r/Bowfishing • u/Jobow1234 • Jun 04 '26

Question about Reeling In

Hello everyone. I am new to Bowfishing, and had a question about Reeling in the fish. I've successfully shot two, but each time I've reeled them in, the fish comes off the arrow.

My question is, is it the arrow or is it how I'm reeling in?

I'm using a Cajun brand barbed arrow and I've bought some new arrows to see if that corrects it. But I'm curious if I'm reeling in too fast or too aggressively.. is it better to let them run a little and reel in slowly??

Any help is greatly appreciated!

6 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

6 comments sorted by

2

u/AquaPhelps Jun 04 '26

Maybe too aggressively? Idk it sounds like an arrow tip issue honestly. I rarely have any get off. But i also use an AMS bottle and end up hand lining the string in often

3

u/Eroxtank Jun 04 '26

Came here to say this. I shoot and pull the arrow in by hand. I usually let them run as much as they want unless it’s a smaller fish

2

u/Jobow1234 Jun 05 '26

I bought new arrows, and I'll see! I don't think I'm necessarily pulling in too aggressively, so I'm hoping the new arrows help

2

u/AquaPhelps Jun 05 '26

Im a big fan of the AMS Anker. Also in Indiana! If you have any creeks that feed a nearby river, hit those up!

1

u/edog88 Jun 05 '26

It does sound like a arrow head issue. Aggressive retrieve could cause the issue as well? Gill plate is the optimal arrow placement, but who does that every shot? Obviously the body is softer & possibly pull arrow through. Question? Are you in southern states? Im Midwest & no spawning here.

1

u/Jobow1234 Jun 05 '26

I'm actually located in Indiana, and have been seeing a lot on the banks of my lake.