Bowfishing Line

[Jerry Gille]

I've been using braided dacron (I think) on my bowfishing hand reel.  That stuff is terribly expensive.  But, some of the newer stuff I've used over the years holds up better than the old braided nylon I used to use - like when the line is passing through gar.  The stuff I used 35 years ago would get cut by gar scales and this doesn't seem to happen so much with the newer material.  But this stuff is terribly expensive and I can't help but feel like I am getting ripped off royally if I buy 100 feet of line for $20 or more.

So what suggestions might you have for a tight wad who doesn't want his line to break? 

[ozy clint]

You can get 150 yard spools of cortland IGFA dacron for US$30.

Do a google search for IGFA dacron and you'll find tons of options

[Ryan Rothhaar]

Hi Jerry, are you sure you aren’t using Kevlar? The stuff sold as bow fishing string is often the same as “high performance kite line”…. Yeah I guess there is a hobby for everyone….look on Amazon at Kevlar kite string and see if it looks like your stuff. I don’t think Dacron would be abrasion resistant like you are talking….

R

[Mad Bear]

If you’re really going low tech, low budget you can use electricians pull line. Ive used it before, works fine and comes off a reel. I am sure you could find it somewhere. Comes in a pail. I am a sparky so I grabbed some leftover that was getting tossed.

[Jerry Gille]

I think you might be on to something there Ryan.  That looks like what I have for sure.  That stuff will cut your hand quickly when the fish runs if you are not careful. 

Thanks for the responses here gentlemen.  I appreciate it.

[Kirkll]

You should be able to get high grade braided fishing line for a lot cheaper than $20 bucks for a 100’ in any sporting goods shop that sells fishing gear. If you bring in your own spool some shops will sell it by the yard even cheaper…

[Bowguy67]

I use some old levalor blind line I got years ago. Still have some left. Tiny bit heavy but I shoot close. I have no idea what the electrician uses. I’m also an electrician and we use poly for initial pulls which is def not recommend as it frays too easy plus sometimes gets sets (curls) or mule tape which I’d also not recommend as it’s flat and expensive