Best Crossbow for Bowfishing in 2026: Setups That Actually Work
Looking for the best bowfishing crossbow in 2026? For shooting carp, gar and bowfin from a boat or the bank, you want something compact, fast to reload, and easy to mount a reel on. The BALLISTA BAT Reverse ($449.95) is our top pick, with the lighter BALLISTA BAT ($299.95) right behind it as the budget setup. Here is how they actually perform on the water, the specs that matter, and the gear that turns either one into a working bowfishing rig.
What makes a good bowfishing crossbow?
Bowfishing is close-range, high-volume shooting. You are taking quick shots at fish a few feet under the surface, missing a lot, and reeling line back in between every shot. That puts a very different set of demands on a crossbow than deer hunting does:
- Compact and light — you shoot from a moving boat, a kayak or while wading. A full-size crossbow is awkward in tight quarters.
- Fast, repeatable reloading — you will fire dozens of shots in a session, so a smooth cocking system beats raw speed.
- A solid place to mount a reel — you need a front rest or Picatinny rail to bolt a spincast reel to.
- Heavy-bolt punch — enough draw weight to drive a barbed fish arrow through the water and into a thick-scaled fish.
Both the BAT and BAT Reverse were built around exactly this kind of shooting, which is why they keep showing up in our bowfishing coverage.
Best bowfishing crossbow in 2026: the BAT Reverse
The BAT Reverse is the world's most compact reverse-draw pistol crossbow. The reverse-draw limbs lengthen the power stroke, so it pushes a heavy bolt harder than its size suggests — up to 340 fps with a 150 lb draw, in a frame that is still only 16 inches long and about 3 lbs. For bowfishing that means more reach through the water and more drive into bigger fish, while still fitting in the bottom of a kayak.
It carries a 20 mm Picatinny rail for mounting a reel, optics or a laser, and the self-retracting cocking assist makes reloading quick and quiet between shots. Watch it run through sand and water in this field test:
The budget pick: BALLISTA BAT
If you are getting into bowfishing without spending much, the BALLISTA BAT ($299.95) is the most affordable way in. It is the world's lightest compound pistol crossbow at 2.46 lb, runs up to 300 fps on a 130 lb draw, and reloads in about two seconds. For smaller fish in shallower water it is plenty of gun, and the lighter weight is genuinely easier to hold and swing for a long day of shooting.
For a turnkey setup, the BAT Crossbow Bowfishing Bundle ($409.75) ships the BAT with bowfishing arrows, a reel and the mounting hardware already matched, so you are not piecing the rig together yourself.
BAT vs BAT Reverse: spec comparison
| Spec | BALLISTA BAT | BALLISTA BAT Reverse |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299.95 | $449.95 |
| Speed (up to) | 300 fps | 340 fps |
| Draw weight | 130 lbs | 150 lbs |
| Weight | 2.46 lb | ~3 lb |
| Length | 16" | 16" |
| Reel mount | Picatinny / front rest | Picatinny / front rest |
| Magazine option | Yes | Yes |
| Best bowfishing use | Small–medium fish, budget setup | Bigger fish, deeper shots |
Specs from the live BALLISTA product pages, June 2026. Speeds are quoted "up to" with standard bolts and vary with arrow weight.
Setting up your bowfishing rig
Whichever crossbow you pick, the rig comes together the same way:
- Mount a reel. A spincast reel like the BALLISTA BL25 Spincast Reel ($29.95) bolts to the front rest or bottom Picatinny rail. Spincast is the easiest to run if you are new to it.
- Switch to bowfishing arrows. Use barbed fish arrows with the line tied on properly — see our guide to tying line to a bowfishing arrow so you do not lose an arrow on the first shot.
- Aim low. Refraction makes fish look higher than they are. Aim under where the fish appears — the closer and deeper the fish, the lower you hold.
- Keep it maintained. Water and grit are hard on strings. Wax often and check the rail; our BAT Reverse bowfishing setup guide covers the full accessory list.
Before you head out, check your state's rules — bowfishing seasons, legal species and equipment vary by state. The state-by-state crossbow regulations guide is the place to start.
FAQ
What is the best crossbow for bowfishing in 2026?
The BALLISTA BAT Reverse is our top pick — it is compact, drives a heavy fish arrow at up to 340 fps, and has a Picatinny rail for mounting a reel. The lighter, cheaper BALLISTA BAT is the better budget choice for smaller fish.
Can you really bowfish with a pistol crossbow?
Yes. Pistol crossbows like the BAT and BAT Reverse are well suited to bowfishing because the close-range, high-volume nature of the sport rewards a compact, fast-reloading platform over a big hunting crossbow.
What reel do I need for a bowfishing crossbow?
A spincast bowfishing reel such as the BALLISTA BL25 is the simplest option. It mounts to the front rest or Picatinny rail and is forgiving for beginners.
How much does a BALLISTA bowfishing setup cost?
The BAT starts at $299.95 and the BAT Reverse at $449.95. The all-in-one BAT Crossbow Bowfishing Bundle is $409.75 with arrows, reel and mounts included.
Ready to get on the water? Check out the full BALLISTA crossbow lineup, grab the BAT Crossbow Bowfishing Bundle, or learn more about bowfishing with a BALLISTA crossbow. Questions — FAQ and support have you covered.
