Me and my son are interested in getting started in bowfishing. We live in northeast OHIO. If anyone can help us it would be greatly appreciated. I have a compound bow, and not very good yet at shooting it, it has been years since I have shot a bow, and he is going to be 8 years old and has a cheap compound bow. I have been watching some shows and videos and see most people use recurve bows or a (I forget the technical name) all purpose mathews draw length bow. The problem or question is how to get started, what equipment to buy, if you need a fishing license or hunting license or both, and by the way he is right handed and I am left handed. Any help or guidance would be greatly appreciated.

If you'll go to my website and look under the FAQ section it will answer most of those questions. And feel free to email or call and I'll be glad to answer any questions you got.

www.backwaterbowfishing.com

Thanks,

Bryan

If you'd just like to try it without spending much money, I'd just get a drum reel. Many sporting good's stores will have them. They come with the hardware to screw right into your accessory hole on the bow you have. If there's no hole you can get creative in ways of "lashing" it to your bow. Get the heaviest fast flight line you can find, because it's easier on your hands to wrap around the drum, and a couple of arrows with fishing points, preferably with safety slide since you're a newbie. As long as you have a rest that will hold the heavy fiberglass arrow, just try your bowlike it is. You'll probably have to make some adjustments so it will shoot somewhat straight. I wouldn't worry about sights. After a fewfish you'll start to instictively know where to shoot. Check in your regulations handbook. Most likely you'll need a fishing license. And go have some fun! It's really very easy. If you like it then you can look at new bows, fancy reels, new boats, generators, fans, did I mention this sport can get very expensive?

Thank both of you for the info. Hopefully me and my son will be able to post some pictures of our first fish shot with a bow this spring.

For get that wraparound,its not that much more to rig up right,if you get the strongest line and that wraparound,you just might loose a eye,when we first started 16 years ago,my nephue,was using one with 400# fast flight,it hung up snaped back and he almost lost his eye,

Snapback is a real danger. It happens very fast.
I have a nice nock imprint in a leather hat of mine from a snapback incident. It hit just 2 inches from my eye, and was going plenty fast.

Use the AMS safety slides or cabled arrows so that the line never comes back behind the rest where it can become entangled in the bowstring or other bow hardware.

The mathews is a genesis bow for kids youll have a blast good luck and hope you find a lot of fish.......

I appreciate all the helpful information. I like to get feedback from experienced people in a sport I have no experience in. I think we will try the bows we currently have this year and see how it goes. I definately will use a arrow with the safety slide system and a reel system. The best fish around here are carp. I think we will try those bigger targets first. What ever the results, it is better than sitting in front of the T.V. for my son.

Thank You All for the valuable information!!!