One of the newest technologies to hit the fishing industry in a decade may spell the end of the line for the fisherman’s fib about “the one that got away.” Propel IP, LLC, an intellectual property product-development company based in Raleigh, North Carolina, is introducing a proprietary sporting camera called the CatchCam® to the fishing and sporting goods industries.
“The CatchCam uses a new, one-of-a-kind technology in the fishing industry,” said Rob Jones, President of Propel IP, LLC. “It is proof of three disciplines working together to create a product for use by anyone who fishes, a technology that supports and encourages the practice of catch-and-release and good stewardship of our fishing resources.”
The CatchCam, a hand-held, multi-component device, integrates the functions of several unique instruments: a trigger-action digital sport camera with weight- and length-measuring capabilities and an easy-clamp, easy-release device for catch-and-release fishing. The camera’s proprietary feature enables anglers to weigh and measure their catches and then digitally embed the recorded data, including the fish species, onto the photos.
Users may then transfer images to a computer or flash drive via a USB port and share their “keepers” with friends and family as well as join an online community to upload and manage their photos, download new applications with unique and specialized features, buy accessories and interact with other users via fishing-related forums.
The proprietary software will also afford efficient feature-based software updates via apps or automatic updates.
“From day one,” Jones said, “we decided it was essential to utilize a strict user-focused approach in the development of the CatchCam. What will make the user experience more enjoyable, simpler and more efficient? What do users want to see, and what do they expect? We then backed into the development of the technology and software that provide the user experience we set forth. It has been challenging, but we are quite pleased with our results.”
The CatchCam’s sophisticated camera features an easy-to-read anti-glare TFT LCD screen, a 2x zoom and a 1GB on-board memory that stores up to 200 photos. A rechargeable lithium ion battery provides 20 hours of use time and four hours of standby time. The camera is buoyant and water-resistant, and its fast-action trigger allows the user to control the GUI and rapidly snap numerous photos.
Propel IP is dedicated to advancing the cause of conservation through environmental stewardship and sustainability. One of the most direct ways anglers participate in wildlife conservation is through the practice of catch-and-release. Of active anglers, only 58% practice catch-and-release for over half their catches (Virginia Tech University 2005). However, statistics indicate that 83% of the 48 million anglers found conservation to be important to them (Recreation Boating and Fishing Foundation 2010). Clearly, improvement can be made to foster greater catch-and-release practices among anglers.
“The practice of catch-and-release is not without its own hazards,” said Brenda Jones, CEO of Propel IP, LLC. Trauma to the fish caught, including piercing of the skin and rough handling of the fish, often leads to the fish’s demise after release; the mortality rate of catch-and-release fish is approximately 16%, and is likely underestimated (Castleman 2005).
The CatchCam is based on a “Limited Touch” technology – the fish needs to be touched by the human hand one time and is then safely released with a press of a button. The clamp component uses a non-barbed, non-piercing catch-and-release clamp that allows safe and easy handling, weighing, measuring and release of the fish. An easy-to-follow on-screen module displays helpful tips and guide info on the “art of catch and release.”
“Our clamp minimizes the risk of damaging or removing the natural protective coating on the fish, greatly enhancing its chances of survival after release and promoting a conservation-minded approach to enjoying our natural resources,” Ms. Jones said. “We will soon be unleashing some of the most impressive new products to the fishing industry, the likes of which have never been seen!
Propel IP, LLC, is based in Raleigh, North Carolina. At the heart of Propel IP’s mission and its projections for future developments is a commitment to manufacturing the highest-quality fishing and sporting products. Propel IP, LLC, is dedicated to cooperating with and advancing the cause of environmental stewardship and sustainability through its products. For more information on Propel IP, LLC, please call (919) 977-1634 or visit www.propel-ip.com.