What Is The Best Bowfishing Bow? Best Guide In 2023
What Is The Best Bowfishing Bow?
What is the best bowfishing bow will soon be a question for anyone considering giving the sport a try.
There was a time when a bowfishing bow was just any vintage bow you could get at a garage sale or pawn shop. Today, there are more alternatives than ever for being suited to your first bowfishing expedition. But times have changed.
The secret to successful bowfishing bows is to keep things simple and shooter-friendly. To shoot fish, you don’t need a lot of weight. Bows with a draw weight of 30 to 40 pounds are more than adequate for shooting fish while still being light enough to shoot all day without experiencing muscle soreness.
Therefore, if you can find a kid bow with many draw length adjustment options, you’ll have a terrific choice that will fit most people. The traditional recurve bow, vintage compound bows, handmade bowfishing bows, and some of the most well-liked hybrid versions are additional choices.
Bowfishing bows come in a variety of styles, just like other types of weapons. Depending on the budget and preferences of the bowfisherman, everything from second-hand bows to specialty bows for bowfishing can be utilized. Bows used for bowfishing are frequently quick draws with less draw weight than those used for deer hunting.
A longer axle-to-axle dimension is also characteristic of bowfishing bows. A bowfishing bow’s larger axle to axle length reduces “finger pinch” at the maximum draw, making it a desirable characteristic, but, as previously mentioned, it depends on personal preference.
So what is the best bowfishing bow? Which bow design works best?
Below, we’ll look more closely at the fundamentals of bowfishing bows.
Table of Contents
The Recurve
Many shooters are drawn to the old recurve because they frequently have one stashed away in the attic or shed from earlier times. But the recurve is also a fantastic choice because it can shoot quickly at darting fish.
There is perhaps no faster drawing bow available to shoot an arrow from. However, there are a number of drawbacks to the recurve as well. Recurves tend to be lengthy and less maneuverable than a contemporary compound bow.
They are also made of wood, which may or may not be able to withstand the trauma that bowfishing dishes out. Let’s move on to the next part of “what is the best bowfishing bow”.
The Garage Sale Special : What Is The Best Bowfishing Bow?
At garage sales, I’m constantly on the hunt for used bows. Frequently, the vendor is unaware of the bow’s value or doesn’t care. An excellent opportunity to score a deal exists.
I purchased a used PSE compound bow with an AMS bottle real and an arrow last summer. The bow was only worth about $40. However, the reel cost more than $100. The woman demanded $20 for the entire arrangement.
Once more, buying at garage sales is a fantastic method to get a variety of bows for bowfishing without spending a lot of money.
Custom Bowfishing Bows : What Is The Best Bowfishing Bow?
Over the past ten years, a number of bow manufacturers have responded to the demand for bows designed expressly for bowfishing. Options from Muzzy, Cajun, AMS, PSE, Diamond, Fin-Finder, and more are now available.
These bows, which often have no set draw length and are therefore easy to draw for quick shooting, range in price from $250 to $500 and are a wonderful upgrade because they fit a variety of shooters of various sizes.
Stainless steel is frequently used in the construction of these bows to help them withstand the elements.
The Hybrid
Some of the most popular bows for bowfishing on the market feature a hybrid design. They offer the advantages of both compound and recurve bow concepts.
Some of the top bows in this category are ones like the Oneida Osprey and Muzzy LV-X. These bows are used by top shooters from all over the nation because they perform well and can be tuned up from a boat without the use of a bow press.
Draw Weight
Weight is a very important topic when we are discussing “what is the best bowfishing bow.”
I’ve discovered that between 30 and 40 lbs. is the ideal weight for bowfishing. For easier and more consistent draws, shoot around 30 lbs. This is excellent for bowfishing in shallow water.
A lighter-weight bow’s arrow won’t be as likely to stick in river, creek, or lake bottoms when shot when wading in shallow water or bowfishing from a boat.
When shooting in deeper water, where you require more kinetic energy and penetration, shooting a heavier weight—around 40–50 lbs—is advantageous.
The disadvantage of using a larger draw weight is the potential for “arrow to structure” damage and the resulting increased wear and tear from frequent shooting. Go shooting for a day and experiment with various poundages to determine your ideal draw weight.
Axle to Axle Length
Personal taste determines the overall axle-to-axle length of a bow. Longer axle-to-axle bows have less “finger pinch,” but they are a little more difficult to maneuver in a bowfishing boat.
For speedier fish swings, some guys, like myself, prefer shorter bowfishing bows. Finding the ideal bow requires a mutual exchange of contributions. I think the best way to determine which bows you prefer is to get in a boat and shoot with them for a few hours.
Wrapping Up
We are at the end of the article” what is the best bowfishing bow.”
So what is the best bowfishing bow?
That all depends on your financial situation or whether you have access to an extra bow. The affordability of bowfishing as a sport makes it attractive. If you have an old bow you can use for bowfishing, all you’ll need to get started is a reel and an arrow ($100).
Using your deer hunting equipment for bowfishing is not recommended. One is that it will have far too much draw weight. Additionally, your preferred hunting equipment for the fall will require much more abuse than you are willing to give it.
Some of the most thrilling archery action you’ll see all summer may be found when bowfishing. This season, get set up and make it happen!
John Smith
My Self John Smith. I’m an avid outdoorsman and writer. I have been fishing and hunting for over 20 years and has a deep passion for these sports. I have written several articles and essays on the subject, and his work has been featured in many outdoor magazines. I’m also a conservationist and promotes sustainable hunting and fishing practices. I believes in preserving the natural environment for future generations to enjoy.