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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Rob W. on January 30, 2012, 12:31:00 PM

Title: Bowfishing ?'s
Post by: Rob W. on January 30, 2012, 12:31:00 PM
I have a Pearson deerslayer that is begging to be used. I own a 16' canoe and have access to a 17' bass boat. I live within 45mins of 3 or 4 smaller rivers, the Ohio, and a 9,000 acre lake.

What do you guys reccomend as far as equipment and any tips would be appreciated. Thanks, Rob
Title: Re: Bowfishing ?'s
Post by: JamesKerr on January 30, 2012, 12:46:00 PM
I would recommend getting the best lights you can afford if you are going to go out at night. You can really tell a difference with good lighting.
Title: Re: Bowfishing ?'s
Post by: extremebowfishing on January 30, 2012, 12:53:00 PM
Get a strap on trad bow adaptor from Ams Bowfishing and a retriever pro and you'll never want anything else!  With that setup you can hunt carp to alligator gar.
Title: Re: Bowfishing ?'s
Post by: tuscarawasbowman on January 30, 2012, 01:09:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by extremebowfishing:
Get a strap on trad bow adaptor from Ams Bowfishing and a retriever pro and you'll never want anything else!  With that setup you can hunt carp to alligator gar.
:thumbsup:  

Get a good arrow tip. Don't get one that needs to be unscrewed to take the fish off. Big pain when you drop tip and it gets sucked into 5 ft. of lake mud...
Title: Re: Bowfishing ?'s
Post by: Fletcher on January 30, 2012, 02:54:00 PM
Your Pearson should be a geat fishing bow.  I like between 40-50 lbs for most fish.  If you are going to chase bigheads on the Ohio, you might want a bit more; head shots are best and they can take some oomph.  The retreiver is a great reel and my preference, altho a wind on will work OK, too.  Many guys prefer a big pushbutton spincast reel - the Muzzy seems to be the best.  They are defifitely the fastest when the shooting gets wild.  A canoe is OK, but not the most stable shooting platform, a bass boat would be better, but you'll want something that can get shallow and whatever you use will be pretty slimy/dirty.  Point is a compromise.  I like a Sureshot for regular carp.  A couple turns of the shaft allows the barbs to reverse for fish removal and to get the point out of the muck or roots.  It doesn't hold or penetrate as well as some others, however.  For bigheads and othe soft fish, I like the long barb Cajun; squeeze the barbs down some to help penetration.  The barbs flop sideways to hold and the long barbs really help on soft fish like bigheads and silver carp.  A Muzzy head is a good compromise.
Title: Re: Bowfishing ?'s
Post by: stevewills on January 30, 2012, 03:00:00 PM
rob ever want to get together and go,give me a hollar,ill have a bowfishing boat done soon,i hope.....
Title: Re: Bowfishing ?'s
Post by: Rob W. on January 30, 2012, 04:06:00 PM
Thanks for the input guys and the offer Steve. Keep me in mind I would love to go.  :thumbsup:  

The deer slayer is 50#x. Going to look at reel options tonight. The AMS looks great but is a bit pricey.


Rob
Title: Re: Bowfishing ?'s
Post by: finkm1 on January 30, 2012, 04:23:00 PM
Does your bow have a threaded stablizer hole? You can start out with a screw in wind up reel. You can buy the package for under $30.00. It will come with a drum reel, line and a arrow with a Muzzy or Stingaree tip. If you really like bowfishing then buy the AMS later and you will have an extra setup for a buddy. I have both and I like the wind on drum better for  the way I bowfish. You can also buy a tape on reel.
Title: Re: Bowfishing ?'s
Post by: Rob W. on January 30, 2012, 04:26:00 PM
It doesn't have a stabiler hole but the gadget adapter should work from 3R should work for that setup.

Rob
Title: Re: Bowfishing ?'s
Post by: KHALVERSON on January 30, 2012, 04:34:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by Rob W.:
The AMS looks great but is a bit pricey.


Rob
for what its worth
if ya think your going to do it on a regular basis
buy the ams
it is by far the safest in my oppinion also
i wish i had all the money back i spent on other
setups
kevin
Title: Re: Bowfishing ?'s
Post by: Stone Knife on January 30, 2012, 05:50:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by KHALVERSON:
 
QuoteOriginally posted by Rob W.:
The AMS looks great but is a bit pricey.


Rob
for what its worth
if ya think your going to do it on a regular basis
buy the ams
it is by far the safest in my oppinion also
i wish i had all the money back i spent on other
setups
kevin [/b]
Good advice here   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Bowfishing ?'s
Post by: BrianfromTulsa on January 30, 2012, 06:58:00 PM
I agree with many of the others.  If you're shooting carp on muddy bottoms- I like a stingaree head.  I also agree that if you are limited on budget- the AMS is the first big investment you should shoot for- any arrow will work.

As for shooting at night, my brother and I started bowfishing about 25 years ago and we took turns holding a battery powered spotlight.  Generators and lights are nice but not necessary.

There is no way that you can not have fun bowfishing if you are in an area with fish.  Add a piece of equipment here and there and before you know it, you will be a pro.
Title: Re: Bowfishing ?'s
Post by: wapiti1997 on January 30, 2012, 07:37:00 PM
Go with the AMS, you'll save money on lost arrows compared to accidently clicking the spinner and shooting...

Great bowfishing for lots of fish on the OH, even those invasive Asian carp.
Title: Re: Bowfishing ?'s
Post by: riverrat 2 on January 30, 2012, 08:15:00 PM
Any of you guys mount a brite flashlite (like a Lithium powered) into your bows stabilizer hole
for night fishing?
Title: Re: Bowfishing ?'s
Post by: BrianfromTulsa on February 02, 2012, 06:29:00 PM
I've never tried a flashlight riverrat, you would need an awful good one to last more than 30 minutes without needing batteries.
Title: Re: Bowfishing ?'s
Post by: Cyclic-Rivers on February 02, 2012, 10:00:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by wapiti1997:
Go with the AMS, you'll save money on lost arrows compared to accidently clicking the spinner and shooting...

Great bowfishing for lots of fish on the OH, even those invasive Asian carp.
X2
I used to shoot off 2-5 arrows a trip. Never shot one off with the AMS. at 10 bucks + each, trust me, The AMS is worth its weight in Gold.
Title: Re: Bowfishing ?'s
Post by: bofish-IL on February 02, 2012, 10:02:00 PM
If you are going to use the canoe I would recommend using out riggers on it. Everyone I know that uses their canoe for bow fishing has gotten wet without the out riggers.
Title: Re: Bowfishing ?'s
Post by: JamesKerr on February 02, 2012, 10:05:00 PM
Definately as others have said go ahead and get the AMS reel. The first time you use it if you have ever used anything else you'll regret holding off on buying it. I know I did.
Title: Re: Bowfishing ?'s
Post by: beendare on February 02, 2012, 10:05:00 PM
Yep, bofish nailed it. Better to be standing to get a better angle on seeing and shooting.

I prefer a reel to the bottle- much faster
Title: Re: Bowfishing ?'s
Post by: extremebowfishing on February 03, 2012, 03:30:00 AM
Rob pm if you need a an Ams Reel. I have a few used retreiver pros I can let go cheap.  
Jack