Bowfishing Problem

[HarleyK50]

In the last week of bowfishing I have had 4 well hit fish come off my arrow while retrieving them. Does anyone have any tips to prevent this problem, as it is very frustrating.

Thanks in advance

[Morneau132]

What arrow and tip are you shooting? Add a pic if u can

[HarleyK50]

sorry I do not have a pic but it is an ams tournament arrow that came with the kit at cabelas.

[Rock Finder]

This may seem like a dumb question, but do you have the tip turned the right direction so the barbs lock into place?

[broken_line]

bend the barbs out then make sure the tip is tightened. crank your draw weight up so it for sure passed thru..

[stretch]

I know what arrow and tip you have. More than likely you are not getting enough penetration. With that set up you need full pass through to make the barbs work. You can do two things, either turn up the poundage so you can get a good pass though or go and get yourself a muzzy arrow with there standard carp tip on it. You shouldn't have a problem then.

I wouldn't turn your poundage up if you are shooting shallow areas cause you will blow up a arrow or get it stuck in the bottom.

[HarleyK50]

I will look into the muzzy tip. I do know one of the fish had full penetration, as the the nock was almost went all the way through, but the fish swam away when I started pulling, and I was able to fight him for a few seconds then poof he was off.

As far as the other three all I know is there was contact because i was able to fight them for a very short time.

Thanks guys any other suggestions are appreciated

[broken_line]

how far are you taking your shots?? what kinda reel? i keep all of mine under 5 yards, i am pulling 70lbs havent had a single fish outa roughly 100 this year come off yet.. the muzzy tips that can accept broad heads are the best!

[HarleyK50]

I shoot about 3 to 15 yds and I really don't know how many pounds I am shooting. I have an ams pro retreiver.

[terrible_fisherman]

15 yards is a a long way. If I shoot much more then 5 to 7 yards I loose a lot of penetration especially on bigger fish or in deeper water.

You might want to try the alum. fishing arrows. I bought one at archery Country in Saint Cloud and have been really impressed with it. Seems to get better penetration on longer shots and you can crank your lbs up more with them versus graphite.

[BuckKiller]

maybe you need to sharpen your arrow

[Morneau132]

i am pulling 70lbs havent had a single fish outa roughly 100 this year come off yet..

That's way overkill on the draw weight!

[Doop]

Welcome to bowfishing....it's part of the game in my experience.

I use muzzys....70 pounds on my mathews and still have the arrow pull out when retrieving.

A lot of it depends on water depth too. The deeper the water...the less penetration you'll get...even with muzzy's.

[Ralph Wiggum]

I have problems wtih pull-outs in weedy conditions. Frustrating as heck!