What Gear Do I Need to Get Started Bowfishing?

Springtime is here, and many hunters have switched their focus from deer to gobbling turkeys and catching fish. But if you really want to try something different, an adventure that combines the best of hunting, and fishing, you really ought to consider bowfishing.

Bowfishing is a combination of a few of the best things in life – archery, hunting, fishing, boating, and possibly – swimming. It’s truly one of the most action-packed ways to spend the spring and summer months on the water with a bow in hand.

But before you hit the shallows in search of carp, gar, or other rough fish, here’s a checklist of what you’ll need to get started.

Designated Bow for Bowfishing

Bowfishing isn’t gentle on gear. Your bow will be exposed to water, mud, fish slime, and the occasional drop in the boat, or water. This isn’t the place for your high-dollar compound hunting bow.

Instead, make sure you have a bow designated strictly for bowfishing. You’ll want something that’s tough and simple to use, but a bow that you won’t worry about getting abused through the rigors of bowfishing.

Many shooters opt for older compounds or recurves that are easy to tune and maintain in harsh conditions. However, with the growth of bowfishing over the last decade, there are now several bow manufacturers building bows specifically for bowfishing.

Brands like Onieda, Muzzy, Cajun, and AMS offer some great options on bows built for bowfishing. You can expect to pay $300 – $700 for these bowfishing-specific bows, while you can often find a solid pawn shop bow for around $75 – $150.

Reel: Bottle or Spinner?

To retrieve your arrow, and hopefully your fish, you’ll need a bowfishing reel. And when it comes to bowfishing reels, you’ll find two popular styles favored by bowfishermen.

Bottle Reels: These are simple, tangle-free, and beginner-friendly. But they also work well for the novice shooter as well. AMS Bowfishing is the bottle reel of choice for countless shooters across the country.

Spinner Reels: Mounted like a traditional fishing reel, these offer smoother retrieval and faster shots but can be more prone to tangles if not used properly. Muzzy Bowfishing has long been the leader in spinner reels built specifically for bowfishing.

Which one is best? Well, that’s about like asking, Ford or Chevy? Everybody’s got their opinion and favorites. They both have their pros and cons, and they both can handle fish of most any size. It’s simply a matter of preference and style. Whichever you choose, make sure it’s made for bowfishing—standard fishing reels won’t cut it.

Fish Arrows

Unlike traditional arrows, fish arrows are heavier, sturdier, and come with barbed tips to hold onto your fish. They typically come in fiberglass or carbon.

You won’t find any fletching on fish arrows. They’re not needed. Shots will be quick and close. Make sure your arrow setup includes a proper safety slide to keep your line in front of the bow and avoid dangerous snapbacks.

Arrows aren’t cheap. Expect to pay $15 – $25 or more for bowfishing arrows that come ready to roll with points, slide and nock.

Hat and Polarized Sunglasses

Bowfishing is a visual game. You’re spotting fish, aiming, and shooting -often in glare-heavy conditions. A good hat keeps the sun out of your eyes, but polarized sunglasses are a must.

They cut through glare and help you see beneath the surface, turning invisible targets into clear opportunities.

Don’t leave the polarized glasses at home or in the truck. You simply cannot see the fish below the surface (depending on sun and conditions) without quality polarized glasses.

Footwear for Water and Mud

Whether you’re on a boat or wading the shallows, your feet will get wet—and dirty. There’s a wide range of footwear options here, but the important thing to keep in mind is protecting your feet.

Flip-flops? Don’t do it! They will fail, and they provide very little protection for your feet.

Best options include the following:

River sandals: Quick-drying but offer less protection. If you go this route, consider closed-toe options.

Water shoes: Great grip and drainage. These shoes can be light on protection depending on what you’re sloshing through.

Old tennis shoes: A budget-friendly option that works surprisingly well. Hit up your local garage sales and grab a few pair of old shoes for a couple bucks. This is one of the best options when it comes to protection, comfort and affordability.

Boots: Ideal for colder conditions or thick mud. They work great as long as you stay in the shallow water. Go too deep and your boots will quickly fill up with water and become annoyingly heavy.

Multi-Tool

Fish get tangled. Points break. Lines knot. A good multi-tool will save the day more often than you’d think. Keep it handy for everything from arrow repairs to unexpected boat fixes.

A Leatherman or other multi-tool is worth its weight in gold on any bowfishing adventure.

Extra Arrows, Points, and Nocks

If it can go wrong, it probably will when it comes to bowfishing. Arrows get lost or broken. Tips dull or snap, and nocks go missing. Always bring extra arrows and spare parts so a breakdown doesn’t end your trip early.

Stash replacements in the boat, truck, or along the bank. This allows you to shoot with confidence knowing you’ve got the goods to keep you in the game when repairs become necessary.

Boat, Kayak, Canoe—or Just Wading

How you access the fish depends on where you’re bowfishing. You can shoot from a boat, as well as wade around in the shallows. Both options have their charm. The boat obviously allows you to cover a lot more water, but wading delivers the spot-n-stalk bowfishing that many shooters find so addicting.

The beauty of bowfishing is that most any vessel can be rigged up for bowfishing in some manner with lights and a trolling motor.

Jon Boat: Ideal for covering lots of water and can be rigged with lights for bowfishing at night.

Kayak/Canoe: The kayak or canoe is a stealthy, smaller water option to help you cover ground and access hard-to-reach areas that you’ll ultimately wade around in.

Wading: No boat, no problem. As mentioned above, wading for fish in the daytime can deliver some of the most exciting bowfishing action you’ll find anywhere. Just walk the shallows while watching for ripples on the water or fish moving below the surface, and make your move for the shot.

Fishing License

A fishing license is often overlooked by hunters getting into bowfishing. You need a valid fishing license. Since you’re taking fish and not game animals, it falls under fishing regulations, not hunting.

And remember, you’re targeting rough fish. Be sure to check local laws on what species are legal to shoot and any seasonal restrictions.

Final Thoughts

Bowfishing is addicting, messy, and incredibly fun. It’s a perfect crossover for hunters looking to stay sharp in the off-season or anglers who want to spice up their time on the water.

With a few key pieces of gear and a little practice, you’ll be sticking fish and making memories in no time.

Brodie Swisher

Brodie Swisher is a world champion game caller, outdoor writer, seminar speaker and Editor for Bowhunting.com. Brodie and his family live in the Kentucky Lake area of west Tennessee.

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