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Things you should remember before going kayak fishing

Kayak fishing is a favourite recreational and enjoyable activity among all. It is the most exciting way of fishing that lets the person go to places inaccessible by foot or too shallow for a motorboat to reach. If someone wants to fish in the shallow water areas, you must learn how to fish from a kayak. A kayak is a small, narrow watercraft that is easy to transport. One can drive a kayak using a double-bladed paddle. It is a simple watercraft that helps you to get adequate upper-body exercise while on the water. But it is a challenging task for the people to paddle and fish simultaneously. You will get a wide variety of gear choices for kayak fishing, however learning how to use them correctly is essential.

So, if you are planning to figure out how to operate well in tricky water areas while kayak fishing, you must learn some basic tips. Beginners can start fishing from a kayak in freshwater lakes and rivers to target different species like red drum, spotted seatrout, etc.

Essential kayak fishing tips for beginners

Here at Gear Outland, we have come up with the right kayak fishing tips that every beginner should know. These tips will make your outdoor fishing experience a successful one. We will mention tips on avoiding danger and moving smoothly through waters where kayak fishing is difficult because of possible biting fish in shallow water.

1.Pre-trip preventive tips

a. Always check the local fishing reports

While planning the entire process, kayak anglers should focus on the fishing reports always. A local fish report gives you vital insights into the current fishing conditions. It includes where the fish are and what types of fish are of biting nature. Knowing the fishing reports is an integral part that helps in developing the skills of a fisherman. Moreover, it is also an environmentally responsible thing to do. So, make it a habit to regularly check the reports for local fishing to get regular updates. Moreover, if you plan to travel outside for kayak fishing, it is worth reading the recent reports to get the exact fishing conditions.

b. Pay attention to the weather

On the water bodies, the weather can change at any moment. Bad weather conditions during fishing can be challenging. So, you must plan your kayak fishing trip as per the weather conditions. Always remember to check the local weather report and water forecasts before going kayak fishing. It would be best if you also keep an eye on the changes in the weather condition as you start fishing. If the weather is foggy, then you might lose track of your position on the water. Strong wind causes uneven water waves, and you must avoid going on a ride in such conditions. If there is a thunderstorm, you must immediately go back to shore to prevent further trouble. But if by chance you get stuck in a storm, take your fishing rods down, lay them flat in your kayak boats, and then paddle back to the shore.

c. Be alert of other vessels

You must also evaluate how long you will take to cross large waterways before you are out for kayak fishing. Be aware of the incoming tanker ships or any other transport vessel moving at a very high speed. The massive ships transporting oil, gases, chemicals, and other essential goods create very large waves in the water bodies.

d. Plan your route in advance

The most important thing in the planning process is to make a proper route. So, make a thorough plan for your kayak fishing in advance. Things might not go the same as per your plan on the water. But getting familiar with the chosen route beforehand and keeping all the backup options will ensure your safety throughout.

e. Wear your clothes accordingly

You should wear the right paddling clothes so that you can be cool, comfortable, and focused during kayak fishing. While choosing clothes, prioritize your skin protection during fishing. Sun rays become harsh while you are on the water. So, your clothes should have a high UPF rating. Moreover, keep your sunscreen, hat, sunglasses handy.

2.Kayak fishing packing tips

A. BRING YOUR SAFETY GEAR ALONG

Safety is the most important thing while you are going kayak fishing. You have to be ready for all the emergencies on the water bodies, so never forget to bring your safety gear. Always keep a personal floatation device (PFD) along with you. PFD is the life vest and helps you against the situation when the kayak flips or in care of any other accident. Also, keep a first aid kit and other essential medicines in your gear. Other essential items that you must take along are a whistle, flares, gloves, headlamp, paddle leash, fishing rod, kayak repair kit, etc.

B. CARRY PLENTY OF FOOD AND WATER

Food and water are the most necessary items that you should pack while going kayak fishing. It would be best if you drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration during your day trip. Always remember to pack water-rich food, fruits, and lean proteins to get energized during fishing.

C. CARRY AN ANCHOR

Most of the time, people going kayak fishing forgets to keep an anchor in their gear kit. You must keep a folding anchor weighing 1.5 to 4.0 lbs in your kayak. Small, folding anchors are incredibly useful if you want to stay in one spot for a long time while fishing. Make sure to practice setting up your anchor before you go out fishing.

D. TAKE FISH HANDLING GEARS WITH YOU

Carry gloves, pliers, nets, line cutters, fish grips, and stringers in your fish handling gear kit. Using gloves is helpful when you are handling fish with sharp fins and teeth. Pliers are useful when you have hooked a soft-tipped fish like trout. Carrying nets is also beneficial as it helps to scoop up the fish and bring it close to the kayak.

E. BRING A CAMERA ON A MOUNT

You can capture your kayak fishing adventures with the help of a camera on a mount. You can take a waterproof GoPro for capturing better quality stable video with proper voice control. Get the best quality camera to capture your favorite moments of water. You must get a camera mount that works for your needs and helps you focus on the water and target your next catch.

3.Skills to become master kayak fishermen

A. LEARN SIGHT FISHING

Sight fishing means looking into the water and finding out the fish first with your eyes. You can use the polarized glasses as it allows you to see through as far as the water visibility will allow. Also, make sure that you are carrying your fishing rod ready to cast. Besides this, you must practice standing and paddle along a bank or marsh area in your kayak.

B. MOVE SILENTLY

Fish swimming nearby can hear and feel the vibrations of the boat. So, you should not paddle or move your fishing rod against the kayak or water surface. Avoid disturbing fish by sliding smoothly into the water. Always move with the waves to give smooth momentum to your kayak.

C. POINT YOUR FISHING ROD TIP SIDEWAYS

Fishing in windy weather can be difficult for new anglers. So, they can try keeping their rod tip sideways instead of straight up. Keeping your rod and lure in a lower direction and close to water helps avoid higher speed winds above you. The rod tip should be kept low so that the wind doesn't push on your line and drag your lure from its target.

D. DO NOT OVERLOAD YOUR KAYAK

Kayak fishing is a gear-intensive activity. But you should always check that you are not overloading your kayak beyond about 80% of its total carrying capacity. So, if your boat can carry up to 500 lbs (226 kg), the total weight you should add to your kayak should not be more than 400 lbs (181 kg) for better performance. So, always be cautious about the things you are bringing to your kayak. Also, remember that you are going to catch fish, so maintain the weight accordingly.

Where should you go kayak fishing?

The place you plan to fish is one of the important factors for deciding which type of kayak you will require. Here are few things you should consider while choosing -

Smaller lakes and ponds – If you plan to go fishing in water bodies like lakes and ponds, choose a shorter, sit-on-top kayak. These kayaks will be stable in the flat calm waters where speed isn't a concern.

Open water – If you want to cover a lot of water from a large lake to offshore to find one fishing spot, you can use a longer, narrower sit-on-top kayak. These kayaks are useful for keeping better track and moving faster over large distances.

Rivers and streams – While fishing in rivers or streams, always remember to use shorter kayaks for easy operations in tight spaces.

Ocean – Kayak fishing in oceans can be difficult because of wind, waves, currents, and tides. So, consider using a kayak boat with a rudder system for getting better navigation.

Features of a kayak boat worth considering

There are various kinds of kayaks with different features for fishing needs. You can take the customized boats with your favorite accessories while going kayak fishing –

Rod holders – There are mounted rod holders, molded-in rod holders, or grooves on the sides of the rod in your kayaks to fit horizontally. It helps in easily installing rod holders to your kayak boat.

Seats – You must get a kayak with a comfortable seat. Before getting a kayak, always test the seats with back support, seat cushion, and other detailing. Make sure that the kayak you choose has a seat with adjustable height.

Storage options – Your kayaks should have storage areas including hard, enclosed hatches in the bow, stern, mesh pockets, large tank wells with the room, or other storage containers. Also, look whether you require internal storage areas for your rods, dry bags, or other kayak gears.

Gear tracks – You can easily attach equipment such as phones and fishfinders to your kayak without drilling holes with the help of slide tracks.

Rudders – Kayaks that have rudders in them help to track in the wind. You can constantly readjust the rudder angle with foot pedals for better response during changing conditions. Some kayaks give the choice of installing a rudder later on.

Motor drive – People who want to proceed fishing without tiring their legs and arms should buy kayaks with motor drive. In various kayaks, you get the option of switching the system from pedal to motor.

Kayak fishing accessories with Gear Outland

Do you want to get quality-driven accessories for kayak fishing? Then here is the solution for you all – Gear Outland. We offer a good product range for water sport activities at a genuine price. There is no minimum price required for ordering kayak fishing products from our company. So, for receiving the amazing selection of all top brands for kayak fishing gears, contact us now on 8282709414 or drop an email at info@gearoutland.com

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Basic guidelines to follow while going fishing

Fishing is a fun and relaxing activity. It is a great way to spend a whole day with family. You can also enjoy beautiful sunsets, sunrise around the water bodies. Anyone who wants to have an outdoor experience of boating, picnicking, camping, hiking, and viewing underwater wildlife, then going out for fishing is all you need.

Catching fish is an art, and there are some tips and tricks that one should always know before going fishing. Moreover, the location you choose for fishing changes the method of fish catching. You must be aware of the perfect angles that will help in catching more fish from the water. Irrespective of which waterbody (river, lake, or sea) you choose for fishing, you must prepare yourself to make necessary adjustments. So, to help people know the right & fun fishing methods, we will discuss some tips that you should follow. The fishing tips we are going to mention will help you in increasing the fish catches.

Simple guiding tips for fishing

1.Get your proper licenses

If you are planning to go out on a boat for fishing, make sure that you have a proper legal license. You should have your fishing permit. A fishing license is a legal mechanism to control fishing activities. The license is necessary for all commercial and recreational fishing activities as well.

2.Be prepared

Like any other outdoor activity, fishing also requires preparation. It would be best to start preparing everything from regular boat maintenance to servicing reels and examining all your terminal gears required for fishing. Start checking by running your engine, checking the battery, and other electronics you might require for a smooth fishing experience. Marking everything on a pre-prepared checklist will help you in ensuring that you haven't forgotten anything.

3.Keeping basic products

People going out fishing for the first time should remember to keep non-fishing essential items like sunscreen, water bottle, rain gear, first aid kit, etc. One must always stay healthy and hydrated for having an enjoyable day at fishing.

4.Proper clothing

While going fishing, you will be out in the sun for the whole day long. So, you must protect yourself from the harmful sun rays while you are on a boat. You should get some good quality UV-proof clothing for yourself. Also, make sure to wear polarized lenses in your eyes to protect them as well. Apply a generous amount of sunscreen to protect your skin from sun exposure. Sunburns caused on the water bodies are much worse than ones you get on the shore due to the reflection of the sunrays. Also, remember to keep a life jacket with you on a boat always.

5.Check weather conditions

Weather can change drastically, so always remember to check the marine forecast before going fishing. Thunderstorms and bad weather during fishing can be extremely dangerous for beginners and experts as well.

6.Rules & regulations

You must contact a fishing expert who knows all the rules and regulations. Knowing all the local boating and fishing regulations is important for all beginners. It includes things like no-wake zones, how to carry a particular species of fish, and other things.

7.Always keep your snacks

Going out hungry while fishing can be a bad idea for all. So, if you are planning a day out in the water, always bring your snacks along. You can also invest in a boat-safe grill on which you can cook your catch on as soon as you pull it out of the water.

8.Carry a lot of ice

If you plan to keep the fish for a longer time, you will need a place to store them. It will prevent the fish from getting spoiled while you are continuing your adventure. So, always carry a generous amount of ice and its keeper on your boat to store your catch.

9.Plan your attack

The next step is to get a precise game of plan for the day. It is essential for better aiming and catching fish. You have to go to the places where there are more fish. You can ask an expert about the different areas and the kind of fish you will get there. After making a proper plan, the chances of catching fish increase. Also, ask your experts to properly guide you about the different kinds of fish and how to tackle them.

10.Casting your line

Here are some effective means that you can follow to increase the chances of catching a big fish –

Trolling – It is a method of fishing in which one or more fishing lines baited with lures and baitfish trail behind your slow-moving boat. You can use trolling method in a lake and sea as well. Cast a baited fish, secure it to the other pole on the boat, and move your boat slowly along the water. Trolling helps in catching fishes like salmon, mackerel, and kingfish. This method is useful for recreational and commercial fishing.

Trolling plus move and cast – If you plan to catch fish in a lake, you can combine both the methods – trolling plus move and cast. In this technique, you have to move along with the shoreline and stop at the places between two fish-populated areas. In this area, you can cast your baited line to catch most of the fish.

11.Change your tactics

Beginners who are going fishing might find it easier to catch fish from the top water. But if it is not happening, then they should change their fishing tactics. The first change that you can do is cast your bait a little deeper (or higher in case of drift fishing) until you get the right position of the fish. If this doesn't work as well, then you must change your location. It would help if you move around in the waterbody to find the fish.

12.Patience is the key

Catching fish is easy once you get the right technique. But in the beginning, it might be difficult for you to locate the right place for catching fish. So, you must be prepared for all the consequences and situations. You must change lures, hooks, weights, knots, and even techniques for the whole day without losing patience. Fishing is a process, and the better techniques you use, the more you will catch.

Getting the right fishing equipment with Gear Outland

Looking for a professional team who can provide you with the right fishing equipment? Well, here is Gear Outland to make your fishing experience easier. We have come up with a wide range of products and tools that will help you with fishing. Gear Outland provides a wide list of products for beginners and fishing experts as well. You will find bait accessories, bowfishing accessories, first aid survival kit, cooking, and food prep accessories, hooks, lights, reels, poles, nets, etc., with us. Get in touch with Gear Outland now to know more about our fishing accessories at a genuine price.

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Interesting water sports that you can enjoy on a hot summer day

Every season has its pros and cons. Out of all seasons, summers are the most exhausting ones because of the harsh temperatures. Direct exposure to the scorching sun causes dehydration, rashes, hyperthermia, and even heat stroke in extreme situations. When a body produces too much heat or absorbs way too much heat, it might cause serious health issues. So, people need to know how to keep themselves cool in the burning summer days.

With summer comes ample options for fun water games and sports. So, you can make your hot summer days interesting by indulging in fun water sports and staying cool all day long. Water sports are fun, exciting and give exclusive experience for all age groups. You will find several water sports for adults and kids. However, few sports are technical and require proper equipment. So, for that, you can connect with a professional company like Gear Outland for the latest products for all water sports.

List of water sports that you can enjoy with your family this summer We will be listing few thrilling water sports in this blog that every person should try to kill the summer boredom. So, grab your beach towels, put on your sunscreen, and get ready for these incredibly refreshing water sports this summer. All these following water activities will keep you cool and energized even on the sweatiest and miserable hot summer days. So, check out our list of water sports and pick your favorite one. Water skiing Anyone who has ever experienced water skiing must know the feeling of excitement and accomplishment. Water skiing is a surface water sport where a person is being pulled with the help of a boat or a cable ski installation. It is a full-body workout because it engages nearly every muscle of the body. One must perform this sport on a sufficient area with a smooth stretch of water. The person performing this sport should be good with upper and lower body strength, muscular stamina, and good balance. It requires one or two skis, a pulling boat with tow ropes, a personal floatation device, and two to three people depending upon the local boating laws of an area. While water skiing, a person should remember to bend their body a little for getting quick flow with less effort.

Kayaking

Kayaking is a fun paddling activity that involves the use of a kayak. A kayak is a small, narrow, canoe-like boat that moves with the help of a double-bladed paddle. The paddler sits in a kayak facing forward and uses the double-bladed paddle to pull front-to-back on one side and then the other in rotation. You must get instructions from a professional kayaking instructor before going on this adventure. It is important to learn about the river conditions before opting for kayaking. Using advanced equipment like a kayak, row, helmet, and a life jacket will help in a better kayaking experience.

Kayaking is now the fastest growing water activity these days. This recreational activity is also useful for fishing and transporting passengers across waterways. Kayaking is one such activity that is open for every individual requiring no previous experience. Surfing Surfing is a kind of surface water sport in which the surfer uses a board for riding on the moving waves of water. In this water sport, the surfer has to wait for the right wave to glide along with the water and experience the thrill. Waves appropriate for surfing are mainly found on seashores. The person surfing should be big enough to ride the surfing board along with the waves. Earlier, people used to surf on their bellies and knees. While these days, surfing is most commonly referred to as riding the waves by standing on a surfboard (stand-up surfing). Parasailing Parasailing is another popular sport that everyone should try at least once in their lifetime. In this water sport, first, a person is pulled behind a boat connected to a canopy wing (like a parachute). This canopy wing is known as the parasail wing. After this, the motorboat pulls the parasail connected with a harness. The vehicle or the boat then moves further, carrying the person to the air. A powerful boat can carry two or three people for parasailing behind it at the same time. Every person should try the sensation of going up in the sky hundreds of feet above the water. It is a gentle and slow sport, and everything happens calmly. Rafting Rafting or white-water rafting is another recreational sport that involves drifting and paddling down in a river with a group of people. In this water, you will need a trained guide who can navigate you down the river. The trainer guides you the techniques throughout rafting and tells you about the extreme river areas. This sport is considered to be both a leisure sport and an extreme activity. A person requires a good raft (boat), oars, life jacket, and helmet for safety for rafting. Rafting became popular in the 1950s. So, make your plan soon with your family and friends and go for the ultimate experience of river rafting. Scuba diving If you are keen to discover what lies deep beneath the ocean, scuba diving is the water sport you should go for. It is an underwater fun activity that gives you a to chance for experiencing underwater life. The diver must use an apparatus (scuba) that helps them to breathe underwater. The scuba divers carry a source of breathing gas that helps in free movement in the water. First, you must take classes and proper certification for exploring the hidden world beneath the waves. Then, you can enjoy exploring the coral reefs and different water organisms.

The divers must clear at least a minimum level of fitness and health test. Using a perfect underwater breathing apparatus and hiring an experienced scuba instructor will help you freely enjoy your underwater dive without any trouble. Fishing Fishing is another favorite activity that you can enjoy on a hot summer day. It is an activity where you try to catch different fish from the water bodies. Variety of different techniques are used for catching fish such as hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling, and trapping. Every fishing technique requires different equipment. Going fishing in the river and lakes are the most relaxing forms of fishing. You can use a kayak or a canoe for doing fishing in the rivers. Just make sure you have the permits from the authority for it. Canoeing Canoeing involves paddling a canoe with the help of a single-bladed paddle. The canoe is a kind of narrowboat where the person has to kneel and push themselves by using a single-bladed paddle. You can use a canoe and enjoy this water sport on lakes, rivers, oceans, ponds, and streams.

Use the latest water sport accessories by Gear Outland for a better experience.

So, if you are planning to go for some water sports on a hot summer day, you must take advanced equipment and accessories with you. You can connect with the professional team at Gear Outland for exclusive water sport accessories. We have a wide range of kayaks, water boat ropes, wakeboards, tow harnesses, rod holders, navigation lights, life vests, air pumps, waterproof bags & cases, medical kits, etc.

You can visit our website for more listed water sports gear and tools. Gear Outland holds more than 75K products, including fishing supplies, camping gear, boat supplies, and much more. Get in touch with Gear Outland now.

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10 best bowfishing destinations

Bowfishing is considered as an exciting archery enthusiast’s game or a bowhunter’s offseason entertainment activity. Over the last few years, this fishing technique has become a favorite sport for many people. It’s a unique fun filled fishing activity that do not requires any previous angling experience, and thus it’s a perfect technique for the newbie fishers. Bowfishing is the favored method of hunting fish with the help of specialized archery equipment. The bowfishermen can shoot the fishes with the help of a pointed arrow which is attached on a bow or a crossbow. The targets for bowfishing are much closer than hunting in the woods. So, for the beginner bow fishers, there is no need for having long-range shooting skills and thus, they find it an easier sport to get in.

It is an exciting way to spend time outdoors and also helps in removing the invasive species of fish from waterways.

Where can you go for bowfishing?

One can do bowfishing in various water bodies as long as they are shallow and reasonably transparent. You can bowfish in any freshwater bodies such as lakes, reservoirs, rivers, streams, etc. Apart from the freshwater bodies, you can also try bowfishing in the saltwater bodies near the bay areas. These areas are known as the ‘target-rich environments’ because there are plenty of fish to catch.

If you are looking for the best destination places for bowfishing, this is the right place for you.

10 best destinations that you can consider for bowfishing

The following list of places to bowfishing is incredibly diverse and can give you an exceptional experience throughout.

Lake Michigan’s south shore – The south shore of Lake Michigan offers exceptionally excellent bowfishing opportunities. This lakeshore is commonly known for its serene view and the wildlife-rich marshes. You will find many carp spawning (oily freshwater fish) in Lake Michigan’s ankle-deep water. The warmer weather and long stretches make Lake Michigan’s south shore quite desirable. Lake Michigan is best for bowfishing experience because you will get a large area of clear water shelves in the wadable shallow stream.

Florida’s St. Johns River – There are plenty of saltwater species present in Florida’s inland freshwaters, and this makes it a prime destination for bowfishing. Florida’s St. Johns River is a series of lakes and marshes between Orlando and Jacksonville. You will find various grass carps, common carps, longnose gars, freshwater drums, tilapia, and catfish. The crystal-clear water in the St. Johns River gives more opportunities to the bow fishers for shooting. Moreover, public camping facility is also available here on regional National Forests.

Kentucky and Barkley Lakes – Kentucky and Barkley lakes give the best freshwater bowfishing possibilities. With a combined area of 218,000 acres of water, these lakes are excellent and ultra-fertile for buffalo fish, bighead, bluegill, crappie, common carp, spotted and longnose gars, etc. Bowfishing of catfishes is legal in Kentucky Lake. Moreover, you can also legally shoot paddlefish with a bow. One can visit here and enjoy their day of fishing with plenty of camping sites and rooms at Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley.

Mississippi River – Mississippi river is the largest moving body of water in the United States, and thus, it is full of bowfishing targets. The more you go on the southern parts of the Mississippi river, the bow fishers will get more exciting possibilities. There is a large variety of species that you will find here for bowfishing, such as gar, paddlefish, common carp, Asian carp, buffalo fish, and drum. You will get the best bowfishing experience here in the slower sloughs and oxbows (U-shaped meander in a river) areas.

.Louisiana Gulf Coast – This place has pretty much water species to offer to the bow fishermen. The Louisiana coast is full of freshwater and saltwater species and is also famous for plenty of alligators. One can come here to legally shoot the sharks and redfish as well. It is a bowfishing paradise with sheepshead, black drums weighing up to 40 to 50 pounds, catfish, and super-abundant mullet fish.

Florida’s Gulf Coast – Florida’s entire stretch of sandy beaches offers excellent bowfishing opportunities. Stingrays (flat, slimy kind fish that slithers along with ocean floors) are common among the American coastline. At the warm coastal waters of the Gulf of Mexico on Florida’s northwestern coast, you will find a lot of stingrays. Apart from the stingrays, the bow fishermen will also get a chance to shoot several bat rays, mullet, sheepshead, flounder, spadefish, black drum, etc.

California’s Southern Coast – California’s Southern Coast is possibly a unique destination for bow fishing. The bow fishermen will not only find the common carps, paddlefish, stingrays, gars, etc. But they will get to hunt for the most giant and fierce species on the list – the make shark and blue shark. You can get the special bowfishing gears over here for making your visit worthwhile.

Trinity River, Texas – The Trinity River is best known to produce some of the biggest alligator gars in the U.S. So if you want to shoot an alligator gar, this river is the best option of all.

St. Lawrence River – The history of this place makes it the most special waterway for all Americans. The considerable quantity of the carps makes this place more exciting for north-eastern bow fishers. The carp here may weigh around 40 plus pounds, and they stack up more around the locks in the river. You will need a boat when you are going fishing in the St. Lawrence River.

Ohio River – Ohio River acts as the border between eastern Illinois and far-western Kentucky. There are many reasons to travel to the Ohio River, and one of the primary reasons that draw most of the attention are the silver or flying carps.

Get the best gearing products for bowfishing with Gear Outland

Bowfishing is one of the addictive sport for catching fish. It is among the few fun fishing techniques that help in acquiring tasty dinners and also helps in saving the environment. Bowfishing is easy to learn technique only if you use the best gears for shooting. You can get in touch with Gear Outland – a US-based veteran-owned company, for the best products for fishing. We are committed to providing the best selective services and products at a genuine price. The team at Gear Outland makes sure that our customers get the best shopping experience with us. The bowfishing products by Gear Outland have high-performance features that help in catching fish quickly. You can connect with Gear Outland for perfectly designed bowfishing kits, bows, arrows, sight and lights, reels, etc. We also help the enthusiastic bow fishermen in getting genuine bowfishing bow packages.