Tunning Bow fishing arrows

[excelpoint]

Hi guys. I am interested into getting into a bit of bow fishing and was wondering if you tune a bow fishing arrow to your bow the same way as you would a normal arrow or do you just shoot the full length arrow as it is? Any help would be much appreciated.
Thanks,
Matt

[ozy clint]

what poundage and head weight are you thinking of using?

i bowfish with my 69# lee, solid glass arrow and garpoon head. the head weighs 550gr which is more than some others. i found i had to cut them to my minimum BOP length. (that's the back of the slide in this case) BOP length is 29 1/2"

i had to use a fat 16 strand dacron string with catwhiskers. this soaked up some energy and stiffened the dynamic spine.

i find it helps to test shoot in water as it will shoot off to one side in the water if isn't tuned well.

good luck, mate.

[mark land]

Yes I tune my bowfishing bows the same way I do my hunting bows and straight arrow flight is critical in bowfishing as well.  You want the arrow to hit the water as straight as possible or else it will veer or plane off course and make hitting deeper fish much more of a problem.  I bare shaft tune and shoot the fish arrow without barbs in it at about 10-20ft and adjust nock pt and shaft length to get the arrow coming off the bow straight.  When you attach the line it will keep it straight in flight and can straighten out some minor flight problems but you will still get the best results by tuning the arrow to the bow.  Most standard fiberglass arrows with normal fish head weights of 250-275grs will spine around 50/55 or so.  If you have a longer draw or shoot more bow weight you may need to cut down the shaft some to stiffern them up, but for lighter draw weights, you may need to shoot a heavier head and you can find fish pts up to 550grs or so.  Good luck, take your time tuning and the results will definitely benefit you.

[LimbLover]

I don't do any of that. In fact I haven't put any thought into it at all.

All of my shots have been within 8 yards.

I shoot a 60# bow with a Muzzy pre-assembled Sting-A-Ree arrow. It's heavy as hell. I guess I figured that it isn't going very far for the kind of fishing I do and its on a spool reel anyways. The line never comes off that perfect.

[smokin feathers]

I usually adjust my nock hight a little higher, but for the most part if they are not kicking up bad I shoot them the way they are. Most shots are up close and personal especially out of a boat.

[WVeer]

I have never done any extensive tuning and haven't had problems.  My shots are usually close though. I don't use any fletching because the retrieval string provides enough drag to the rear of the arrow.  Use a safety slide to avoid tangles and accidents.

[excelpoint]

Originally posted by ozy clint:
what poundage and head weight are you thinking of using?

i bowfish with my 69# lee, solid glass arrow and garpoon head. the head weighs 550gr which is more than some others. i found i had to cut them to my minimum BOP length. (that's the back of the slide in this case) BOP length is 29 1/2"

i had to use a fat 16 strand dacron string with catwhiskers. this soaked up some energy and stiffened the dynamic spine.

i find it helps to test shoot in water as it will shoot off to one side in the water if isn't tuned well.

good luck, mate.

G,day Clint. Not sure on the Head weight but I will be shooting about 50#. When I get a rig setup I will do some bare shaft tuning as well as shooting into water.

[excelpoint]

Thanks for the help guys. Looks like I will just bare shaft tune it as per normal.

[bolong]

All I do to mine are shoot um.