After you have spent countless hours perfecting your bowfishing marksmanship skills, and ample time on the water to put yourself in position for the shot that you seek, you have finally connected and have the fish of a lifetime at the end of your line. Now is when a quality reel pays dividends towards your overall success.
Moments like these lead a countless number of archers every year to seek out the best bowfishing reel. If you find yourself with this same thought, be sure to check out the best bowfishing reel: The AMS Bowfishing Tournament Series Retriever, as well as the other quality market offerings on this list (read… the best bow fishing kits)
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Next Level Bowfishing Reels
While you can indeed bring fish to the boat or bank with nearly any bowfishing reel that can be fixed to your bow, there are several reels that are much more efficient in completing this task in a way that promotes success at every turn.
AMS Bowfishing Tournament Series Retriever
If you want to get your hard-earned fish to the boat (read.. top-notch bowfishing crossbows) or bank in record time, with little worry of breaking your line, then the AMS Bowfishing Tournament Series Retriever is the reel for you.
This reel features a 4.3:1 gear ratio that takes up 27 inches of line with every revolution of the handle, 350 pound-test line, and stainless steel hardware.
Specs:
Weight- 3.0 pounds
Pros:
- 4.3:1 gear ratio for blistering fast line uptake
- 350 pound-test line for unrivaled breakage resistance
- Brass gears and stainless-steel hardware for enhanced durability
- Corrosion-resistant housing for long service life
Cons:
- Can potentially be more than what the casual bowfisherman would require
When using this reel you will feel as if you are harnessing the power of a winch.
Cajun Winch Pro Bowfishing Reel
The Cajun Winch Pro Bowfishing Reel is perfect for those that demand a reel that works as hard as they do.
Featuring a fighting wheel brake that slows a fish’s run while simultaneously reeling, ceramic string guides for smoother string feed, and a rugged aluminum frame.
Specs:
Weight- 1.5 pounds
Pros:
- Fighting wheel brake to stop a fish’s forward progress
- Ceramic line guides for smoother string feed
- Rugged aluminum frame for enhanced durability
- Vertical and horizontal adjustments for easy bow fitment
Cons:
- Some arches express concerns over claims made by Cajun that this reel can be used by both right and left-handed shooters.
This reel not only allows you to fight fish but to do so in the most efficient manner possible.
AMS Retriever Pro
The AMS Retriever Pro is an excellent reel that can easily meet the needs of most bow fisherman.
This reel is built for outright performance with its 17 inches of line per revolution retrieval rate, 200 pound-test line, and rugged construction.
Specs:
Weight- 1.6 pounds
Pros:
- Buttonless operation for simplicity
- 17 inch of line per revolution retrieval rate for efficient reeling
- 200-pound test line for breakage resistance
Cons:
- Must be ordered based upon a shooters dominant hand orientation
The AMS Retriever Pro also makes operation a breeze by allowing a shot to be taken without pressing a button for the reel’s bail mechanism prior to operation.
Muzzy 1069 XD Pro Spin Style Reel
Muzzy is a name that is synonymous with all things archery and has been since the 1980s. The company maintains its heritage of producing quality products with their 1096 XD Pro Spin Style Reel.
Specs:
Weight- 1.97 pounds
Pros:
- Spool Switch Technology that allows for similar operation to dragless reels
- Integrated steel mounting bracket to aid in secure placement
- Reversible left or right hand retrieve for increased durability
Cons:
- Manual bail set functions
- Far fewer features than many market offerings
