The Swedish-made Probe device is designed to help fishermen catch more fish. It does this by following their lure down to deep depths, recording the depth and conditions where the fish strike.
Invented by Swedish angler Christer Chytraéus, the Probe is currently the subject of a Kickstarter campaign. The streamlined waterproof device measures 33 mm long (1.3 in), weighs just 7 grams (0.2 oz), and attaches to the top of the fishing line leader – the lure is underneath the leader.
Once the Probe is cast into the water with the lure, its integrated sensor begins to measure and record factors such as cast length, water depth, water temperature and underwater light, along with the speed at which it and the lure move through the water. It is designed not to rotate or otherwise draw attention to itself.
Probe
When a fish hits the lure, the apparent jerk of the line is recorded, along with the depth (and other variables) at which the event occurred. Reeling back to the surface and getting within Bluetooth range of the user’s smartphone, the Probe sends its recorded data to an app on that phone.
Using the app, the user can determine how far they should cast and how deep they should let the lure sink on their next casts. That said, it’s also important to be aware of water temperature, lighting conditions and weather conditions – all of which are also recorded in the app – as they can affect the depth at which the fish hang out on any subsequent return trip to the same place.
Because Bluetooth signals travel very weakly through water, the Probe cannot provide the angler with real-time depth readings. Instead, based on the rate at which the device sank on previous casts, the app estimates its current depth. The user is alerted via the app when the lure has (probably) reached the target depth, so they can start reeling it in.
Probe
Assuming the Probe reaches production, a pledge of €104 (about US$113) will get you one. Planned retail price is €149 ($162). You can see the device in use, in the video below.
It should be noted that smartLure’s successful Kickstarted Model Zero offers similar functionality, although it is an actual lure that is stuck in consumer use – on the other hand, the Probe can be used to any third-party attraction.
Other devices designed to give anglers a high-tech edge are the Chasing F1 Pro aquatic drone – which uses an underwater camera to show users where the fish are – and the rod-mounted Smart Rod Sensor , which records the location and conditions when strikes occur. saw
PROBE – Monitor the lure’s swimming depth when fishing
Sources: Kickstarter, Probe
