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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: toby on August 22, 2013, 03:30:00 PM

Title: Fishtailing?? Too weak or too stiff
Post by: toby on August 22, 2013, 03:30:00 PM
I know release and other things can cause this, but is either too stiff or weak more likely to cause it?
Title: Re: Fishtailing?? Too weak or too stiff
Post by: Rick Richard on August 22, 2013, 03:36:00 PM
fishtailing may be a sign of poor arrow clearance.
Title: Re: Fishtailing?? Too weak or too stiff
Post by: Mojostick on August 22, 2013, 03:51:00 PM
Try to bareshaft an arrow and find out if too stiff or too weak.
Title: Re: Fishtailing?? Too weak or too stiff
Post by: FerretWYO on August 22, 2013, 03:55:00 PM
If it is fishtailing as in going both directions I would think clearance or release.

Like Mojo said try bareshaft.
Title: Re: Fishtailing?? Too weak or too stiff
Post by: LittleBen on August 22, 2013, 04:33:00 PM
IIRC fishtailing can be a result of either too stiff or too weak. But I believe it takes a really excessively stiff arrow to cause fishtailing.

Specs on the bow and arrow setup?
Title: Re: Fishtailing?? Too weak or too stiff
Post by: Bjorn on August 22, 2013, 04:44:00 PM
Side to side movement is often brace height.
Title: Re: Fishtailing?? Too weak or too stiff
Post by: TxAg on August 22, 2013, 04:47:00 PM
I'm no expert but when I experience fishtailing it is because I'm too weak.
Title: Re: Fishtailing?? Too weak or too stiff
Post by: r-man on August 22, 2013, 05:19:00 PM
Use paper at 10', which side kicks to first, and which hand do you shoot? what arrow? what draw/ ?  we need this info so we dont guess. as well you may be torking?
Title: Re: Fishtailing?? Too weak or too stiff
Post by: Zradix on August 23, 2013, 03:12:00 AM
just to complicate things I'd try paper tuning at 5 foot.

Really though, if ya get too far from the paper the fletch starts doing it's job and you'll get false readings...or even worse it could punch the paper after overcorrecting...   :eek:
Title: Re: Fishtailing?? Too weak or too stiff
Post by: Easykeeper on August 23, 2013, 01:15:00 PM
Your spine may or may not be correct but even a fletched arrow that is not the correct spine should fly without a lot of fishtailing.  Fletching is very good at stabilizing an arrow.  I would look at your release, follow through, or contact between the arrow or riser.

A good summary of the bare shaft tuning process is in the link...   www.acsbows.com/bareshaftplaning (http://www.acsbows.com/bareshaftplaning.html)
Title: Re: Fishtailing?? Too weak or too stiff
Post by: JamesKerr on August 23, 2013, 03:50:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by Easykeeper:
Your spine may or may not be correct but even a fletched arrow that is not the correct spine should fly without a lot of fishtailing.  Fletching is very good at stabilizing an arrow.  I would look at your release, follow through, or contact between the arrow or riser.

A good summary of the bare shaft tuning process is in the link...   www.acsbows.com/bareshaftplaning (http://www.acsbows.com/bareshaftplaning.html)  
X2
Title: Re: Fishtailing?? Too weak or too stiff
Post by: wandering monk on August 23, 2013, 08:26:00 PM
to be honest there are a few things not mentioned here...Long Bow, recurve ...??

arrow length and draw length...draw weight..without this info its impossible to give a good answer...

shooting cedar, alum?? point weight

LB's generally like a slightly lighter spline that draw weight...

a paper shoot is good...but it might be good to make sure you have a proper set up first...tuning an improper match isnt really a good place to start...
Title: Re: Fishtailing?? Too weak or too stiff
Post by: Hawkeye on August 23, 2013, 11:59:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by Bjorn:
Side to side movement is often brace height.
That's what I have always found, as well...