A leisure fishing trip is one of the most relaxing human experiences. Large-scale fishing, on the other hand, calls for more than just fun. Traditionally, the fishermen would cast their nets and rely on luck or, for the few with years of fishing experience, follow the winds.
Modern technology has advanced and revolutionized fishing. You no longer have to rely on wind to navigate the waters or locate fish. Ranging from maps to locators, modern electronic gadgets have proven to be the fisherman’s best ally, not only in navigation but also in specialized fishing.
Some of the most common electronic devices and their role in modern fishing activities have been discussed below in this article.
Sonar Detection
Never before in history has fishing become so convenient and almost effortless than today. Sonar detectors sense sounds and movements underwater and provide real-time data to the fisherman. Sonar helps to identify the type of fish and their exact position underwater by displaying images on a screen.
Blue fins are the hardest fish to locate because they are ever in motion, but with sonar technology, it has become easier and faster to follow and catch them. Large scale fishermen can also buy sonar detectors from a fishing tackle shop and use them to locate large shoals of fish and simplify their fishing activities.
Fish Finders
Fish finders, as the name suggests, are electronic devices installed on a boat to primarily find fish. You can be able to locate schools of fish at their exact positions and learn about the underlying fishing conditions of that area. Fish finders transmit ultrasonic waves that, upon reflection by any obstacle (including fish), transmit the results back and give details of the seabed underneath the boat.
Modern fish finders are equipped with geo-positioning systems (GPS) that help you know the exact position and mark it for future fishing expeditions. Data recorded on fish finders can now be effortlessly stored and reviewed later due to the power of cloud backing.
Electric Trolling Motors
Fish are easily spooked, and ‘sneaking up’ on them enhances your chances of getting a catch. Silent boat navigation is impossible with gasoline engines. Thus, electric trolling motors are fitted on the fishing boats to help them navigate the waters stealthily. Trolling motors fitted with GPRS systems provide automated boat navigation to the exact positions where fish are detected.
With the rise in advancement of the internet of things (IOT), trolling motors can easily download previous data from cloud back-ups and navigate to the exact positions where the fisherman had previously fished.
Digital Maps and Sensors
The modern world has been compressed to fit in our devices, such that with a click of a button, you can navigate your way through any new road. Boats have electronic display panels that look like a mobile tablet, and help display geological and topographical maps of any waters you intend to fish.
The LCD displays also serve as digital speedometers and temperature monitors. Sensors are fitted under the boat to record and send data from the water, giving an idea of the fishing conditions of your environment. You can buy a modernized sensor in any fishing tackle shop near you.
Underwater Cameras
Similar to your phone camera, underwater cameras are used to capture graphical images underwater. The underwater cameras can also be used to record research and studies videos, especially those targeting fish species and behaviors. For the fisherman, the underwater camera offers live surveillance of the fishing waters. Contrary to sonar detectors that show embodiments of fish, underwater cameras capture real images, showing colour and exact fish species.
Transducers
Transducers are sound-emitting devices used in detection. The transducer emits sound waves at a specified frequency and captures the reflection when the waves hit any obstacle in the water. The transducers technology provides the fundamental working principals applied in fish finders and sonar detectors.
Conclusion
Fishing equipment has become more refined than ever. More complex devices are being invented to ensure fishing gets more convenient. With Artificial intelligence and machine learning advancing fast in the fishing space, fishermen experience can only get better.