This sounds fun and I want try it. What is is the best way just with a recurve bow and shoot instinctive? With a reel of course. What is the regulation on bowfishing just the same as rod and reel fishing?

Regulations vary with state and often with body of water. Check your local regs. There are many threads here and on Bowfish USA that will answer most or all of your questions. http://www.bowfishusa.com/community/index.php

A recurve is fine and instictive is the way to go. It won't take long to get the hang of it. nogluvs are also a great idea so you don't have to mess around with a glove.

http://www.dgif.state.va.us/fishing/

Virginia has it's fishing regs viewable online if you can view pdf files on your 'puter.

From the little bit that I read, you need a fishing license to bowfish. You can shoot carp and gar in waters that are not stocked with trout. Grass carp seem to be protected in your state. It looks like you can bowfish for frogs too. (check for seasons and limits on the frogs)

....but check out the regs yourself before heading out.


A recurve is great for bowfishing. (tho' I use an Oneida)

Welcome to the darkside.

I use a recurve as well. And agree with Fishhunter, use nogluvs they will save your fingers. I have 2 different reel set ups; 1 is a Zebco 808 closed bail reel (works fine for smaller fish, but not real good for monsters), and 2 is the retriever which is good for big fish just does not reel as fast as the Zebco. Definately check your regs as stated all states handle this issue differently. Good luck, and welcome to the addiction!!!!!

I know in IL, bowfishing is regulated as a form of spearfishing and gigging.
Only rough fish can be taken. Most of what we have here is carp, gar, and buffalo.

I prefer an instinct-shot recurve myself, but Oniedas are also very popular with bowfishermen. Some tournament guys use compounds so they can hit really long shots and hold a long time for that really big one, but for all around, I think simple is best. You will do very well if you learn to snapshoot.

You'll want to use a cabled arrow or AMS safety slides instead of just tying the line to the rear of the arrow. The line can get tangled in your string or cables and send the arrow right back at your face. It's called snapback.

http://www.amsbowfishing.com/bowfishwarning.php?osCsid=2adc362bbe15b32745c63984 bbb2872f

I prefer a compound, but do shoot totally instinctive. We use mostly spincasts and do tie to the back with no problems. Try a few things and find what works for you. Then you will be hooked for life. A good video will get you fired up and you can see some setups as well. I believe Huntingnet has some good bowfishing videos to check out.