A trolling device for a boat includes a trolling motor and a control mechanism. The control mechanism controls at least one of the speed and the direction of the trolling motor. The control mechanism is configured to receive control instructions from an electronic GPS mapping computer to cause the trolling motor to establish an anchor point near a dock to enable entry to the fishing boat or exit from the fishing boat.

A slip bobber includes a bobber body extending along a central longitudinal axis. The bobber body includes a forward-bottom portion and a rear-top portion. A full-length channel for accommodating the reception of a fishing line therethrough runs axially through the bobber body from a forward-bottom line opening to a rear-top line opening. A weight ballast is located between the line openings that results in a center of gravity of the bobber body being closer to the forward-bottom line opening than the rear-top line opening. Upon casting, the weight ballast causes the forward-bottom portion of the bobber body to lead and the rear-top portion to trail. Upon reception in water, the weight ballast is situated such that the bobber body floats horizontally in the water in a rest position with the central longitudinal axis being substantially parallel to a surface of the water in which the slip bobber is received.

A slip bobber includes a bobber body extending along a central longitudinal axis. The bobber body includes a forward-bottom portion and a rear-top portion. A full-length channel for accommodating the reception of a fishing line therethrough runs axially through the bobber body from a forward-bottom line opening to a rear-top line opening. A weight ballast is located between the line openings that results in a center of gravity of the bobber body being closer to the forward-bottom line opening than the rear-top line opening. Upon casting, the weight ballast causes the forward-bottom portion of the bobber body to lead and the rear-top portion to trail. Upon reception in water, the weight ballast is situated such that the bobber body floats horizontally in the water in a rest position with the central longitudinal axis being substantially parallel to a surface of the water in which the slip bobber is received.

Many different types of systems are utilized and tasks are performed in a marine environment. The present invention provides various configurations of castable devices that can be operated and/or controlled for such systems or tasks. One or more castable devices can be integrated with a transducer assembly, such as a phased array, that emits sonar beams and receives sonar returns from the underwater environment. Processing circuitry may receive the sonar returns, process the sonar returns, generate an image, and transmit the image to a display.

A lure strike indicating assembly for preventing obstruction of rod guides includes an indicator, a filament, and a coupler. The filament is coupled to and extends between the indicator and the coupler. The coupler is configured to slidably couple to a fishing line. A fastener is coupled to the indicator. The fastener is configured to selectively couple to the coupler and the fishing line so that the indicator is fixedly positioned relative to a lure that is coupled to an end of the fishing line. The fastener also is configured to decouple from the coupler and the fishing line in the event of a strike on the lure. The coupler is slidably positionable relative to the lure to prevent the indicator from obstructing a guide on a tip of a fishing rod to which the fishing line is coupled as the fishing line is retracted into a reel.

A lure strike indicating assembly for preventing obstruction of rod guides includes an indicator, a filament, and a coupler. The filament is coupled to and extends between the indicator and the coupler. The coupler is configured to slidably couple to a fishing line. A fastener is coupled to the indicator. The fastener is configured to selectively couple to the coupler and the fishing line so that the indicator is fixedly positioned relative to a lure that is coupled to an end of the fishing line. The fastener also is configured to decouple from the coupler and the fishing line in the event of a strike on the lure. The coupler is slidably positionable relative to the lure to prevent the indicator from obstructing a guide on a tip of a fishing rod to which the fishing line is coupled as the fishing line is retracted into a reel.

The invention relates to a method for adjusting the buoyancy of a fishing bobber. The method includes providing a buoyant member and a stem guide configured to receive the buoyant member, mounting the buoyant member to the stem guide and cutting the buoyant member. The buoyant member is made of a material capable of being severed by a cutting device and having first length, a lower end, and an upper end. The stem guide receives the buoyant member and a fishing line with fishing tackle. The buoyant member is cut such that the buoyant member has a second length shorter than the first length. The buoyant member is cut to a second length such that the buoyancy of the buoyant member when cut to a second length is enough to oppose the tendency of the stem guide and fishing tackle to submerse the buoyant member such that a top surface of the cut buoyant member is adjacent to the surface of the water when the stem guide, buoyant member, fishing line and any fishing tackle are placed in the water.

The invention relates to a method for adjusting the buoyancy of a fishing bobber. The method includes providing a buoyant member and a stem guide configured to receive the buoyant member, mounting the buoyant member to the stem guide and cutting the buoyant member. The buoyant member is made of a material capable of being severed by a cutting device and having first length, a lower end, and an upper end. The stem guide receives the buoyant member and a fishing line with fishing tackle. The buoyant member is cut such that the buoyant member has a second length shorter than the first length. The buoyant member is cut to a second length such that the buoyancy of the buoyant member when cut to a second length is enough to oppose the tendency of the stem guide and fishing tackle to submerse the buoyant member such that a top surface of the cut buoyant member is adjacent to the surface of the water when the stem guide, buoyant member, fishing line and any fishing tackle are placed in the water.

An offshore shade platform includes a flexible body that floats on a surface of a body of water. The flexible body provides a shaded area in which fish can congregate. A buoyancy device positioned under the flexible body supports a middle portion of the offshore shade platform on the surface of the water, and a visual indicator that helps users locate the platform extends in a substantially upright orientation from a top surface of the flexible body. To entice the fish into the shaded area, a porous counterweight containing chum hangs beneath the flexible body. Additionally, the porous counterweight provides a downward force that maintains the visual indicator in the upright orientation.

An offshore shade platform includes a flexible body that floats on a surface of a body of water. The flexible body provides a shaded area in which fish can congregate. A buoyancy device positioned under the flexible body supports a middle portion of the offshore shade platform on the surface of the water, and a visual indicator that helps users locate the platform extends in a substantially upright orientation from a top surface of the flexible body. To entice the fish into the shaded area, a porous counterweight containing chum hangs beneath the flexible body. Additionally, the porous counterweight provides a downward force that maintains the visual indicator in the upright orientation.