BOWFISHING SETUP?

Cubby

WKR
Joined
Jun 21, 2019
Messages
338
I'm wanting to get into bowfishing the rivers around the town I live in but don't want to make one of my hunting bows into a bowfishing rig so looking to buy a package setup, my question is what are others using that working good and won't break the bank? Also I'm left handed so that might limit my selection some. Any help would be great
 

Beendare

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May 6, 2014
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Corripe cervisiam
I had an old Mathews MQ1 I used for years…then I went to a dedicated fish bow and a recurve.

The dedicated fish bows are fantastic. I didn’t think it would be a big deal, but the lower letoff makes a big difference in smooth and quick ‘draw and shoot’. These don’t have the big rollover of modern hunt compounds.

I prefer the Muzzy reels over the bottles. The reels help with bigger than avg fish (10# plus) especially when they want to dive down into the weeds- more leverage. It is a good idea to have an extra pickup pin for the reel if you aren’t used to using them.
 
Joined
Jun 30, 2015
Messages
362
Location
Ohio
For easy cheap fun the bottles are easy to use and work fine. Get a cheap recurve, some arrows and have fun. Seriously, dont overthink it.

I had a big boat with a custom platform and lights, generator, invertors, osprey bow, etc. Lots of fun was had with that rig.
 

WoodBow

WKR
Joined
Jul 21, 2015
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1,884
Cheap used recurve around 45-55 lbs and an ams reel. You will need a strap on bracket for the reel if the bow does not have threaded inserts. Most don't.
 

MattB

WKR
Joined
Sep 29, 2012
Messages
5,743
If you can find an old, long ATA, low let-off bow on EBay, that could be your best bet. A friend who used to run one of the largest archery shops in AZ turned me into that formula and I am glad he did. Having some let-off is great for holding on cruising fish that are approaching the boat, but it also makes for better snap shooting than high let-off bows.

I really like my AMS retriever, but as above you will find opinions on both sides of the retriever/reel debate.
 
Joined
Sep 18, 2021
Messages
60
A lot of the really old compounds with smaller cams can be found cheap and do well for bowfishing. Nothing wrong with a recurve either. I’m a big fan of AMS retrievers, avoid Cajun reels.
 
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Aug 20, 2019
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Wheels

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Joined
Sep 22, 2016
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1,275
Location
Missouri
Where are you located? I’ve got a lefty Mission Craze bow fishing set up that I no longer use that I’d make you a good deal on. Not really wanting to ship it though.
 
OP
Cubby

Cubby

WKR
Joined
Jun 21, 2019
Messages
338
Where are you located? I’ve got a lefty Mission Craze bow fishing set up that I no longer use that I’d make you a good deal on. Not really wanting to ship it though.
Dang I'm in MT
 

JB.USMC

FNG
Joined
Sep 17, 2023
Messages
58
Location
MI
I used old hand me down compound bows with an ams reel for a while. adjusted the weight to 40-50#. I just broke my current rig (old bear compound with ams reel). The spawn is on here in MI and I needed a rig that wouldnt break the bank. So i ordered the cheapest possible set up I could find. A $50 recurve from top archery, and a $35 reel on amazon. Bows coming straight from china so still waiting on it but I can update you once it comes in and I can shoot a few arrows at fish if you would like.

- Yes I am well aweare this bow and TopArchery are the Bottom of the barrel. and it will probally show up in more pieces than it was shipped lol. For 85 bucks I had to take a chance!
 
Joined
Feb 7, 2017
Messages
1,127
Location
NC
I ordered a used setup from EBay yesterday. Old PSE, AMS reel, and a few fiberglass arrows. Ready to rock!
 
OP
Cubby

Cubby

WKR
Joined
Jun 21, 2019
Messages
338
I've been watching ebay but being left handed is a draw back. A appreciate all the replies so far!
 
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