Bowfishing advice.

Todd Rahm · February 17, 2018, 05:53:14 AM

My daughter has a Mission Bow that is a few years old from her youth league, and she has given me the go ahead to convert it in to a pike hunting arrow slinging beast.

(Hopefully from a kayak Jim)

Don't recall off the top of my head the model, but the draw length will adjust to my range and the poundage adjust from like 25-75lbs. (Not sure whats a good range for fishing yet) Read a lot, watched a lot and still just as confused.

I really don't want to fool around with cheaply made (Easily broken) kind of stuff. I'm guessing the retrieval system is the most important???? For pike I would like a really good real as apposed to hand lining them in.

Any tips and or suggestions or maybe a good place to find this info?

Thanks, and Ill get the bow out for a few pics when I get home.

(Jim wasn't sure which forum to put this in, so boot me to another if need be.)

centerfire_223 · February 19, 2018, 05:56:44 AM

Go to Muzzy's website. They have the best reels available for bowfishing. They are about the size of a Zebco 808. They also have parts available to rebuild if you ever need to. I bowfished competitively for years and went through dozens of 808's, these Muzzy reels are nice, but expensive ($75). But then again an 808 is ($40). Another reel is the AMS retriever, they are good reels but I never did like them.

Todd Rahm · February 19, 2018, 07:29:56 AM

Thanks Ronnie!!! Whats your opinion on the Cajun Sucker Punch Winch? I'm leaning either way but figured the Cajun might be a good set up for pike since that is all I would be using it for up here. I know the rest is a must, but is the roller some add required or needed?

Thanks,
Todd

Flying in from the slope today and talked the wife into stopping at Bass Pro on the way home.

FinsnFur · February 19, 2018, 06:50:29 PM

Quote from: Todd Rahm on February 19, 2018, 07:29:56 AM
Flying in from the slope today and talked the wife into stopping at Bass Pro on the way home.

Its a start!

nastygunz · February 19, 2018, 08:44:00 PM

Lotta guys go after carp with a bow in these parts.

centerfire_223 · February 20, 2018, 05:12:08 AM

I have not shot one so could give a good opinion. Any bow will work as long as the poundage can be turned down low. I normally run mine on 35 lbs., any stronger and you will have a heck of a time getting your arrow out of the mud. Check out the bowfishing whisker biscuit for the arrow rest. They work awesome. Never have to worry about your arrow falling off, plus it keeps tension on the bowfishing line, so it don't hang loose and get tangled up.

You will have an awesome time. Especially if you like to shoot a bow. Here on a good night, you can shoot 500 or more times in a night. Here is a little piece of advice, wear gloves on your shooting hand. That fast flight string will eat your hand alive when you are trying to get your arrow out of the mud or fighting a fish. Another tip, carry a flopper stopper (hammer or something), when you throw that fish in the boat it will try to knock the console out of it and if you have other stuff laying around on the deck. It's gone swimming!!

If you have any other questions give me a holler.

Hawks Feather · February 20, 2018, 08:17:46 AM

Todd,

I have been following this thread and you seem to be getting some good advice. Personally, I have found the Crocodile Dundee method of just using a small charge of dynamite to work extremely well. I never miss and usually (depending on the amount of dynamite) can get quite a few with each try.

Just a thought.

Jerry

nastygunz · February 20, 2018, 06:37:00 PM

Flopper Stopper= thats a new one for me

👍

Todd Rahm · February 26, 2018, 01:47:42 PM

Took the daughters bow into the local arrow flinging store and had it adjusted to my draw at 35 lbs. He also put on some finger savers for me. Picked up an Archenemy HD Reel. Archenemy Arrow Rest, and a couple of arrows this week off. I just need to order my reel seat mount and shoot thru rod tip.

I looked up the Bowfishing Association record for Alaska. and its 11.9 lbs @ 32&3/4 long for pike. I've been lucky enough to land a few well over this size and routinely see them and bigger sunning or swimming thru the shallows. So I'm hopeful.

There is a video of this pike on Youtube but I'm to dumb at this point to figure out how to post it up.

Todd Rahm · February 26, 2018, 02:05:04 PM

Meant to mention, we can only go after pike and shefish up here. No Carp in Alaska.......that I know of?

Todd Rahm · March 07, 2018, 12:50:34 PM

Well ordered a TJE thru rod tip, and a Reel Seat and Line Puller/Arrow Locker from Gargods. The bow should officially be ready to rock when they get here. I'll just need to practice with it.

In the mean time I think I have watched every bowfishing video on Youtube, and I mean every.

Which had me making a mental note of a bucket hit list so to speak.

1. Pike (bigger the better but shooting for the state record with BAA)
2. Snakehead (Pontomic maybe?)
3. Paddle fish.
4. Alligator Gar

Make take a couple of years, but I can dream for now.

Hawks Feather · March 07, 2018, 10:45:52 PM

Quote from: Todd Rahm on March 07, 2018, 12:50:34 PM
Well ordered a TJE thru rod tip, and a Reel Seat and Line Puller/Arrow Locker from Gargods. The bow should officially be ready to rock when they get here. I'll just need to practice with it.

In the mean time I think I have watched every bowfishing video on Youtube, and I mean every. Which had me making a mental note of a bucket hit list so to speak.

1. Pike (bigger the better but shooting for the state record with BAA)
2. Snakehead (Pontomic maybe?)
3. Paddle fish.
4. Alligator Gar

Make take a couple of years, but I can dream for now.

You missed the American Alligator (not Gar). I think you would have LOTS of FUN after you stick that arrow in a gator and start reeling it in.

Jerry

centerfire_223 · March 08, 2018, 05:56:06 AM

Gotta throw in a Carolina Catfish on the bucket list.

Here is a major tip for ya; when you think your aiming low enough, aim lower!!

nastygunz · March 08, 2018, 07:05:13 AM

Choot em Todd, choot em !

Todd Rahm · March 08, 2018, 08:37:29 AM

Jerry, I haven't convinced my self to shoot something that could pull me in and eat me yet.

Hawks Feather · March 09, 2018, 01:38:13 PM

Quote from: Todd Rahm on March 08, 2018, 08:37:29 AM
Jerry, I haven't convinced my self to shoot something that could pull me in and eat me yet.

Ah, come on. I am sure you are up to the challenge. If you are like me you have watched Tarzan kill quite a few with a knife.

Jerry

Todd Rahm · March 09, 2018, 02:10:08 PM

Sorry Jerry, Tarzans before my time. I'm more a George Of The Jungle generation.

Its on the list now.

Hawks Feather · March 10, 2018, 12:24:08 PM

Quote from: Todd Rahm on March 09, 2018, 02:10:08 PM
Sorry Jerry, Tarzans before my time. I'm more a George Of The Jungle generation.

Its on the list now.

Kids today. Well there was a movie called Tarzan that came out a couple of years ago. New Tarzan, but still worth watching. The one that I used to watch is now in a nursing home.

Jerry

5 SHOTS · March 10, 2018, 05:14:17 PM

1. Pike (bigger the better but shooting for the state record with BAA)
2. Snakehead (Pontomic maybe?)
3. Paddle fish.
4. Alligator Gar

3. Paddle fish
Does this mean you are thinking about the Ft. Peck area?

Todd Rahm · March 10, 2018, 05:49:58 PM

What ever area I get invited to.