Top 5 Best Bowfishing Arrow Rests • (Ultimate 2024 Reviews)

The best bowfishing arrow rest is an essential part of your bow setup. In this guide, I share my favorite bowfishing rests to help you match the best one to your bow. Firstly, a good rest withstands the punishment of the fast-paced sport of bowfishing. Secondly, it holds your arrow securely no matter what direction you move. Third, it must be corrosion-resistant to survive both freshwater and saltwater fishing.

Above all, you must choose a rest from a reliable brand that specializes in bowfishing, especially if you spent a chunk of change on a top bowfishing bow. The last thing you want to do is mount a cheap rest on an expensive bow.

What makes a bowfishing rest different from a typical arrow rest? Truth be told, not a whole lot. Most of the tweaks are subtle, yet they are there. Generally, you have three options when choosing a bowfishing rest. Those are whisket biscuits, roller rests, and fixed rests. Personally, I prefer roller rests because they allow for frictionless performance.

However, like all fishing gear, everyone has his own preferences, so while you might prefer a biscuit, your best fishing bud might prefer a fixed rest. If you already know which type of rest you like, you’ll have no trouble choosing one from my picks below.

Best Bowfishing Rest Reviews

Now that you know your options and have an idea of how a good rest should perform, it’s time to check out the reviews. In each of my reviews, I share all the information you need in a neat little package, plus some helpful pros & cons to lead you in the right direction.

#1) AMS Bowfishing Channel Cat Arrow Rest

For me, AMS is usually the first brand to check out when picking up new bowfishing gear, and here they are yet again. Of the available AMS rests, the Channel Cat is the most premium because of its ultra-smooth operation. Yet, despite how smooth it functions, make no mistake, this thing is durable.

Built with lightweight fully-machined anodized aluminum with stainless steel hardware, there’s no chance of corrosion here. Additionally, the brass roller is the finest roller on the market for frictionless shots. Together, these elements make for a high-performance rest that’ll never weigh you down.

Next, I prefer the small housing of this rest to keep my arrow tight while moving in any direction. Finally, it’s important to note that this rest is great for both left-handed and right-handed fishermen. Plus, you get the assurance of knowing that the Channel Cat is made in America and designed by the pros at AMS.

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Cons

#2) Trophy Ridge Bowfishing Whisker Biscuit

The best bowfishing whisker biscuit is this one right here made by the pros at Trophy Ridge. If you’re unfamiliar with Trophy Ridge, it’s one of the most reliable bow sight brands out there. Particularly, Trophy Ridge makes an excellent multi-pin sight, but that info is for another day. As for this whisker biscuit, Trophy Ridge specifically designed it for bowfishing.

First, this biscuit is lighter and more compact than a traditional biscuit, making it an excellent addition to any bowfishing bow. Next, Trophy Ridge encased the biscuit in aluminum with a dual-bolt mount. As a result, this is a mighty strong arrow rest that’s built to last and hold up in even the most wicked conditions. According to Trophy Ridge, it’s 300% tougher than its previous models to give you an idea of its durability.

Lastly, several highlights to consider are the ease of installation, laser-engraved marks for windage adjustments, and rubber boots for quieter loading. All in all, Trophy Ridge made a real winner here in just about every regard, so if you prefer a bowfishing whisker biscuit, check this one out first.

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#3) Quick Draw Bowfishing Rest

Now, let’s check out one of the better fixed rests on the market by Quick Draw. Unlike AMS’ Channel Cat, this bow does not feature a brass roller. Instead, it includes quick slick tape to reduce friction and arrow wear. Beyond that point, this rest’s greatest selling point is its rock-solid, built-like-a-tank construction. So, if you prefer to have a rest that’ll outlast any whisket biscuit on the market, here’s your rest.

Regarding construction, it’s on par with other fixed and roller rests, featuring all 6061 aircraft aluminum construction. Additionally, it sports stainless steel screws that won’t rust. Next, one feature I really like is the rubber gate that fully captures the arrow. This feature is not only beginner-friendly but a favorite of veteran bowfishermen as well.

Lastly, Quick Draw is a smaller company that’s a pleasure to work with, unlike bigger companies with a corporate feel. Lastly, a couple of drawbacks to consider are the single mounting point and the need to be careful when nocking your arrow to avoid deflection.

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Cons

#4) AMS Tidal Wave Rest

The second & final edition of AMS in this guide is the popular Tidal Wave rest. As you can see, this rest is ultra-compact and meant to keep your heavy bowfishing arrows more secure than the next rest. You’ll find that no matter which way you move during your draw or how much your bow shakes, your arrow won’t fall out.

Comparatively, it does not sport the same lightweight heavy-duty aluminum as the previous rests, which is its biggest drawback. While it is fairly durable, plastic can’t be counted on to provide the same level of durability as aircraft-grade aluminum. On the bright side, there’s no chance of plastic rusting.

One cool feature you’ll put to use is the ability to snap your arrow into place from the side or load right through the rest. Consequently, one of the reasons this is the most popular AMS rest is the fact that it allows for speedier fishing. Finally, the Tidal Wave is good to go for both left-handed and right-handed fishermen.

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#5) Muzzy Fish Hook Bowfishing Rest

My final pick is one of my personal-favorite rests that you might enjoy as well. First, compared to the previous rests, this type of rest is not quite as beginner-friendly since it’s open. However, the greatest advantage of this rest is the quick loading times. Once you get the hang of using it, you may never go back to using a fixed rest or whisker biscuit.

When loading your arrow, the open design positions your string below the arrow inside the groove for overall smoother delivery. Additionally, I like the shape of the arrow capture on this rest for securing arrows during the draw. Plus, its simple design allows you to reverse it for left-handed use.

A couple of final highlights are its low cost – it’s the most affordable rest in this guide at the time of this writing – and it’s made in the USA. Similar to AMS, Muzzy is one of the top manufacturers of reliable bowfishing equipment, so you know you’re getting a rest designed by the pros.

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Bottom Line

The best bowfishing arrow rest is made of aluminum and built like a tank. For this reason, my first three picks are the preferred choices. Once you go outside of aluminum construction to plastic, there’s a good chance you’ll need to replace your rest after a couple of seasons. On the other hand, AMS’s Tidal Wave and Muzzy’s Fish Hook are both great rests.

Your best bet is to test a couple of rests to see which one helps you perform your absolute best to get more fish in your boat. Some fishermen don’t mind having to replace a plastic rest every so often since they get the best results using it. Personally, the Channel Cat is the one I prefer because it’s great for all skill levels and built to outlast most rests on the market.