FISH BITE LIGHT

LOG BOOK

James Napoli

Year 5

2017

THE FISH BITE LIGHT

INTRODUCTION

The fish bite light came into my mind in the school holidays when I visited my country cousins in Trangie, NSW. They are very isolated on their 5000 acre sheep property and therefore, very practical people. They can fix anything and have a shed filled with every material you could ever imagine.

My cousins and I love to fish. Any chance we get, we head to the dam or river and throw in a line, always hoping catch anything from a yabby to a murray cod for the dinner table.

Late one afternoon as the sun was setting I was fishing with my ten year old twin cousins and realised we didn’t have a torch. Fish, as everyone knows, always bite as the sun goes down. My cousins reassured me we could turn the motorbike headlight on briefly if we needed.

The air was still and we each sat with our fishing rods ready and waiting for a bite……..and that’s when it came to me!!!

Was there a way to fish in the dark without holding the rod?

Surely it would be more fun to sit around a camp fire or even to just be able to chat with your cousins, instead of being on your own, 50 metres from the nearest person, waiting to feel the bite. I thought about this question for a while. Maybe I could attach bells to the fishing rod which would ring when a fish bit the line? This wasn’t a bad idea but didn’t solve the darkness issue. It then came to me.

Wouldn’t it be fantastic if a light (attached to the fishing rod) came on when a fish took a nibble!? Would it be possible to have a light fixed to your fishing rod that could be used as a torch which would be so useful when you are putting bait on a hook? This was it! My idea had hatched! Time to do some research.

BACKGROUND RESEARCH

My research on the internet uncovered many novel and varied ideas. I came across luminous floats; fishing bells to attach to your rod; many different sounding alarms and buzzers; an LED powered “Nitestyx” which attaches to the tip of the rod for general illumination and fishing glow light sticks. There was also a ”Fishing LED Rod Tip Night Light Strike Alert Glow Stick Bite Alarm” whichclamps to the rod tip and flashes red when a fish bites!

I was amazed! My idea was nowhere to be found! All the existing products seemed to have been designed to give the tip of the rod a “glow”, so you had to watch the rod continually for movement to know if a fish was biting. Even the red light alert product, despite having a similar concept to my idea, that is, lighting when a fish bites, did not provide the illumination I had in my mind nor did it have a dual purpose as a torch to bait your hook.

I decided I needed to do a bit more research on the mechanics of my idea and explore was it indeed possible to achieve? I asked my uncle for some advice. He thought it was definitely possible to build and discussed my idea.

Now it was time to think about construction. What materials would I use and how could I create it? The main constraints I faced were my limited knowledge of electrical circuits (which I suspected was how this invention was going to work) and being allowed to explore my uncle’s shed for suitable construction materials. My uncle suggested I take a look around his shed to see if there was anything I thought would be useful. I felt excited! In amongst every tool imaginable, there was a vast selection of materials which I could use! My uncle helped me to find a 12 volt switch, electrical wire and connections and told me he would be happy to weld and silver solder as needed. He explained how electrical circuits work, it was fascinating.

CONSTRUCTION:

The materials used:

1. White fibreglass electric fence post

2. LED torch

3. Electric wire and connections

4.12 volt switch

5. 2 U-bolts

6. Steel rod spring

7. Fencing wire

The value of the materials used was approximately $20.

The process:

Step 1. Weld the rod onto the U-bolt

Step 2. Weld the washer onto the rod

Step 3. Silver solder the wiring into the light also to the steel rod

Step 4. Add the spring through the washer and slide over the fibreglass post.

Step 5. Place the wire on the pole to wind the line around.

Step 6. Attach a trace, fishing line and hook.

My uncle assisted with the welding and soldering and in no time, the Fish Bite Light was created.

ANNOTATED DIAGRAM OF THE FISH BITE LIGHT

I used the 3D Google Sketch -up program to design my Fish Bite Light

HOW DOES THE FISH BITE LIGHT WORK?

The Fish Bite Light is activated when the spring makes contact with the metal washer, which completes the electrical circuit.

An electric circuit is like a pathway made of wires that electrons can flow through. A battery or other power source gives the force (voltage) that makes the electrons move. When the electrons get to a device like a light bulb, your computer, or a refrigerator, they give it the power to make it work.

When a fish starts biting or tugging down on the bait, the LED light on the front of the rod will start flashing, alerting you of your catch. The Fish Bite Light has a button on the bottom of the LED light, which switches the light on permanently, enabling you to bait up in complete darkness!

The Fish Bite Light takes away the need to juggle a torch and takes away the risk of hooking your fingers instead of your bait. If you are sick and tired of untangling your reels, the Fish Bite Light is the answer. You simply wind the line around the wire fittings. This means no more tangles.

The Fish Bite Light is easy to use. The fibreglass pole is lightweight and durable. No need for rod holders because you simply push the pole into the ground.

This invention is designed for river fishing so you will only need 3 to 5 metres of line. To cast, simply throw the line. To bring your fish to shore, pull the line or walk backwards with the rod.

If you want a safe and successful fishing experience, then the Fish Bite Light is for you!

This photo shows what happens when the fish is tugging or biting in pitch black darkness on the line which forces the spring at the top of the rod to bend down and touch the washer. Then the electrical circuit starts because the washer is soldered to the cables.

This photo is a frontal view of the LED light when the fish bites on you bait or when you are baiting up your hook and you have manually switched your light on.

THE FISH BITE LIGHT

This photo shows the main components of the Fish Bite Light, which are the spring, LED light, washer, electrical wiring, On/Off switch and the fibre glass pole.

This photo shows the On/Off switch. It works because it is soldered to the washer which is connected to the cables

ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT

An electrical circuit is the route where electrons of a voltage or current source flow. The moment where those electrons leave an electrical circuit is called the return or earth ground. The exit point is called the return because electrons regularly end up at the source when the complete the path of an electrical circuit. This is how the Fish Bite Light works.

THE TEST

Now to put this simple and effective creation to the test.

I was so excited to test my invention. My cousins and I went to one of the dams on the property just on dusk.

I pushed the fibreglass pole into the ground.

I switched the LED torch light on……SUCCESS! A brilliant bright light lit up the surrounds. A torch on your fishing rod and it worked!

I dropped the line in the water and waited….and waited…..and waited. The LED light lit up, could this be it? A fish? It worked!!!! Oh my goodness! My cousins and I were jumping up and down with excitement as we pulled in our first fish!

I AM SO HAPPY!!!!!!

LIMITING FACTORS

I realise there are a few limiting factors with my design:

  • The Fish Bite Light is only suitable for still water fishing. It is definitely not suitable for beach fishing, as the waves would cause too much movement of the line, therefore pulling the spring down into contact with the washer.
  • It is difficult to cast the line a long way.I needed to throw the line into the water. This is definitely something that could be improved in the design.

MY ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I have certainly learnt a lot during the invention of the Fish Bite Light, none of which would be possible without my Uncle Matt. I am so thankful to him for his assistance with the materials he provided, the welding and soldering, and assistance with the electrical wiring to create the circuit component.

I am also thankful to my country cousins who have taught me most of what I know about fishing. Finally, I am especially thankful to my amazing teacher, Mrs Wilson, who believes in me and gives me opportunities like this to grow and to learn.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Similar product to mine

circuit