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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: coaster500 on February 24, 2010, 09:07:00 PM

Title: Bow Fishing set up
Post by: coaster500 on February 24, 2010, 09:07:00 PM
I know it's a long way to a warmer day but I would like to see some of your bow fishing set ups.

My daughter still lives on Clearlake and it has a huge karp population. I hope to try it from a Kayak this year but I need to set a bow up.
Title: Re: Bow Fishing set up
Post by: Big_Al on February 24, 2010, 09:18:00 PM
Get an AMS Retriever and a set of Safety Slides, for me they're mandatory equipment - especially the safety slides.  I've been bowfishing for 19 years and I wouldn't trade my oldRetriever for anything.  I'd say it's 18 years old by now and still going strong.
Title: Re: Bow Fishing set up
Post by: coaster500 on February 24, 2010, 09:45:00 PM
Big_Al, What bow do you use and how did you attach the AMS to your bow.

Thanks
Title: Re: Bow Fishing set up
Post by: KentuckyTJ on February 24, 2010, 09:56:00 PM
Maybe this will help Kip.

 (http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa121/kyTJ/Bows/P2240002.jpg)
Title: Re: Bow Fishing set up
Post by: knd2970 on February 24, 2010, 10:04:00 PM
Here is a pic of my sons set up and mine. On his I used Riser inserts ( I regret it now). In the pic of mine I used the ams trad mount. Works great on my Bear Super Mag
 (http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n21/knd2970/DSC00174.jpg)

 (http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n21/knd2970/DSC00178.jpg)
Title: Re: Bow Fishing set up
Post by: coaster500 on February 24, 2010, 11:01:00 PM
I like the idea of not drilling. That ams trad mount is slick.

knd2970, that looks like a pretty good day of fishing !!


Thanks guys

Kip
Title: Re: Bow Fishing set up
Post by: Paul Mattson on February 24, 2010, 11:23:00 PM
I have a AMS on a PSE Yote.  The bow has all the hole pre-drilled.  I also use a roller rest, the only down side it is slightly on the heavy side.
Title: Re: Bow Fishing set up
Post by: Jerry Wald on February 24, 2010, 11:38:00 PM
Keep it coming guys - some link to videos - Looks like I will be doing this in florida and texas.

Gotta see what I am getting into.

JB
Title: Re: Bow Fishing set up
Post by: **DONOTDELETE** on February 24, 2010, 11:39:00 PM
I need to get the AMS. I just have the hand reel that came with my PSE Kingfisher bowfishing kit.

 (http://images.cabelas.com/is/image/cabelas/s7_416826_imageset_01?$main-Large$)
Title: Re: Bow Fishing set up
Post by: coaster500 on February 24, 2010, 11:39:00 PM
I really like the ams trad mount as I can use one of the longbows I all ready own. I just don't know how well they will work from a Kayak. I am going to have to really cant the bow alot. You sit real low to the water. I have never tried to shoot a bow from one.
Title: Re: Bow Fishing set up
Post by: Jerry Wald on February 24, 2010, 11:42:00 PM
Hey Ryan nice halibut maaaaaannnthat would be tough with a bow - pretty deep water bud.

tee hee
Title: Re: Bow Fishing set up
Post by: coaster500 on February 24, 2010, 11:45:00 PM
hey Jerry, it's tough enough with a rod and reel  :)
Title: Re: Bow Fishing set up
Post by: coaster500 on February 24, 2010, 11:47:00 PM
Sal, does that open face reel get tangled easy?
Title: Re: Bow Fishing set up
Post by: knd2970 on February 25, 2010, 12:58:00 AM
Just to for-warn you if you use your longbow, make sure it is a bow that you don't care if it gets scratched or dropped in the water...It will happen
Title: Re: Bow Fishing set up
Post by: **DONOTDELETE** on February 25, 2010, 01:23:00 AM
I haven't used it yet. I know others that have used them and never heard anything bad. if You reel it to tight I would think it would get tangled. The paper work did say that you should first get the string wet, then reel it up. I'll be using it to see how it works this week end So I'll let you know.
Title: Re: Bow Fishing set up
Post by: coaster500 on February 25, 2010, 02:10:00 AM
Thanks Sal
Title: Re: Bow Fishing set up
Post by: Jerry Wald on February 26, 2010, 12:10:00 AM
Hey Ryan if you got one of those big alaskan halibuts you may need a bigger boat bud  :bigsmyl:  

There are some brutes up here. i think you could bowfish the flounders here though. they are only in about 3-6 feet of water.

Put you would need to be in a boat (like you said) that was higher so the angle would be better.

JB
Title: Re: Bow Fishing set up
Post by: **DONOTDELETE** on February 26, 2010, 12:41:00 AM
Ryan,
the reel worked just fine. I had no problems.
Title: Re: Bow Fishing set up
Post by: owlbait on February 26, 2010, 06:54:00 AM
(http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa7/owlbait/img_0181.jpg)
Carp Vader from Jim Belcher. Wave Roller rest. Bow and set-up worked great last year, especially at the Great Lakes Bowfishing Championship.
Title: Re: Bow Fishing set up
Post by: ozy clint on February 26, 2010, 07:07:00 AM
i've done some heavy customising and come up with a big game fishing setup. for sharks i use a garpoon point on a solid glass shaft. i've made an adapter on the point to accept a glue on broad head.
  (http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd349/ozyclint/DSCF0903.jpg)

i use a homemade cable slide system so if this happens i'm still connected to whatever broke it.
 (http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd349/ozyclint/DSCF3024.jpg)

on the bow i have a homemade bracket to attach a handline. i incorporated a snap on air fitting for quick detach if needed.

for normal bowfishing i just use the handline setup with IGFA 130# dacron trolling line and AMS slides on the arrow.

for sharks i use just 20 yards of the 130# line to shoot with. the back end of this is tied to my game rod which sits in my gimbal belt while shooting with the drag set light. after the shot i just let them take the line off the spool on the bow, take up pressure on the rod, engage the drag fully and hang on!

works a treat! 8'2" tiger shark
 (http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd349/ozyclint/8foottigershark.jpg)

7' 3 3/4" hammerhead
 (http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd349/ozyclint/7foot3and3quarterinchhammerheadshar.jpg)

i have used a spincast reel for fish also but i sold it after getting tired of losing arrows because of forgetting to push the button.
Title: Re: Bow Fishing set up
Post by: KentuckyTJ on February 26, 2010, 07:53:00 AM
Now that's too cool Ozy.
Title: Re: Bow Fishing set up
Post by: oneeye on February 26, 2010, 08:01:00 AM
Wow Ozy!!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: Bow Fishing set up
Post by: Chris Shelton on February 26, 2010, 12:02:00 PM
cant top the shark, lol.  But I have not seen my set up posted yet, and I dont actually have a picture of just my set up, however in this photo you can see it
  (http://i959.photobucket.com/albums/ae73/Guitararcher/FILE0134.jpg)
it is a rhino reel(didnt want to buy a zebco, and didnt have one), and a trad reel aluminum holder.  Works great, I dont use braided bowfishing line, just 50 pound mono.  But I am going to switch to probably 100 pound braided regular fishing line because of its pure strength.  You would be suprised the tourcher that mono can handle, I have had the stinkin reel jam in mid flight once, and the line will just stretch vs the bowfishing line that snaps sometimes.  I want a AMS bad though . . .

the glasses are my most important tool  :cool:  without them I can not see nearly as well.  They are not traditional but the polorized sunglass most definatly cut down on glare
Title: Re: Bow Fishing set up
Post by: Chris Shelton on February 26, 2010, 12:04:00 PM
p.s I think my carp could eat that shark  :knothead:
Title: Re: Bow Fishing set up
Post by: Jerry Jeffer on February 26, 2010, 12:13:00 PM
Recurve + Bear reel + fishing arrow with slide set up from 3 rivers + nice day = CARP!!!!

 (http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f196/jjeffer/carpbow03.jpg)
Title: Re: Bow Fishing set up
Post by: frank bullitt on February 26, 2010, 12:55:00 PM
Yeah, can't wait for the weather to warm and the suckers to run!

That's the neat thing about bowfishing, you can go simple or as elaborate as you want. I have a Bear tape-on, my first, AMS, and a Zebco 88, all work good.

If your into spawning carp, the AMS gets the nod! Quick shots and retrieves, makes this reel superior. Also, if shootin in deep water, or a light poundage bow, the AMS has the least drag and will let you shoot pretty true.

Even a coffe can or 20 oz pop bottle can be used.
My best advice, is put the money in a good arrow set-up, slide or cable, and good pair of Polarized glasses!
Title: Re: Bow Fishing set up
Post by: Hawkeye on February 26, 2010, 03:03:00 PM
I see that AMS has two models.  What's the difference between the Standard and Pro versions??

Daryl
Title: Re: Bow Fishing set up
Post by: Chris Shelton on February 26, 2010, 03:14:00 PM
I was wondering that myself . . .
Title: Re: Bow Fishing set up
Post by: Cyclic-Rivers on February 26, 2010, 07:42:00 PM
I highly recommend the AMS reels. I started using an old tape on model and then a screw in bear model.  I used to shoot off 1-5 arrows an outing. Those were the cheap 4.00 arrows and for a kid got expensive fast. The wind would blow and tangle teh line behind the reel. Even if you were careful you would still have problems. I think the slide systems nowdays may help with that problem.

I saved my money bought an AMS and have never shot an arrow off.  I have taken thousands of shots and never had the string hang up. I like not having to worry about snap back as much anymore.

The arrow I have shot over the past 10 years has a cable down the side. But I think I am going to get one with a slide instead. Just seems safer.

Oh yeah I get more shots from the AMS because it is fast slick and efficient.  I had one piece break on mine and I just ordered a replacement part from the Factory in WI. Since i lived close by I had it within a couple days.

Spend the 100 bucks on proper equipment, it'll last forever unless you shoot a shark. LOL!
Title: Re: Bow Fishing set up
Post by: Guru on February 26, 2010, 07:57:00 PM
AMS Retriever with the strap-on adapter, on a 52# 58" Grizzly...very easy to change bows this way if you want to...

 (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/bowfishing/7-6-08004.jpg)

 (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/bowfishing/7-6-08031.jpg)

 (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/bowfishing/muzzyprepbfishin010.jpg)

 (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/bowfishing/muzzyprepbfishin015.jpg)

 (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/bowfishing/Cades1stcamp060.jpg)

On Miss Faith Black Mountain....
 (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/bowfishing/P1040564.jpg)

 (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/bowfishing/P1040567.jpg)
Title: Re: Bow Fishing set up
Post by: coaster500 on February 27, 2010, 11:57:00 AM
Holly!!@*&^%&^ ozy clint, I don't think I could wrestle one of those giants into my kayak!! I live in what called blood alley on the coast of California. If you come and visit I think I can put you on a Great White  :)   I’ll watch from the beach  :)

I played with a couple of my spinning reels with some spectra, but they hung up a couple of times. That's not a good thing with an arrow on the other end  :(

I think I'm going to order the "AMS Retriever with the strap-on adapter"....I looked in town for an inexpensive open face but could not find one,,,,Soooooo, it's only money  :(
Title: Re: Bow Fishing set up
Post by: Cyclic-Rivers on February 27, 2010, 12:28:00 PM
Kip, Its only money but, these things last forever plus you loose less equipment.

I have had to cut fishing days short because my friends have lost all their arrows and all my "spare" arrows as well.  Since they couldn't manage to pull back my bow and they were getting bored I usually upsettingly left the water on perfect days to appease them.  Its frustrating.  

Spend the money, it'll come back to you ten fold in many ways you couldn't even think of.

   :thumbsup:   best of Luck!
Title: Re: Bow Fishing set up
Post by: robtattoo on February 27, 2010, 12:59:00 PM
Here's my rig.....Zebco 888 spooled with Muzzy 150# Tournament line, fitted to my Morrison ILF.
I shoot the Innerlock 3-barb grapple arrows.

 (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y110/robtattoo/Ribs001.jpg)

I switched to a Zebco 888 last year after having endless trouble with the AMS I'd had for a few years. The handle jammed up, then the rubber wheel somehow became offset (???) finally it stopped spooling line into the bottle, it just dumped it all in a big tangle by my feet. I replaced parts, adjusted, cleaned & lubed everything & nothing short of full replacement would fix the durned thing.
Since going to the Zebco, I've also stopped using the safety slides. Having the line attatched directly to the back of the arrow prevents you from forgetting to press the button  ;)
Title: Re: Bow Fishing set up
Post by: Chris Shelton on February 27, 2010, 01:11:00 PM
GURU- u da man!!!  

Say any of you guys eat these carp???
Title: Re: Bow Fishing set up
Post by: poison arrow on February 27, 2010, 01:24:00 PM
I use the large plastic spools. I first started out by mounting a fishin reel on my grizzly. Open the bail and sometimes it would unspool. I got hold of an old Fref Bear bowfishin package for trad bows. I had no idea it was a collectors item then. It was old and came with other components for mounting on a recurve. I still have it. The only prob with that one was you had to have a lot of line on it so it would peel off when shot. If you didn't the line would hang up on the line holder and snap. That spool is set up for a lot of line. I use that when I go far out into the Gulf fishing and snag big ocean fish, barracuda, spadefish, the laws changed and I can't get tripletail anymore. I must have lost a handful of arrows before I put a lot of line on it.. I then tried the $90 retrevier from Bass pro and it didn't work for me. Worked okay for very very short distances. On inland water ways and coastal I have to sneek up on fish and get them from far away, except for flounder. The spools are the easiest for me to wind up too. I have nothing but probs trying to post pictures on this forum so sorry.
Title: Re: Bow Fishing set up
Post by: owlbait on February 27, 2010, 01:37:00 PM
Robtatoo, just remember sometimes when you hear that click from pressing the button, stuff inside don't click like its supposed too  :eek:  Thats the only reason I don't shoot them anymore. I used to shoot with the arrow tied on the back but there have been to many BAD accidents from that. Good luck and be safe!
Title: Re: Bow Fishing set up
Post by: riivioristo on February 27, 2010, 01:41:00 PM
Hi !
First - think again shooting from a kayak. I use a canoe mostly and even it is sometimes bit unstable, when the going gets ruff with fish. And you are so near of the surface, that its more difficult to see beneath the surface. Just visioning one tangled with kayak upside down, line all over and a mad fish in the end of a arrow  :scared:  
I use a longbow too and have used a AMS for years. And me too have had my share of problems with my AMS - just like robtattoo wrote.
Enyway this thread really makes me wish spring would come quickly !!!
Title: Re: Bow Fishing set up
Post by: Lucas K on February 27, 2010, 01:57:00 PM
What do you shoot in Finland?
Title: Re: Bow Fishing set up
Post by: robtattoo on February 27, 2010, 03:02:00 PM
Quote
Originally posted by owlbait:
Robtatoo, just remember sometimes when you hear that click from pressing the button, stuff inside don't click like its supposed too   :eek:   Thats the only reason I don't shoot them anymore. I used to shoot with the arrow tied on the back but there have been to many BAD accidents from that. Good luck and be safe!
That's why I stopped using the slides. You press the button & the pins don't disengange. You can still draw the arrow & you don't realise the pins are still engaged until the line snaps & you lose your arrow! With the line tied to the back of the shaft, you can't actually draw the bow unless the reel is set. I am constantly aware of the possibility of back-snap.
Title: Re: Bow Fishing set up
Post by: Jason R. Wesbrock on February 27, 2010, 06:03:00 PM
I've been partial to the AMS Retrievers ever since I bought my first one, which I still use, in the early 90s. The standard retriever is great for carp, while the slotted retriever works better for large fish.

For the standard retriever, I like to replace the bottle so it holds more line. You never know when you may have to reach out and ruin a carp's day.   ;)  

 (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y138/wesbrock/trophy-carp.jpg)
Title: Re: Bow Fishing set up
Post by: owlbait on February 27, 2010, 06:38:00 PM
What works for you  :thumbsup:  I have had times when the pin either didn't engage/disengage and the line stopped short but I have shot many set-ups and it may be that the reel rest or arrow rest I had set-up allowed the arrow to be drawn. I also have had snarls INSIDE the reel spool and it takes forever to fix that on a spin cast reel. The AMS is relatively quick, or has been for me. 20 years of tournament and summer long bowfishing has me believing that the AMS and safety slides work best for me     :)
Title: Re: Bow Fishing set up
Post by: robtattoo on February 27, 2010, 07:22:00 PM
I couln't agree more! The AMS is a far simpler & more versatile reel:D I wish I could've fathomed what was wrong with mine & fixed it. I never would've switched!
I'm sure that in time I'll buy another & regret ever buying a spincast, but for now I can see a few solid advantages. The main reason for the switch was type of fishing. There's a lot of gar to be had  from the shore, during the spawn & shots can & do come thick & fast. The one advantage I've found wth the Zebco (other than price) is arrow retreival rate & having the ability to fight the fish with the reel, rather than having to handline as I frequently found myself doing with the AMS
Title: Re: Bow Fishing set up
Post by: coaster500 on February 27, 2010, 11:10:00 PM
owlbait, my kayak is a sit on top and unsinkable and I already own two so I can take a buddy fishing (If you guys are in the area?). I fish in the ocean and beach launch thru the surf and learned to be stable in rough water. Fishing in a lake is a cake walk  :)  I have been off the yak many times but it is very easy to get back on. Everything in a yak has to be tethered or strapped in so that you don't lose stuff. Becoming tangled is not a thing to worry me. I fish with braided line as much as 100# test and have never had an issue. You are right the only thing that is going to be tough is shooting angle, as the yak sits really low in the water and I'm going to have to shoot almost horizontal? When my bow is set up I'll launch in the harbor and shoot some floating and sinking stumps if the weather is nice  :)  Yes I have been in a yak in January in the ocean, sorry guys but this is California  :)
Title: Re: Bow Fishing set up
Post by: riivioristo on February 28, 2010, 04:03:00 AM
Hi !

Coaster - sit on top is different case indeed, Lucas, its Pike, Perch, Bream mostly - here in Finland. I include a photo of one enenings catch. My friend Kimmo poses with my bow ( selfmade longbow, some 50 #) At that time we used aluminium arrows, but after one bad hit to a bigger Pike in its neck (no penetration --> lost fish) I chaged to class shafts and recently penetration has been sufficient...   :D  
 

<<<<<<>>>>>>
Title: Re: Bow Fishing set up
Post by: owlbait on February 28, 2010, 07:34:00 AM
coaster thats quite an offer but since I flipped my boat at Midnight 2 years ago and had to have it salvaged off the bottom of the lake I tend to stay on queit lakes and shallow rivers  :bigsmyl:
riivioristo, that likes like a great mixed bag of fish, and all edible. Most of the fish I shoot are great for growing gardens or cat food!
Title: Re: Bow Fishing set up
Post by: riivioristo on February 28, 2010, 10:15:00 AM
Hi !
Sorry for the size of the picture - tried to adjust it, but failed. New try. Owlbait - you are right, when the season begins, we eat lots of fish. Go out every now and then, spend the evening trying to fill the kettele. Just watching all whats going on underneath is a experience.
bums/uu13/riivioristo/omatkuvatkeskuvat2005jousikalastust.jpg[/IMG]
Title: Re: Bow Fishing set up
Post by: riivioristo on February 28, 2010, 10:18:00 AM
Hi once more !

I should really learn to use these computers properly, if I try to tell a story here - sorry this messing around. Again and now with whole URL
 (http://i629.photobucket.com/albums/uu13/riivioristo/omatkuvatkeskuvat2005jousikalastust.jpg)
Title: Re: Bow Fishing set up
Post by: coaster500 on February 28, 2010, 10:25:00 AM
riivioristo, Nice !!!! What species are the two fish with the wider bodies? I don't recognize them........
Title: Re: Bow Fishing set up
Post by: riivioristo on February 28, 2010, 10:43:00 AM
Coaster - its Bream, good target for my poor shooting  :D  but sometimes I have been able to miss even that wide fish !! This species has lots of tiny bones, so we eat only the bigger ones. Smaller ones end up to our bite - to attract Raccoon dogs.
Title: Re: Bow Fishing set up
Post by: coaster500 on February 28, 2010, 10:56:00 AM
Great target indeed !! the only thing missing is a bulls eye  :)

Nice batch of fish........