A fishing trap retrieval system comprising a strong rope adapted for being connected to a fishing trap at a first end thereof. A strong rope buoy is connected to a second end of the strong rope. A mid portion of the strong rope is maintained in a collapsed form. A load sensitive release mechanism is connected to the strong rope buoy and adapted for being connected to the fishing trap. A weak rope is connected to the release mechanism at a first end thereof and to a surface buoy at a second end thereof. The release mechanism is adapted for transferring a buoyancy load exerted by the strong rope buoy when submerged to the fishing trap in a first mode of operation and for releasing the strong rope buoy when the load acting thereon exceeds a predetermined load threshold in a second mode of operation.

Disclosed herein are systems and methods for ropeless fishing. The ropeless fishing system includes a surface subsystem installed on a vessel and at least one submerged subsystem submerged in a body of water. The surface subsystem includes acoustic transceiver and acoustic transducer units, which are configured to generate and omnidirectionally transmit an acoustic interrogation signal into the body of water surrounding the vessel and to directionally receive acoustic reply signals. The submerged subsystems include a compressed gas source and an enclosed flotation bag in fluid communication and an underwater acoustic actuator-transponder unit configured to receive the acoustic interrogation signal transmitted by the surface subsystem and to transmit an acoustic reply signal into the body of water. In addition, the submerged subsystem is further configured to control the flow of gas between the compressed gas source and the enclosed floatation bag to facilitate recovery of the submerged subsystem.

Disclosed herein are systems and methods for ropeless fishing. The ropeless fishing system includes a surface subsystem installed on a vessel and at least one submerged subsystem submerged in a body of water. The surface subsystem includes acoustic transceiver and acoustic transducer units, which are configured to generate and omnidirectionally transmit an acoustic interrogation signal into the body of water surrounding the vessel and to directionally receive acoustic reply signals. The submerged subsystems include a compressed gas source and an enclosed flotation bag in fluid communication and an underwater acoustic actuator-transponder unit configured to receive the acoustic interrogation signal transmitted by the surface subsystem and to transmit an acoustic reply signal into the body of water. In addition, the submerged subsystem is further configured to control the flow of gas between the compressed gas source and the enclosed floatation bag to facilitate recovery of the submerged subsystem.

A container for dispensing bait in variable amounts and at variable rates. A method can include changing configurations of two attachable sleeves, where the different configurations result in different overlapping of openings in the attachable sleeves. The different overlapping of openings allows fishermen the flexibility to better control the dispensing of bait and/or chum by varying the size of the openings.

A magnetic release mechanism for use with underwater fishing equipment includes a base plate having a slot for receiving a buckle, and a recess for receiving a release plate. A permanent magnet positioned proximate the recess generates a first magnetic field for magnetically coupling the release plate to the base plate. An electromagnetic coil positioned proximate the permanent magnet is configured to selectively generate a second magnetic field when energized. A magnetic field sensor is positioned proximate the recess. A controller is operatively coupled to the magnetic field sensor. The controller may be configured to monitor the magnetic field sensor to detect the presence of a third magnetic field and, in response to detecting the presence of a third magnetic field, output a signal indicating that the release plate is magnetically secured within the recess.

A magnetic release mechanism for use with underwater fishing equipment includes a base plate having a slot for receiving a buckle, and a recess for receiving a release plate. A permanent magnet positioned proximate the recess generates a first magnetic field for magnetically coupling the release plate to the base plate. An electromagnetic coil positioned proximate the permanent magnet is configured to selectively generate a second magnetic field when energized. A magnetic field sensor is positioned proximate the recess. A controller is operatively coupled to the magnetic field sensor. The controller may be configured to monitor the magnetic field sensor to detect the presence of a third magnetic field and, in response to detecting the presence of a third magnetic field, output a signal indicating that the release plate is magnetically secured within the recess.

Disclosed herein are systems and methods for locating submerged items using a ropeless fishing system. A surface subsystem installed on a vessel is configured to generate and omnidirectionally transmit an acoustic interrogation signal into a body of water and to directionally receive acoustic reply signals. A plurality of submerged subsystems, each including an underwater acoustic actuator-transponder unit, are configured to receive the interrogation signal and transmit reply signals in response. The surface subsystem processes the reply signals to determine relative bearing, slant range, and true bearing, calculate the submerged subsystem locations, and display the locations on a human machine interface. In some embodiments, the submerged subsystems may further include a compressed gas source and an enclosed flotation bag, and the surface subsystem may transmit a subsequent interrogation signal to actuate one or more submerged subsystems to inflate a flotation bag and enable recovery of the subsystem.

Disclosed herein are systems and methods for locating submerged items using a ropeless fishing system. A surface subsystem installed on a vessel is configured to generate and omnidirectionally transmit an acoustic interrogation signal into a body of water and to directionally receive acoustic reply signals. A plurality of submerged subsystems, each including an underwater acoustic actuator-transponder unit, are configured to receive the interrogation signal and transmit reply signals in response. The surface subsystem processes the reply signals to determine relative bearing, slant range, and true bearing, calculate the submerged subsystem locations, and display the locations on a human machine interface. In some embodiments, the submerged subsystems may further include a compressed gas source and an enclosed flotation bag, and the surface subsystem may transmit a subsequent interrogation signal to actuate one or more submerged subsystems to inflate a flotation bag and enable recovery of the subsystem.

An example line restraint system comprises a housing, a processor, a motor, a release cam, and a timer. The release cam comprises a stem portion and an arm portion. The stem portion is proximate to the housing and the arm portion may be opposite the stem portion. The stem portion may be rotatably coupled to the motor. The motor may be configured to turn the arm portion of the release cam between an open and closed state. When in the closed state, an overhang of the arm portion at least partially defines a cavity capable of retaining a release line. When in the open state, the release cam opens the cavity to enable release of the release line. The timer may receive instructions from the processor to set a particular time and to trigger the motor to turn the release cam from the closed state to the open state.

An example line restraint system comprises a housing, a processor, a motor, a release cam, and a timer. The release cam comprises a stem portion and an arm portion. The stem portion is proximate to the housing and the arm portion may be opposite the stem portion. The stem portion may be rotatably coupled to the motor. The motor may be configured to turn the arm portion of the release cam between an open and closed state. When in the closed state, an overhang of the arm portion at least partially defines a cavity capable of retaining a release line. When in the open state, the release cam opens the cavity to enable release of the release line. The timer may receive instructions from the processor to set a particular time and to trigger the motor to turn the release cam from the closed state to the open state.