Bowfishing Reels Compared

How Does Bowfishing Work?

Choosing High-Quality Bowfishing Reels

Reel Type

Drag System

Power & Durability

Bowfishing reels should be able to shoot arrows and reel them back in with as much strength as possible. However, there's usually a tradeoff between the two. Arrows fly faster on retriever reels, but they reel in more swiftly on spincast reels.

Reels should be built with sturdy machined aluminum or stainless steel at a minimum. Single-piece frames are ideal. Everything on the reel should be corrosion-resistant to make it usable in saltwater environments, which is the case for most bowfishing reels.

Gear Ratio, Speed & Smoothness

A great reel should spin smoothly. While having ball bearings inside at key points can help ensure a smooth-moving reel, that doesn’t mean every reel needs to have ten or more. Three high-quality, well-placed bearings can be better than nine cheap ones.

A gear ratio of 2.3:1 means the spool goes around 2.3 times when the handle is cranked once. But the size of the spool can change how much line actually goes back in one turn. Line retrieval rate, or inches per turn, is the true indicator of re-spooling speed.

Reel Seat/Reel Mount

Line Weight & Capacity

The larger the fish, the weightier the line that should be used. Big fish can snap thinner, weaker line, even with a barb in their side. Now, that doesn't mean you always need a heavy line. Average-sized targets and most bowfishing rigs are built to handle 30- to 45-pound test.

Heavy-duty rigs for bowfishing on the open ocean usually hold 100- or 200- pound test. The nice thing about bowfishing is that, unlike trolling, you won’t need a huge length of line. The line capacity of about 100 to 150 yards is more than enough for bowfishing.

Ease of Use

Some features for added convenience, like line holders and quivers, are built into the bow to make them easier to carry. There aren’t many bells and whistles to bowfishing reels, but one of the nicest performance boosters is the handle design.

A standard handle is simple—straight arms from the gear with some kind of cover. However, power handles that are bent for more torque or oversized for better grip can really improve an angler's odds during a fight with a strong fish.

Price & Warranty

There are inexpensive reels for under $100 or even under $50 and, even though you can try to make your own bowfishing reel, most of these models will save you the effort and work much better.

Warranties are unfortunately not very common when it comes to bowfishing reels, so if you find a reel with one, that's a huge plus. They will most likely only cover damage caused by faulty manufacturing, not damage during the course of regular use.

1. AMS Retriever Pro

2. Cajun Winch Pro

A hardy aluminum frame build makes this Cajun bowfishing reel one of the sturdiest available and ideal for pulling a big haul out of the water. It also has an anti-reverse feature common to most baitcasting reels that stops the handle from spinning backward. A wheel brake allows the angler to put pressure on the line while still continuing to retrieve line. That’s pretty handy to have when you’re fighting your quarry, especially if you’ve gone out to attempt pulling in larger targets.

Adding versatility to this bowfishing reel, mount adjustments can be made both horizontally and vertically, meaning this reel fits different bows quickly and easily. One of the coolest features of this bow is the unique one-handed operation. Aim like a professional killer and leave one hand free to pull in line if need be.

As far as your line is concerned, this reel can hold more than enough for the distance an arrow will go, and there's also a ceramic line guide to help keep the line in order and on target. Both left- and right-hand reversible and well-suited to freshwater and saltwater environments, this is an excellent reel whether you're chasing gar and catfish or black drum and flounder.

3. AMS Tournament Series Retriever TNT

4. AMS Bowfishing Retriever Pro Combo Kit

No need to shop around for small bits and pieces to make sure you can actually bowfish with this bowfishing reel kit. Everything from the line to the arrows is included with purchase. There's also an arrow rest that will keep the arrow from slipping or falling out while you’re aiming or scoping out targets. A safety slide to keep line on the arrow and the arrow from getting lost attaches easily to the shaft of the arrow. It’s simple to go from unboxing this kit to the water and get fishing in no time at all.

Cumbersome line snags are fairly rare on this combo kit, so long as the safety slide and the included trigger guard are put on correctly. If you're the type of angler who likes to mix and match, the reel on this combo is easy to install onto other bow styles, including many recurve or compound bows and bows from other manufacturers.

As with other AMS models, this one has a reel that puts absolutely no drag on the line unless you use the trigger on the back, which is designed more to straighten out the line when reeling it back in than for fighting fish. You'll still have to pull in the line by hand with this model, but as long as you aren't going after anything too large, it should be fine.

5. Zebco 808HBOWHD

6. Zebco Big Cat XT

Though it’s designed to catch big catfish, this bowfishing reel also works great for bass, walleye, and even saltwater species like striper. It has the same no-tangle design that other Zebco spincast reels have made so popular, but it also has the strength to handle those larger targets.

Bearing in mind that this is still a bowfishing reel and it isn't meant to have as much stopping power as a more robust fishing reel, the construction of the internal gears and the durable titanium-nitride casing of this reel is still nice and should last for many seasons with the right upkeep.

This reel comes with 25-pound test pre-spooled. That’s plenty heavy for bowfishing some pretty big targets, but in case you ever want to chase even larger ones, larger line up to about 45 pounds can fit onto this reel as well. The same 19-inch retrieve rate helps get spent arrows back out of the water quickly, but this reel also has several ball bearings inside it to make the overall operation super smooth. It’s also right- and left-hand reversible to suit any angler.

7. Muzzy Bowfishing 1069 XD

Why Bowfishing Requires Specialized Reels

Even when they seem overly simple, reels designed specifically for bowfishing are going to be the most successful and cause the fewest headaches.

Bowfishing anglers have to take into account how hard the fish scales are, how their barbs are placed, and when to jerk the drag just like catfish and northern pike anglers have to know when to set the hook. The right gear can help significantly in this regard.

Setting Up a Bowfishing Rig

So, how do you mount a bowfishing reel? The different types of reels mount in different ways.

Drum bowfishing reels mount simply and quickly, usually using a screw-on mount but sometimes using a tape mount if there’s no stabilizer slot.

Retriever reels mount with sight holes in the bow. If these aren’t already there and you aren’t confident you know how to drill the holes, it’s best to take it to a shop.

Spincaster bowfishing reels can mount with a single screw and washer on the mounting space of a bow. They’re usually paired with bows built for bowfishing and not refitted archery bows.

No matter what reel, the arrow is always strung up using safety slides that can have a string attached with simple overhand knots. There are more complicated ways to accomplish this, but the simplest way is the best.

Tips for Using a Bowfishing Reel

People Also Ask (FAQs)

What are the best bowfishing reel brands?

There’s an ongoing debate between anglers who like AMS Retrievers and those who prefer spinning reels. Spinners from Zebco and Mazzy might feel more like fishing, but a Cajun bowfishing reel and AMS Retrievers often feel like they are shooting the arrow faster and with more power. AMS is the standard-bearer, but Mazzy, Cajun, and Zebco all have their fans.

Do I need to get a fishing license when bowfishing?

What is the best bowfishing line?

Depending on the target species and environment, you might want the massively heavy 150-pound test, or you might want thinner smaller lines to get around cover and structure. The most common weights for bowfishing are 25-, 30-, and 45-pound test.

Do you use a release when bow fishing?

You certainly can shoot with a release, but it's going to be slow going, and it won't add much more comfort than gloves or finger savers would give. Bear in mind that gloves tend to get pretty messy with water, mud, and fish guts if you take them out bowfishing, which is why most folks just use their fingers and perhaps some finger savers.

How low do you aim when bow fishing?

Lower than you will probably think at first. It actually is pretty easy to get used to the more you practice, but that refraction is going to make the fish look like it's as much as a foot ahead of where you think it is. Hitting the fish is important, but so is hitting the fish in the right place. Always check where your shots are landing on fish when you pull them in at a safe distance.

Can you put a bowfishing reel on any bow?

There are plenty of people making alterations to their longbows, recurve bows, or compound bows to use them for bowfishing. If you’re handy enough and happen to find one lying around, go for it. There are also occasional finds at garage sales or cheap models to be found on the internet if you don’t want to spring for a full bowfishing reel kit.

Is it possible to make your own bowfishing reel?

It is possible to build a bowfishing reel on your own, but you have to be crafty, and it's not likely you'll be able to do it without purchasing some components such as hardware, fishing line, and the arrow. It's not much more expensive to invest in a factory-made version at that point, and most of them will last a surprisingly long time if you take care of them. If you’re anxious to try, there are plenty of how-to guides that show how to turn plastic bottles into bowfishing reels.

Is there any special maintenance that needs to be done to my bowfishing reel?

A good spray-down after each use, especially in salt water, will go a long way in keeping your bowfishing reel in good shape. You should also give the line a rinse and let it dry out - don't store it wadded up wet in the bottle, or it's not going to stay nice for long. Oil all the metal parts from time to time as well. Clean the inside of the bottle and clear it of seaweed and debris and store the whole outfit in a dry place, preferably on its side or on a hook. Leave the arrow in a quiver.

Where is the best place to find bowfishing reels for sale?

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