I've been working on an adaptive fishing rod because due to my disability I am unable to cast, Reel in the line, set the hook, and etc. It will be controlled with an adaptive Game controller called the quad stick, which will provide inputs of key strokes to tell the Arduino what to do. However, I have worked with two different robotics clubs on the project, and I've gone nowhere. I've tried utilizing the Arduino Uno with a USB host shield, Arduino mega with a host shield, and most recently in Arduino ADK with the USB function built in. I have verified the code, it seems to be getting power, each of the motors work when power is hooked up individually. One of the motors is a windshield wiper Motor to control the fishing rod, the other motor is fitted to the fishing reel to reel in, and then there will be a third servo motor that will be used to pull down on the line to release the reeling casting motion. No matter what I have in the code, or which Arduino I'm using, it always seems to come back to the same issue where it is not getting the key strokes. It just seems to be sitting there waiting for some sort of input.
I know just how it feels.
Welcome
I don't have a Arduino solution and I hope I don't offend anything.
But have you looked at the automatic electric reels? When I did off shore fishing I used one for deep drop reeling in for hundreds of feet with heavy weights is no fun.
There are multiple solutions from off shore to fresh water. The other argument is the reels are harden for outdoor use.
Have a nice day
Good luck, there is a lot out there. I used "automatic casting rods" as the search term and found this as the first in a list of many.
Automatic fishing reels won't solve the casting, selling the hook, or jigging.
Yeah unfortunately there isn't very many out there. There was only one on the market called Ken's power caster and they don't make it anymore.
Sort of like the Forum.
If connecting a game controller to a microcontroller is the step you need, DroneBotWorkshop has a page on using the PS3 controller with an ESP32.
No, it's not controlled by a PlayStation controller, the adaptive controller can be used for a PlayStation 4 or Xbox, but his programmed for keyboard inputs.
Maybe look for Arduino Pro Mini or Arduino Leonardo keyboard interface projects.
Can you post a picture, model and manufacturer?
Will not solve the casting but they will jig I could program mine for 5 or 6 patterns of jigging.
I used to be a keen coarse fish angler so this is a fascinating project for me. But I canât understand how you can possibly expect motors to âset the hookâ. Do you mean put the bait on the hook? I sometimes had trouble securing a worm. maggot or bread paste. So your ambition seems close to robotic brain surgery!
Turning to the other aspects, I can see how the actual casting could be achieved but have you actually made the initial tests? Would the rod be hand held, including the heavy windscteen motor? If not how would you set direction of cast?
In either case, I assume you would be using a battery supply to supply the necessary 2 or 3 Amps. Would that be on the ground or fixed to a chair or what? I imagine youâve done a rig up with a couple of buttons for trial forward and reverse?
So many details before getting to Arduino code?
EDIT:
Thinking about this a few minutes later I guess you're talking about the entirely different world of sea fishing? No weeds, lily pads, overhanging tree branches, etc. No precision casting. And if boat fishing possibly even on-board 12/24V power supply? And yes, "set the hook" to secure the fish.
So some background information, this project has been completed before, but using raspberry pi and/or teensy units. Which compared to Arduino, made it way over complicated. There was a rotary encoder on the windshield wiper motor, and with one command, you can move the fishing pole forward, another one you move it backward, another command would set the hook. When I say set the hook, I am talking about when you jerk the fishing pole straight up to hook the fish. There was also more nuanced commands just set the casting distance. So rather than throwing it out there as far as you could, it would be dialed down where the motor would only do a pop fly. The fishing reel is a trigger spin cast and a servo motor poles down on the trigger to release the line at the appropriate time in the casting motion.
Adapting existing products (RPi, teensy) to your need gives you an advantage of less R&D.
I just spent a minute searching "wounded warrior adaptive fishing" and saw so many adaptations for fishing styles... you really need to narrow your design to take over where you need it.
I could imagine a mechanical, foot-loaded and launched "trebuchet" casting, a bicycle backpedal "hook set" and forward-pedal reeling-in. Getting the fish off the hook will be another issue.
Yes, I understand there is lots of available designs or products or ideas there is nothing actually available on market to meet my needs. Trust me if there was I would have it already. Imagine not being able to use your arms and wanting to go fishing. So no buttons, no pedals, but rather having a motor designed to throw the fishing rod forward, while simultaneously having a second motor pull the trigger to release the line when the motor stops throwing the rod forward. Then, having a third motor to wheel in the line. This has been done before, I am not reinventing the wheel, but rather using Arduino technology to run the system.
OK, thanks understood
If this was my project : assuming that I'd already decided its required capabilities in detail, which it sounds you have, then I would complete all the engineering first (which you may have done, although you've not shared any pictures). Then ensure it will all work as required by making appropriate electrical connections manually. And only then turn my attention to the Arduino. If you've done all that before on a pi then hopefully it should be a fairly easy conversion?
I was about to add a +1 for @xfpd 's suggested approach, but just saw your reply. Do none of the many tools/accessories I see in a quick browse offer no alternative solutions?
Does "No pedals" mean you cannot use your feet at all?
This topic was automatically closed 180 days after the last reply. New replies are no longer allowed.