Interested in getting into bow fishing

[stmichael]

I was wondering if there is anything special I need to get for my bow, or better yet if I need to get a different bow other than one used for deer hunting. I was going to ask my nearest GM "bow specialist" but my confidence in them has well lets just say... dwindled. I have a PSE Firestorm Lite. Is there anything I have to adjust if I buy the kit? I was thinking about heading to Capra's and asking them, but, they also seem to be on the high side of pricing. I do not need the best out there, just the minimum to shoot some Carp, and, get them back to the boat/shore.

Any and all help is appreciated.

[Browningbolt]

Last year i started bowfishing, i bought a cheep spool for about 20$ that screws into the stableizer hole. This year i up graded to an AMS Reel that screws into the sight hole. That was about 65$. I use my deer hunting bow that is set at 55 lbs. It would be nice to get a special bow for bowfishing with a little less pull back weight. (if you miss with high poundge your arrow tends to get stuck a little in the weeds, it just takes more effort to get the arrow out) but i am too cheep the buy a new bow. Have fun with the bowfishing at has become very addictive for me, especially now since i am at school at South dakota)

I agree with you about gander mountain, it is hit of miss with the archery dept, last guy that helped my set up new arrows for deer hunting i belive was hitlers brother, what a (Contact Us Please)!

[stmichael]

Thanks for the info!

I do not plan on missing though... LOL!

[mnheadshot]

You maybe want to change your mind about missing cuz' it's going to happen! Anyway, go on hsolist and pick yourself up a cheap moderate poundage bow and set it up with a retriever reel. It's a lot easier to get a seperate bow so you don't have to take everything off your hunting bow to target practice.

[trailratedtj]

got a bow off hsolist already setup for bow fishing for $60. all it needed was a roller rest. id say check out hsolist and leave the deer bow alone.

[Ralph Wiggum]

I've got an old 30lb compund that fits the bill perfectly. Light draw weight is a key so you can shoot more. I'd recommend the AMS retriever reel, too. Makes quick work of getting your arrow back.

You'll definintely want to have a different bow than your deer bow or you will have to spend a lot of time re-setting it up. Plus your nice bow will get full of mud, blood, sand, and carp eggs.

[winter_grizz]

i would try to get a recurve off hsolist or sometimes like at yard sales. recurves are in my opinion the best for just shooting in little streams or in shallow water, but if your thinking of shooting them in deep water i would want at least 50lbs on a compound if not more. but for the retrever setup you cant go wrong with the ams bottle reel. (i put muzzy fast flight in mine for when i shoot a recurve) saves time and the things wont break.

[frabillfisher]

No only does it get dirty...its really hard on it..i would not recomend using ur good bow for bowfishing..i did and really regeret by the end of the season my string was shot and i couldnt get a group with it at all...so go to a pawn shop and pick up a used bow

[poutpro]

I agree not to use your deer bow. Get a cheap one at a pawn shop. Also, I like to just shoot it with no rest at all so there is nothing for the string to tangle on. Here are a few pics from last year

[winter_grizz]

hey Poutpro thats a nice gar. do you go out of state to get them ? havent shot them ever and think that they would be a fun fish to wack!

[sparcebag]

Griz The Vermillion river is good also the bridge by Treasure island casino,on prairie island.For Gar.

[poutpro]

I shoot them instate in a few different lakes. Biggest I have seen shot was 5 ft. That one was only around 4 ft.