Bowfishing

[JamesJamison]

I appreciate all the advice and ideas fellas, looking forward to giving it a try soon as the carp come up.

Looks like some of you guys are bowfishing pros.

[Hunter 709]

I went super low tech and cheap. I bought a tape on reel (came with fishing line) and arrow from our local archery shop and taped it on with electrical tape. I think I spent around $40-$50 and it works great.

 

[papawoody]

Ams with the rubber attachment.  My carp bows are designated for shootin fish so they are just cheap recurvs with the reels mounted to the raisers with bolts. I couldn't put my long bow through the abuse of shootin carp     Its almost time for the slaughter fest to begin.     Come on warm weather.

[Pon]

TTT

What else do I need? and consider I need to go extra cheap and also I have never bowfished before nor I know someone who has done it, I just found a place with carps and I'm considering giving it a try.

Do you think this kit would work on a longbow?  http://www.bohning.com/store/bowfishing-kit.html

[bofish-IL]

If you are going to do much bow fishing and really like your bow, I would get a different bow for bowfishing.

I have shot fish over 25 years and nothing is harder on a bow. It will get banged around in the boat, dropped in the water, covered with fish slime and eggs. Stuck in the mud while you are removing fish, if you are wading. If you are really into bowfishing your bow will look like crap after several years.

[Carbonkiller]

talk about fun...BUT sore the next day:)

 

[Carbonkiller]

i bowfish ALOT! whether its wading, bank shooting( like the above pic), or on the boat. i just take a lil extra care with mine. so far the bow still looks new after a wash down. although the riser is metal and the limbs are black glass. no need for using a real nice bow but i know guys that like using their hunting bow but they just fish occassionally...

this is my bow after 2.5 yrs of fishing:)

 

[Pon]

do I need a rest or can I shoot from the shelf?

the arrow needs flecthing?

[Carbonkiller]

shoot off the shelf and no fletching on the arrows, they just get in the way. only reason i use a rest is because mine had a flat shelf and a plunger hole.

[Pon]

Thanks!

[Ottawa Archer]

I loved my PSE Kingfisher! made for bowfishing and easy to shoot all night long.

CarbonKiller - I shoot off the shelf, just put down some felt for smoother shooting and you'll be all set!

[Pon]

So what do you think, can I make this kit work on my longbows?  http://www.bohning.com/store/bowfishing-kit.html


a local shop has it so it would be much quicker than ordering on line

[Stoutstuff]

My brother took me out bowfishing in Michigan last summer. He had an extra PSE take down recurve set up that I used. We were on a boat set up with lights and a trolling motor. It was a blast! I can't wait to do it agan!

[Carbonkiller]

ottawa-yeah i know i could but i had the muzzy fish hook rest laying around...works well during tournaments for fat loading.

pon- that kit will work if you are just gonna fish every once in a while. but if you really become addicted, i would strongly suggest the ams reel! no hassle and when you get into alot of fish you wont be so tired from hand winding the line on a reel. also the bohning arrows arent the best.....your best bet is to buy muzzy arrows

[K. Mogensen]

Ah, bowfishing. The most fun you can have with trad gear IMO. A kit like that bohning one will work, but you may want to just go ahead and get an AMS reel. Definitely worth the dough. You can get some good deals on the older/used ones on fleabay.

Here's my best fish from last year...

30-31 inch common.

 

Bowfishing is the MOST fun you WILL have with a trad bow.

[landman]

Carbonkiller, what kind of snake is that?

[Carbonkiller]

it was a king snake