I messed with bowfishing a bit on a canoe trip last year, and after getting wet, nearly capsizing, making a lot of ruckus, saying a lot of words I ought not be saying, and missing about 30 fish, I managed a carp and a gar (over two days to boot.... aim low ain't just a catchy saying). I was using my old Hoyt UltraTec, and I'd turned it down to around 58#s and had good results when I did my part.

Anyway, I sold that bow to my best friend for a great price and set him up to hunt with it. So I'm totally out of a bowfishing bow currently.

However, after bassfishing with a buddy from here on HNI a few weeks ago and seeing only like a bazillion gar, I decided to rally the girlfriend (who has a spare bow) and see if we can't stick a few.

I named the bow "Original Sin," because it is/was the ugliest thing I've ever seen... a Parker Challenger... bright electric blue riser... white marble limbs... matching blue wheel and cam. It looks like Ted Nugent's wife threw up all over it. But I suppose for bow fishing... its looks are quite fitting.

The bow is pulling about 38#s and I took the draw out as far as she'd go with Parker's modules (I think its about 26" or 27"). I suppose we are just going to swap out... I put a Muzzy Wheel of Fortune rest on it, and one of those high faluting AMS bottle jobs (I just used a wrap around drum last year). So I suppose she's pretty well equipped correct? Is 38# with a heavy glass arrow enough to get it done? We'll be shooting damn near between our feet or out to no more than 10 yardsin less than 4' of water.

That setup should be just fine. There's guys that shoot 40-pound recurves and do well. I'd like to see a picture of it tho. LOL!

I assume that since you bass fish you already know the benefits of polarized glasses. That's one of the top three things we all tell new bowfishers they need. Otherwise, it sounds like you're all set.

Good luck and post up some pictures when you get a few.

Oh yes. I don't go outside to get the mail with my Costa's on. Most of my fishing is offshore fishing out in the ocean (Gulf Stream from Cape Hatteras is anywhere from 15-27 miles offshore). GOOD polarized glasses not only help you see more of the show, but they are pretty vital to save your eyes from the sun. Its pretty cool to be able to see over 100 feet down in the water and see the colors on Mahi from nearly a quarter of a mile away!

I'll see if I can't get a picture of that heinous looking thing and show it off.

I shoot my oneidas at anywhere between 28lbs and 40lbs. Usually closer to the 28lbs.

You'll be fine.

um, that was the queen of ugly bows. She hunted with the Ugly bow, and started bowfishing with the Uglier bow that doubled as an anchor.

The only thing I would recommend is get on ebay, hit the yard sales and auctions, and find you a good, cheap bow so you both can shoot. Ideally, the reel will be the most expensive thing you put on it.

After searching in vain at over 6 different archery/hunting shops for a stabilzer stud insert for a wooden recurve, I settled for jury rigging a hand out Mathews rear stabilizer stud and JB welded that bad boy into a hole I drilled in an old but in great condition Ben Pearson recurve I picked up last year at a yard sale for $5. Its 52" long, and is supposed to be 45#s... I have a lightning reel on it, and I took it out in the yard this evening to play with it a bit.... I don't think it has enough ass to make it to the water even with gravity helping it.... at 8 yards it would barely make it to the target with me aiming over it.... I suppose it will be like an offset golf club... the lower it shoots on its own... the better off I'll be I suppose. Heading out in the AM... ought to be a riot. I'll let y'all know how it goes!

with an old recurve, I used #10 bolts and mounted a retriever on the side.

something sounds fishie with that bow. 45# should be putting them out there. I have a couple old Pearson's set up for bowfishing and they do great. what's the brace height on it?

I have no idea at all. Probably in the neighborhood of 6 to 6 1/2". It stacks up BIG TIME right at the back.

Anyhow... the trip today was a blast. Had gar all over us all afternoon. The recurve let me down... and after Reb let me borrow "Original Sin" for a few misses... The AMS Bottle is THE HEAT! I've been fighting with that Lightning reel for the past two days trying not to get it to come apart on me and have the line fall down in between the back and the spool.

At anyrate, we got a fair number of pictures and I'll load them up in the morning. I'm worn out and heading to bed... update tomorrow!

Brace ht should be around 7"... maybe even 8... can't remember exactly.

45lb should be more then enuff... I use a 55lb recurve for gator n stingray n its enuff there.

What is your draw length? Mine is 30" and my old shakespeare doesnt even stack much there... check your bow out.. something sounds fishy... and it aint fishunter

Hey sewie, I don't sound fishy, I just smell fishy.