Bow fishing setups

[Sockrsblur]

Hi Guys! I'm excited about bow fishing this spring. I planned to dedicate a 55lb one piece recurve just to my setup so my hunting bow doesn't take the abuse that seems to get dished out.I've been looking at 3rivers gear and wonder what input some of you experienced shooters might have. What you like and don't. Pictures of gear, especially reel attachment would be really appreciated.

I was leaning towards the AMS Retriever Reel. Is the rubber strap adapter stable enough or is it worth the time to add sight bushings into the riser and attach the reel more solidly?

Shoot off the shelf or add a roller rest, guide type rest?

I thought the finger-saver type foam on the string would eliminate the need for a glove. The safty slides seem smart, didn't have those 20 years ago when we did play with carp a little.

Thanks for the input and any photos of gear attachment to your bows, I look forward to hearing from you! Jim

[macbow]

I'm sort of old school when bowfishing. I like the Zebco  style reels but mounted on the side.
The reason for the,reel is I like having the drag for retrieval. Also I can get the arrow retrieved much faster for another shot.
Only tried the AMS once. I shoot in a lot of trees. On big fish by the time I could get my hands on the line there was a lot of it out of the bottle and the fish had it wrapped around the trees.

For open water shooting and especially smaller fish the bottle is smoother for longer shots .
Most of the tournament guys used the Zebco style.

[macbow]

Also if dedicating it to bow fishing I'd opt for the inserts.
With either type reel.

[wooddamon1]

I just started last summer with a Zebco 808 (classifieds) that screws in the existing bushing on an old Bear Grizzly. I picked up the arrow and quiver locally. The safety slides are a must have. I remember shooting a fishing rig just for giggles a few years ago with the arrow tied in the rear, dang near shot myself nock-first when it came zipping back at me, that rig had a roller rest on it.

   

   

[Fishburglar]

uhh i am dyingg to go bowfishing!! i might have to make a trip down from NY sometime.

[Mark Zagrzebski]

I have the strap on adapter and AMS retriever reel you are referring to.  The mount is solid and works great.  Definately get the arrows with the slides.  Also, I would recommend the 3 blade grapple point.

[Cyclic-Rivers]

I use the strap on adapter with an AMS reel.  Good set up.  If you want to put holes in the riser, that will work.  I use the adapter for other things though, so its handy to have.

I prefer the AMS reel over everything else because when I get excited I shoot arrows off by accident otherwise.

Definitely use the slide. I shoot off the shelf, It works plenty fine! Have a great time.

 

 

 

 

Here is another option.

 

[Sockrsblur]

thanks guys, great photos and info! That really helps. Those big old carp are in trouble!

[Skipmaster1]

I have both the AMS and a regular "tub" style spool. I prefer the tub. Where I hunt there are a lot of weeds and algae. I can strip off all the goop as I reel it in. With the AMS they just get gummed up in the bottle

[Medic85]

I taped a coffee can to my mamba this past year but I'll be upgrading to either a Zebco or an AMS.  I shoot off the shelf of my mamba and didnt have any problems.  The finger savers are good if you dont want to get your shooting glove wet.  Also the safety slides are a must.  Much more convenient and safe.

[kat]

In the classifieds now.

i prefer the spool type myself....a little video.
 

and another video....cant wait for the lazy days on the river..
 

[Jerry Russell]

I really like Muzzy and AMS retriever reels. I use the pro series for fish and the big game model for our gator hunters and for big sharks. Here is a little fishing video to get you guys pumped up for spring!

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=KKyJ0mCHQeE  

And a little gator bowfishing for the hard core crowd.

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=uxNSMCb02J8

[ddauler]

 
 
 
 
I have been using Zebco 808's for years with 300#  FF bowfishing line. The ones from Walmart. I never use the slide rigs on the arrows just put a loop in the end of the line stick it through the hole in arrow flip over nock and go. Use to shoot 200 plus carp a night. Now I just go during the day when spawning use canoe and wade. The night thing is fun for a while but finally gets old especially if you don't like staying out all night. The canoe is more traditional and saves gas! I use tape on reels if I want to use selfbow or longbow.

[K. Mogensen]

Ah bowfishing! Thinking of it right now with snow on the ground makes me anxious.

I use the AMS and have nothing too bad to say about it. Gotta be careful sometimes reeling in, as the line can get caught between the roller and the side of the reel, but not a biggie unless reeling in like a madman.

Muzzy put out a spinner type reel (like the Zebco) that was supposed to be pretty nice, that I wouldn't mind trying some day.

[kestimator]

Man!!!  Those gar make me hungry!!!

I'll probably do a similar set-up again this year....plus will try to get arrows going straight out of heavier limbs for some bigger gar/carp....

I hunted with "Fred" an A-Mag riser with 43# limbs this past year.  Worked good...but there were times where a little more "zip" would have sealed the deal....LOL!!!
 

[Sockrsblur]

great stuff guys, thanks

[ishoot4thrills]

I have both the AMS Retriever and a Zebco 808. Both are great but I prefer the Zebco 808 because I like the ability to reel the fish in and it's also faster on second shots. I bowfish with a Browning Wasp, 51#@28" and I use an AMS strap-on adapter to attach the reel to the bow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Lucas K]

Do you shoot from that bridge? looks like a long way down.