Bowfishing

[JamesJamison]

Hey guys, I was wondering if anyone does any bowfishing with trad bows, and what type reel or equipment do you use on a longbow without any mounting holes.  

I got my new Thunderstick III in, and have really enjoyed shooting it this last couple of weeks, but thought bowfishing for carp and rough fish would be a fun way to spend the hot summer days, I just don't know what equipment to get for the bow.  Thx, James Jamison.

[Arwin]

I use a Great Northern gadget adapter that straps onto my longbow and the old style spool reels. Sorry for the goofy pic, we were having fun!    
 

[JamesJamison]

Looks like that's what I need, thx.

[CavScoutArcher]

All I use is trad bows for fishing. They work great and their light weight is awesome when doing an all nighter.
I use an ams side mount strap on adaptor on my bows that I don't want to drill and put inserts in. Works pretty good.  I use the ams retriever reels when I'm bowfishing.
 

[T Folts]

I use trad bows with the AMS retriever reel system and they work great. I am currently building a takedow just for fishing, it will be 60"@28 and I think I'm going to send it out to be camo dipped to help protect it in wet conditions. I also plan on using those rubber finger no-gloves so I dont have to have a tab or glove.
T

I use a 3pc takedown for bowfishing. I also use the AMS retriever reel (IMO it is the best bowfishing reel there is). I made a mounting bracket that fits under my limb bolt to mount the reel to.

Bisch

[Wile E. Coyote]

3x for the AMS reel.

[Stumpkiller]

I see more Kodiak Hunters and Grizzlys locally bowfishing than deer hunting by a long shot.

We used to wait for the spring thaw to finish and find carp trapped in isolated pools along the river.  We'd use regular arrows with no line or reel to shoot them.  Wood arrows float fletch up.

[JamesJamison]

Does the moisture harm the bow? If so I need to look for a cheap used bow.

[Stumpkiller]

Even a casual dip shouldn't.  They're well sealed and epoxy impregnated.  If you're worried give it a good rubbing of paste wax before heading out.  

You hunt in the rain, don't you?

[RM81]

This might work for you.

 http://www.3riversarchery.com/Traditional+Gadget+Adapter_i5045_baseitem.html

[Shawn Leonard]

Yup gadget adapter or electrical tape. Never a bad idea to buy a 100 dollar bow 40-50# range for bowfishing either. I use any of my bows, but have an old 56" Grizzly(50#er) that I am using this year and just taping the reel on with electrical tape. The moisture is not an issue as long as ya wipe it dry when it gets wet. Shawn

[CavScoutArcher]

I dunked my kodiak mag(along with everything else) when my canoe flopped on me. Haven't had any problems from it since. They seal them up pretty good, and if you think it might be a problem you could always put an extra top coat of spray urethane or poly over the factory finish.

[Izzy]

Heres something one of my cousins made. If I can get him out from under his new womans thumb, maybe he'll make a couple of spares.Its just some small diameter pvc with a long bolt through it. Used on the GN gadget adapter.

[Izzy]

[CavScoutArcher]

Pretty slick alternative over buying a reel seat. Looks good!

[VTer]

I would get the adapter that CavScoutArcher recommends. It can be used for either the AMS Retriever reel or a spool reel that needs to go in the 5/16" hole in the front. In other words, it has more mounting options than the gadget adapter. That being said I have a dedicated bow for bowfishing and not opposed to putting screws right into the riser.    

[seabass]

i use the same set-up as Arwin.good fishing,steve

i just use a basic setup, works just fine..

[Cyclic-Rivers]

AMS bow reel and an adapter from 3 rivers has worked for me and my wife.

When you get arrows its best to get a slide system for safety. I've had many close calls before they came out with the slide system and before I bought an AMS reel.  A lot of them could have been avoided by paying more attention but when action is hot and heavy sometimes you forget.