Bowfishing question

[RUGER]

I seriously doubt I will ever be into it "big time" but I am gonna have to try my hand at this bowfishing stuff.

Is there an "ideal" poundage for a bowfishing rig?

Man said my hunting bow would be "too much" and I would get way too much arrow deflection.

Someone else told me that using the fiberglass arrows was dangerous with a high poundage bow?

As usual, I know nothing, so I ask.

 

[showmehorns]

For the fellow who shoots on the weekend or every other weekend, I would suggest a bow in the 35 (35/55 limbs) pound range. Then the weight your pulling really depends on what type of water your shooting. If your shooting gar in inches of water, back her down as low as she goes, you don't need the extra poundage. If your shooting big numbers of average size commons in shallow water, back her down all the way, you don't need the extra poundage.

The only three times you need to turn the bow up above the 35# range would be if you were shooting LOTS of big fish, if you were shooting a river type of situation, or shooting fish in deeper water. In short, big fish require the extra punch, fast moving water requires some extra poundage to get into your target and deep water requires the extra punch. For every day shooting, 30 to 35 pounds is your friend.

I have one Oneida with 20/40 limbs that stays at 21 pounds and use it for numbers. The other Oneida is 30/50 limbs and it never moves off of 32 pounds unless its three of the situations I mentioned above.

 

[rukiddin]

^^^Agree with showme. I have two PSE Discovery's. Both are set at 26lbs and I am yet to have any problems with it.....BUT......I have'nt shot any big fish yet. I've put some backup shots into a couple of big grassies for some buddies. It sunk in about 4" and the arrow was like a fencepost in the fish.
I keep an old Oregon bow on the boat set at 40lbs if I get into a lot of big fish. I don't really think you can have "too much" poundage, but you will splinter arrows in rock with high poundage and you will wear yourself out if your into a lot fish. Heck, even at 26 lbs, my shoulder will be sore the next day if I shoot a lot that night.

 

[RUGER]

Thanks guys.
I was going to switch my deer hunting bow over to bowfishing but really didn't want to.

Then I remembered my father-in-law had an old pse nova in his garage.
Got it all rigged up today with my new reel seat, muzzy reel, line and two arrows.

Only thing I didn't get put on was the arrow rest.
The bolt that came with it wasn't long enough.
Gonna get me one tomorrow and finish it up tomorrow night.

Guess we going back to Reelfoot Friday.

Got man a reel for his too. They didn't have another muzzy so he went with the Shakespere.

Should be fun.

 

[showmehorns]

Thanks guys.
I was going to switch my deer hunting bow over to bowfishing but really didn't want to.

Then I remembered my father-in-law had an old pse nova in his garage.
Got it all rigged up today with my new reel seat, muzzy reel, line and two arrows.

Only thing I didn't get put on was the arrow rest.
The bolt that came with it wasn't long enough.
Gonna get me one tomorrow and finish it up tomorrow night.

Guess we going back to Reelfoot Friday.

Got man a reel for his too. They didn't have another muzzy so he went with the Shakespere.

Should be fun.

Good luck! And it will be fun! And you need to book your spring trip for next year ....

 

[RUGER]

Yes I do. :D