Bowfishing is a game of chance and a game of repetitive shots - the percentages aren't high, but the rewards and excitement of the bowfishing sport are worth every second. This is why it's important to have the best bowfishing gear possible for your most efficient and safest shot at scoring a giant snakehead, common carp, or catfish. Whether you're shooting from the deck of your Sun Tracker Bass Buggy boat in the shallows of the Trinity River or shore shooting off of St. Lawrence you'll want the right fishing gear from the most trusted brands out there. Luckily, OpticsPlanet has everything anglers need from the leading brands of bowfishing equipment on the market that will ensure your success, including Muzzy, Cajun Bowfishing, AMS, and more!
From these best bowfishing brands come the essentials that any new beginner or long-time enthusiast will need. These bowfishing basics are Bowfishing Bows, Bowfishing Reels, Bowfishing Lines, and Fishing Arrows. Entire Bowfishing kits are also incredibly popular as well.
Bowfishing bows have varied from very simple to fairly technologically advanced. A more traditional bow can easily be used and outfitted and is somewhat inexpensive. Though, to get the full experience and make the most out of your bowfishing time, it's usually better to go for specialized bows. Bowfishing bows are designed to take care of all the little nuances you may not consider when you just begin bow fishing. They are lightweight, so you don't get tired too fast when you stalk your prey. They also often come equipped with reels so you don't have to buy them separately.
The crossbow can also be used in bowfishing, but this isn't very common. It certainly does come with some advantages though.
The three most common types of bowfishing reels are retriever, hand-wrap, and spin cast. Hand-wrap reels are the simplest reels; they consist of a circular spool that the line is wrapped onto by hand and then secured in a line holding slot. When the arrow is shot, the line comes free from the line holder and feeds off the spool. Fish are caught by pulling the line in hand over hand. Hand-wrap reels are the least effective at fighting arrowed fish, but they can be used in conjunction with a float system to shoot and fight large trophy fish. Retriever reels have a "bottle" that holds the line in place. When shot, the line comes out either until the shot goes too far and runs out or the hunter pushes down a stopping device that can be used to keep a fish from traveling out too far. Some retriever reels have slots cut in them and are known as slotted retriever reels. They are more commonly used for alligators, sharks, and other big game that will take more time to chase down than smaller game fish.
Bowfishing lines are frequently made out of braided nylon, Spectra, or Dacron with bright colors like neon orange, red, and bright green. Commonly used line weights range from eighty to four-hundred pound test, with six-hundred being used when bowhunting for alligators.
Bowfishing arrows are much heavier and stronger than arrows used in other types of archery. They are most commonly constructed of five-sixteenths inch fiberglass, solid aluminum, and carbon fiber, as they have to withstand a higher degree of punishment.
We have all of the high-quality bowfishing equipment you need to fuel your thrilling experience on the water. Plus, we carry fish finders, fishing lures, and tons of other fishing accessories that will help you reel in your best catch yet. If you need help while browsing for bowfishing equipment, make sure to check out our helpful Fishing How-to Guides for tips on choosing the best gear and more! Shop online for bowfishing gear at OpticsPlanet today, and see how you can get free shipping on your order.