i want to try it

G5 · 04-19-2006, 09:48 AM

Ive never been bowfishing before, i havent got the slightest on how to even approach it. Any help i can get from equipment i will need to how in the he!! do even get fish once i get setup would be great. i dont want to spend alot of money on this though i already have enough hobbies and cant really afford another, but this looks like too much fun to pass up.

DUMB BASS · 04-19-2006, 10:36 AM

Do you have a bow? If so this would be a fairly inexpensive hobby. If not it could get expensive. Personally I use an old 50 lb fiberglass recurve, a tape on reel, and have 3 arrows. (You always want a few extras.) If you could find a used bow, or one at a yardsale or something then you'd only have to spend about $30 or so for a reel, line and arrows. That is minimum, and it works. Like any hobby though, you can drop a bunch of $$$ into it if it's your thing.

Here's my buddy with my set up, and an asian.

G5 · 04-19-2006, 10:51 AM

ive got a bow but its not something i want to tape a reel to. i was thinking of going to a pawn shop or trying ebay for an el-cheepo bow that works. $30 for the reel and line doesnt sound bad, what kinda heads do you use and how do you approach shooting a fish

DUMB BASS · 04-19-2006, 11:30 AM

Not all reels are tape on. They have screw in reel seats, retreiver reels, a lot of folks use big Zebco's. I don't use my hunting bow either though. We usually take turns, 5 shots, then the other guy gets to run the trolling motor. I river fish, and just slow cruise backwater sloughs. You'll see gar and carp working the banks. I like the Muzzy points. If you don't have a boat, find a shallow grassy bay and wade it slowly, or walk slowly along slough banks until you see em. Polarized glasses will help a LOT during the day. A lot of people go at night with big lights and stuff. I usually get plenty of shooting during the day. USE SAFETY SLIDES ON YOUR ARROWS.

For equipment try Sully's or just google bowfishing gear to get an idea on what's out there.

G5 · 04-19-2006, 11:54 AM

thanks man, what are the saftey slides all about. i found some arrows that the saftey slides come already on them but they dont look any different the rest of the arrows.also i dont have access to a boat all the time so it looks like im gonna be doing some walking but thanks for all the help

DUMB BASS · 04-19-2006, 12:09 PM

WHere you at? I'm sure someone would invite you out for a trip. A lot of states have bowfishing clubs. I started out wading, but the boat is better, just cause you can cover more water. Below dams can be good for bank fishing as well.
As for the safety slides see here:
http://www.sullysbowfishing.com/snapback.asp

Both kinds seem to work the same to me. (Cable or AMS) As long as I don't look like the guy in the picture...

G5 · 04-19-2006, 12:21 PM

im in arkansas close to beaver lake, just moved here and dont know alot of people but ive been hearing people talk about the big gar in beaver lake and think it would be neat set down the fishing pole and take a bow out.
I get the saftey slides now, thanks for the pictures.......ouch!!!!!!!!!!!!

KBI-PREZ · 04-20-2006, 05:24 PM

Hey G5 I have some things you may be interested in and getting started is obviously the big expense but seeing your buddy in the picture holding a bighead makes me crazy im ready to shoot some bigheads.........