I have a Bear Kodiak Magnum that I am thinking of using for bowfishing. I have never been before so I am unsure of what's needed, how to determine the best arrow/fishhead combination or even what to do with the fish I shoot. I don't want to go shoot a bunch of carp and not use them for anything, I have way to much fun fishing for them. The difference being when I unhook them, they swim away. Now I have no such conpunctions about shooting those Asian carp over in Illinois, damned nuisance fish and I'll kill all I can with a smile on my face the whole time.

I don't know how much money I want to sink into this but any help and advice you can give will be more than appreciated. I'd also like help with where to go for the Asian carp and what licenses will I need etc.

Learn the Basics at the top of the bowfishing page will take you to an article on how to get started.

Geeze Grizzly, you have any idea what you're getting yourself into? Most of us on here use to fish with a rod and reel .....before bowfishing. It's an addiction, no doubt about it. Once you hit a decent one and it runs, you're done. It's all you're going to want to do. You've been warned!

Now, all you need to be legal is a fishing license.

A good arrow, in my opinion, is any fiberglass arrow with a safety slide or cable (they both do the same thing). I like the cheap white ones because, well, they're cheap, and because they shoot well out of my bow. Bowfishing arrows are very stiff and these are the lightest-spined-ones, so they fly a little better. When you get better and start aiming for deeper fish, then get a heavier/tougher arrow.

Muzzy is a good head, and Shure Shots are pretty popular too from what I hear. Me and most people I know shoot Muzzys. Either gar tips or carp tips. I haven't noticed a difference one from the other personally.

Next, you have to have some sort of reel, and if you're going for Asian carp, I would tell you to get a reel-seat and a spincast or two. I like the Shakespeare Synergys. You can find them for under $20.00 if you look. I don't know how a Retriever would work with them, but I heard the Asian carprun pretty deep. But get a good seat. An all-metal one. I think they're between $20-$30 bucks.

The line I use is either 120-lb or 130lb fastflight. It works great in the spincasts. Nothing too big tho. Some guys like the Power Pro. I haven't used it, so I don't know what pound test to recommend.

A decent pair of gloves, like those Mechanic's gloves are great. You don't need a glove/tab, and it helps keep you from getting cut-up on the line and gar-teeth and to get a good grip on slippery fish.

And last, a good pair of polarized glasses, and a hat, to shade your eyes from the sun. You'll see everything in the water. I like the amber-lenses, but on bright days, the smoked are great.


Oh, and I use my fish for fertilizer, and to feed the local wildlife on private land I have permission to dump them on. I hear gar and Asian-carp are very good eating, so you might want to give it a try. Someone on here will tell you where to get recipes and directions for cleaning them.

I think that's it. Good luck and take tons of pictures.

muzzy's have the best heads imo

Well pal, you have the bow. Let me save you alot of hassle time and money. first, go to sully bowfishing website, buy a sully real seat, a shakespeare real and 150# line. A fiberglass shure shot point arrow. When it comes, put line on reel, reel on seat, seat on bow, attach line to arrow go and shoot fish,