Bowfishing

[Scattergun2570]

Tonight I was told that 40lbs was a bit light for shooting fish.. Anyone have any input on this?

[Mark 507]

I think 40# is ok for shooting fish. I would however recomend keeping an eye on your arrow point. Where I shoot fish there is a lot of rock and concrete culverts and hitting those dulls your point in a hurry and at a lighter draw weight you will want a sharp point to aid in penatration.

My kids shoot fish with bows in the 30# range and they do ok when they ht what they are shooting at.

[lpcjon2]

You can kill a deer with 40#'s why not a fish?

[KentuckyTJ]

It really depends on how you are fishing. If you are standing in a boat shooting no more than 10 yards you are fine. If you are wadding the shallows shooting horizontally out to 20-30 yards then it may be some light. Also depends on what you can pull effectively, don't want to develop any bad shooting habits from being over bowed during bowfishing like I have. If you are shooting short distances and really get into the fish where you are shooting often all day and or night, you'll love that 40 lbs.

i think it is a bit light for bowfishing also, but it can be done, just try to shoot for the fleshy part of the fish and not the head or you may get some glancing hits, i personaly dont even like 50 lbs for bowfishing, but thats just me and i aim for the eyes.

[KOOK68]

Plenty enough bow. Only problem you may have is shooting deep water. I know guys that shoot 30lb bows with no problems.

[Scattergun2570]

Originally posted by lpcjon2:
You can kill a deer with 40#'s why not a fish?

Well, I would imagine water slows an arrow quite a bit.

[Coonbait]

Yes water slows an arrow down, but your also shooting a fiberglass arrow that weighs normally over 1000gr. How deep are you planning on shooting fish?
Glenn

[BrianfromTulsa]

I've been shooting a 40lb kodiak at fish for 20 years and have never had a problem.

[LC]

The only problem I see with that weight bow is your using a solid fiberglass shaft with incredible spine. I just find it difficult to get a true flying arrow with that weight myself personally. Now if your shooting longer shots and deeper shots you definately need a shaft hitting the water cleanly! JHMO>

[NIGEL01]

last year was first year I tried bowfishing and I was using a 40# kmag out of a kayak and wasn't having ANY luck.  Can't tell if I'm missing or if it's bouncing off?

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Richard,

I am the one who recommended a heavier bow if you can easily pull it back.  I agree when the action is hot and heavy you will be glad about a lighter weight bow fatigue wise. When fishing is like that you will have a lot of close shots so heavy bows would be a mute point.

I asked the same question 2 years ago and received the same type of responses:

  http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=083962#000000  

I bought a 43 lb recurve and both me and my wife boated fish with it.  That being said, I went to a 50 lb bow because I was getting a lot of pull offs on the longer and deeper shots.  When the bow fishing is slow and the fish are spooky, those may be the only shots you get.

Last year my good buddy Casey went out in Glenbo's Canoe. (Thanks Glen!        ) The weather was cloudy and we had a big thunder shower come through.  On his only real chance he took a shot that was about 15 yards with a 40 lb bow.  I talked him through it and he made a great shot.  It was short lived when the fish pulled off after hitting the weeds.

Same thing happened with my buddy Chris (exact same scenario) with my 43 lb bow and his gargantuan long draw.  Great hit on his would be 1st carp. Pulled off!  the next summer I outfitted him with 45 lbs. the fish was on the surface and he made a great shot but you can see even with the fish on the surface at 10 yards and his 30 inch draw the arrow has minimal penetration:

     

here are some 43 lb bow harvests:

   

     

Can you use lighter bows? sure.  I just think if you can handle the weight 45+ would just be better.  If I only fished the carp spawn I would probably go with a 35 lb bow. The fact is, I am usually fishing when I have time and not necessarily when fishing is Primo.  I like having the little added insurance just in case.

Good luck with what you decide and make sure you post pictures of your fish!

Charlie

[Scattergun2570]

I appreciate the info... I will most likely go with a 45..my neck and back herniations don`t appreciate more than that.

[ericmerg]

not to steal the thread but i bought a 75lb recurve would this be super overkill? ill be making 30 yard shots on some i see 45 lb is a bit light would my 75 be much better?

[papawoody]

40 to 45 pounds is good enuf.  If you really get into fish and fling over a houndred arrows in a night youl be glad you have the lighter poundage.  The only time you will have problems is if your shooting fish over 5 feet deep. The water is what kills the penitration.  [/IMG]

[papawoody]

40# ben pearson.  [/IMG]

[papawoody]

Sorry about the wheelie pick. The kid needed a bow and thats all I had extra.75% of the fish in the last pik, came frome me with the curve.