Bowfishing is the greatest water sport!

1st is a bowfishing bow.

Most bows are in the zero let off category like the Barracuda Compound Bow that my son and I shoot and have come to love. Why a zero let off bow? You get the ability to snap shoot at your targets (shoot quickly) since your shooting in shallow waters and only get too see your targets for a short time. Shooting like this is better known as instinctive shooting for its quick point and shoot without really aiming a whole lot at your target. Another bow of choice for the kids was the Genesis bow. While the kids were at a younger age they couldn't draw or pull back the 30lb. to 40lb. bows so the Genesis bow was ideal with only giving a 15lb. to a 20lb. draw weight.

2nd is a bowfishing retriever
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Tried and very true to the industry is the retriever provided by AMS. This still is way more efficient in reeling in your fish for this style of fishing. It has a reasonable cost. It outweighs the lower model for hand lining in your fish by tenfold. I guess it really boils down to what you prefer to use or have already gotten use to using while bowfishing but I would highly recommend the AMS Bowfishing Retriever Pro Reel

3rd is your bowfishing rest.

I prefer to use the Trophy Ridge Bowfishing Whisker Biscuit Arrow Rest because unfortunately I usually get stuck driving the boat for the kids and get left over shots from them or the fish they miss. The Whisker Biscuit hold your arrow on all sides so you're ready to shot as long as your arrow stays knocked. My kids still use their AMS bowfishing rest without any real problems since there is little parts to cause problems.

4th is your no gloves?

What are No Glove you might ask? If you're not an archer they are small rubber placements on your bow string that helps you grab. This allows your fingers the aid they need when drawing back so as not to hurt your finger when letting your shot go. Glover or archers gloves have no place to offer any benefits in this water activity of bowfishing. I recommend installing the no gloves yourself or even having the local archer shop install them for you if you don't have a bow press.

5th last and most important is the bowfishing arrow you chose.

My sons and I all use the 5/16" yellow jacket with the muzzy point or the Cajun point tip. I like building my own whenever possible to save a buck or two here and there. Let's face it though fully assembled is nice also when you're in a hurry just to get out the front door and on the water. Cajun Piranha Yellow Jacket, Cajun Arrows, Archery

Tip - Dress in bowfishing apparel!

Great new bowfishing silhouette designs that are fully customizable.

Taking Aim, Bowfishing t-shirt by bowfishing
Browse Bowfishing T-Shirts
Many other bowfishing gift ideas at our Zazzle store, Bowfishing Gift Store

My sons started off with the Mathews Genesis bows for their first bowfishing trips. I shoot the PSE Barracuda with the AMS pro retriever. Both are very reliable and suited for bowfishing. The short axis allows for mobility while in your boat.

I was a beautiful summers night back in June of 2009. We were taking my son out for his first bowfishing trip with his new bow. We headed south to Cocorie LA. where are fishing hole is about an hour from the house. The boat was in the water around 8:30 and we started to bowfish around dusk (about 9pm). He landed his first bowfishing fish around midnight. It couldn't have come at a better time. he was about to give up because everyone else had shot a fish except him. He was a very happy little boy in the heat of the moment.