Starting Bowfishing: Recurve or Compound ?

[bonefish]

I want to try bowfishing this summer, and I was curious what types of bows are prefered. My initial perception would be that the ability to "snap shoot" gives a recurve a speed advantage, but a compound might be a better bow to start so I can get the process of aiming with water refraction nailed down. Any thoughts?

[Ralph Wiggum]

Go with whatever you can find. I shoot a compund but that is just because that's what I found. I would have gone with a recurve if one had become available.

[glenn57]

ive done both and prefer the compound. i also use a reel setup for the string and arrow. you can retrieve faster that rapping the line.

[Ralph Wiggum]

Yeah, I have the AMS retriever on mine and it is the bee's knees!

I will try to post a few pictures of my set-up this week. I'm excited to have a forum that we can share bowfishing tips, tricks, successes, and photos!

[carpshooter]

If you use a recurve make sure it is at least 45#. the Oneidas, Browning Barracuda and AMS Fish Hawk are coumpound bows made for bowfishing, with the abillity to snapshoot like a recurve. I shoot oneidas.

[Neighbor_guy]

I definately prefer the recurve, and I have used both. You will find that in time the sights on a compound are fairly useless.

I do have all of mine set up for a retreaver as well.

[bimbo]

compound is the way to go...

[sticknstring]

I use an old XI compound... works great. NO sight - just shoot instinctively like a recurve... but with a letoff!

[Ralph Wiggum]

I don't have any sights on my compound. Just point and shoot!

[carpshooter]

95% who bowfish don't use sights. or a release for that matter, mostly just the newbies

[HUNTFISH69]

I have an old Miles Keller bow i use for bowfishing and the first thing i did was take the sight off, instinctive shooting makes it more fun! Plus on the compound bows you get let off which is very nice especially after a long day of shooting. As far as releases go i find them helpful because it saves your fingers and prevents string spin which throws your shot off.

[bimbo]

i use an old release and an older compound bow no sights needed.

[carpshooter]

put some No Glov on your bow, then you can shoot all day without a release.

[HUNTFISH69]

I'd rather shoot with a relese, i guess i've just gotten used to it between bow hunting and target shootting, plus i've been bowfishing with a release for the last 3 solid years and i like them.

[ol'popsy]

No dout the compound and release combo is the way to go

[bimbo]

yes, but whats the No Glov? i really am used to shooting wiht the realease but when im walkin in the mississippi i sometimes have to reach into the water fast and grab the carp and my realease stops working so iam just wondering about that no glov?

[carpshooter]

No Glovs are a rubber finger grip that your bow string fits through. they cost around $4. they are not hard to install, just a couple of needle nose pliers and a paper clip

[Scott M]

I've got a retriever kit on my birthday list...I may have to make room to try this out, I know some pretty good places to give it a whirl. I've got the bow and the release. What's another $150?

[Morneau132]

Sounds awesome. I still haven't found a good way to reel with my release on.

[carpshooter]

exactly, the release gets in the way if you shoot with a retreiver. A spinner would be easyer. Ive thought about useing a release with a hunting bow set up at 80# for really deep shots at buffalo.

[bimbo]

hhm well i guess ill have to look into that!

[Pooh]

old compound gets my vote. didnt like the recurve, but recurves are nice to hold onto all day with less arm fatigue. i think its what u get used to. also a vote from me on the no glov. of me and 5 buddies only 2 dont use the no glovs