In my home state of Minnesota, spring has a way of taking its time; winter doesn’t like to let go easily. However, warm temperatures will eventually arrive, and with it comes warming waters. For archers who want to expand their hunting season, it’s the perfect time to wade the shallows or jump in a boat in pursuit of carp and other roughfish, which are cruising the shallows to spawn.
The good news for archery shops is you don’t have to stock a wide variety of bowfishing gear to get in the game. In fact, most of your customers who want to try bowfishing for the first time would do well with either of the following two kits.
Genesis Gen-X Cuda Bowfishing Kit (MSRP: $349)
The Genesis Gen-X Cuda Bowfishing Kit contains everything needed to get started in bowfishing. The Cuda bow features Gen-X Progressive Let-Off Technology, which increases the percent of let-off as draw length increases (see chart below).
The 3.4-pound bow measures 35.5 inches axle to axle, and draw weight is adjustable from 25 to 40 pounds. Draw length is 21 to 30 inches. The kit includes a Zebco 808 Bowfisher reel pre-spooled with 200-pound-test line, one fiberglass bowfishing arrow with safety slide, and an arrow rest. Available in right- or left-hand models.
Check out the video below where Gen X Archery’s Joel Maxfield explains Progressive Let-Off on the Cuda bow.
Muzzy Vice Bowfishing Kit (MSRP: $329.99)
Muzzy had been in the bowfishing business for several decades. The company’s Vice Bowfishing Kit comes with the XD Pro Push-Button Reel with an integrated reel seat; the reel is pre-spooled with 50 yards of 150-pound-test line. The bow also comes with glove-free finger guards pre-installed on the string, a Muzzy Fish Hook rest, and the company’s Classic White Fish Arrow with a Carp Point and nock installed.
The 3.8-pound Vice bow has an adjustable draw weight of 25 to 55 pounds, draw length of 24.5 to 31 inches, and let-off of 75%. Axle-to-axle length is 34 inches. Available in right- or left-hand models.
Check out the video below where Muzzy Bowfishing’s Chris James discusses the Vice Bowfishing Kit.
