wanna drill out the window for a rest if avoidable. Whaddaya think?

[TimBow2]

get a "gaget adapter" to mount your reel on your bow, get a cable slide for your arrow, use a fiberglass arrow with a arrow stop on it and a good quality fish point. And shoot off the shelf. Enjoy!!!!!!!

[Bobby Urban]

Also you need not worry about this being something you don't enjoy - You will be hopelessly addicted after the first trip and back here asking what to buy.

Bow fishing is a good time.

On the cheap you can make a hand wind shoot through reel out of a 2 gallon pail that tapes onto your bow and then all you have to invest in is the arrow.  Eventually you will want a fishing only rig equipped with an AMS retiever or a Zebco 808 and a whole mess of arrows.  Nothing puts the damper on a good day of bowfishing like loosing your ONLY arrow.  Have fun

Bob Urban

[Trad Man 25]

Rob, where are you planning on going bow fishing, lol the gold fish in the back garden.
I have thought about doing it but dont now any where with enought fish, lol
James

[robtattoo]

LOL! I'm coming over for the Texas Sweat in a few weeks & I'm told the fishing should be excellent! However, it's probably the only time (for a while anyway) that I'll get the chance to fish this way   :(

[gwhunter]

Shoot off the rest is fine.  Just cover it with moleskin.  I am not sure how big a fish you are after, but there are tape-on/velcro on reels that work perfect for me.  And I have used my 42# board-bow to kill carp/buffalo, I just had to hit them broadside.  I suggest something that flings em a little faster.  I usually use my 55# Ben Pearson recurve to slay fish.  Take an extra arrow. JMHO.  GOOD LUCK, you will come back a bowfisher.

3rivers has the reel/arrow/line setup for less than $20.  Cant beat that.

[Elusive One]

I can't wait to get good enough to go bowfishing.  I am wanting to go after tillapia in Lake Fairfield which is close to me.  We used to hook them with treble hooks which is fun also.

[Arwin]

Bowfishing is a blast! You can uaually find a bowfishing kit for around $20. Bohning has a kit availabe. It comes with  a reel,line,arrow tipped with a fish broadhead and the slide that goes on the arrow. Aim low! I shot over the top of the fish until someone told me to shoot low. Aim for the fin next to the gills.

[Whip]

Rob,
For christmas my wife bought me a fancy bowfishing reel setup with the attachment thingy that straps on to a bow with rubber straps.  I'm using it on Sweat Hunt 1, and you're welcome to use it the second week if you want.  All we have to do is talk CK or Gary into agreeing to ship it back to me when you're done.  I'm betting that won't be a problem.  
I'll send Gary Keller a PM and see if he would handle this for ya'

[TexMex]

Bowfishing is truely a blast!  I use my 47# semi-recurve Colts and shoot off the shlef, fiber glasss arrow with slide, drum reel loaded with 200lb line.

This is from last summer.
 

[Whip]

Rob, as I expected, Gary says no problem.  The reel is the AMS retrevier reel that 3 Rivers sells, and the mount attaches to any bow with rubber straps.  No holes needed. I'm not a bowfisherman (yet), but I'm just planning to shoot off the shelf. I will have arrows as well, so you really wouldn't need anything.  
You're welcome to it if you like.  Just let me know.

[robtattoo]

Whip, you're a gent and a scholar! Thanks for that, I'll take you up on the offer if that's OK with you (& your good Lady of course!   )

[swampbuck]

Havein shot the zebco for awhile and it,s pretty nice and inexpensive,my nod goes to the AMS retreiver.Nothin wrong with the 808 or even athe homemade idea at all I just tried the AMS last season and really like it.It also comes with the slider system for your arrow so ya won,t hafta buy it seperate,unless ya want to.The pac's of slides comes 5 to a pac I think and there's at least 1 in with the AMS bowfishin reel.Good luck and when ya think your aiming low enuff aim lower

[Whip]

No problem Rob, I only wish I would get a chance to meet you while you're there - maybe next year!
Included in the offer is prescouted carp shooting hotspots from week 1!  

[Arwin]

Here is something that I learned. Take a canned corn and toss it out in an area that you know the fish will be. Come back in a hour and you'll have a good bunch to shoot at. The only time I ever use a bait pile! LOL!

[CJ5]

Great fun. I can't wait for the spawn to start    


 

[JSimon]

Yep, I also shoot off the shelf with a hair rug rest.  I use the retreiver with the gadget adapter and love the setup after switching over from a drum reel. Bowfishing is what really got me into traditional archery.  I also cannot wait until spring.  Here is a couple of pics from last spring. I usually bowfish alone, so I took the first pic with the timer on the camera sitting on the hood of my car.  Took about 10 tries!