I just recently heard of bowfishing and it looks extremely fun and seems to be a good challenge. I just had a few questions so i could give it a try: 1.Is there is anyway to convert a compound bow for bowfishing? 2.What is best, as far as cheap reels go and how to use them? 3.I don't eat fish and it seems there is no way to release these fish after you catch them. what can I do so i don't waste the fish? 4.what fish a preferable to shoot? Thank you for any information you can provide.
Short answers; 1. yes 2. In the long run a retreiver reel 3. Find a use for them 4. Legal and big and available 5. Not usually Turn the draw weight down as far as possible, or to about 28-35 lbs. Add a reel and a rest that will hold up to the weight of a bowfishing arrow. (I like the quick draw or the Muzzy fish hook) I will suggest an AMS retreiver pro reel. In the long run, it will be the cheapest. Make SURE you use safety slides on all your fishing arrows. Great question! Sometimes you can find people who will take them to eat or feed to animals or use for fertilizer. Carp are an invasive species. Just getting them out of the water is a benefit. Always have a way to use or dispose of your catch BEFORE you go fishing. I don't know where you live to tell you what species are legal. Start there. For me a preferable is the one that is available at the time. And if there is more than one, I go after the biggest fish. If you mean an aluminum hunting arrow, then no. Use a solid fiberglass fish arrow with a safety slide. They do make an aluminum over 'glass arrow (very expensive). IMO not needed for most bowfishing.
Thank you for the info. I live in VA and have no idea what species I will be allowed to shoot. I'll do some research and hopefully will be able to enjoy this sport, which sounds like a lot of fun.