Ever felt the thrill of seeing a big fish dart right under your bow? That moment is electrifying, but reeling in your catch can be a real challenge without the right gear. Many bowfishermen wrestle with choosing the perfect reel. Some reels tangle easily, others lack the strength for powerful fish, and some just don’t fit right on the bow. It’s frustrating when your equipment lets you down when you need it most.
This guide cuts through the confusion. We will break down what makes a great bowfishing reel. You will learn about the features that matter most, like durability and line capacity. By the end of this post, you will know exactly what to look for to match your fishing style. Get ready to upgrade your setup and land more fish. Let’s dive into the world of the best bowfishing reels available today!
Top Bowfishing Reel Recommendations
- High Quality Material: Made of ABS plastic shell and aluminum alloy, sturdy, durable, and lightweight
- Simple Operation: Before aiming and shooting, no buttons need to be pressed
- Product Parameters: The metal rocker arm is flexible, durable, easy to install and adjust, product size: 27 x 18.3cm, weight: approxi 318g
- Professional Design: smooth discharge, no jamming or squeezing, and convenient winding and unwinding
- Equipped with Fishing Rope: With green fishing rope, 40-meters long line, high strength line, high wear resistance, enough to meet your needs.
- ULTIMATE PERFORMANCE: Fighting Wheel Brake allows you to brake and reel simultaneously
- GUARANTEED LONGEVITY: Adjustable durable ceramic string guide for smoother string feed
- INNOVATIVE DESIGN: Revolutionary design allows for one-handed operation
- EXTREME DURABILITY: Rugged aluminum frame for superior durability
- UNIVERSAL FIT: Vertical and horizontal adjustments allow the perfect fit on any bow
- Wheel rocker can easily swap left and right hands，Speed ratio 3.3:1，Equipped with 5 # strong line 40m
- Adopting stainless steel double rocker arms. Easier and more convenient to use
- Bow fishing Reel can be used in bow and slingshot fishing.
- Made of stainless steel and anti-corrosion materials, sturdy and durable
- Package Includes: 1 x Fishing Reel Seat ,1 x Fishing Spincast Reel(with fishing line)
- MATERIALS/PARAMETERS: SPG Bowfishing Reel is made of high quality ABS plastic body and aluminium alloy, which is lightweight and corrosion resistant, designed for long lasting durability. The metal rocker arm is flexible, durable, easy to install and adjust. Product size: 10.63 * 7.4 * 3.15 inch, weight: 0.32 kg.
- SUPPLIED WITH FISHING LINE: With green fishing line, 40 metres long line, high strength line, high wear resistance, enough to meet your needs. Imagine catching a big fish and easily pulling it up from the bottom!
- SIMPLE OPERATION: The bow fishing reel is not only robust, reliable and easy to operate, no need to press any buttons before searching for a target, but also easy installation and adjustment, very convenient. Note: Right hand only.
- SMOOTH WINDING AND UNWINDING: reasonable design of the outlet port allows free flow, zero resistance, no jamming, no squeezing, and easy winding and unwinding.
- AFTER-SALES SERVICE: SPG is a professional archery products manufacturer focusing on archery products. We sincerely hope you have a pleasant shopping experience. If you have any questions during the shopping process or after receiving our products, please feel free to contact us.
- The AMERICAN MADE, AMS Retriever Pro is the original bottle-style bowfishing reel - the design that has proven itself over 40 years! It's durable, reliable and it performs! And, it’s simple to use. There are no buttons to push before the shot. Unlike most other reels, Retrievers are always ready to shoot. They’re always in free-spool mode. Just draw and shoot!
- Zero Drag - The line is stacked in a bottle rather than wound on a drum or spool so there is no drag on the line when it’s shot. The line freely spools out of the bottle on the shot and on the retrieve just stacks right back in.
- Heavy-Duty Construction - Retrievers can take the abuse of bowfishing and will stand the test of time! Machined brass gears, stainless steel hardware and lightweight, corrosion resistant housing ensure long life in fresh or saltwater.
- Quick-Release Quiver Mount – The Retriever Pro Mounts to your bows sight holes. One t-screw controls 4-way movement of the reel and also allows for quick removal. An arrow quiver is also integrated into this mount.
- The Retriever Pro retrieves 17” of line per crank and includes 25 yards of 200# test braided Dacron line. We also include an AMS patented, EverGlide Safety Slide with every reel for your arrows. MADE IN THE USA!
- ULTIMATE PERFORMANCE: Cajun bowfishing spinning reel with pre-spooled 150 lb. fast flight line
- INNOVATIVE DESIGN: Longer hood design and larger hole for better line feeding
- EXTREME DURABILITY: Dual pickup pins with full metal assembly
- INCREASED PERFORMANCE: Faster pickup for faster reeling
- TANGLE RESISTENT: One-sided handle prevents tangling
- 【Excellent Performance】SOPOGER bowfishing reel is made of high quality all-metal construction. Precision machined 304 stainless steel cover is highly resistant to wear and corrosion. High level metal gears are powerful and smooth. Fully functional, easy to cast, low noise, easy to catch fish.
- 【Speed Retrieve】Double pick-up system can tighten the line quickly. Gear ratio of 3.3:1 for silky smooth casting. Perfect mesh drive gears, one stainless ball bearing and one clutch bearing (1+1), reduce friction and increase catch rate. This system will exhaust the fish without tiring you out.
- 【Ambidextrous Handle】 Unlike other bow fishing reels kits, the rocker arm of this one is interchangeable from left to right. The length of the rocker arm is also adjustable. Suitable for every beginner or experienced outdoor sports enthusiast looking for a more suitable way to fish.
- 【Large Capacity】Line capacity is 8LB/100YDS. 5# 40m Hercules fishing line is spooled in advance. Compact spincast reel for better fishing experience. Maximum drag of 25lbs is suitable for fishing more species of fish, such as trout, bass, catfish and so on.
- 【Widely Usage】Package includes spinning fishing reel *1 + reel mount seat *1. There is no doubt that this fishing combos kit increases the possibilities for entertainment. You can enjoy compound bow fishing, recurve bow fishing, slingshot fishing and crossbow fishing on a sunny afternoon.
- Package length: 10.4 cm
- Package width: 14.9 cm
- Package height: 25.1 cm
- Product Type: FISHING REEL
The Ultimate Bowfishing Reel Buying Guide
Bowfishing is an exciting way to catch big fish. You shoot a special arrow connected to a line. A good reel makes catching those fish much easier. This guide helps you pick the best bowfishing reel for your adventures.
Key Features to Look For
When buying a bowfishing reel, look closely at these important parts:
- **Line Capacity:** This tells you how much bowfishing line the reel can hold. Bigger fish or shooting from far away needs more line. Make sure the reel holds enough line for your typical fishing spots.
- **Retrieval Rate (Gear Ratio):** This measures how fast the reel brings the line back in. A faster gear ratio (like 4:1 or 5:1) helps you quickly reel in a fighting fish or retrieve your arrow when you miss.
- **Drag System:** The drag lets the line slip out when a big fish pulls hard. This stops the line from breaking. Look for a smooth, easy-to-adjust drag system.
- **Reel Type:** Most bowfishing reels are either spinning reels or specialized reels built right onto the bow. Spinning reels are common and easy to use. Specialized reels often offer better line management for high-tension shooting.
Important Materials Matter
The materials used in the reel directly affect how long it lasts and how well it works, especially when dealing with water.
Most quality reels use strong, lightweight materials. Look for **aluminum** or **graphite composites**. Aluminum offers great strength against big fish. Graphite is lighter, which can make your bow easier to hold for long periods. Since you are around water, corrosion resistance is vital. Stainless steel components resist rust better than regular steel.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
What makes one reel better than another? It often comes down to the internal workings and build quality.
Quality Enhancers: Ball bearings are key. More, higher-quality ball bearings (usually stainless steel) mean the reel spins smoother. Sealed drag systems protect the internal parts from water and grit, which drastically improves performance over time.
Quality Reducers: Plastic gears inside the reel are a big problem. When a large fish pulls hard, plastic gears can break or strip easily. Avoid reels that feel flimsy when you try to turn the handle. Cheap paint jobs might chip off quickly, exposing the metal underneath to rust.
User Experience and Use Cases
How you plan to use the reel changes what you should buy.
If you are a beginner shooting smaller fish in shallow ponds, a simple, durable spinning reel will work fine. These reels are often affordable and easy to learn on. For serious bowfishermen targeting large catfish or carp in rivers, you need a high-capacity reel with a powerful drag system. These tougher reels handle rougher use better. Always make sure the reel feels comfortable in your hand when attached to your bow. A comfortable setup lets you shoot accurately all day long.
Bowfishing Reel FAQ: Answering Your Top Questions
Q: What is the most important feature for a beginner?
A: For beginners, ease of use and durability are most important. A reel that is simple to load and doesn’t jam easily will help you learn the sport faster.
Q: Do I need a specialized bowfishing reel, or can I use a regular spinning reel?
A: You can start with a standard spinning reel, but specialized bowfishing reels are usually better. They are built tougher to handle the sudden shock of shooting and reeling in heavy fish.
Q: What is the ideal line weight for bowfishing?
A: Most anglers use strong braided line between 65-pound and 80-pound test. This line is thin enough to shoot well but strong enough to handle large fish.
Q: What does “gear ratio” mean on a bowfishing reel?
A: The gear ratio tells you how many times the spool turns when you crank the handle once. A 4:1 ratio means the spool turns four times for one handle turn.
Q: How important is corrosion resistance?
A: Corrosion resistance is very important. Bowfishing happens in water. Reels made with stainless steel or anodized aluminum resist rust and last much longer.
Q: Should I choose aluminum or graphite for my reel body?
A: Aluminum is stronger and heavier, offering maximum durability. Graphite is lighter, reducing arm fatigue if you fish for many hours.
Q: How do I keep my bowfishing reel working well?
A: Always rinse your reel with fresh water after every use, especially if you fish in saltwater. Let it air dry completely before storing it.
Q: What is the drag system used for?
A: The drag system lets line out smoothly when a fish pulls hard. This prevents the line from snapping when you fight a large, strong fish.
Q: Can I use a baitcasting reel for bowfishing?
A: While some people modify baitcasting reels, dedicated spinning or specialized bowfishing reels are usually better. Baitcasters can sometimes struggle with the heavy line and the high tension involved in bowfishing.
Q: Where should the reel be mounted on my bow?
A: The mounting location depends on the bow style and the reel type. Most setups place the reel on the side of the riser (the main handle part of the bow) for easy access while shooting.