best bowfishing sey-up??

[archer23]

I was wondering what you guys use for your set-up? I tried the whole plastic bottle rig and it was a disaster?

[OconeeDan]

I don't know what you mean by the plastic bottle, but I have an AMS retriever, it works great.  Worth the money.  And use their slider system.  
Dan

[ToddinBR]

I have 5 AMS retrievers and 2 808s. It really depends what you are shooting though. The AMS are great for someone new or that doesn't shoot tournaments. The 808's are alot faster. Though the break alot. I keep an extra 808 to swap out at night. I use the 808's on my bow. I guide and shoot alot of tournaments. I use 200 or 400 lbs fastflight on all of them.  I shoot Fiberglass arrow w/ shure shot penetators with AmS ring slides. The 808's have killed retrieved everything from Redfish to 6 1/2 foot gar.  AMS retreivers are nobrainer and never break! Buy the non slotted retreiver I have never needed a float even on 6 foot gar. Also buy NoGloves for your string.

hope this helps
Todd

[gatorgar]

I agree with the Toddings setup however I prefer the Muzzy heads.  I have shoot thru hundreds of monster gar with them even with lightweight bows, 35#.  AMS retriever is my choice in reels because you never forget to push the button, just make sure to get your line wet as soon as you hit the water.  That'll help it slide better and also makes sure your line did not tangle during transport, major problem with me.
Todd, I take it you fish LA?

Alex

[TRADITIONAL ONLY]

AMS all the way! like mentioned before, no briner! personally i think its faster in the long run. i reel in 65 pound grass carp with them and you can fight a fish with them a whole hell of alot better than a 808!

i use a 50 pound PSE Kingfisher with no glovs on the string sting a ree replacable tip points or muzzy stingrays, perfer the sting a rees though...
i line em up with 200# line and were set!

[draco]

Zebco 808 or 888,Muzzy points,130 pd. line,bowline loop thru hole in back of arrow. Won 44 bowfishing contests with this setup.David Smith,Lloyd Nutt,P.A. Lakey have all killed gar to 9 ft. with this setup.

[dorris]

AMS reel muzzy points best set up there is .

[owlbait]

Listen to ToddinBR he knows what he's talking about, although I wouldn't use 808's in a tournament unless my AMS broke. The Sureshot penetrator points are strong and hold fish well. I use to always tie to the back of the arrow and had no accidents but now I use the safety slides exclusively.

[ToddinBR]

The AMS retriever versus The 808 debate, Is much Like the What is Traditional threads.  I have never had an AMS break, anyone can use them and there is almost no maintence. The 808 does break, You have to remember to push the button and you have to take care of them.

But........  I started shooting an 808 because I can Shoot, Retrieve, Shoot, Retrieve and sometimes shoot again in the time it takes to shoot and retrieve once with an AMS retriever. Now that might not sound like a big deal for most people but if you miss your first shot you got a much better chance of getting off a second shot!

I use the Shureshot Penetrators with Muzzy carp points. They are very similar to muzzys except it is easier to get fish off. My Friend Gregg shoots 4 prong Stingers and swears by them .

Good luck

[ToddinBR]

one other thing if you do go with an 808 don't waste you time with the Reel seats that mount in the stabilzer hole. you will curse it every trip. Spend the extra moneyand buy the Fuzz mount. It is an bracket that mount in your quiver/sight inserts, so your reel sits in same place as an AMS.  I wouldn't shoot with a spincast without it.