Zebco bowfishing reels issues

[bcdawg1]

Along the lines of the hook thread, please share stories, looking for first hand experiences/witnesses of Zebco reels and shooting without pushing the button?

Ready to try bowfishing but not looking to skewer myself if I forget to release the reel.

[DrenalinJunkie]

IMO.......... go with the AMS Retriever Pro....... no buttons to worry about and no arrows coming flying back at you. Been there done that!

[cj7zrcool]

I have used Zebco 808's & 888's for years. I've heard horror stories about arrows coming back at you but never seen it happen. I have forgotten to push the button or had the reel crank over before releasing the arrow, but the only thing I've ever received from that was a cut across the base of my thumb from the 200# Fast-Flight line. I had one of the early models of the AMS Retriever and hated it. The line would bunch up in the bottle or become twisted while reeling it in, but the most frustrating thing was that the bottle kept coming off the body of the reel. I'm sure there have been many improvements in this reel in the last 15-16 years since I tried it, but the Zebcos have always worked well for me. Good luck.

[AgHntr10]

I have never seen anyone have a problem with the zebcos and that is pretty much all we use, keep your drag a little loose and you wont have a problem, just tighten it up when you need it

[Cottonfish]

If you don't remember to press the button, all you do is shoot the arrow against the drag of the reel. Occasionally, if the drag gets sticky or is set too tight, you can pop the line.........I've seen it done with 200# FastFlite. I use a Muzzy spincast reel now, after years of using Retrievers.

Stu

[Draco]

Just tie your string directly to the back of the arrow. If you don't push your buttom you will pull the bow string off the arrow.

[Cottonfish]

Just tie your string directly to the back of the arrow. If you don't push your buttom you will pull the bow string off the arrow.

I hate to disagree with you, Draco, but that IS the best way to develop a snap-back. If you tie to the back of the arrow, the excess line is drawn back past the riser and the resultant loop (upon release) can catch on cables, stabilizers, the rest, etc. Better to use safety slides or rings so the line stays forward of the riser where there's nothing for it to catch on and create a snap-back. The line will still break off of the slide or ring if it is going to break.

Stu

[Killem all]

Just tie your string directly to the back of the arrow. If you don't push your buttom you will pull the bow string off the arrow.

I agree with Draco nock your arrow, and always keep you string tight to your hand. If to go to draw and the button os not pushed the arrow will pull of the string when you draw back. I hate the AMA retriever reel and have used 808 and 888 for 17 years without a problem

[kellyg]

IMO.......... go with the AMS Retriever Pro....... no buttons to worry about and no arrows coming flying back at you. Been there done that!

X2 and don't forget the safety slide on the arrow! I've got an extra laying around if you need one.

[mbear53]

Just tie your string directly to the back of the arrow. If you don't push your buttom you will pull the bow string off the arrow.

+1 Always worked for me. Never had an arrow come back at me, but I have pulled it of my string a few (okay a bunch) of times.

[Hot4huntin]

I would strongly recommend using the slide arrows and polarized/safety glasses to protect your eyes (just in case). I use an 808 and have gotten in the habit of constantly pushing the button while waiting for fish to come up. Also, be careful if the wind is blowing. It can cause your line to become tangled or caught on the bowfishing reel seat or on the reel itself. I've tried the AMS reel, but just cannot get comfortable with it.

Now, I'm headed out to the canal and see if I can find any fish. Bobby is working so, it will be a solo trip for me. Not much was happening yesterday. Shot one gar, saw 15 gators and shot one nasty cottonmouth. It was nice to work out lots of stress by beating the heck out of it with a tree branch and lead pipe before I took it off my arrow. That is the only snake that I will faithfully kill.

Good luck to you on bowfishing.

[Low Fence]

16 years tied to the back of arrow reeled tight... Never had a arrow come back at me. A slide on a spinner is a bad idea IMO, because you can still shoot without pushing button

[twistedmidnite]

the muzzys are the best way to go, but if you are a beginer and are afraid that you might not be able to remember to push the button get the ams retriever. The only thing that will happen when not pushing the button on the spinner is a lost arrow/broke line.