Reading a recent post I was surprised that a couple guys I know had never tried bowfishing before.

I'd thought that was impossible since fish are such a natural and the fact that I've been doing it and enjoying it for 50 odd years now.

I thought it would be helpful for the new guys for a few of us to list our favorite gear for bowfishing.
Give them some food for thought and all.

Here's a simple rig that I've used since the beginning. Effective, but there is better/more efficient gear out there.
 

Charlie, is that Dacron or FlyLine?

The Sting-a-ree type point is a classic. It won't pull back out.... it can reverse if the fish spins and is prone to plane in the water.

 

That's either fast flite or heavy braided nylon... can't remember right now.  Someone will know and it's tougher than all get out.

50lb Bear Minuteman and a screw in version of Charlie's reel.

I use a Bear 76er with an AMS reel and Muzzy arrows and points.
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v663/soldier321/

Curtis Kellar and a carp taken with his prefered rig... close face spinning reel.

   
They are fast, place little drag on the arrow, and are relatively inexpensive.

Here's my rig....56" Bear Grizzly 45# with AMS Retriever Reel, fiberglass arrow with Muzzy point....
 

It's my opinion that someone new to the sport would be well served to fork over the money for the AMS system and skip all the cheap stuff.... That's how impressed I was with Jason Wesbrock's set up on a Texas trip a few years ago.
 

My rig for the '07 Sweat...

 



60" 58# Pronghorn, AMS retriever, big beardy guy.

For a first-timer I found the AMS to be faultless. Far simpler & less for me to get wrong than with a Zebco setup.

Last year was my first time bowfishing, I used a 52" wing Redwing hunter and a tape on reel. This year I'm getting set up now, I have a 58" Grizzly and was going to put a AMS reel on it. But now I'm interested in what you others have to say about reel types, I like the looks of Curtis's setup now I'm undecided.

I type to slow  

Here's a pic of a "shoot thru" type reel... of course I'm shooting "over" it. Just couldn't get use to the shoot thru concept.
 
 

Last time I posted this pic the fashion police had comments about my choice of clothing.... I just don't meet enough women on these jaunts to worry about that stuff.  

Like Charlie said; I prefer an AMS rig. I'm also fond of Muzzy and Shure Shot points with AMS safety slides. The particular AMS Retriever I use is going on about 15 years old now and still working great.

I first got started bowfishing 20+ years ago when my grandfather gave me his old green Bear spool and a fiberglass arrow. Since then I've used everything from closed face reels to shoot through hoops, but prefer the AMS.



One of the best things about Shure Shot points is that if I'm wading down the local river and I break a point, I can just screw a new one on and be right back in the action. With most other points, I'd have to bring an extra arrow since the body of the point is glued directly to the shaft.

Browning Safari II 51# bow with simple Bohning spool to hold the line and fiberglass fish arrows have done me just fine.  Im sure there are more efficient systems out there but for me you cant beat a simple and reliable rig like this and it compliments my old recurve quite well.

For Me I've always used a 808 Zebco reel and I really like the Sting-a ree points like Charlie is Using they are one piece so You don't lose the tips if they unscrew.

I am going to try the AMS real this year just for something differant Everyone seems to like them and I have forgotten to push the button before. Probably be shooting a PSE coyote again this year 45# at 28"

I like the AMS and use it mostly when chasing big gar but for numbers shoots and smaller fish, I don't think you can go wrong with the Zebco 808/888 or Synergy reel.  For me, arrow retrieval is ALOT quicker with the spincast type reel.  I like Muzzy, Sure Shot, and Sting-A-Ree points depending on the fish I am after and how warm the water is.  Seems like I get alot more pull-offs in real warm water so I switch to the Sting-A-Ree.  Bowfishing is one of my favorite activities with archery tackle and technically, how I got into traditional archery.

PSE kingfisher 50#, screw in Bear fish spool, 300#braided line, Muzzy arrows and tips......lotsa fun in the off season....Nile perch favorite target

I like the AMS reel, ShurShot points and safety slides. I feel a really good gaff is important as well.    

AMS, Shure-shot with safety slides, Quinn Stallion recurve. I shoot a lot of fish each year and participate in the Great Lakes Bowfishing Championship. Probably 95% of the shooters there use AMS. It is not quite as fast retrieving your arrow but MUCH more dependable. I've had too many break downs on spincast reels to depend on them in a tournament situation. I like the Shure-shot because they hold fish well, easy to remove fish, and it has a shorter distance from the point to the fins then most other heads so it grips better on shallow hit fish.