Ever given bow fishing a shot before? If you have, then you’ll know exactly how critical it is to have a good bow fishing reel in your arsenal.
If you haven’t yet, then we recommend that you do as soon as possible. Once you experience it firsthand, you’ll understand just why Anglers love to fish with a bow fishing reel.
The thing that makes bow fishing unique is that it’s rewarding and fun at the same time. Here is how it’s done: you take archery equipment and use it to shoot and catch fish. It’s as simple as that. A curved arrow is used to shoot the fish. The arrow is attached with the line to the Reel which is mounted on the boat. As fun as it can be, it can become rather annoying when you don’t catch as much fish as you want when you’re trying for many hours. To avoid that, what you need to do is get yourself the best bow fishing reel out there.
Luckily the market is saturated with different options. Now while not all of them are as effective as you’d want them to be, there are still many good options out there to try, and we are here to let inform you on the 10 best bow fishing reels that you can get your hands on.
Top Bow Fishing Reels: Comparison table
Last update on 2023-03-26 at 22:36 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
1. AMS Tournament Retriever Pro Bow Fishing Reel
If you’re looking for a reputable producer for the best bow fishing reels, then AMS has got your back. Ask any experienced angler, and they’ll let you know that these guys produce high-end retrieval reels.
- 4.3 to 1 gear ratio
- Longer handle for increased leverage
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The sturdiness and extreme durability of this bow fishing reel are unparalleled. For Clear visibility, it is equipped with a yellow dacron line. You also get a 4.3:1 gear ratio for an immense amount of speed.
The line is 25 yards long it is attached to a reel that is reeled into a bottle. This will make sure that it won’t roll on the reel and thus you don’t have to concern yourself with any missed shots.
You also get a large handle that will decrease the possibility of losing fish. Add to that the fact that lost arrows and a broken line will be a thing of the past thanks to the spinning over links and the heavy drag setting.
We previously touched upon the sturdiness of this reel. This thing is built to last, and its durability is out of the question. You won’t have to worry about Big Fish giving it a hard time. The good thing about it is that its durability is contrasted by its lightweight, so you won’t have any trouble holding it for long periods of time.
This one is especially recommended for amateurs as it doesn’t require you to hand-wind the spool. This is a very easy-to-use bow fishing reel. And while it may be a bit pricey, the features that it provides are definitely worth it and they make it one of the best bow fishing reels out there.
Pros
- Easy to maintain and lightweight
- High durability
- High speed shot timing
- Better leverage with the long handle
- High-speed retrieval
- High-Speed release
Cons
- A bit pricey in comparison with other bow fishing reels
2. 610 Retriever Pro Reel
We have here another entry from the AMS company. It is just a testament to the fact that this brand produces some of the best bow fishing reels that you can get on the market. Although it is worth noting that this one is less pricey compared to the previous one on the list. Handling the retrieval line is quite easy with this particular product.
- 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.
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To start reeling, all you have to do is just pull the trigger guard and turn the handle. The line that comes with it is 25 yards long.
The trigger will last for a very long time because it’s made out of heavy-duty pool aluminum. The reel, which has a bright Hi-Vis line, can be put in a bottle. Thanks to this you will be able to shoot at a very high speed.
The right handle is quite ergonomic. It is also customizable to your preference. While installation may take some time, the fact the reel comes with an arrow quiver and a telescoping Camp makes up for it.
Pros
- A better price than other AMS
- Better visibility underwater thanks to the Hi-Vis fishing line
- Made from outstanding material
- Handling the reel and operating it is easy
Cons
- The line is shorter than what other reels may offer
3. Cajun Winch Bow Fishing Reel
If AMS products aren’t in your price range, then Cajun winch reel has got your back. It is one of the best bow fishing reels that you can get on a reasonable budget. This product has immense durability that makes it withstand any kind of condition.
- Fighting Brake allows you to winch fish back to the boat
- Revolutionary design allows for one-handed operation
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Any feature that you would need to catch a huge fish this winch reel gives it to you. What’s cool about it is that the one-hand operation will allow you to keep one of your hands-free so that you can land the fish. You can winch fish back to you with the fighting break that the reel provides.
The reel has stainless steel hardware and told aluminum mounting brackets. You won’t have to worry about corrosion or rust. A red bottle is attached to the hardware part. It contains a 250 lb 25 yards of the white line.
Besides that, it’s adjustable with a horizontal and a vertical position. This gives it enough flexibility to fit on any bow. All in all, this is one of the best bow fishing reels you can get at a reasonable price.
Pros
- Affordable cost
- High-speed release and retrieval
- Sturdy aluminum finish
- Fast retrieval
Cons
- It’s a bit difficult to set up
4. RPM Bowfishing 1-X Trigger Reel Black
This is the first trigger Style reel ever to be produced, and it’s brought to you by RPM. It’s operated constantly on spool mode. It does not need any buttons to push, a tension bar to press or any levers to swing. You just need to Aim Shoot and reel.
- Package length: 9.3 cm
- Package width: 13.4 cm
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After the shot towards the riser, use your pointer finger to pull the trigger. The reel will revert to spool mode once the arrow is back in its place. After that, the reel will be set and ready for the next shot. 150 ft monkey wire is used to pre-pool the trigger. Through securing the reel, the trigger handle guarantees secure fishing. The reel can be handled by both left hand and right-hand fisherman.
The enlarged line guide allows you to recover the line at a 3.5:1 speed. The reel has a corrosion resistant stainless steel shoe. But what’s really noteworthy is the fact that every component of the reel can be replaced.
Again we only got for you the best bow fishing trolling reels in here, and this one is definitely one of them. If we were to compare to other ones, this would be the fastest, most user-friendly, and safest triggered reel on the market. The cherry on top is at the fact that it’s at a very low price compared to other products, so what are you waiting for?
Pros
- Dual pick up the pin
- Highest speed line recovery
- Sturdy manufacturing
- Enlarged line guide
- Both right hand and left-hand operation
Cons
- The large reel body makes it a little bit hard to handle
5. Muzzy Bowfishing 1069 XD Pro Spin Style Reel
We finish up our quest for the best bow fishing reels with this one. If you’re looking to battle large fish in extreme environmental conditions, then the Muzzy Bowfishing reel is the best pick for you. It was made to offer excellent performance for big game fishing. It’s definitely a different take on the usual spin cast style reel.
- Bowfishing Spin cast style reel with integrated mounting system
- Switch activation system allows you to lock into shooting mode and provides a visual indication that the reel is ready to shoot
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The steel mounting bracket is integrated into this enhanced spin style reel. What you get from this bracket are salt anchoring and overall reduced weight. It can be locked in free spooling mode thanks to the new spool switch.
The free spool mode is enabled by the switch and can be closed by spinning it. It also lets you know that the reel is ready for use.
Fewer missed shots and faster retrieval are guaranteed by the drag system. And the smoother Line Feed is insured by the approved hood design.
You also get a strong brass and stainless steel drive system. You get to fish with you the right or left arm. The fishing line is 150 ft long and weighs 150 lb.
If we were to summarize what makes this product one of the best bow fishing reels out there, it’s the fact that it is suitable for any given situation even the price is sometimes reasonable. You might want to make it the part of your arsenal for your next fishing trip.
Pros
- Smoother line thanks to the improved head design
- Switch activation mechanism
- Several stainless steel parts
- Durable material
Cons
- Lines aren’t very durable
Best Bow Fishing Reel – Buying Guide
Are you ready to make your final decision and pick your best bow fishing reel? Well, here’s our buying guide, which will help you do exactly that!
With no further ado, here are the main factors to keep in mind when choosing the best bow fishing reel:
Reel Type
If you scour the market, you’ll find out that there are three types of bow fishing reels out there. What you have to do is figure out the drawbacks and benefits of each class, and that will make it very simple for you to choose the best bow fishing reel that suits your preferences.
Hand Wrap Drum Reel
The name says it all. What you have to do is wrap the line manually around the spool by hand and hold it in place with a line holder. When it comes to the Arrow, the line will be launched from the holder. It becomes ready again for use with the same process after retrieving and rewinding the reel manually. The positive aspects of this kind of reel are its reasonable price, and it can be used for shooting bigger fishes when combined with a float system.
The drum wheel brings a bunch of benefits. It is both reasonably priced and easy to set up. What’s also great about them is the fact that they last for a long period of time.
When it comes to the drawbacks, the winding is something that’s going to take if you a lot of effort and time. In addition to that, the speed of a line when the shot is not as fast as other types of reels.
Spincast Reel
This is one of the most basic types of fishing reels that you’ll find.
This reel will work perfectly with whatever kind of bow you’re going to use with it. We also hear that this is one of the most used reels for bow fishing because of how simple it is to operate. It will be a very good choice for anyone new to this sport. Besides that, even though it is attached to a bow, you will feel that it is closer to the traditional fishing method. What’s worth noting is that spin cast reel is basically pre-round. Beyond making shooting and reeling easy, it also offers a light line the makes it shoot faster.
A big benefit of the spin cast reel is the fact that it is very simple to operate. Setting the drag up will be very easy, which consequently makes shooting fish effortless. When it comes to the speed, this one is rather fast compared to the Drum Reel type. Firing is fast and reeling back for the next shot is very simple to do. So even if you miss your first shot, it won’t be much of an issue.
The drawback, however, is that this type is the least resilient one on the market. This is due to the fact that prior to shooting, if you let the line loose, it will fly from the spool, making it useless.
Retriever Reel
This type might offer the best bow fishing reel for your needs if you’re looking for one that provides a bottle that will hold the line in place to be shot through the air without it getting tangled. This reel is suitable for catching big fish. It can also be used to catch alligators as well. Professionals use this type of reel when they practice the sport. The retrieval reel uses a thick braided line. This line weighs 200 pounds, and it was made to withstand immense pressure.
When it comes to the benefits of this kind of reel, what we can talk about its lightweight, for example. On top of that, it comes with a thick line that is very durable, which makes it very popular among the professionals. A crank method is adapted to retrieve the line. This increases the durability of the reel.
When it comes to downsides, the speed that it offers isn’t awe-inspiring because of the thick line. The price tag is also a bit high because of the high-grade material that’s used to manufacture it.
Gear Ratio
The gear ratio basically indicates how fast you’d be able to pick up the line. It is one of the most fundamental aspects that need to be kept in mind when buying a bow fishing reel. 4.3:1 is the most common one that you will find on the market. That number means that the spool will turn around itself 4.3 times for each one to handle revolution. But at the same time, it is affected by the required effort for reeling in the fish you catch. From what we can tell, experienced professionals seem to prefer high gear ratios.
Durability
The best bow fishing reel is a reel that can withstand the test of time. You want to get yourself a product that is made of long-lasting material. 1 thing to focus on is the durability of the line that you’re going to use. Look for something strong which can take on big fish. Otherwise, you’re going to end up with a snapped line and a ruined fishing trip. The thicker it is, the more it can handle.