Just curious, since I’ve never gone beyond the basic, Bear system (and have used a lot more primitive than that!).

So what do you guys prefer - old school flat reel, bottle type, or one of those heavy-duty spincast reel sets-ups?

I’d think there would be a few pros and cons to each, maybe depending on the size of the fish you’re after…

AMS Pro all the way! Ive got 2 of them. Also have a Muzzy reel and I just don’t care for it at all.

AMS, they retrieve the arrow fast and just work without fail. They are not made to retrieve fish so hand lining is done after connecting.

So far… red Folgers

tradmt - "AMS are not made to retrieve fish so hand lining is done after connecting"

I was not aware of this - thanks. Do the others like RPM or Muzzy retrieve fish?

Zog, I believe so but I honestly don’t know for sure.

tradmt +1.

"So far… red Folgers"

Hey,Tony, id like to see a picture of your set up.

Folgers’ cracked me up! My spool isn’t much more sophisticated than that, really, though I did upgrade to kevlar kite line…

I’ve used drum type spools before, I prefer to take up line fast and get another shot off. The AMS aren’t cheap, but with the much faster retrieval and far superior line storage when the action is fast, they are worth it for me.

I can absolutely wear myself out shooting fish some days.

Here’s the Folgers can. It is held on to the bow with tape that is mounted to an electrical conduit wall mounting strap, I think that’s what it’s called. The front of the can has a half inch long slit in it to hold the string. My son got a decent size carb with that Pearson signature. (51#). We no longer use that bow for fishing,It is too nice.

I should add too that I don’t bolt it on, I just tape it on and it works so no need to drill holes and such of you don’t want to.

My Howatt Hunter came with a stab insert.. but I really no longer consider it suitable for bow fishing duty. I should find something that I don’t care about as much…..

Black Spot - "We no longer use that bow for fishing,It is too nice." Corax - "I should find something that I don’t care about as much".

I was planning to use my Ben Pearson signature for my first time bowfishing in a few days. What does fishing do to a bow that makes you want to avoid a nice bow?

Zog, I know you didn’t ask me, but I’ll answer anyways. Bowfishing will beat the snot out of a bow! Once you connect, it goes to the ground or boat floor or wherever, FAST, so you can get both hands on the line to pull them in! They get wet. They get bloody. They get slimy with fish guts and all manners of other nasty $#!+! It really is a blast!!! LOL!

My wife and I have shot a couple of them. ;-)

HAHA! Daum! Whole nuther meaning to truck full of fertilizer! Good job!!

Zog, shag said it very well!

Thanks shag and Black Spot.

Black Spot is was cool to see your BP Signature in the photo. I got my BP Signature for very cheap and consider it my "beater" bow, but I do agree with you - I have grown fond of it. But it's going fishing next week. I'll try to be gentle on it.

Folgers attachment

May I use this thread for another question -

I use a tab for hunting. Do you bowfishermen use tabs, gloves, bare fingers, or those finger pad thingys that slide on and stay on the string?

I think the rubber doohickies (No-Glove) are the perennial favorite. They don’t get wrecked by water, slime and blood.

Yep^^^^

My daughter likes the finger savers/no glove on her bow. My wife uses a glove. I use the same tab I use for all other shooting. I’ve gotten pretty quick at turning it to the back of my hand for pulling in line and handling fish. If it gets nasty, I just dunk it in the water to clean it off and keep on shooting. No other tab in the world feels like that one does after all it’s been through!

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