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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 4,086 Likes: 1
Campfire Tracker
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OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 4,086 Likes: 1 |
I took up bowfishing again after about a 60 yr layoff. Back them it was a cut off coffee can for a reel. Now I have a commercial version that works about the same way, sliders on the arrow make it a lot easier. I went out the other day and killed a few and while the reel worked well shooting it is kind of a pain when you miss to get it all back on the reel without it getting tangled up. I've been looking at a couple of the bottle type reels any preference between the Cajun Winch and the AMS Pro?
Last edited by erich; 05/23/20.
After the first shot the rest are just noise.
Make mine a Minaska
Heaven has walls and rules, H-ll has open borders
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 4,607
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 4,607 |
I've used both over several years, I'm using the Cajun this year - but both will serve you well.
I've worn out two of the AMS Pros - they break after two-three seasons in my experience.
The Cajun seems to be a bit smoother on the reel in, and it's a bit more compact on my set-up - YMMV.
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Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 17,837
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 17,837 |
I tolerated the old Saunders shoot through reel (no longer made). AMS is usable, not perfect. Hate that damn "POK" sound they make at the shot.
Thought about a Muzzy LVX and some type of stabilizer reel. But bug dope and me don't get along anymore, end of May and I'm pretty much off the creeks and out of the woods til deer season.
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Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 224
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 224 |
Go with the Muzzy reel and and a solid reel seat like the RPM. A shoot through rod is a help too. The best I’ve used is made by a guy in Illinois I think. I’ll try and get up a pic of my set up. That’s all we used when we shot tournaments every weekend.
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Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 224
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 224 |
I can’t remember which reel seat this is but it’s a very good one.
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 4,086 Likes: 1
Campfire Tracker
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OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 4,086 Likes: 1 |
Well I had a fun season last year and decided to upgrade to the muzzy XD-Pro lever reel and shoot thru rod. I really like it, havent been on the water yet but took the barb off an arrow and shot it about fifty times n my range. Then got rid of some guns and bought a Muzzy LV-X that should be here next week and will use the old recurve and wrap reel for guests and back up. I see that Muzzy has a bottle reel that is reasonable and no buttons to push to shoot so maybe one of those on the back up next year..
Looking forward to getting on the water as soon as the "Honey Do's" are done. Small boat and dirt bike are in the trailer already to go.
Last edited by erich; 04/01/21.
After the first shot the rest are just noise.
Make mine a Minaska
Heaven has walls and rules, H-ll has open borders
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 4,607
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 4,607 |
Hammer time - the boat is supposed to be ready tomorrow at the shop, and the carp should be rolling here now, or very shortly.
Good luck with you Muzzy set up - post a review when you get it wet.
Last edited by AH64guy; 04/01/21.
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 24,334 Likes: 15
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 24,334 Likes: 15 |
I miss shooting big carp on the Potomac in April
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Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 1,078
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 1,078 |
I’ve used several of the “regular” reels marketed as bow fishing reels but I always tear them up. We shoot a lot of 30-60# carp and they tear the guts out of those reels, including the muzzy. Many years ago we started shooting the AMS retriever set ups and they last a lot longer. For smaller fish I’d be happy with a muzzy reel and I do prefer their ease of retrieval but like the toughness of the AMS and especially the lighter weight.
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 4,086 Likes: 1
Campfire Tracker
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OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 4,086 Likes: 1 |
Early review.
I love the bow Muzzy LV-X and the Muzzy reel. The bow is great, I can do all the set up myself as no need for a limb compressor, nothing to keep timed and simple adjustment for weight and draw. I was trying to set the limb stops and and did lock it up drawn but was able to hold the string and kick the limb with my foot to release it. The bow is very smooth drawing and I have a roller guide on order. The bow is heavy which I wouldn't like for a hunting bow where I'm going to carry it out in the field but on the boat it is just fine. I've taken it out and shot it a number of times and again no draw backs. The bow comes with a line puller attached to take the strain off the reel on big fish.
I've watched a number of videos on setting up an V-X for bow fishing and really am liking the idea of tying the string to the rear of the arrow with a spinner. You can't draw the bow if you forget to release the reel and it is very easy to switch arrows, it seems to shoot just fine that way. The safety slides work better with the wrap reel.
pics in a bit
After the first shot the rest are just noise.
Make mine a Minaska
Heaven has walls and rules, H-ll has open borders
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 429
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 429 |
I have a couple of the AMS reels and much prefer the muzzy reels for speed and ease of use.
You can't horse in big fish with them constantly or you break the retrieve pin....biut you can't horse in ig fish at all with the AMS....tears up that rubber wheel.
"Most people have the will to win, few have the will to prepare to win."
Things turn out best for people who make the best of the way things turn out-Art Linkletter
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Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 52
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 52 |
Been beating up Tilapia down here. The Zebco 808 has been awesome. Havent torn it up yet (4yrs) and have shot everything from Tilapia to rays and mahi.
FWIW the bottle reels with a breakaway float feature are the go-to for the real beasts. (Gators, cobia or other similar dinosaurs) as there isnt a bowreel out there that could tame more than 1 of those.
We do shoot arrows or bolts that are actually tied up to large spinning rod outfits once in a while. That setup is finicky tho
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Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 1,397
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 1,397 |
A heavy duty closed face with 30# test will do well. Stay away from the cheap reels with plastic drag gears as it doesn't take long for a couple of big carb to strip them.
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Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 2,180
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 2,180 |
I use both the Cajun and the ams on my recurves for pike fishing.
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