Bowfishing Reel or Spool

[cloudbaseracer]

Do the spool type line holders require one the put the bow down and pull the line in hand over hand?

What do you guys use for bowfishing and why?

Thanks,
James

[dhaverstick]

There are a couple of newer spool type line holders that have a handle on the front to use to reel the line in. They are still a pain in the backside to use as compared to a AMS reel or conventional spinning reel.

I like the AMS reel just because I don't have to worry about my line getting stuck in the reel. I think the bowfishing community is pretty much split even on AMS reels vs spinning reels like the Zebco 808, Zebco 888, Shakespeare TI20 or Muzzy reel.

My two cents,

Darren

[shag08]

I have an AMS reel and a Zebco. Both have advantages and disadvantages.

The Zebco does get the occasional tangle inside the reel which causes the shot to fall short.

I prefer the AMS myself. I've never had a tangle and a missed shot retrieval is just as fast as the Zebco....and it is kinda fun pulling the fish in by hand.

[LBR]

AMS hands-down.  Tried several others-won't bother with them again.  The AMS gives the least resistance on the shot--I've popped the line on every other type because they hung up.  Best case scenario, you miss a fish.  Worse than that, you can loose an arrow.

[Bobby Urban]

Ford/Chevy with regard to AMS Vs. Fishing reel.  You are talking a moped with blown motor with the spool.

Like mentioned above it is probably a 50/50 split for the big 2 and I prefer the reel for the gear ratio retrieve.  AMS is 1:1 and slow but beyond that there is little difference.  

If you go with a reel I like 200lb Fast Flight or equivalent and I spray liberal amounts of spray silicone inside the reel through the line out hole before fishing.  Make the line come out like a free flowing can(AMS) and you still get the gear ratio retrieve.  

Both are great

To answer the original question - YES - you shoot and pull in the fish hand over hand with a spool

[cloudbaseracer]

Bobby,

Thanks for that.  I guess I wonder if you are to put the bow down when hand over hand or do you wind it on the spool with one hand while holding the bow in the other?

Thanks,
James

[Bobby Urban]

James - it truly depends on the fish.  Many you can just hold the bow and wind er up - but the ones you really want require two hands!!

I use a beater bow for bow fishing because no matter what reel system you use they are going to take some abuse.  Not that you can't be careful and take it easy but often the action gets fast and furious - especially during the rut - so you may be setting your bow down in water, fish slime, banging on an aluminum boat, etc.

[cahaba]

I like this one.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVXfcX3mml8&list=FL39Lixj57JNCpcG4G5zlPyg