Best Bow Fishing Reels of 2026
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Bow fishing reels are an essential tool for any angler who loves to fish with a bow. These reels are designed to attach to the bowstring and allow for easy retrieval of the fishing line. They come in a variety of styles, including spin cast, spincast with a line puller, and bottle-style reels. Some models are even equipped with lights to help you see in low light conditions. Bow fishing reels are made from high-quality materials and are built to withstand the rigors of fishing in challenging conditions. Whether you are a seasoned angler or just starting out, a bow fishing reel is a must-have accessory for your fishing gear.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 Bow Fishing Reels
KastKing Centron Spinning Reel
Transform into a pro angler with KastKing Centron Spinning Reel. Its lightweight and narrow graphite frame design, combined with a computer balancing system, deliver high-performance in a compact size. With incredible stopping power up to 17.5LBs, the Superior Drag System offers smooth and reliable performance. The reel has nine quality ball bearings and one instant stop one-way anti-reverse bearing for ultra-smooth performance. The high strength two-color anodized aluminum spool has a power launch lip for longer casts and holds more line than competitor's models. The attractive, brilliant finish adds durability to the reel, making it a great gift for anyone who loves fishing.
Zebco 33 Micro Spincast Fishing Reel
The Zebco Micro Spincast Reel is perfect for both beginners and experienced anglers. It features a lightweight graphite frame, stainless steel covers, a MicroFine dial-adjustable drag, and boasts a patented no-tangle design. The built-in bite alert uses an audio indicator to alert anglers of activity below the water. Zebco's Quickset anti-reverse clutch stops your handle from moving backwards and creates a solid hookset in the mouth of a fish when reeling in your prized catch. It features a changeable right or left-hand retrieve and comes pre-spooled with 4-pound of Zebco Cajun line so you're ready to fish sooner. With a mono line capacity of 90/4 yds/lbs, this reel offers smooth performance and unrivaled durability. Ideal for targeting light species from panfish to trout and more.
Piscifun Flame Spinning Reel
The Piscifun Flame Reel is an excellent choice for anglers seeking a lightweight option, weighing just 6.1 ounces, making it easy to transport on your fishing trips. With a strong drag power of 19.8 pounds, it gives you the strength needed to catch larger fish. The reel's sleek design features a matte black body with a striking red aluminum spool, adding a modern touch to your fishing gear. Additionally, its smooth operation comes from 9 ball bearings and precision gears, ensuring effortless casting and reeling that enhances your fishing experience.
KastKing Centron Lite Baitcasting Reel
The KastKing Centron Lite Baitcasting Reel is an ultra-light and ultra-powerful reel designed for longer casts. It features 5 double-shielded stainless steel ball bearings, a 10-magnet braking system, and a maximum drag of 15.4 LB. The CNC Anodized Aluminum Spool has Standard Braided Line Capacity LB/Yds 12LB/180Yds, 15LB/145Yds, 20LB/120Yds, Standard Mono Line Capacity LB/Yds 8LB/90Yds, 10LB/80Yds, 12LB/55Yds. This reel is perfect for anglers looking for longer casting distance and a smooth, reliable performance.
KastKing Brutus Spincast Fishing Reel
The KastKing Brutus Spincast Fishing Reel is a high-performance reel with a stainless-steel dual pickup system, 4.0:1 gear ratio, and 5 stainless-steel double shielded ball bearings. It features an aluminum reversible double paddle handle with durable rubber grips and comes pre-spooled with 160 yards of 10 lb test KastKing Premium Monofilament fishing line. It's perfect for freshwater fishing with #10 test or less monofilament line.
Zebco 202 Spincast Fishing Reel
The Zebco 202 Spincast Fishing Reel is a great choice for both beginner and experienced anglers. It features a patented no-tangle design, simple push-button mechanics, and a 2.8:1 gear ratio for a smooth retrieve. The reel is constructed with all-metal gears and a durable, tough-yet-sleek design. It is pre-spooled with 10-pound Zebco fishing line and features a right-hand retrieve. The long-lasting stainless steel pick-up pin is corrosion resistant, making it perfect for many fishing adventures.
Piscifun Torrent Baitcasting Fishing Reel
The Piscifun Torrent Baitcasting Fishing Reel is a powerful and durable reel that simplifies operation with its magnetic braking system. It has a fast retrieve and two gear ratios to choose from, 5.3:1 and 7.1:1, making it suitable for a variety of techniques. It also features a unique side-plate oil port for easy maintenance.
Piscifun Viper X Spinning Reel
The Piscifun Viper X Reel is a high-performance spinning fishing reel suitable for both saltwater and freshwater fishing. Equipped with double shielded 10+1 stainless steel bearings, this reel provides silky smooth performance that's both reliable and consistent. The reinforced stainless steel main shaft and Zinc alloy drive gear allow for up to 33lbs of max drag, making it perfect for reeling in bigger fish. The Viper X Reel is also lighter and stronger than other reels of similar quality, thanks to its high-quality graphite material and new mould technology. With a lightning-fast gear ratio and versatile retrieval options, this reel suits any fishing style or situation. Additionally, the reel's waterproof design and premium quality construction make it a great value for any angler.
KastKing Megatron Spinning Reel
The KastKing Megatron Spinning Reel is a powerful and durable reel that is perfect for freshwater and saltwater fishing. It features a rigid aluminum skeletal frame, pro-level quality gears, a smooth carbon fiber drag system with over 30 lbs of run-stopping power, and 7+1 MaxiDur double-shielded stainless-steel ball bearings. Customers are impressed with the build quality and smooth performance of the reel, making it a great budget option for anglers of all levels.
KastKing Brutus Baitcasting Fishing Reel
The KastKing Brutus Baitcasting Fishing Reel is designed to provide an exceptional value and performance for anglers. It features a one-piece rigid graphite frame and lightweight graphite side plates that offer reliable performance and durability for long life. The reel is equipped with an extra-hard stainless steel main shaft, Hamai precision machined brass gears, and a three carbon fiber drag washers that delivers a fishing stopping 17.8 lbs of drag. With its 7.2:1 high speed gear ratio and 10 button magnetic braking system, the KastKing Brutus provides smooth and versatile performance that is easy to control for all-day fishing comfort.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is a good bowfishing reel?
Best Bowfishing Reels Reviewed. AMS Bowfishing Retriever Pro.AMS Bowfishing Retriever TNT - Best Retriever Reel for Bowfishing.Cajun Winch Pro.Zebco 808 Bowfisher Direct Mount Spincast - Best Spincast Reel for Bowfishing.Muzzy 1097 XD.Fin-Finder Heavy Duty Drum Reel - Best Drum Reel for Bowfishing.
2. Can you put a bow fishing reel on any bow?
You can bowfish during the day or at night. To get started, you need a bow, arrows and a reel. Any type of archery bow will do (longbow, recurved bow or compound bow).
3. How much draw weight do you need for bowfishing?
The ideal draw weight for bowfishing is generally around 30-40 pounds. However, if it's a little more or even a little less you can still kill fish. Many youth bows can be converted to bowfishing bows for young shooters who wouldn't be able to shoot a 40-pound draw weight.
4. What bow is best for fish?
If you're looking for a lightweight, accurate, smooth shooting bow for fishing, look no further than the Oneida Eagle Osprey.. Oneida Eagle Osprey Bowfishing Bow.G-Rex Bowfishing Lever Bow by G String Bowstrings.Muzzy LV-X Bowfishing Lever Bow Powered by Oneida.AMS Bowfishing Hooligan Bow Kit.
During our bow fishing reel research, we found 24 bow fishing reel products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 167,711 customer reviews through our big data system to write the bow fishing reels list. We found that most customers choose bow fishing reels with an average price of $30.86.
The bow fishing reels are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of bow fishing reels, including KastKing, Zebco, Piscifun. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 877 consumers with an average rating of 4.9.
Paul Tilton is a fitness enthusiast. He doesn't like to work in front of a computer screen so he quit his job and runs a gym in Washington. He spent a lot of time on the road and has been a contributing writer for a well-known travel guide website. He is now happy to share his travel experience and professional knowledge of travel gear and fitness here.