How To Buy The Best Bowfishing Bow In 2021
Bowfishing is an angling sport conducted in salt or freshwater using specialized archery equipment. Anyone, including men, women, and children, can participate in bowfishing with the best bowfishing bow. Bowfishing can be done during the day or at night, although many bowfishing experience enthusiasts prefer to go for bowfishing at night.
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Last update on 2022-08-26 at 14:20 PST - Details
*Below, you'll find our more detailed reviews, but you can also click the links above to see current prices or read customer reviews on Amazon.
Shooting Technique
Your bow fishing technique can play an important role in determining whether or not you make a successful catch. Learning the shooting technique required for bowfishing is not difficult, but requires lots of practice.
There are four steps to successful bowfishing:
- The first step is to keep the bow at an easy-to-retrieve position.
- Secondly, remain calm as the fish enters your aiming range.
- Thirdly, consider water refraction when aiming at the fish.
- Lastly, steady the bow and release the arrow to shoot your target.
I will not lie to you though; it all sounds easy in theory until you aim at a moving target. That is when you will realize how hard bowfishing can be. Therefore, practice is key when bowfishing. One of the most effective practices for bowfishing is trash fishing.
Practice more and more ..
Trash fishing involves shooting moving trash underwater. It can be pieces of paper, empty bottles, or rusty tins that are within your aiming range. Aim and shoot while the target is moving away from you. In addition, pay attention to how light refracts on the water surface creating an optical illusion on your subject.
Pay attention to how light refracts
As you will discover, you cannot aim directly at the fish as your eye sees it. Refracting light may place the fish at the wrong visual position, which may affect your aim. It is advisable to aim below the fish to increase the chances of hitting the target. The rule of thumb is to aim about six to ten inches below the fish depending on visibility.
You can watch this video to get more experience:
Choosing A Bowfishing Bow
There are various factors to consider when buying a bowfishing bow including:
- Price.
- Weight of the bow.
- Material used to make the bow and arrows.
- Type of reel used with the bow.
- Presence of an AMS retriever.
- The bow’s draw module.
- Bow design; whether it suits both left-handed and right-handed people
Choosing an ideal bow is all about personal preference and not price. Some anglers would go for the traditional crossbow and arrows while others may go for the more advanced re-curve bow. In any case, the arrow has to be strong and heavy enough to pierce through water without altering its trajectory. Weight and material used to make the arrow greatly determine the accuracy of your aim. The best bowfishing arrows are made of carbon fiber, reinforced fiberglass, or aluminum.
Strong and heavy enough. Material is also important!
There are three types of reels used on bowfishing bows:
- The hand-wrap.
- The spin cast.
- The AMS retriever.
The hand-wrap is a traditional and basic hand operated reel line wound on a circular spool. The spool is rewound manually to retrieve the fish once you hit it.
Traditional bow
The spin-cast reel works in the same way as the hand-wrap, but has the advantage of spooling smooth and tangle free lines. However, the spincast reel may experience looping, especially when retrieving fish. Therefore, you have to ensure there is less pressure on the drag to avoid line breakage.
Girl is using spin-cast reel bow
The AMS retriever solves the problems associated with the spin-cast and hand-wrap reels. An AMS retriever would spool a smooth line when hitting the line and avoid tangles when reeling the line back. This kind of reel can also hold braided lines of up to 200 pounds. Sharks and gators are often hunted with AMS retriever bows.
AMS retriever bow
Five Best Bowfishing Bows On The Market
Last update on 2022-08-26 at 14:20 PST - Details
*Below, you'll find our more detailed reviews, but you can also click the links above to see current prices or read customer reviews on Amazon.
Via Amazon.com
The engineering on this bow is impressive. It measures 32.25 inches and is 7.25 inches high with a draw weight of about 50lbs. The bow comes with two interchangeable draw modules including the draw specific module and constant draw module. The latter has a 60 percent greater let off when drawing than the former. However, both modules have similar length adjustments that range from 17 to 31 inches.
A special feature of this bow is its deep cam grooving. It does a decent job of preventing derailed stringing while maintaining portability. This bowfishing bow is specifically designed for the professional angler. Some of the accessories that come with the bow include an arrow rest, a hybrid bowfishing reel, and a pair of white fiberglass arrows. The engineering of this bow eliminates the possibility of a finger pinch, allowing you to shoot continuously without worrying about injuries.
Pros
- Made from quality materials.
- Lightweight and easy to carry around.
- Can be sold inclusive of accessories.
Cons
- May not be recommended for the amateur bowfishing angler
Via Amazon.com
This bowfishing bow lives up to the Scuba Choice name in transforming the toughest fishing conditions into ample chances to net that prized carp or walleye. The bow’s rugged design helps to improve its durability, especially in harsh weather conditions. Measuring 31.5 inches and with a height of 6.5 inches, this is the kind of bow I would use to shoot fish from a tiny boat.
The draw weight for this bow is within the 27lbs-40lbs range. This provides enough power to propel a fiberglass arrow to pierce the water and penetrate the toughest scales. The bow itself has a sturdy construction and includes a pair of 32-inch piranha tip arrows. Most Scuba Choice bows feature an AMS retriever and this bow happens to be one of them.
The most distinct feature on this angling bow is that it suits both the right-handed and the left-handed shooter. This means that you can easily swing it from one hand to the other when shooting in cramped environments. An additional advantage of this bow is its lightweight feature. Weighing only 2.7 pounds, the bow can comfortably be carried around and pulled out quickly once you spot the prized catch.
Pros
- Lightweight.
- Features the AMS retriever reel.
- Rugged design to boost durability.
- 32-inch piranha tip arrows to piece through water and the toughest scales.
Cons
- Highly advanced bow and may only suit a professional bowfishing angler.
Via Amazon.com
This bowfishing bow brings more of that rugged action with its camo design. The bow has a draw weight of 50lbs and comes with a roller style arrow rest that snuggly fits in 5inch or 16inch shaft. In addition, it features an AMS retriever, one of the most advanced bowfishing reels on the market with impressive retrieval results.
The AMS retriever is reinforced with safety slides to ensure smooth release of arrows that do not via off their trajectory. It also comes with finger tabs to prevent blistering with continuous shooting into the water. The bow has a draw weight of 50lbs, enough power to send any 16-inch fiberglass arrow piercing through the waters and into the scales of the fish.
I also appreciate the bow’s impressive, tiny assembly details including bushings, replacement nocks, and shock pads. Such small details are really important because they allow any angler to pull this bow straight from the box and immediately start shooting. I must add that with such a great draw weight and strength, this camo design bow is well suited for the professional angler.
Inclusive in the bow’s packaging are two sure shot arrows with specially constructed tips to pierce through the toughest skin; even that of a gator. In addition, since the bow accommodates 5-inch or 16-inch arrow shafts, you are free to use other brands of arrows in case you run out.
Pros
- Camo design for that rugged feel when in action.
- AMS retriever with safety slides for perfect arrow propulsion and retrieval.
- Finger tabs help prevent hand blistering.
- Enough draw weight power to send an arrow penetrating even in raging waters
Cons
- Bow may feel a bit complex to use for the amateur angler
Via Amazon.com
This is a scaled down version of the advanced Kingfisher PSE bow. If you are just starting out as a bowfishing angler, I would suggest you go with this bow because of its user-friendliness. The bow weighs only 2.7 pounds making it lightweight enough even for a kid to carry around.
Lengthwise, the Precision Bowfishing Bow measures 92.7cm x 15cm x 5.7cm. This makes it compact enough to pack and carry around. With such a small body, I find it intriguing that this bow can spool up to 80 pounds of line at 50 feet. This is enough line to shoot even the largest of fish out of the water.
As a signature look for most Precision bows, this amateur bow also comes in an all-season camo design. A draw weight of 45 pounds is enough for a novice bow fisher to manage and send 31-inch piranha head arrows into the water and pin down moving fish. Inclusive in the purchase-pack are arrow test shots to offer enough shooting practice to the novice bow fisher. For the veteran bowfishing angler, you can still use this pack and get the same accurate results as you would with an advanced professional bow.
The spooling reel is mounted at the front providing a convenient attaching point for the line reel. This strategic positioning of the reel facilitates easy assembly of the bow. The entire bow has a unique black and grey finish and is ready for bowfishing action anytime.
Pros
- Designed to be user-friendly for both the beginner and experienced bowfishing angler.
- Camo design for the rugged look and suit all angling seasons.
- Lightweight and packs enough power to shoot 31-inch fiberglass arrow.
- Relatively cheap.
Cons
- The draw weight may be limiting for the angler who prefers draw weights of 50lbs and more.
Via Amazon.com
Any professional bowfishing angler may agree that this is a perfectly engineered bow that is highly accurate. It is compact enough, lightweight, and precisely balanced to provide easy maneuvering through any fishing conditions. If you enjoy bowfishing in both fresh water and saltwater environments, this may just be the bow you need.
The Muzzy bow has an adjustable draw weight that ranges between 100lbs and 125lbs. In addition, a g2 Bull Pup trigger system means that the bow has the potential to shoot extra-large prey underwater. To reinforce the advanced trigger system is an auto-engaging firelock mechanism with anti-dry properties.
The arrows are easy to load and shoot and are attached to a braided dracon line of about 200 feet. The braided line is conveniently colored to enhance visibility even in murky water. Besides the quick shoot and reload feature, any professional bowfishing angler is also likely to enjoy the simplified aim and shoot mechanism. The bow comes fitted with an open sight where a low power scope can be seamlessly attached. This not only improves your visibility while aiming, it also reduces the likelihood of missing the target.
Pros
- Designed to be durable, lightweight, and with enough power for precision shooting.
- Includes a low power scope to boost visibility and increase accuracy when aiming.
- Draw weights of up to 125 pounds to send arrows piercing through the skin of larger prey
Cons
- Not designed for an amateur bowfishing angler.
- Quite expensive.
FAQS
1. Should I Use A Compound Or Recurve Bow For Bowfishing?
Bowfishing is one of the most popular types of fishing. It's also among the easiest to learn and master, making it an ideal sport for beginners who want to get into something new without investing in expensive equipment. The basic setup consists of a longbow with a string attached at either end that you use to launch your lure out from shore.
Depending on what type of fish you plan to catch, you can choose between using a recurve bow or a straight-pulled bow. A compound bow will give you greater range than a recurve bow but less speed. On the other hand, a recurved bow gives you better control over your accurate shot as well as faster speeds. However, if you have never used a compound before, then stick with a recurved until you feel comfortable with its operation.
2. What Are The Differences Between A Bowfishing Arrow And A Regular Arrow?
A bowfishing arrow is made specifically for bowfishing purposes. They come equipped with special features such as a longer shaft, wider fletching, and different tips. These make them easier to handle and shoot compared to standard hunting arrows. Some models include a stabilizer tip, so they don't fly off course during a flight. Other accessories like quivers and lures are available separately.
3. Can I Use A Regular Arrow For Bowfishing?
Yes! If you already own some hunting arrows, you should be able to adapt them to work just fine for bowfishing. Just remember to remove the stabilizers and replace them with a stabilizing rod. Also, adjust the length of the shaft by removing the nock and replacing it with a shorter piece of wood.
4. How Do I Attach My Bowfishing Arrow To My Bowstring?
You need to first insert the arrow's pointy part into the notch located near the center of the bowstring. Then pull back slightly on the string to tighten it around the arrowhead. Once this has been done correctly, simply release the tension on the string and let go of the trigger. Your arrow should now be firmly secured onto the bowstring.
5. What Is The Best Draw Weight For Bowfishing?
The optimal draw weight depends on how much force you intend to exert on the string. For example, if you're going after a small game, you'll probably only require about 50 lbs of draw weight. But if you're targeting large species, you may need more than 100 lbs of draw weight. In general, though, anything above 60 lbs is considered too heavy for bowfishing.
6. What Glue Do I Recommend For Bowfishing Arrows?
There are many types of glue available today. Most people prefer epoxy glue because it dries quickly and doesn't leave any residue behind once cured. Epoxies tend to hold up very well against water exposure, making them perfect for bowfishing applications. Another good option would be cyanoacrylate. This adhesive cures extremely fast and leaves no odor when applied. Both options are relatively inexpensive and easy to find online.
7. What Are The Materials A Bowfishing Arrow Is Made Of?
Bowfishing arrows are usually constructed out of carbon fiber composite material. It provides excellent strength while being lightweight enough to keep the overall weight down. The shafts used in these arrows vary depending on what type of fish you plan to target. A typical fishing line will suffice, but other alternatives, including bamboo, aluminum, and even steel.
Conclusion
I would comfortably say the competition here is locked in between the Precision bowfishing bow and the PSE Advanced Kingfisher Bowfishing Bow. As a pro-angler aiming to retrieve the trophy catch faster and in tough fishing conditions, it may make more sense to pick the precision bowfishing bow. It has a sturdy construction and comes with accessories such as a scope to boost precision when shooting.
However, I feel that the low-power scope of the Precision Bowfishing Bow takes away from the thrill of traditional bowfishing. Nothing is as fulfilling as aiming through refracted water, in impossible to fish conditions, and still hit your target spot-on. For that reason, I would definitely prefer the PSE Advanced Kingfisher Bowfishing Bow to the Precision bowfishing bow.
Hope you found this article useful. Please share this article on your social media pages so that you may help fellow anglers learn how to use a bowfishing bow.
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