Making an electrofishing device at home is easy but it only usable for fishing in the surface or light water area. If you are a professional angler then it will not be suitable for you. Still, it works better for villagers and beginner fishers. Let’s see how to make an electrofishing device.
How To Make an Electrofishing Device Like a pro
Step-1: Find a wooden board that is suitable to cut but strong and properly levelled. If it previously bended then attaching accessories will be a challenge.
Step-2: Cut the wooden board to the required size and shape and attach the transistor to it. If you don’t have a transistor then you can make it yourself. Take 10 iron plates in the same size and combine them with electric tape. Fold a paper on that and cover up with electrical tape again.
After that cover up the iron plate with copper wire. Make sure copper wires are separated from the iron plate, due to that reason we have used electrical tape and paper. Fold the paper again and tape it down. Don’t forget to keep wires end separated. It must be usable and connectable.
Step-3: Attach a capacitor and connect it to a joint. You can use some metal parts or nails if it helps. The capacitor should be connected to the transistor.
Step-4: Install a transformer of 24V. Make sure the transformer must connected to the reverse form. Its input should be the output connected and output connected to the input wires.
Step-5: Install a plug and a switch to run the electrofishing device.
Step-6: Lastly, connect a battery and wire up the transformer to it. It is ready just wire up the wooden sticks that you want to fish with. Nevertheless, before using it to the water make sure to test run it by lightening a bulb or some electrical item.
Proper Volts Need to Shock the Fish
Its cant be directly said that a fixed volt to shock the fish. It depends on species of fish, their size, the conductivity of the water, and the type of electrodes used in the electrofishing tools.
Naturally, electrofishing devices used by specialists generate voltages range of 100 to 1000 volts. However, the actual voltage functional to the water is usually much lower, as the voltage drops quickly as it travels through the water. You can use 400 volt to get fishes on a particular purpose.
The goal of catching fish by electrofishing is not to harm or kill them. Just temporarily stun the fishes so they can be safely captured, measured, and released back into the water unharmed. The duration of the electric shock are carefully controlled that don’t harm the fish.
However, electro fishing is for trained professionals with proper permits and equipment. It can be dangerous to both the fish and the people if it is done improperly.
Is Electrofishing Safe for Fish?
Electrofishing is a safe and effective method for sampling fish populations but it is only suitable for study or research purpose. Due to this, trained professionals who are expert on this with the proper equipment, and protocols should carry it out.
The process is stun the fish and collected it carefully. After that, is should be measured and should put back to its previous place.
However, electrofishing can be harmful to fish if its not properly done. The electric volt, shocking process, timing and taking the fish into net, all the procedure must done in a proper way, if anything goes wrong then the fish could be harmed or burned from inside.
To minimize the possible harm to fish during electrofishing, best practices and guidelines about the appropriate voltage, frequency, and duration of the electric current.
These guidelines developed by government agencies and they are responsible for the fish population, due to that it is very necessary to follow their rules and regulations.
Common Risks of Electrofishing
Electrofishing, like any additional fishing technique, to follow the method you need to ensure the safety of both fish and people. Here are some potential risks of electrofishing:
Electrical Hazards
Electrofishing equipment generates electricity, which can be dangerous if it miss used. There is a possibility of electric shock to the angler or anybody else in the water. So, it should be used very carefully.
Physical Hazards
Electro fishing can be substantially challenging work that involves functioning heavy equipment in and around water. There are few things to consider as if slippery conditions, unstable footing, and rough terrain, if your area has similar condition then the risk will be higher.
Environmental hazards
Using electrofishing method temporarily interrupt fish and aquatic species in the specific area. It is essential to avoid electrofishing in areas where threatened species are present.
Human Health Hazards
Bacteria and viruses, can pose a health risk to the operator if proper safety measures are not taken. It’s important to wear protective gear, gloves and boots and don’t forget to clean and disinfect all equipment after every use.
Ethical Considerations
Electrofishing can cause injury to fish. To minimize these concerns, best practices and guidelines for safe and proper use of electrofishing.
Four Popular Electrofishing Techniques
Electro fishing is a technique that uses for scientific research, monitoring, and management purposes. Generally, catch the desired fish by electrical shock for a moment without harming the fish it is called electro fishing. There are various type of electrofishing techniques. Here are a few examples:
1. Boat Electrofishing
A boat equipped with an electric unit, which is used to fish in larger water bodies like rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. The working procedure starts with electrodes. The electric current is applied to the water using a pair of electrodes, and a net is used beside the electrodes.
2. Backpack Electrofishing
This method involves a transportable electrofishing unit powered by a backpack or portable generator. The angler who moves through shallow water and applies electrodes on hand to stun the fishes. After that a net is used to catch the fishes.
3. Bank Electrofishing
This is the variation of backpack electro fishing, where the fisher stands on the bank by holding it and applies current to the water. This method is suitable for small rock area or fishing surface water body fishing area
4. Towed electrofishing
By using a device that emits an electric current is towed behind a boat, temporarily stunning fish. After a high volt shock the fish floats on surface water
How Deep Can You Shock Fish by Electrofishing?
The depth to which you can shock fish using electrofishing depends on the water conductivity, the type of electrodes, the voltage of the electric current, and species of the fish.
Over all, electrofishing is most effective in surface water, where the electric field can penetrate the entire water column and successfully stun fish. The actual depth range for electrofishing can differ depending on these factors, but naturally ranges from a few centimetres to meters deep.
In shallow streams and rivers with low conductivity, the effective depth range may only be a few centimetres. In deep, higher conductivity waters like pools or large lakes, the effective depth range may few meters deep.
However, the electric field power decreases with depth, so electrofishing better works on shallow and surface water.
