Acoustic Lure Tracking System

Abstract

A fishing lure tracking system includes a sending unit which sends a coded acoustic signal to a hydrophone attached to a fishing vessel to provide a signal correlating to the depth of the sending unit in a body of water. The sending unit is arranged on a fishing line adjacent to the bait or lure at the end thereof. The acoustic signal is processed by a signal processor connected with the hydrophone to produce an output signal for a display to indicate the depth of the unit. With the tracking system, a fisherman can position the lure or bait at the same depth as a school of fish.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent through study of the following specification when viewed in the light of the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of the acoustic lure tracking system as used with a vessel according to the invention; and

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the tracking system of FIG. 1.

Claims

1. Apparatus for determining the depth of a fishing lure relative to a vessel, comprising (a) a sending unit connected with a fishing line adjacent to the lure, said sending unit including a pressure sensor for generating first data as a function of the depth of the lure and a transmitter connected with said pressure sensor for transmitting said first data in the form of a coded acoustic signal;(b) a receiving unit connected with the vessel for receiving said coded acoustic signal;(c) a signal processor connected with said receiving unit for processing said coded acoustic signal to produce a depth signal; and(d) a display connected with said signal processor for displaying said depth signal, whereby a fisherman can view the display and adjust the depth of the lure by letting out or reeling in the fishing line.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said sending unit further includes a temperature sensor connected with said transmitter for generating second data as a function of the temperature of the water surrounding said unit, said second data being transmitted with said first data in the coded acoustic signal.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said signal processor further processes said coded acoustic signal to produce a temperature signal and wherein said display displays said temperature signal.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein a plurality of sending units are provided, each connected with a separate fishing line to produce a plurality of differently coded acoustic signals, whereby depth and temperature information for the lure of each line may be displayed on the display.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said receiving unit comprises a hydrophone.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said coded acoustic signal comprises a pulse signal.

7. Apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein said signal processor determines a characteristic of said coded acoustic signal.

8. Apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein said coded acoustic signal characteristic comprises at least one of frequency, amplitude, duration, and a time interval.

9. Apparatus as defined in claim 3, and further comprising a transmitter connected with said receiver for transmitting said depth and temperature signals to a personal computer via a wireless connection.