If you are a fan or archery or precision sports, bow fishing is your thing. Proper bows, arrows, and reels are what will make your experience fun and indulging. The Bowfishing equipment is specially designed to travel in water thus, specific for its function. The key to successful mastery of this activity is the command of the technique and the best design. Bowfishing is however still fun and positively challenging activity even for beginners as they work their way into mastering the art of the activity.
When choosing the right equipment for Bowfishing, there are several factors to consider. As a beginner, it’s probably best to purchase a full kit package that will include all the equipment needed for bow fishing. However, if conversant and have done enough research you can go for the bits and pieces to put together only the best-picked equipment. When choosing a bow, the main thing to look at is the length, brace height, and peak draw, although other factors may also serve to your advantage. Listed below is a list of the 8 best Bowfishing bows outlined with their features and why they are considered the best.
OUR TOP PICK
Cajun Sucker Punch
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Comes in a complete Bowfishing package
- Ideal for beginners
- Adjustable and easy to use – ensures full performance and easy precision
- Peak draw length of up to 50 lbs
Bow length 32.25” (axle-axle), 7 – 31” (draw length)
Brace height 7.25”
Peak draw weight 50lbs
EDITORS CHOICE
Muzzy Vice Kit
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Comes in a complete Bowfishing package
- Ideal for beginners
- Comes with fish hooks rest and finger savers
- Adjustable gear
- 75% let off
- High draw weight and length for accuracy and higher likelihood success rate
Bow length 15-30” (draw length)
Brace height 7.5”
Peak draw weight 15 – 40lbs
BEST VALUE
Cajun Fish Stick Take-Down
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Comes in a complete take-down to the water kit
- Ideal draw length and weight
- High quality aluminum riser and synthesized limbs for full performance
- Ideal for beginners & experts
- Very powerful
Bow length 56” (draw length)
Brace height 7.25”
Peak draw weight 45 lbs
AMS Bowfishing Water Moc Recurve Kit
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Comes in a complete take-down to the water kit
- Sleek, green design that is waterproof
- Magnesium riser and synthesized limbs for full performance
- Light weight and easy to carry
- Easy to put together
Bow length 56” (axle-axle), 28” (draw length)
Brace height 7.25”
Peak draw weight 45 lbs
PSE Kingfisher Right Hand
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Attractive all season camo design
- Made of aluminum and stainless steel durable material
- High bow draw length and draw weight
Bow length 50” (draw length)
Brace height 7”
Peak draw weight 45 lbs
RH Beginner Bowfishing Package w/ PSE Kingfisher
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Comes a complete kit with all necessary tools
- Ideal for beginners
- Easy to assemble and to use
- No-glove Blister free finger protection
Bow length 28” (draw length)
Brace height 7”
Peak draw weight 50 lbs
Alpine Mako Right Hand
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- High draw length and height for full performance
- Adjustable bow- makes it ideal for all
- Alloy material to avoid corrosion over prolonged use in water
- Light weight
- High precision, power and speed
Bow length 30.75” (Axle – axle), 23 – 29” (draw length)
Brace height 6.5”
Peak draw weight 50 lbs
Gen-X Cuda
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Comes as a complete kit
- Ideal for right and left handed persons
- Adjustable draw length and height – ideal for all
- Ideal and adjustable draw weight and height
Bow length 35.5” (Axle – axle), 21 – 31” (draw length)
Brace height 7.5”
Peak draw weight 25-40 lbs
How To Choose A Bowfishing Bow – Buying Guide
Coating
Different Bowfishing bows are made with different materials from those laminated with waterproof materials to those made with metal alloys, plastic or even wood. It is, however, important to note that, it’s probably best to choose a material that fits well with the activity. Going for laminated and waterproof materials or metal alloys is also a good idea because these are designed to be water resistant and fend off other factors caused by sources such as salt water, in the case of alloys this is corrosion. However, it is also important to consider other factors such as durability and strength of the material.
Capacity
The capacity of Bowfishing bows is definitely affected by their design and components that are compiled to make the full kit, for example, a bow with strong limbs and cams definitely has a higher performance capacity than those that don’t.
Weight
Bowfishing bows are affected by two kinds of weight factors, both are important. The weight of the bow itself is important. When sourcing for a bow, look for something that does not exceed 3lbs. This allows the bow to be light enough for easy storing and transporting even during your long walks to your fishing spot. The light weightiness of your bow also makes precision and accuracy easier as you are not concentrating on how the heaviness of the tool is weighing you down.
The second factor, draw weight also affects speed and power. The ideal weight is between late 20 lbs to 40 lbs, although a higher peak of up to 50 lbs is not bad either. Higher draw weight increases power thus, you do not want a very high weight value unless you are hunting a shark!
Grip
The grip on Bowfishing bows is also an important and integral part of the activity’s process. For accuracy and precision, one should definitely feel comfortable and unhinged, thus bow grips should be as comfortable as possible. Most bows are designed with solutions for a functional grip. Some come with no blister finger pads whilst others go all out with added grip areas. One should definitely, keep the grip in mind when sourcing for the right bowfishing bow.
Dimensions
Bowfishing bows have ranging lengths from anywhere between 30” to 50”, however, the ideal axle to axle length is 31”- 32” whilst the ideal range for draw length is between 17’ to 30”. These values are important to note, especially as a beginner because they affect stability, performance, and speed. Thus, knowing to pick just the right length is imminent in Bowfishing.
Warranty
Due to the nature of their function, Bowfishing bows experience a lot of risk for damage, the majority of them are ideal to be purchased with longer periods of warranty time. The majority of manufacturers also offer a warranty time of at least 1 – 2 years.
Regulations
Since deadly tools such as bows and arrows are used in this activity, Bowfishing is considered game hunting rather than fish hunting. Thus, a sports fishing license is required for this activity and Bowfishing is limited to fish that is considered rough, sometimes dangerous and unappetizing to the human population. Additionally, to get a license to allow you to game fish requires one to be at least 18 years of age and older.
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Type Of Fish
Typically, the type of fish caught using this method is the rough, sometimes dangerous and unappetizing ones. This includes both freshwater fish such as carp, gar, and paddlefish as well as salt water fish such as stingrays, flounders, and barracudas.
Adjustability
Arrow length is always determined by draw length. However, some bows are adjustable and some are not. Adjustable bows are ideal because they allow different people to operate successfully. Draw length affects speed and power. An average draw length of 28” is more likely to give you a successful rate.
Right vs Left Hand
The majority of Bowfishing kits are right handed. This limits left-handed individuals who have to put in extra effort to source for left-handed kits or custom make them. A right-handed kit is very uncomfortable and almost impossible for a left-handed individual to use, yielding them a very poor success rate and unpleasant experience.
FAQs
Q: What Are The Parts Of A Bowfishing Bow?
Bowfishing bow parts include an arrow and rest, a cam, a pro retriever, a light kit, finger savers (ins some), a riser and a limb.
Q: Are There Any Regulations Regarding Bowfishing?
Since deadly tools such as bows and arrows are used in this activity, Bowfishing is considered game hunting rather than fish hunting. Thus, a sports fishing license is required for this activity and Bowfishing is limited to fish that is considered rough, sometimes dangerous and unappetizing to the human population. Additionally, to get a license to allow you to game fish requires one to be at least 18 years of age and older.
Q: Is Bowfishing Safe?
If all safety precautions are known and followed, like any other water sport or hunting, Bowfishing is absolutely safe. However, due to the nature of the equipment used, if an accident occurs, it may be very fatal.
Globo Surf Overview
Bowfishing is definitely an exciting and indulgent outdoor experience. However, it requires precision not only when practicing it but also when choosing the right equipment. Bowfishing kits will definitely impact your experience and success in this activity. The 8 best Bowfishing kits have certainly brought on a light on what to look for when choosing a Bowfishing kit. The fact that most of them come as complete kits simply make life a lot easier not only for amateur Bowfishers but also for experts alike. The reviews are an absolute informative guide to follow through and also tips on what to keep in mind when choosing the right tools. Always remember on land hunting is different from water hunting; water changes everything from speed to visibility. So follow the tips. Now pick your choice and head-on to the waters for happy hunting!