Bowfishing Reel Question

[gregg dudley]

I have shot a lot of gar with a 40 pound bear kodiak magnum and a tape-on reel.  My son was shooting mullet with a 25 pound intranature.  Last week at 2:00 AM, I looked down at the black-widow recurve in my hand and thought, "If this thing goes overboard, I am out some serious coin!"

[MATT_MO]

I have a compound I use at 60#.  I was told that it would warp the limbs if I used a wooden traditional.

[dorris]

i Have used a 45 lb grizzly for years and my limbs are straight as they come . dont believe that story . matt_mo

[MATT_MO]

I'm just getting into this so I really don't know if it will or not.  The guy who I get all my equipment from told me that it is ok to use a wood bow, but if you get it wet that your running a chance of ruining a good bow, and I just figured you are going to get it a little wet.  I don't have a longbow yet, but when I do get one I really don't think I will be using it that often to bow fish.  Mainly just personal preference b/c sometimes I have to hold it back for a while if I loose sight of a fish.  Maybe if the bow I get is around 45# and if it doesn't cost me an arm and a leg I'll try and use it but who knows.  Like I said I am still in the process of trying bows to figure out which one I like

[citori]

We bow fish for mainly buffalo and some carp and gar.  We use the AMS reel and safety slides.  As far as bows go I got a PSE Kingfisher last year to fish with and LOVE it.  It is a magnesium riser/total fiberglass limbed takedown recurve. It is 45#@28" and I draw 30". It is about $100 new.  It seems to take a LOT of abuse (that seems to be normal in bowfishing) and likes it...LOL  I would also suggest the nogloves on the string.

As far as points I like the Muzzy points REALLY well, but they are a pain to unscrew the very tip sometimes to get the barbs to flip.  I found the Sure shot(i think) that takes the same muzzy style tip but you turn the barbs and tip to get the barbs to flip.  This allows you to get ahold of the barbs like a wingnut and lets you turn it easier than the muzzy.

good luck and have fun!!
citori

[mark land]

I really do not want to get into the spincast vs. AMS debate here, but you can go to  www.bowfishusa.com  and do a search and you will get all the info you ever wanted.  
I can tell you that I basically bowfish professionally since I am responsible for bowfishing promotions with Muzzy and the only reel I use is a spincast and the reason why I spent so much time and effort working with a manufacturer to come up wiht our own reel.  There were alot of problems with current offerings and that was something we wanted to improve on to offer a spincast reel that would actually hold up to bowfishing.  
I can say that the 1 time I do use a retriever is when we are shooting sharks and alligators and have to use a float system, then we use the slotted retriever models, as you definitely do not want to be tied to several hundred pounds of very angry, dangerous beast.  
If anyone wants to PM me I would be glad to elaborate on my feelings on those different reels and what I feel are the pros and cons of each.   Mark

[TRADITIONAL ONLY]

mark, do you know Brian Hughes from Gurley Alabama? hes works with/for Muzzy with the bowfishing stuff. BackwaterBowfishing.com has ALL the Muzzy gear that youll need for bowfishing, he (Brian) does this as a side gig and he has guided trips too, book one and go sometime, just hold out for the big ones. he fishes Lake Guntersville (as do i) and has quite a good bit of knowledge on the topic. only problem is that he used Onieda bows....


ive got a 50# Kingfisher and i want a 55#er so i can get better penetration on carp. i use a saftey slide and Sting-a-Ree  Replacement Tip points. also use the No-Glovs, im thinkin about tapping my Kodiak Mag so i can mount the Retriever reel directly to it, ive got the adapter bracket but i want it attached straight to the bow.

[Fletcher]

I use and like both the AMS Retriever and a couple of push buttons.  When my Zebco and Synergy give it up, I'll get the Muzzy PB to replace them.  The PB is a little faster to use, but nothing shoots as nice as the Retriever.    

[Fletcher]

I use and like both the AMS Retriever and a couple of push buttons.  When my Zebco and Synergy give it up, I'll get the Muzzy PB to replace them.  The PB is a little faster to use, but nothing shoots as nice as the Retriever.      

Either way, you're gonna have a bunch of fun!

[mark land]

Jacob, have you been to Bryan's website?  I know Bryan very well, in fact he and I are partners in the guiding business and he is my partner in tournaments.  We fish together all the time!  If you go to his website and look up the guiding information you will see our picture in there along with pics of our boats.  We are going down to Eufaule this Sat and fish that shoot down there, plus we will fish the Muzzy Classic, World's and several of the club shoots around N AL.  I fish Guntersville alot.  Mark