bowfishin newby needs advise
 

aint never done it. plan on goin on the beauxs and reds trip. i bought a bow yesterday. bought a reel about 2 years ago (it was a good deal!) aint got any arrows or tips or anything. what else do i need? do i need gloves? what about a rest? whisker biscuit ok? HELP!

Really dont need to take your bow on the beauxs and red trip because they will provide you with a set up and arrows.

Go to academy and get the muzzy fish arrow with gar point $14.99. It comes with arrow slide ready to shoot. I would get the roller rest that is made for bowfishing, or ams has a similar type also. Should be able to find this at academy. Hope this helps.
Bob

Thanks, Bobby. I will more than likely use their equipment for the B & R trip, just to save space in the truck, but still need to get my bow rigged out for later trips(hopefully!:))

Roller works better than WB rest (dang, I already have a WB:()? How many arrows and tips do y'all usually carry? What are the chances of ever sticking an arrow in a stump or breaking off?

I have an older Zebco 404 reel spooled with some pretty big (not sure what # test) braided line mounted on a reel seat made for bowfishin.

Skeeter,for info that may help, google "gartamer bowfishing" or give me a call at 830-278-2828 and pick my brain. 50 years of bowfishing experience available for free.
Ron

My setup: Zebco 888, trad adapter, 2 old fiberglass fish arrows fitted with the AMS safety slide. 200# test fastflight string.

Carry a pocketful of replacement tips. Rocks and such tend to nub em down a mite. Rivet your heads to the shaft and use two part epoxy to bond.

...and listen to these guys. I'm a blonde! :D:whistle:

Oh yeah. Field points will work in a pinch as replacement tips.

Thanks Mr Ron, I will be in touch.

Tracy, thanks for the tips. And I just looked at my bow and I have a Zebco 808 bowfishin reel not a 404. I just cant figure out how to get the front of the reel off so I can pull out some line. I guess I need to find me a 5th grader to show me how cuz I aint got enuff smarts to do it! :chatterbox:

Dan, the front of the reel should just screw off. If I remember right it is like 1/8 or 1/4 turn and pull it off.

Bisch

i've tried unscrewing the front of the reel, but all it does is turn a 1/4 then jams up and wont budge.

i'll try again

Skeeter, it should screw off, sounds like the cover has been cross-threaded.
Ron

I shoot trad, and I like trad for bowfishing as well. A lot of quick shots, sometimes a half draw even.

My set up is a Quinn recurve, with a AMS retriever reel. The Quinn has a metal riser so it accepts things bolted on. I shoot off the shelf, nothing easier.

I normally take 4 or 5 arrows for a night of fishing. I figure I might lose one or two, but I sure don't want to run out.

I have fished over in L.A. a few times. Always have fun and got fish. I do carry my bow, as I like my set up. I am use to it.

The big trick to bowfishing, is getting your eye for spotting the fish, and then learning how much to shoot under them for the refraction depending on depth and angle.

The good news is you get lots of chances, and the learning curve is high.

I don't have near the expericence as Ron, but let me know if I can help.


Mark

what about tying my string to the arrow, the arrows I have got the slide on em. Do I tie string directly to the slide or do I use a swivel? If I use a swivel, what size?

Dan, the way our guide Jack Thatcher with Extreme Bowfishing ties his and the way I have started tying mine is like this, if I can explain it, and I can not do it by knot verbage.

Run the string through one end of the slide and back through the other side. Then leave you just loop to tie the loop into a square knot (I think). You do this by running you square loop over one end of the arrow and down and off the other. Your string will not be tight against your slide so you should still have a loop. I am sure this has gotten you just totally confused now. Wish I could explain it better.
Bob

I got it! tie a knot w/ loop on slide! Do y'all cut string to remove arrow for transport to/ from home or leave everything hooked up?

I normally leave everything hooked up. Now the new AMS reel has a quiver. I dont have that but I sure wish I did. My just tangels up with everything else right now.
Bob