Fishing For A Hit Product

A Portland father and son are giving new meaning to the phrase “fish ‘n chips” by combining computer technology with the sport of fishing.

Mike Park and Mike Park Jr.’s Opti-Trac system uses a computerized lure to measure conditions such as bait depth, underwater temperature and trolling speed. The information is transmitted through the fiber optic fishing line and displayed on a tiny LED screen attached to the rod.

Aquametrics Inc. of Scappoose is negotiating with several fishing equipment companies to bring the Optic-Trac into the $2 billion-ayear fishing equipment market.

The Optic-Trac system, which the Parks thought up on a day of slow fishing, could be used with electronic fish finders to help anglers put their bait exactly where the fish are, Aquametrics chief executive Joe Tanous said.

Associated Press