TOP 10 Best Bowfishing Arrows for Your Set Up – Reviews & Buyer’s Guide 2024

Bowfishing has become a hugely popular sport in recent years – probably because it’s crazy fun.

And the fact that the primary target is trash fish – it’s good for the environment too.

But while you can convert most decent bows for bowfishing, you can’t just use any old arrow for sticking your next catch.

That’s why I’ve put together this guide to the best bowfishing arrows on the market – so you can make sure you’re going into battle with the right gear.

A buyer’s guide and FAQ section will follow.

TOP 10 Best Bowfishing Arrows for Your Set Up 2024

AMS A203-FLO Fiberglass Arrow

In the world of bowfishing, AMS will need little introduction – but the same can be said for most brands included in this review.

Either way, their Chaos FX point arrows are often regarded as one of the best in the business. Made with a durable stainless steel head, it offers two hardened barbs for greater staying power, and they’re released by loosening the tip without the need to remove the head completely.

The vibration-dampening, AMS Cyclone pile is replaceable though, if you so choose, and the barb’s generous holding area is ideal for hunting all types of fish.

Pros

  • Bestseller and highly rated.
  • Everglide safety slide installed.
  • Fluorescent fiberglass shaft.

Cons

  • Might be a little on the light side for deeper shots and larger fish.

Takeaway

Easily one of the best bowfishing arrows on the market, this is a great choice for beginners and pros, alike.

Muzzy Classic Chartreuse Bowfishing Arrow

Another hugely popular arrow option comes from bowfishing legends Muzzy, who are known for their devastating broadhead hunting arrow tips.

This is a more entry-level option for on the water, an all fiberglass arrow for soft-skinned targets. The quick-release point is Trocar tipped for improved efficiency, and the arrow is pre-drilled for cable or line attachment.

A gar-point is available for tougher-skinned fish, and the barbed head flips to release the catch when required.

Pros

  • Ideal for beginners.
  • Strong, durable shaft.
  • Choice of two colors available.

Cons

  • No safety lock included.

Takeaway

A good bowfishing arrow for noobs, the Muzzy Classic is an easy-to-use arrow that will have you sticking those fish in no time.

AMS Bowfishing Ankor QT Arrows

The AMS QT arrow has a large two-inch holding area so you can feel free to target the bigger fish. Aside from that, it’s revered by the bowfishing community as one of the best arrows available.

Featuring three hardened steel barbs, they easily retract for releasing the fish by turning the shaft slightly.

Featuring the AMS trademark Cyclone tip, the devastating point can be removed and switched out if required – but it offers unbeatable penetration right out of the box, regardless.

This is some seriously professional shit right here.

Pros

  • Premium materials and build.
  • Easy-to-use barb retract.
  • Safety slide installed.
  • Powerful, proven tip penetration.

Cons

  • Not cheap.

Takeaway

Bowfisher fans will croon from the rooftops (and their Youtube channels) about just how good the AMS QT arrow is. Go ahead – feel free to join them and hit up some tournaments.

Fin-Finder Raider Pro Arrow

It’s not just a two-horse race as there are other bowfishing brands out there offering some quality gear and equipment options.

Fin-Finder’s Raider Pro is a powerful bowfishing arrow with a stainless steel, three-barb, grapple-style point; which is able to penetrate and hold a larger catch.

Rigidly tested for straightness and made from durable fiberglass, you can be sure of an accurate, true shot and a strike that packs a punch. And the Cajun ACS safety slide is a welcome inclusion.

Pros

  • High-visibility orange.
  • Hydro-lok O-ring on all points.
  • In-line nock system.

Cons

  • Pricey for a fiberglass shaft.

Takeaway

The large grapple head on this arrow should be enough to tell you it means business when striking and holding those tougher skins.

It’s not a cheap bowfishing arrow – considering it’s fiberglass – but it’s oh so worth it for the power.

Cajun Bowfishing Piranha XT Point Arrow

Cajun are another well-known name within the bowfishing community, making some excellent entry-level packages that help get noobs into the sport and out on the water faster.

Their Piranha arrow is often found as part of such a set, with an improved shaft design made from standard fiberglass, and featuring their distinctive red livery.

Capable of super-quick fish removal, the steel barbs have been strengthened for durability, and as it’s marketed at beginners, it’s super accessible and easy-to-use.

Pros

  • Affordable price point.
  • Safety slide included.
  • Jackhammer tip.
  • Reversible barbs.

Cons

  • The nock isn’t the best.
  • Not the most powerful arrow on the market.

Takeaway

A decent arrow for entry-level bowfishers, just not the best if you’re ready to step up your game. Check out this article on how to get started in bowfishing if you’re a noob.

Muzzy 1320-C Lighted Carbon Composite Arrow

The leading name in broadheads returns now with this carp-point arrow that’s made from a composite of carbon-fiber and fiberglass core.

This ensures a more durable, tougher shaft that is capable of taking on larger and more powerful fish.

Featuring the Muzzy quick-release fish point, you can release the fish with two turns of the tip, which will then slide off your quarry once you’ve landed the beast.

And the nock has a lighted green tip that activates when fired, enabling you to better see your shot and find your arrow in all conditions.

Pros

  • Lightweight but durable.
  • Pre-drilled cross hole.
  • Lighted nock.

Cons

  • No safety slide included.

Takeaway

A quality carbon-composite arrow that features the practical addition of a lighted nock. Lose your shafts in murky waters no more.

Truglo TG140B1G Speed-Shot Bowfishing Arrow

This bright green bowfishing arrow from Truglo is an affordable option that also happens to be highly rated.

The premium-grade, hardened steel tip features an easy-release system, and the durable, fiberglass shaft is colored in a high visibility green so you can keep track of your shots.

The ultra-slim nock diameter improves accuracy, and the built-in slide safety system lets you easily tie your arrow onto the retriever, ensuring a smooth action and reliable reel every time.

Probably one of the best cheap bowfishing arrows out there.

Pros

  • Affordable price.
  • Choice of points available.
  • Slide safety system is quality.

Cons

  • The nock might come off.
  • Not the most reliable points.

Takeaway

Another solid option for a beginner, this is a decent bowfishing arrow at a nice price point. You just might need to re-glue the nock before you set out.

Cajun Bowfishing 4 Barb Stinger Point Arrow

With a devastating four-barb stinger point, this fiberglass bowfishing arrow from Cajun isn’t letting go of your catch anytime soon.

The improved shaft design has been made with the red fiberglass they’re known for, and the tougher barbs offer quick fish removal with a turn of the head. Marketed for hunting fish with softer flesh, the stinger is still a highly-durable option for bowfishing the bigger beasts in the river.

And check out more of Cajun’s popular kits in this review of the best bowfishing bows on the market.

Pros

  • Affordable price.
  • Heavy-duty tip and barbs.
  • Highly rated.

Cons

  • No safety slide.

Takeaway

Another solid entry in the Cajun bowfishing range, the four-barbs on this stinger arrow are ideal for striking and holding those fish that always seem to squirm away.

Stick ‘em and keep ‘em with the Cajun.

GPP GPPHunting Bowfishing Arrows

The most notable thing about this bowfishing arrow from GPP is that it comes in a set of six. This is an ideal option for a beginner, as if you do manage to break or lose one you have plenty of back up.

Each comes with broadheads attached, made with stainless steel and a fiberglass shaft. Tips can be replaced should they ever become dull, and the barbs are removed by simply twisting and pulling the arrow shaft out of the fish.

When it comes to quality bowfishing arrows, this set just might be the best value around.

Pros

  • Six arrow set.
  • Great price.
  • Bright orange shafts.

Cons

  • They won’t be the most durable arrows.

Takeaway

Buying bowfishing arrows in bulk has its advantages and disadvantages, but this option from GPP seems to be a decent bet, and you get a lot of bang for your buck for the price.

AMS Bowfishing Ankor FX Complete Arrows

AMS aren’t messing about with their Ankor FX arrows, which are built with premium materials to ensure you have the most successful day possible out on the water.

With three, fully reinforced stainless steel barbs, you have a holding area of 2.5-inches, which is perfect for large fish. The deadly Cyclone tip is removable, but the real beauty of this flight is in the shaft.

Made with five strands of carbon for more strength through the spine, this is a super-strong arrow that will significantly improve your accuracy. And those barbs collapse during the shot to provide the smallest entry hole possible.

Pros

  • Premium quality materials.
  • Easy-to-loosen tip.
  • AMS Everglide safety system.
  • Suitable for all fish.
  • Highly rated.

Cons

  • Expensive.

Takeaway

Quality this good doesn’t come cheap, and at this price point it’s one of the most expensive bowfishing arrows out there. There’s a reason for that – and you’ll probably never use another arrow again.

How to Choose the Best Bowfishing Arrows for Your Set Up

Below, you’ll find a handy guide to selecting the right arrows for your rig.

Read on for plenty of top tips and advice to improve your bowfishing game.

camouflage compound bowfishing bow with arrow

Materials

The most common material you will find in the manufacture of bowfishing arrows is fiberglass. It’s the lightest of the arrows and very economical.

Aluminum-fiberglass arrows are more durable and slightly heavier.

Carbon-fiberglass composite arrows are also available, and the addition of the carbon further increases the arrow’s durability, making for a sturdy flight.

Arrows that feature a carbon core move up the scale of durability.

Tips and barb heads are commonly made from stainless steel.

But for the most part, you’ll likely find that many bowfishing arrows utilize a combination of materials for the best possible product, and in an attempt to keep the manufacturing costs down – so it’s more affordable for you.

Length and Weight

The main difference between regular archery arrows and those suitable for bowfishing will be the increase in weight.

A normal arrow isn’t going to be strong enough for bowfishing purposes.

So, keep a lookout for heavier arrows. The larger the fish, the more heavy-duty the arrow needs to be.

Likewise with the arrow length. Longer arrows are going to offer you more power when attempting to take down larger targets.

Having said that, for the most part, arrow length doesn’t really come into play here – as you’re not shooting great distances. Most bowfishing arrows will be between 20-32-inches in length.

Arrow Heads

Much like regular archery arrows down through the years (or centuries to be more exact), bowfishing arrows are available with different heads depending on what you’re using it for.

The most basic of arrows will have a simple, fixed barb head, which you will need to twist off completely after you’ve stuck and reeled a fish in.

That’s easier said than done when you’ve got a catch skewered on the arrow thrashing around and trying to get back in the water.

An easier way is to use a barb that moves, and you can flip it in the opposite direction so you’re able to pull the arrow back through the fish.

The best bowfishing arrow heads, however, are the ones where you simply rotate the shaft and the barb will reverse, allowing the arrow to be pulled through and the catch to drop off the end.

This method is faster and more convenient, and you have minimal contact with the fish itself. You do need to remember to reset the arrow before shooting again, otherwise, it will be ineffective.

Arrow heads can come with two or three barbs – and sometimes more. The more barbs, the better the arrow head is going to grip the fish once it’s penetrated.

Also, keep a look out for the arrow’s “holding area.” This will be an indication of the size of fish you can successfully go after with that particular arrow.

Regarding the tips – the “business end” of the arrow – they’re nearly always made of a durable stainless steel.

But look out for ones with crafted points, such as the Muzzy Trocar or AMS Cyclone tips. The extra cut there is designed to offer improved penetration with surgical precision.

hunter aiming with compound bow on a hill

Shaft Color

It might be an afterthought when it comes to the efficacy of a bowfishing arrow – after all, so long as it does the job does it really matter what it looks like?

However, you should bear in mind that brighter, high-visibility arrows are going to be much easier to spot. This is particularly true if you’re fishing in muddy waters, or poor weather conditions.

Nobody likes losing their expensive ammunition, but arrows can and do try to jump ship from time to time. Having a shaft that blinds is a good idea to help keep track.

And with the right bow, they can look really cool.

Safety System

Not all arrows come with a built-in safety line system as standard. If it doesn’t, it’s highly recommended you look into installing one yourself.

While you don’t strictly need one to shoot on the water, for your safety, and the safety of others around you, it’s definitely something you need to consider.

You don’t want to risk the line getting tangled up through your draw cycle, and you certainly don’t want to risk the arrow pinging back towards the shooter.

Note that different arrows come with different safety systems – depending on the brand. Look for the bowfishing arrow that has the best safety line tech for you and your shooting needs.

Cost

The price of bowfishing arrows will depend on what it’s actually made from, with fiberglass being the cheapest, through to carbon-fiber arrows.

You’ll also notice an increase in price when it comes to the quality and construction of the arrow head itself.

Always buy the best you can afford – but if you suit the arrow to the type of fishing you’ll be doing, you won’t ever need to overspend.

hunter with bowfishing bow

FAQs

What is special about a bowfishing arrow?

Bowfishing arrows are more durable than regular archery arrows. As they’re designed to land fish – often particularly heavy catches, they need to have a super-strong shaft that isn’t going to break.

You’ll notice they don’t have feathers or flights near the nock. They’re not needed in bowfishing as they can misdirect the flight when hitting the water.

Bowfishing arrows are designed to be attached to fishing line, as this is how you retrieve your strike.

Finally, a bowfishing arrow will have a barbed head, specially crafted to pierce the skin of the fish, and impale it on the arrow so you can reel it in.

Can I use a regular arrow for bowfishing?

No. Regular archery arrows are too light for bowfishing purposes. Even if you fixed one with a barbed point, the chances of it breaking when you’re reeling in a monster is high.

Aside from that, they just won’t have the power that a reinforced, stronger bowfishing arrow can offer, and the feathers or flights will disrupt the arrow trajectory when striking the water, ensuring an almost certain miss.

What is the best bowfishing arrow?

It depends on what you want to fish and how much you can afford. All the arrows in this review are quality flights, but choosing one that stands above is subjective.

Having said that, I’d probably choose one of the AMS arrows, with the Ankor QT the likely candidate.

How long are bowfishing arrows?

The length of the arrow isn’t that important when shooting for fish – it’s the weight that you should be more concerned with.

Bowfishing arrows tend to be anywhere from 20 to 32 inches in length.

Can an arrow be too long?

For hunting and target shooting, yes. While there’s no rigid law against using super-long flights, the fact is that it will affect its movement in the air and you’ll likely have a much less accurate shot.

However, this doesn’t apply at all to bowfishing, as you’re only shooting relatively short distances and a long arrow flight isn’t required.

How do you set up a bowfishing arrow?

Great question. There are multiple ways in which you can set up a bowfishing arrow and the bowfishing bow itself – and how you do this will depend on personal preference.

I would suggest that the internet is your friend here – as there are plenty of how-to videos and guides available for the rookie bowfisher.

Start by checking out this guy’s personal set up in the clip below – but remember that’s just one way of doing it.

How far will an arrow travel in water?

It depends on the arrow, the bow it’s fired from (specifically the weight of the draw) and the conditions.

Typically, a bowfishing arrow will travel around 12-15 feet in water. For the most part, you’ll be shooting at targets no more than six feet deep.

Do you aim above or below a fish?

Ahhh, now this is the real trick. Your eyes will lead you to believe that the fish is in one spot, but because of the light refracting through the water, it’s actually somewhere else.

This is why you never aim directly at the fish, you aim just below it.

Watch this excellent bowfishing tips for beginners video for more information on aiming when bowfishing.

What is the best draw weight for bowfishing?

Generally speaking, an ideal draw weight for bowfishing is somewhere between 30-40 pounds. This is another reason it makes the sport so accessible, as you don’t have to be particularly strong to make the kill.

But to be honest, it’s whatever you’re comfortable drawing. You’re shooting at targets that aren’t as far away as standard archery butts, or a deer is likely to be – for example.

And remember, you’re also going to want to retrieve your arrow when you miss – so plowing an arrow hard and deep into a muddy river bed at a 70 lbs pull will have you back out shopping for a new one in no time.

Who makes the best bowfishing bow?

Again, another subjective question. Some of the top bowfishing brands include AMS, Muzzy, Cajun, PSE, and Diamond Archery.

However, there is one particular manufacturer that stands head and shoulders above all others, and that is Oneida.

You might want to think about selling a kidney to afford one of their set-ups, though.

Summary

Hit your mark every single time with the best bowfishing arrows on the market. Well, maybe not every time, but you get the idea.

Let me know which flight you’ve gone for and why, or tell me your good and bad experiences with the set up you’re currently rocking.

Alternatively, you could always go spearfishing instead.

Take it easy!

Bob out.

Bob Hoffmann

The author of this post is Bob Hoffmann. Bob has spend most of his childhood fishing with his father and now share all his knowledge with other anglers. Feel free to leave a comment below.

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