Automated winch for bonito fishing with bite detection

Abstract

This work presents the development of an automated fishing reel for bonito fishing. The system automatically performs line release and retrieval maneuvers, incorporating bite detection from the torque measured by the servomotor itself and without requiring additional sensors. Based on this measurement, operating setpoints adapted to the detected load are calculated, and a PI speed controller with torque supervision is implemented, allowing the reel motion to be adjusted to the force exerted by the catch. The operating cycle, control logic, and setpoint calculation process were validated through experimental tests with different loads. Results show that the system detects the bite, adapts its response to varying force conditions, and performs smooth transitions between maneuvers, making it a promising solution for automating this fishing method.