Smart fishing lure collects bait actions, environmental data
The smartLure Model Zero, says the company, enables anglers to obtain more accurate information on the underwater environment than could ever be seen before, and to utilize the information as clues to improve their catch. The Model Zero is equipped with a proprietary sensor module that produces high-definition data on water temperature, brightness, and actions and depth trace of the lure while it is in the water.
These data are transferred to the smartLure app whenever requested by the angler. In addition to the location and date/time information, the app integrates not only data from the lure but also the location, weather conditions, moon age, tides, and other information that could affect the behavior of fish and ultimately fishing results.
The company says that it collects these data points around the world to form big data.
“We analyze the data by fish species, underwater environment, lure types, colors, and actions so that the secrets of fishing can be brought to light,” says smartLure founder Yuki Okamura.
In the future, the collected data can be used for other purposes, for example detecting the changes of the environment or counting the number of vulnerable animals in the water. According to the company, some ichthyologists have already shown an interest in its lures since they recognize that they can be powerful tools for their research subjects.
“The smartLure Model Zero is an innovative lure that can assist us to figure out clues to feeding behaviors of fish,” says Gunzo Kawamura, Adviser of smartLure and Distinguished Fellow of Borneo Marine Research Institute. “We have been making remarkable progress in improving fishing equipment in recent years. For example, a new type of hook that prevents fish from swallowing it deeply and ensures a high survival of rate after release has been investigated and developed.”
“However,” says Kawamura, “nobody tries to explain why fish don’t swallow the hook deeply from the viewpoint of fish, because we can’t see the feeding behavior of fish directly in the water. By accumulating various data points of fishing accurately and globally using smartLure, we can bring more creativity and originality into fishing. As a result, I’m sure that fishing techniques will be improved.”
In field tests with prototype units that started in March, testers actually caught fish and confirmed that the system could stably acquire high-definition data during the process of fish strike to the lure, that the system could continue sensing throughout a day, and that the data is successfully transferred and visualized on the app whenever the angler requested. The company says it will be redesigning the Model Zero’s sensor module for mass production, testing its durability, and conducting user tests in parallel with obtaining certifications and developing apps/servers.
The smartLure Model Zero is available for pre-order on crowdfunding site Kickstarter to help raise funds for the planned mass production. Shipment for backers is scheduled to start in February 2022.
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