Patent ID: 8033044

Claim:
A fishing buoy comprising: a multi-axis swivel having a base, first and second attachment points connected to the base and arrayed along a central first axis, and a third attachment point connected to the base and arrayed along a second axis which is at an angle to the central first axis, wherein the first and second attachment points rotate without limitation with respect to the base and the third attachment point rotates without limitation around the second axis; an anchor or other underwater restraining device connected to the first attachment point; a ballast, float and a transmitter having a transmission state, connected to one another and to the second attachment point; a leader connected to the third attachment point and to at least one baitable hook; a fish strike trigger connected to the transmitter and temporarily coupled to the leader, or connected to the leader and temporarily coupled to the transmitter; wherein after a fish or bycatch strike, the trigger changes the transmitter state to provide an indication that a strike has occurred, the leader and the transmitter are decoupled, and the leader is free to rotate around the central axis without entangling the anchor or other underwater restraining device.