Scotty BLACK BOX - The Scotty Black Box - How & Why; Fish & Electricity; Electrolysis; The Black Box

The Scotty Black Box - How & Why
There has been much research into the
concept of using electricity to catch fish.
Commercial fishing vessels have been
using Black Box technology for years and
now recreational fishermen are
tapping into this resource. The
Black Box has proven to be very
effective in trolling, mooching,
jigging and more. The purpose of
this publication is to explain why.
Fish & Electricity
Russian scientists first discovered
that bony and cartilaginous fish
respond to the presence of
electricity in the water. Many species use electric signals to communicate, some
repel predators with it and others use electricity to navigate. Salmon, among
others, are attracted to a positive charge and repelled by a negative charge. By
maintaining a steady and appropriate positive charge on your downrigger wire, it
is possible to attract fish and keep them interested in your lures. The Black Box
does this in both salt and fresh water.
Electrolysis
To understand the Black Box, one must first understand the principle of
electrolysis. This process is also known as galvanic action. Metals are ranked
according to how strongly they react with other metals. The lower they are on the
galvanic scale (or the less "noble") the more strongly they react. When dissimilar
metals are placed in an electrolytic solution, electricity flows between them
(basically: a battery) and corrosion occurs. The difference in nobility, or ranking,
of metals determines how much electricity will be generated. Zinc, which is very
low in nobility, is used in sacrificial anodes on boats to prevent corrosion of metal
parts because it will corrode long before other metals.
The Black Box
The electricity generated in electrolysis puts a natural charge on your vessel.
When using a downrigger, the reaction between your wire and your zinc anodes
will normally generate about .8 volts (in saltwater). This positive charge on your
downrigger wire has been known to attract fish. However, fish are extremely
sensitive to changes in this charge. The Black Box is designed to regulate and
monitor that charge through a metal contact sleeve over the downrigger wire. It
also has a pulse mode which can be used to trigger strikes during slow times.
Electrons flow from the boat metals, typically the less noble zincs,
across the electrolytic solution (fresh or saltwater) to the downrigger
cable. They then migrate into the Black Box drawn by the red battery
post (anode). The black post (cathode) donates electrons to power
the Black Box and is connected by a bonding wire to all metal parts
in contact with the electrolytic solution.
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Black Box
20 foot Load
Line &
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