AMS.. reel waste of money?
 

I havent had the chance to use one but can anyone explain how the AMS bowfishing reel (standard one) works? It says it has no drag and I was wondering does all it do is reel in line? I'm thinking about getting either that or another Zebco 808 which I can adjust for drag and such. So if you have any details about this please let me know. I thought all the actual reel was for is holding the line so why is this one so "special"?

RE: AMS.. reel waste of money?
 

There's zero drag on the shot. You create drag on the retrieve by pulling on a trigger as you crank in the line. (easier to do than explain)

As for the AMS vs spincast reels question.

I can tell you that I love my AMS retriever reel. It's the same AMS I've been using for 10 years. That in itself says a lot.

The pros of a retriever.
*You'll pay more for a retriever in initial cost, but it will outlast a zebco or synergy many times over.
*It also holds heavier line, which means you will probably lose fewer arrows and won't need to re-tie arrows after a few gar.
*Zero drag. If you forget to push the button on a spincast, your line will stop but your arrow will probably keep going. (and even a cheap bowfishing arrow is expensive.Lose a couple of arrows with your spincast, and that AMS will look even more economical)
*When used with safety slides, they are probably the safest set-up out there.
*You can still put someting in your stablizer hole (like a Hawglite) since the retriever mounts to the side of the bow.
*I use a retriever and you shouldbe cool like me. (hahahha!!)

The cons of a retriever.
*More intial cost
*Spincasts are a bit faster in reeling in an arrow.
*On bigger fish, you'll pull the line in hand over hand instead of reeling it in. (I'm not sure that's really a 'con')
*You have to be sure to point the retriever in the direction of the line on the retrieve. This has always been easy for me, but it seems some people can't get the hang of it.


In the end, it becomes sort of a Ford vs. Chevy kind of thing. Many of my friends use spincasts and love them. The love them even as the lose arrows and they talk about needing a replacement reel or fixing thier old one. heh heh heh....

They're certainly not a waste of money. If you bought one and hated it... I'd buy it off of you. ;)

RE: AMS.. reel waste of money?
 

The line flows free between two wheels. When you pull the trigger, you pinch one wheel against the other. Then, when you crank, you turn one wheel and it feeds the line back into the bottle. Very simple, so very little to go wrong. I bowfish an average of three days a week in the summer, and the only problem I've had is the screw come off that holds the crank handle on. I love them, but some who shoot tournies prefer a spincast for faster retrieves and followup shots.

RE: AMS.. reel waste of money?
 

i shoot a spincast(synergy) have shot a retreiver. we used them almost exclusivley when we went to texas and the weeks leading up to the trip to get used to them. the problem i have with them is line retreival. I lock down the drag on my reel when we are in all but the biggest fish. we shoot out of a boat and move pretty fast andusualy at night for numbers. i like being able reel up tight then yank to get stuck arrows out of the mud and to horse fish in.

RE: AMS.. reel waste of money?
 

I currently have a spincast, but intend to also get a retreiver in the next year or two. Gotta have a bit of everything, don't ya know?

One more spincast CON:
*The line is thin and can cut your hands if you get a big one while you're not wearing gloves, and he runs hard. With the short fishing pole mount however, you can fight the fish pretty well without using your hands.

One more Retreiver CON:
*Since the line is loose and just hangs there until you shoot, there will be plenty of opportunity for it to snag on vegetation and stuff, especially when you are shooting from shore.

They are both great tools. I got my spincast first mainly for3 reasons:
*Cheaper initial cost. (I've only lost one arrow when the line got hung up on the reel handle, andI don't forget to hit the bail release button very often because I have included that in my routine right before each shot.)
I actually got the arrow back, but it involved some waderless wading and a wet car seat. :D

*Speed of take up. Great for second shots on tough to hit fish, like deep ones, small quillbacks,skinny little gar, and any fish when there is poor light, or when you're being eaten by mosquitoes, or being pushed into the fish barrel by Christine. :eek:

*Line retention. Since I shoot mainly from shore, I like my line to stay where I left it. When I draw on the first fish I've seen in a hour, the last thing I want to see is my line trailing off down the path I just walked. [:@]

It's a personal choice. Good info here to help you decide.

RE: AMS.. reel waste of money?
 

Not a problem any more. Mine has a little notch to slip the line into to hold it from looping down. I don't think the older ones have it. Mine is about 3-4 years old.

RE: AMS.. reel waste of money?
 

I've got an AMS and I WILL NEVER SWITCH.

RE: AMS.. reel waste of money?
 

I got a zebco.... have used them for almost 20 yrs.... am on my second or third now.... great for the carp back home and the talapia down here in FL..... although, I want to get into the larger game (alligator n stingrays) this year.. so think the ol zebco is a lil undergunned LOL

RE: AMS.. reel waste of money?
 

Yo, Ratface, we're shooting them with a bow, not catching them with rod and reel.

When you going to go to Branson?

RE: AMS.. reel waste of money?
 

I haven't seen the new one yet. I think that's a great upgrade.

RE: AMS.. reel waste of money?
 

Well I'm taking the gamble and ordering a AMS reel right now (wish we had a bass pro close by:eek:But im gonna put the ole 808 on vacation right now untill I've tried the retriever reel.


THANKS FOR THE ADVICE!

RE: AMS.. reel waste of money?
 

I'm sure you'll be happy with the retriever.

Two quick tips. You don't have to pull the trigger really hard to retrieve the line. Experiment with different amounts of tension. (if a fish is fighting hard, you'll need lots of tension, to bring inslack line, just a little)

When reeling in line, particularly when you're bringing in a fish, I've found it helps to point the retriever at the fish (so the line comes in straight). Trying to reel in line at a 90degree angle doesn't work too good.

:)

RE: AMS.. reel waste of money?
 

and, get heavier line. The wheels pick up thicker line better than what comes with the reel.

RE: AMS.. reel waste of money?
 

I haven't heard that peice of advice yet Fishhunter, but as I said, I don't have a retreiver yet. What does it come with, and what do you suggest?

RE: AMS.. reel waste of money?
 

It's the ongoing debate, both have their pros and cons. I personally shoot a spincast, the new Muzzy reel, and would never go back to the retriever and I shot the retriever for probably 5 years before I finally switched. I'm into speed and hate having all that line falling everywhere with the retriever. But both are very good and have their place.

RE: AMS.. reel waste of money?
 

I don't have line falling all over everywhere. There's a notch on the reel to tuck the line into to keep it from falling out between shots.

Muzzy makes a heavier line, usually yellow. I get all mine from the local shop.

RE: AMS.. reel waste of money?
 

Well I cant wait to go try the new reel out hopefully next weekend. But im defiently glad I ordered one. I'll let yall know what I think about it on mynext trip.

RE: AMS.. reel waste of money?
 

If i am out hunting big fish only i would perfer the Retriver,but for tournaments and small fish hunting w will use the Zebco,

RE: AMS.. reel waste of money?
 

I've used the drum, spincast and AMS, and each has its place. The drum is cheap and simple; no moving parts and you do all the work. Spincasts are pretty nice, the fastest of all to shoot with and the sound of a screaming drag is always a thrill. Just GOTTA remember to keep pushing that $^%# button. Bump the handle and it can cost you an arrow. Nothing shoots as nice as an AMS, andit's plenty fast for most fishing. Pulling the fish in by hand is more exciting than reeling, but the AMS will reel them in, too. If you find your line getting snagged in the grass, just reel it in tight and hold the trigger while you walk. I like my AMS.

RE: AMS.. reel waste of money?
 

Check out this page,It is my set up for going after big fish such as Gar,I made the wraparound out of 7 in.PVC pipe,When that 409 Penn is screaming you know that you have a good one,i love the fight with the reel,For get the hand fighting or chaceing jugs around,

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