bowfishing questions

I just started a couple of weeks ago, and i am shooting a quicktune 800 rest (what i use for deer hunting) and the reel is an AMS bowfishing reel. this is the one that looks like a pop bottle. quite a few of my buddies use this reel so i got one as well. i paid like 70 i think for it. and the sights, you don't need them most of the shots arn't very far. but it is a lot of fun!

AMS retreiver reel, NO sights, and a Muzzy bowfising arrow(or similar) with a stingaree head. I don't like the arrows with the full length slide on the arrow. Get the one with the plastic/nylon piece on the end that has several small holes to attach the string to. I would also suggest you buy a seperate bow strictly for bowfishing if you find out you like it. I wouldn't even consider using my $700+ set-up for bowfishing.JMO

Its a gas,I ditto the AMS quick retrieve as stated above,I also use a beatup old jennings lighting bow,we shoot BIG fish here,some 50lbs+,stingeree tips are spot on,also "no" fletching,fletching makes the arrow plain out on longer shots,instinctive shooting here,and no release.Depending on what type of water and bottom your shooting in or on,adjust the poundage accordingly,meaning if your shooting shallow rocky creek or river bottom and small to mid-size fish under 15lbs,40-lbs will do,in deep water and big fish like the lakes we have here,we crank up the bows to 70+lbs,most monster fish are shot in water 4-6ft deep,nice thing about the AMS reel besides your line hardly ever tangles and the quick retrieve for followup shots is that it has a break,so when ya stick a BIG one,you don't get a rope burn when she runs.

Its also a good idea to have a few extra arrows and a repair kit along with epoxy,new stingeree tips and arrow nocks,so your day does'nt get cut short when something happens.

There's a really good article in this month's Dakota Country Magazine.  Lots of good info there.

Just mainly got into it last year, go with a AMS reel, don't buy the cheap ones, an arrow coming flying past your head when your line gets tangled makes you feel like an idiot for not spending a few extra bucks.  I speak that from experience, never got hit but came close a few times.  I like the full length slides seems i get tangled less with these and i just use my drop away arrow rest that i used for deer hunting when i did that now it's strictly fishing for me.  Just outfitted the boat with a platform and lights and a generator.  Way better than bowfishing during the day.  Filled up a 35 gallon drum pretty quick friday night.  I don't have sights on my bow now but am going to put some cheap ones on for when others use my bow that are with and i'm still shooting a release with bow set at 70 pounds but am turning down to 60.