Starter Kit Suggestions

[Dale87]

Hello, been thinking about getting into bow fishing since the passed few times we've been out bass fishing we've seen tons of carp. However I don't have the things needed except for the bow of course.

I've been looking at this one kit, Cajun Archery Combo Bowfishing Kit, the price is right; just wondering if any of you've had any experience with it. Also, i'm interested if any of you know any other relatively cheap start up sets preferably in the price range of the one I mentioned.

Also, I see there are bow fishing arrow holders, I take it you can probably just use the ones you use for aluminum? Well thanks for any help and or suggestions.

[cmueller302]

I bought the bow kit out of Cabela's 139 dollars for the PSE bow, arrow, line, spool and roller rest. no complaints hear. Just make sure you get a slide for your arrows.
Aim Low,
Casey

[Dale87]

I read about the slider, if you don't get one the string just attaches at the end of the arrow? I can see why it might be important to get a slider if thats the case.

[msujberry]

Also be sure to get an arrow that will release the barbs to remove the arrow after it has passed through the fish. Most commonly the tip unscrews to the point that it will allow the barbs to fold backward.

[RobFromFlint]

I've heard the PSE kingfisher hit is good. Personally I think a recurve is where to go for bowfishing. Sometimes you gotta snapshoot and it's a pain to try with a compound. Check garage sales, too. I've seen old recurves go for as low as $10. Whatever you get, try to stay around 50lb draw. Pass throughs get messy.

[DuckMan87]

im currently shootin a shakespere spincast reel win a wheel of fortune roller rest...and zero complaints..ALWAYS go with the Ams safety slide system!! lots of reasons y, if u are gonna shoot a retriever reel what will happen is from teh excess line it will literally tie its self around your bow string and if ur not ucky enough for the line to brake the arrow will fly back at you!! I was fortunet enough that the line broke when i was shooting the retriever reel...literally at that moment i took the reel off and bought the spincast..ive been looking over the cajun site and personally dont liek the combos much...have shot the zebco reels as well didnt enjoy them as much as my current reel and the tips that come with the package arrows SUCK!! If u invest in the spool combo...nice arrow setup but winding the spool after every shot u will either hate bowfishing or end up buying a reel anyways...

My best suggestion as far as a kit goes is piece one together based on ur money situation, my reccomendations are as follows:

Reel- Zebco 808 Bowfisher Reel
Reel Seat-Muzzy Anchor Reel Seat
Optional recommended attachment-Muzzy Finger Saver (helps pull arrows stuck in things)
Line-Brownell 200# Fast Flight Line
Arrow Rest-Muzzy Wheel of Fortune Rest
Arrows-Muzzy Arrow w/ Gar Point with Safety Slide
Arrow Holder- we came up with using a PVC tube caped at one end with a threaded cap at the other....screwed in a nylon strap and u were good to go!!

AGAIN this is all personal preferance comming from doin this for about 10 years so take it as u will!! I kno of plenty of people that shoot the retriver reels with no problems i just hate em =)

If i missed anything or any other questions u have PLEASE yell at me and ill be more than happy to anwser them for you!

~mike

[Dale87]

Hey thanks for all the info so far guys, you all have been really helpful.


I just have a couple of questions for you though Duckman,

Which arrow tips on the Cajun website did you say that you didn't care for?
Also you said the kit I was looking at originally is pretty good, but its a pain to reel in all the line after the shot?
One more that I can think of right now, is the roller rest a big improvement over a typical arrow rest used for just normal arrows?

Guess I lied one more question, it seems like you can use pretty much any fishing reel long as you have the mounting bracket to mount it to your bow?

[DuckMan87]

ok the tips u wanna stay away from would be the...wow i just looked over the website i get all my stuff from theres alot i wouldnt get sooooo from this site backwaterbowfishing.com/onlinestore/cart.php?m=product_list&c=3 (wont lemme make a link yet) =(

the ones i would get are as follows:
~Cajun Piranha Point
~Cajun Long Barb Piranha Point
~Muzzy Carp & Gar Points
~ Shure Shot Penetrator Point
~the barb tips are great for tournament situations...

other than that the ones i have listed are prefd. by me for ease of use...ive tryed most of the others and just found them to be more annoying...they DO work but when i shoot its usually fast pace, meaning the more shotting the better.

[duckbuster808]

I picked up the cheap AMS bow fishing kit at gander mtn. for $25...came with the gray wheel, line, and an arrow w/ safety slide....I picked up a Muzzy Roller Rest for $12.99 and I've got no complaints...I love it!

[TrekJeff]

So spin cast over the retriever reels?

[neil duffey]

if i had the money to spend, id get the ams canister bow fishing reel... every day of my life.

[454casull]

The retriever is the way to go $$$ well spent. You'll never forget to push the button on a retriever. The cost between the AMS and an 808 cannot be that big. Plus you do not have to buy an additional reel seat. Do you "need" the retriever? no Is it the hot setup? Absolutely!

[454casull]

BTW These little gems are the way to go as well. After shooting a cabled arrow for years what a difference. The only complaint is on pass throughs you will have a diffecult if not impossible time pulling the arrow back. I usually enlarge the exit and entrance holes instead of cutting the line....

[neil duffey]

The retriever is the way to go $$$ well spent. You'll never forget to push the button on a retriever. The cost between the AMS and an 808 cannot be that big. Plus you do not have to buy an additional reel seat. Do you "need" the retriever? no Is it the hot setup? Absolutely!

any one will "need" the ams when they forget to push the button a few times... and get hit w/ the arrow that didnt fly... trust me, iv seen it happen. as soon as i have some extra change, im getting one.

[stickem]

go with the retriever...hands down the best...

[DuckMan87]

The retriever is the way to go $$$ well spent. You'll never forget to push the button on a retriever. The cost between the AMS and an 808 cannot be that big. Plus you do not have to buy an additional reel seat. Do you "need" the retriever? no Is it the hot setup? Absolutely!

well teh 808 is 40 dollars cheaper...if u forget to push the button u just peel drag...and the retrieve is twice as fast as the retriver reel =)...again tho just personal pref.

any of yall had that fancy retriver string decide to tie its self around the line?? thats good times!! thank god for safety slides!!

and i will admit i have 2 bows in my back seat one of which has a retriver reel on it lol:yikes:

[stickem]

go with what your comfortable with...:D

[GOTONE]

go with the retriever...hands down the best...



I agree

[Silverman]

go with what your comfortable with...:D

I agree with this statement...

the whole Spinner VS Retriever is always talked about but what it really comes down to is what your comfy with and what YOU like to shoot.... I started out with a Retriever but i now shoot spinners.. i have a few Zebco's and a Muzzy spinner. Personally, id only go back to a Retriever if i absolutley had too, i just like spinners that much... but they arent for everyone.

[DuckMan87]

I agree with this statement...

the whole Spinner VS Retriever is always talked about but what it really comes down to is what your comfy with and what YOU like to shoot.... I started out with a Retriever but i now shoot spinners.. i have a few Zebco's and a Muzzy spinner. Personally, id only go back to a Retriever if i absolutley had too, i just like spinners that much... but they arent for everyone.

exactly...my backup bow is a retriver setup

[jwhooper]

I just started, and I did get that Kingfisher kit. Love the bow, but I don't care for that hand spool, or the rest, and if you ask me the spooler drags the hell out of the arrow. Still, it's good enough to shoot fish, I won't deny that. I went ahead and sprang for two AMS retriever kits and picked up a cheap compound because my son wants to shoot a compound. I like the recurve.

We had a really great time shooting with these AMS retrievers and the arrows didn't fall off the AMS wave rests, like before. They are worth the money if you have it.

[Silverman]

Good choice, you cant go wrong with an AMS if your just starting out! If your looking for a great rest check out the Quick Draw Arrow rest! Its the best bowfishing rest i have come across yet, hands down!
www.quickdrawoutdoorgear.com

[TrekJeff]

Good choice, you cant go wrong with an AMS if your just starting out! If your looking for a great rest check out the Quick Draw Arrow rest! Its the best bowfishing rest i have come across yet, hands down!
www.quickdrawoutdoorgear.com (http://www.quickdrawoutdoorgear.com)

Now that's a sweet looking rest!