"fishtailing" arrows???

I'm using a 30lbs recurve bow and I went to buy some practice arrows. I was told to purchased Cabelas Stalker Extreme 500 45-60 Carbon Arrows to use for practice. Cut down to 28" with 100gr field tip. I shot them for the first time yesterday and the arrows were "fishtailing" as soon as I release. It was weird because the shots were all fairly consistent on target. The back of the arrow, each one, was pointing out to the right. I even tried shooting differently to see if it would change flight path and it was still the same. I was so frustrated I thought let me see if I put heavier field tip on...so I put 150's on and the fishtailing reduced a lot but was still noticeable. Is it me, the arrows, recurve bow? Any help would be much appreciated.

Paul

It would be nice try a heavier 2219 aluminum with those 150 field points to see if helped. Maybe bigger (wider/longer) fletchings would help to stabilize the flight.

The carbon arrows may be too light, but that's just a guess.

Why don't you read the "Tuning Guide", and take it from there?? Very informative.
Are you shooting fingers?

Someone correct me if I'm wrong but the the 45-60 would be the spine to match the corresponding draw weight, nowhere do I see 500 on the description of the arrows, the stalker extreme juniors however are rated for up to 45# and 500 grains they are also 28".
It seems like you've got the lightest stalker extremes when you should have got the juniors of the same name. An arrow with too much spine weight would bend more therefore shoot better with a heavier tip. But I am no expert.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Pijetro

Why don't you read the "Tuning Guide", and take it from there?? Very informative.
Are you shooting fingers?

---

Thanks for the link!!! Yes In shooting fingers...tried split ginger and 3 below. Still not sure which I like better. On a heavier bow I like split finger, on my 30 I can shoot both ways.

Have you switched to thd bear hair or are you still using a rest?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Thatguy

Someone correct me if I'm wrong but the the 45-60 would be the spine to match the corresponding draw weight, nowhere do I see 500 on the description of the arrows, the stalker extreme juniors however are rated for up to 45# and 500 grains they are also 28".
It seems like you've got the lightest stalker extremes when you should have got the juniors of the same name. An arrow with too much spine weight would bend more therefore shoot better with a heavier tip. But I am no expert.

---

On the back of the box it shows they are 500's and I believe on the arrow as well.

Haven't installed bear rug yet.

It could then simply be the rest is causing too much contact. Contact issues can be tougher to diagnose. Your arrows are fletched with feathers instead of plastic vanes I presume.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by oaknut

It could then simply be the rest is causing too much contact. Contact issues can be tougher to diagnose. Your arrows are fletched with feathers instead of plastic vanes I presume.

---

Actually No...I wanted feather but they had none in stock so I purchased the plastic ones.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Zr2Paul

Actually No...I wanted feather but they had none in stock so I purchased the plastic ones.

---

Thats most likely the problem. The feathers can give and literally fold out of the way. The vanes cause huge ammounts of contact that will kick the back of the arrow sideways as it leaves the bow.

Fishtailing can be caused by nocking point being too high or too low as well, takes time for flight to correct if this is the case.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DGM999

Fishtailing can be caused by nocking point being too high or too low as well, takes time for flight to correct if this is the case.

---

Nocking point too high or low I don't think would cause the arrow to fishtail side to side, maybe up and down. I think the plastic is the issue, I did not think about that and I wish the sales guy would have mentioned it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DGM999

Fishtailing can be caused by nocking point being too high or too low as well, takes time for flight to correct if this is the case.

---

You will get porpoising if it is improper nock point.

I have also heard of the balance point of the arrow having a lot to do with it. More specifically how far forward of center the balance point is. I think its referred to as FOC "Front of center". Look it up, it may help.

MC

The following link will help on the F.O.C. calculation, have a higher number than they recommend is not a bad thing as far as arrow stability in flight and penetration. I did confuse fishtailing and porpoising, apologize for that. Thanks for clarifying Zr2

http://www.backcountrybowhunting.com/articles/calc/

I think those arrows are too heavily spined they are meant for a heavier bow and the plastic vanes are probably making it a lot worse get them fletched with feathers with a helexical twist and that will help stability.

Attachment 26433Attachment 26434your rest is out of whack. move your rest out alittle at a time until
you can shoot with straight cuts through paper

Get some aluminum arrows with feather vanes.

You are over spined by a fair bit. That and if you're shooting off the shelf plastic vanes won't work either. FOC won't help your arrow flight enough if you're out of whack. The shorter the arrow the worse the problem will be. Ways to make a overspined shaft work is lengthen the arrow or heavier tip. Both make the arrow bend easier thus reducing the spine and allow the arrow to bend and clear the riser

Danny and Frozen nailed it. You are over spined on your arrows. That's why it got better when you put a heavier point on. Also the vanes have got to go! If you look it up, there's a way to check spine by shooting at a target 10' away. If the arrows kick one way they are too heavily spined, and if they kick the other they are too light. Look it up though, I forget which way is which, haha.
Have fun with that recurve! I'm getting back into trad this year as well. Hoping to get one with the longbow.

Have you paper tested yet from a few feet away. See how it's punching paper and if you've got a consistent poor Nock position if you do a lot of bad things can happen ! Easier to fix when you know specifically the problem arrows spin so I doubt the fish tailing is just side to side and more likely a poor paper tune with a knock position coming off center.

are all arrows fishtailin.paper tune it, is it going to left or right , rest might need to be moved, if not that then it might be the shooter

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Zr2Paul

I. Cut down to 28" with 100gr field tip. I shot them for the first time yesterday and the arrows were "fishtailing" as soon as I release.

---

I case you're getting a little confused Paul...some of the advice that is being giving here applies to 'tuning' your arrow with a broadhead....that will be a whole different set of worries once you get your field points to fly straight :)