There are many bowfishing arrow tips available. Muzzy has two good bowfishing points. Their quick release point has fixed barbs with a holding area of about one inch. To remove a fish with this point, you need to release the barbs before you can release your fish from the arrow. Just twist the tip a couple times to release the barbs, turn them back, and pull the arrow back through the fish.

They also have a new point called the Stingray. This point uses the same replaceable tip as the quick release points but has more to offer. The barbs are collapsed on the shot and when open offer about a 2 ½" holding area. To release a fish with this point the archer only needs to twist the shaft of the arrow two or three times to release the fish. The only disadvantage would be the possibility of the fish spinning himself free while still in the water.

Shure Shot points are another tough point. They offer a little more holding area than the Muzzy points. They are now available with or with out the Muzzy replaceable tip. The advantage of these points is their compact design, and with a couple twists of the arrow shaft, the barbs release.

Another type of point is the Sting-A-Ree points. The barbs are collapsed as the arrow passes through the fish. As you pull the arrow back, the barbs catch on the side of the fish, open up and hold tight to the fish. The holding diameter of these points is about 2 ½". They are very similar to the Muzzy stingray points but don't have the replaceable point and are less expensive. As with the Shure Shot points and the Muzzy Stingray, a couple twists of the arrow shaft will allow the barbs to collapse and the fish to be easily removed without contact. The disadvantage with these points is the ease in fish removal can also allow a spinning fish in the water to spin himself free.

Trophy Points are also available. They will hold any trophy-sized fish until he's in the boat. They use a Muzzy replaceable tip with a long rotating barb. There is about 2" of holding area on these points. The barb collapses as it passes through the fish and as it pulls back through it catches and holds. There is no chance of the fish spinning himself free with these points. The only disadvantage to these is the removal of the fish. To remove the fish, you need to completely remove the tip and the barb before you are able to pull it back through the fish. If you are after a trophy fish and time is not a concern (as in tournament fishing), these points will hold your fish.

These are just a few of the bowfishing points that are available today. The type of point you select depends on the type of fish you're going after and the water conditions. For example, when fishing shallow, rocky-bottomed water, the Muzzy quick release or Shure shot points would be a good choice. The longer points like the Sting-A-Rees and the Stingrays can't take as much constant rock pounding abuse as the shorter points.

If shooting deeper water or water with a lot of downed timber and after carp and other softer fish, choose the Sting-A-Rees or Stingray points. The holding area is much greater and fish removal is quick. If you accidentally shoot a stump, the twisting of the shaft releases the barbs and could prevent losing an arrow or bringing home a log.

If after alligators or alligator gar, choose the Muzzy quick release points. The shorter points offer more penetration of their thick hides and the fish or gator spinning off the arrow would not be possible.

There are a lot of differing variables in bowfishing. The equipment you need depends on your particular situation.