The Best Bowfishing Reels (Top 7 Reels You Will Love)

Are you itching to hunt deer but it’s still off season? I find that bowfishing can be a great alternative to deer hunting because it provides different challenges and thrills even to veteran bowhunters.

One of the most important things you need to do before you go bowfishing is to choose the right reel for you. Today, I will share my top 7 best bowfishing reels, which will hopefully help you decide which one best fits your needs.

RELATED: Top 5 Best Bowfishing Bows for the Best Bowfishing Trip

Table of Best Bowfishing Reels

**Below, you find more detailed reviews but you can also click links above to see current prices and read customer’s reviews on Amazon.

Types of Bowfishing Reels

There are three basic types of bowfishing reels that you can choose from. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of each one:

1. Hand Wrap Drum Reel

 

Pros:

In my opinion, the hand wrap drum reel is the simplest type of bowfishing reel. I find that most drum reels are very easy to set up – you need to either manually attach it to the bow with a tape or thread it into the bow’s stabilizer hole.

Drum reels also don’t cost much and you can already buy a good quality model for a couple of dollars. They also tend to be made of durable materials and may last a long time even when they cost so little.

Cons:

The downside of this reel is that it isn’t as fast as the other two types when it comes to shooting and winding the line back when you miss a shot. This means there are fewer chances of hitting a fast-swimming fish, and second chances at missed shots may also not be that common.

Still, if you don’t want to spend a lot on a bowfishing reel until you decide that it is a hobby you want to pursue, you may want to go for a cheap and simple hand wrap drum reel first.

2. Spincast Reel

 

Pros:

The second type of bowfishing reel, the spincast reel, is a big improvement from the hand wrap drum reel in that it is so much faster to shoot and reel back in, in case you miss your shot. This means there is a bigger chance that you can hit your target with your first shot or you can still catch it if you miss it once.

As its name suggests, a spincast reel spins as you shoot your arrow, much like the spincast reel of traditional fishing rods work. The main difference is that the speed of a bowfishing spincast reel is so much faster than that of a traditional fishing rod is.

Cons:

To use a spincast reel, you need to push the bail release button before making a shot. This may become a problem because misfires may cost you an arrow when the bowline snaps after you fire.

While a spincast reel may shoot the fastest arrows because the bowline tends to be lighter, this type of reel is not as durable as the other two because the speed of each shot may quickly wear it down. Because of this, you may need to replace your reel after about two seasons of using it, especially if you happen to buy a low-quality model.

3. Retriever Reel

 

Pros:

Retriever bowfishing reels are my personal favorite for many reasons. For one, I find it very light, which is something I prefer especially if I need to hold my bow for long hours during my bowfishing trip.

Another advantage of the retriever reel is its thicker line, making it ideal if you need to hand-fight a fish that you just caught. And because you’re using a crank to retrieve the line (hence its name) rather than having the line spin rapidly back in place, you minimize the wear of the line and allow it to last longer.

Cons:

My only concerns with the retriever reel are that it is not as quick as a spincast reel because it has a heavier and thicker bowline and that a high-quality model tends to be a bit more expensive than the other types.

Still, if you’re willing to invest on a bowfishing reel that is durable and easy to use, then you may want to consider a retriever reel for your next purchase.

Practical Tips When Bowfishing

Before you head for the waters to catch some game fish, you may want to check out these practical tips first:

1. Know How To Locate Your Game Fish

If you’ve tried hunting deer or other game animals, you know that it helps if you’re familiar with the habits and behavior of your targets. The same goes with bowfishing.

Know where your target fish are most likely to stay at specific times of the day and set up in those areas. For example, you may want to check out grass beds because they are usually near deep water where many big fish like to hang out.

2. Use A Boat If You Can

Like Mark Land of Muzzy Products, I also like using a boat instead of wading in the water because it allows me to keep my accessories nearby. I can also put a cooler filled with ice in the boat and immediately store the fish I catch in it.

The only time I ever wade in the water is when I need to be in shallow portions that my boat can’t reach. This usually happens during spawn season because fish tend to stay in shallow waters more. Otherwise, I stay on my boat where I can remain relatively dry and have access to my other tools and items.

Bowfishing Reel Reviews

1. AMS 610 Retriever Pro Bow Fishing Reel Review

 

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Another AMS retriever model makes it into my list of best bowfishing reels, and this time it’s the less expensive AMS 610 Retriever Pro Bow Fishing Reel. Retrieving lines has never been easier with this model – you just need to pull the trigger guard and turn the handle to start reeling in your catch (or just the line, if it’s a missed shot).

The reel is made of heavy-duty brass and the trigger is made of aluminum, so you’re sure that this unit will last for a long time. It’s also easy to use since the Hi-Vis line is stored in a clear bottle, allowing it to fly quickly as soon as you fire the shot.

Just be careful when the arrow gets stuck in sticky mud or when you catch a big fish – you may need to manually pull it out of the water if it becomes too heavy. It tends to shoot loudly, too, which may scare off some game fish swimming in shallow waters.

 

PROS

• Easy to use and install
• Hi-Vis fishing line makes it easy to see even underwater
• Made from durable brass and aluminum materials
• Cheaper than other AMS models

 

CONS

• A little loud to shoot
• Line length is not as long as other models
• Accuracy is not as perfect as you want it to be

2. AMS Tournament Retriever Pro Bowfishing Reel Review

 

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The AMS Tournament Retriever Pro Bowfishing Reel certainly lives up to its name. Even tournament and pro bowfishers will love using this model because it is so fast for a retriever reel, whether you’re shooting the arrow or reeling the line back in.

Other than its modern design that comes with a longer handle, I also like its yellow Dacron line, which makes it easier to see when you need to wind it back to your bow. I do think the bottle where you store the line is a bit small, so there’s a chance the line will snag if you don’t store them properly before setting out.

While this model is a bit more expensive than other brands, I find that it’s a good investment that both beginner and pro bowfishers may want to check out.

 

PROS

• Hip and modern design with green handle
• Comes with a longer handle for easier grip and leverage
• Shoots fast and easy to retrieve line
• Easy to install to your compound bow
• Comes with a yellow Dacron line for easier sighting
• With a safety slide kit and trigger guard

 

CONS

• The bottle may be a bit small to accommodate 75 feet worth of fishing line
• A little expensive compared to other bowfishing reels

3. Muzzy Bowfishing 1069 XD Pro Spin Style Reel Review

 

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The Muzzy Bowfishing 1069 XD Pro Spin Style Reel is one of my favorites in terms of design. I like its metallic steel casing and reversible hand retrieve that both right-handed and left-handed bowfishers can use.

Other than that, I also like its switch activation system which allows a free spool option. It’s like you’re using a dragless reel but you can still flip its switch, making it easier for you to hand-fight your catch and increase your chances of success.

One problem I’ve encountered with this reel, however, is that it is not as easy to install as other models. For one thing, the space between the mounting brackets is a bit small so it’s hard to maneuver an Allen wrench around it. This takes it longer to set up, taking up time that you could use catching your game fish.

 

PROS

• Sleek design
• Comes with a switch activation system and a free spool option
• Provides visual confirmation that your reel is ready for shooting
• Fast retrieval of fishing line after missed shots
• Reversible retrieve for right- and left-handed bowfishers
• Comes with 150 feet of pre-spooled bowfishing line

 

CONS

• A little tricky to mount of some compound bows because of the narrow mounting bracket space
• A bit heavier than other spincast reels
• More expensive than other reels

4. Zebco 808HBOW80BX3 Bow Fisher Spincast Reel Review

 

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If you’re just starting out and you want something that is fast, light, and doesn’t require lots of winding, then you may want to check out this Zebco product. I think this is a good entry level reel because it is not as heavy as other models so you won’t have a hard time carrying your bow for long periods.

I also like how this model has a reversible retrieve so that any bowfisher could use it, whether he’s right handed or left handed. The classic black design also works well with any type of compound bow, bringing not only convenience but also style to you during your bowfishing trip.

If there’s one improvement I’d want from this model, it’s to make the Dacron string a bit thicker so that it won’t wear and tear after a few seasons’ worth of use. Still, I find that this spincast reel is a good investment overall.

 

PROS

• Simple classic black design
• Good entry level reel for bowfishing
• Comes with a pre-spooled 80-pound bowfishing line
• Lighter and has smaller dimensions than other reel models
• Reversible retrieve for right- and left-handed bowfishers

 

CONS

• String thickness could be improved

5. Fin-Finder Heavy Duty Drum Reel Review

 

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If you’re looking for something simple, heavy duty, and cheap, then the Fin-Finder Heavy Duty Drum Reel may be a good choice for you. True to its name, this drum reel is made of heavy-duty aluminum, making it a durable reel that can last for a very long time.

This Fin-Finder model comes with 80 feet worth of bowfishing line, allowing you to reach your targets from far away. However, I recommend replacing the line with something more heavy duty if you want it to last longer.

This drum reel comes with a bolt screw, making it easy to install to your bow. Just be careful when setting it up and consider filing down the edges because it may snag against the line and snap it off.

 

PROS

• Simple design and very easy to use
• Comes with a bolt screw that you can easily attach to your bow
• Made of durable, heavy-duty aluminum
• Comes with 80 feet of bowfishing line
• Cheaper compared to other types of reels

 

CONS

• Drum may be too big for some bows
• Fishing line snaps easily if not taken care of
• Requires manual winding of line after every shot
• The line has the tendency to slip off the reel easily

6. Cajun Winch Pro Bowfishing Reel Review

 

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The Cajun Winch Pro Bowfishing Reel is a cheap alternative to the AMS models if you’re looking into using a retriever bowfishing reel. It is made of strong aluminum and comes with 75 feet worth of bowfishing line, and it allows one-handed operations.

I find the design of this model a bit clunky, and I dislike the white line because it’s harder to see underwater or in low-light settings. You also need to be careful when storing it back into the bottle because it tends to jam when not placed properly.

Because of its many issues, this Cajun Winch Pro model is not really my favorite bowfishing reel, but you may still want to check it out if you want to save some money and still get a durable reel that you can use, whether you’re left-handed or right-handed.

 

PROS

• Made of durable aluminum
• Allows one-hand operation
• Comes with 75 feet of bowfishing line
• Suitable for right- and left-handed bowfishers
• Cheaper than other retriever bowfishing reels

 

CONS

• A little hard to set up
• Heavy and a bit clunky
• Line tends to jam in the reel when not stored properly in the bottle
• White fishing line is a bit hard to see in low-light settings

7. Cajun Bowfishing Screw-On All-Aluminum Drum Reel Review

 

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I remember getting this Cajun Bowfishing drum reel when I was just starting out with bowfishing and I didn’t want to spend a lot on an expensive reel yet. The kit came with two fiberglass arrows, a screw for installation, the actual drum reel, and 50 feet worth of fishing line.

What I liked most about this starter set is that the arrows are so light so they could fly off my bow easily and hit my targets with ease. The drum reel is also relatively easy to set up and didn’t require any elaborate installation tools.

However, I found that the fishing line was not that durable and it kept snapping off after a few shots. My recommendation is to just replace it with a better line and continue using the arrows since they are light and durable anyway.

 

PROS

• Comes with 50 feet of bowfishing line
• Easy to set up
• Fits well into a compound bow’s counter weight hole
• Comes with light, sharp, and durable fiberglass arrows
• Cheaper compared to other types of reels

 

CONS

• Bowfishing line is not as durable as other brands
• Requires manual winding of line after every shot
• Kit may be delivered with missing parts so make sure to double check your package

Conclusion

 

I personally think that the AMS Tournament Retriever Pro Bowfishing Reel is a great choice if you’re looking for a durable reel that is easy to set up and use.

It may be a bit expensive compared to the AMS 610 Retriever Pro Bow Fishing Reel and the Cajun Hybrid Bowfishing Reel AFR1300, but I think it will be a good investment to both pro and new bowfishers.

 

If you want something quicker, you may want to look at Zebco 808HBOW80BX3 Bow Fisher Spincast Reel, too. Aside from its classic design, I find that it’s lighter and easier to use than the Muzzy Bowfishing 1069 XD Pro Spin Style Reel.