Bowfishing

[guest]

Does anybody know who made reels for attaching onto a bow for shooting fish? (usually carp) I have a Zebco that looks like it was made for this.

[Steve]

20-25 years ago, bow reels were available from Herter's that were little more than 6"-10" plastic spools that fastened to the bow. There was a similar one named Aqua Killer, which could have been the same make as what Herter's sold, for all I know. I know I've seen a push-button reel adapted for bowfishing, and I think it was a Zebco.

[reels4me]

I used a bow to shoot carp in their spawning time. We used a Wordens
'reel' that fit around the waist, no handle, manually rewound. Worked well.

[reels4me]

I used a bow to shoot carp in their spawning time. We used a Wordens
'reel' that fit around the waist, no handle, manually rewound. Worked well.

[SWIM JIG]

Well as I looked over on the shelf, I found a brand new on in the pkg. made by OUTers Fleetwood archery Onalaska Wis. 54650 # 6014-g bow fishing set reel is 3-1/2 in across has a arrow and line on the reel. still in its original pkg with celophane over it PRICE? $4.57 You are corect ZEBCO did make a reel for bow fishing, as Paul Winstead had a few of them. Hope this helps some. Your Ohio Conections Cpl. Milton Lorens aka SWIM JIG and ryan aka FROGGY JIG

[clinton_beeler]

I would be quite interested to hear what the model number is on Paul Winstead's reels. I called father to ask him about all this and here's what he said (BTW he used to run Zebco). They didn't make a bowfishing reel per se. They made a universal bracket to mount a reel to the bow. The bracket would accept any standard reel foot. Then he said that everybody used a model 55 reel for this application. I'll have to have him show me one when I see him tomorrow. He used to (and may still) have a bowfishing rig. His reel was a 55. Hope this helps!

[Brian F.]

Clinton,
We have not heard from Paul Winstead in a long time but I'm sure he and other Zebco enthusiasts greatly appreciate having access to all the information your father is providing through you for this message board. Thank you for passing it all along.

If I may I suggest, you could go one step further. This seems like a very rare opportunity where you, as a person interested in the company history if not also a reel collector, are in a position to document a significant chunk of Zebco history. I would plead that you sit down one day soon with a pencil and paper, recorder, video cam or something and just go from start to finish about what your father remembers. It sounds like a ton and his memory seems really sharp. Please don't wait until it's too late.

What you compile would not only be interesting to the Zebco guys but all the readers of our quarterly Reel News publication. I'm sure another member or our editor, Phil White, would be glad to help you write it. Thanks again and hope you will consider the suggestion!

PS Say, by the way, several years ago I was going thru a garage sale area and met one resident that told me he used to work for Zebco. He did not have much for sale, except what looked like some fairly newer models. I didn't get to talk with him much but if your father knows of someone retiring out here, I'll try to find him. I only know the area where I ran into him and do not care to do a house to house search (unless absolutely necessary!). Just a shot in the dark but thought I'd ask.

[clinton_beeler]

Brian,
I've actually been working on the book since Ben Wright contacted me about the 1970. I wish father had a magic "brain dump" button, but I haven't been able to find it. I ask questions and he gives answeres. The only problem is knowing what to ask. I will certainly need help with it. First of all, I wouldn't have known to ask about bowfishing or how to tell when a 33 was made but for the fact that someone asked. Your questions really do help. The more the better. Second, I've never written a book before and will certainly need help with that as well. I've been thinking about asking if I might submit something to "Reel News" although I'm not quite sure which topic. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,
Clinton

[Brian F.]

Clinton,

Thanks for clarifying about your project. I was a a little embarrased after writing the above message and then reading the last Reel News only to find out you are now a member and writing a book! Anyway, wish you the best in your effort.

You're right, if you don't know a lot of the history and background yourself, it's very hard to know what to ask. I run into the same thing in interviewing old fishermen here for my own project. I am always surprised to find, however, that when the conversation gets going and the interviewee begins recalling things, one subject flows into another. I often find myselft having too much to keep up with!

The only thing I can suggest about preparing what to ask in advance is maybe to read Ben's spinning reel book and others done by our members, like Phil White's book on Meisselbach, Dennis Smith's Mitchell/Garcia book, etc. to get a feel for what kind of information they researched and presented.

Nuggets of info like this one on bowfishing, I don't know how you'd come across it. Maybe a general question making stuff for sports outside of traditional fishing styles? I'm sure the fellows that have done books can help.

[SWIM JIG]

YIPEE ! clinton , why dont you take the ZECO SIG. GROUP? Paul windstead done this for a while, however Paul seems to have gone into seclusion. not heard from him in over 1 year. As for your father, Get a tape recorder and a bunch of blank tapes, you present the question he supplies the answere, also call mary at zebco, she has been there for ever-- 1-800-588-9030 . as for the BOOK? its work and other writers can attest to that! If you do the zebco sig group, Write a colum each issue with factual material, I have alwys said, ( all reels are important to their owners rather it be ZEBCOs or Kovoloky reels or hard to find reels. Photos or drawings from ZEBCO would inhance the book, You will have your own style and that makes for interesting reading, call on members for their experience on ZEBCO, and as writers Like Phil WHITE our editor and Ben wright or Jim Maden, and others, they can be of tremedius help. when the book is done give the credits that contrbuted, and contiue with the group! dont let this valuable bit of history become lost foever! your Ohio conection Col. Milton Lorens aka SWIM JIG

[Steve]

It looks like sportsmen were working in both directions back in the late 1950s. Here's a drawing from a patent for a typical reel meant for bowfishing:


And here's an invention from the same period, a gizmo for casting a fishing line:

My guess is that the second inventor wasn't a very good shot.

[Harvey]

Why the hooks on the arrow and line? If you missed, could you just snag them on retrieve?

[SWIM JIG]

Harvy, I was told that those hooks were to be baited, thus the idea was to get out over the weed growth and also where casting was next to imposible trees and overhanging brush, The hooks could be adjusted for depth, and the wooden arrow was suposed to float. Never used one like the diagram shows, have tryed to shoot a carp , I missed! These things I was told by a tackle store owner , that low power bows were used about 35;b. max I ahve seen carp shot along the Sandusky Causway and at East harbor State park, ( in ohio Only trash fish is legal with a bow) no live ammo period, one game warden said they used them to help land a large fish after it was legaly hooked, a type of high powered gafft , could be never saw that done in Ohio. i still would only want to use them on these pesky snakes in ohio, Only 2 kinds bother me live ones and dead ones! I dont like either kind! Col. M. lorens akaSWIM JIG ps thanks for the drawings!

[clinton_beeler]

I remember father's arrow. It was strange but cool. The tip was aluminum with two swept back prongs (prongs? OK so I'm having brain cramp). These were spring loaded to fold in as the tip penetrated the fish and then snap back out to hold it. The entire tip screwed onto the arrow shaft for easy removal of the fish. The shaft was hollow fiberglass for floatation and the fletching was rubber. This would have been about 1965. I don't remember seeing another quite like it which is a shame since it made so much sense.

[Jim Schottenham]

Thought you'd all like to see this paperwork for the E. F. Small Cormorant reel:

The reel was patented on July 4th, 1950, so I'm guessing this was in the reel ads during the 50's.
The cover also shows the reel while in use on a bow. It's not until you get to the back cover that they show the reel mounted on a rod for conventional fishing.

Jim