Jozef Filipovský, a metallurgist and self-taught in the field of IT, works as a chief process engineer. Some time ago, it "came to taste" artificial intelligence and the wide range of possibilities it offers.  Recently, we wrote on the X App about a project he developed with the help of AI: We talk to Jozef Filipovský about a model he developed with the help of AI - U. S. Steel Košice

ChatGpt, Copilot... However, he uses it not only at work. Can you imagine how artificial intelligence, modern technology and working with data can help with fishing?  Jozef Filipovský knows this and was very happy to share his experience. He has been fishing since childhood, there were years when he went to the pond with a fishing rod up to 70 times a year. In the past, he was mainly looking for ponds managed by the Slovak Fishermen's Association near Košice, in recent years he prefers private ponds, or he goes fishing in Hungary. He catches large fish, especially carp, or catfish or grass carp, and is a follower  of the "catch and release" philosophy.

The capital catch is a carp that weighed 31.74 kg and found itself on its rod in September last year. (cover photo).

 Modern technologies help the hunt

"Fishing today is no longer just about experience, luck or tradition. For me personally, the use of modern technologies such as the Deeper chirp +3 sonar with the ability to create bathymetric maps, a remote-controlled bait boat with cruise control and GPS, the Internet and, for the last two years, the intensive use of AI, is essential for fishing for capital carp," he says.

With the help of sonar, it creates accurate bathymetric 3D maps of the bottom and monitors where the fish stay in a given period. He considers precise localization to be crucial for successful fishing, especially large fish. Sonar allows him to use GPS not only to create maps, but also to save precise fishing positions.

The picture on the left shows a bathymeric 3D map of the lake bottom with a scan of the bottom and on the right there is a 2D map of the bottom with saved places for laying the rig and a scan of the bottom.

Another invaluable helper is a remote-controlled bait boat. It has chambers into which you can load feed and rig (lead, a piece of nylon with a hook and a bait).

"With the help of a boat, in combination with sonar, I can take the rig to a precisely selected place and feed locally. Accuracy is key, because large fish tend to be very careful, usually avoiding large feeding places, so small local feeding is often key. Thanks to the sonar, I find a school of fish, turn out the whole rig and the fish get it like on a plate," explains Jozef Filipovský.

 Artificial intelligence comes into play

"The basis for using AI is detailed notes," says Jozef Filipovský, adding: "After each fishing trip, I write down all the information I have memorized. What was the weather, the phase of the moon, air pressure and its trend, wind direction, water temperature, type of lure, type of rig, position of the rig, amount of feeding and bite times.  I write down whether they took the fish and if so, what they took it for and at what time. If they didn't, I try to analyze the causes and describe the conditions. I compare my notes with the notes from previous fishing trips. If I meet other fishermen, I often get more valuable information in conversation with them. These notes of mine are the basis for AI to process into logical contexts and draw conclusions and recommendations from them."

The AI also helps with the analysis of an unknown lake where it is going to fish for the first time: "It provides me with all the available information on the Internet, which places are the most busy, what fish are caught there and for what. As part of my communication with AI, I will add the information I know, I will add the analysis of the lake. The AI will suggest suitable types of traps.  I also require AI to identify such lures that contain the fewest artificial ingredients. In the end, I want AI to analyze the effectiveness of the proposed lures and justify why they designed them. The AI can also prepare a probabilistic map of activity from weather and pressure data – for example, that I can expect more shots and even capital fish before the arrival of a cold front."

 AI will choose the pitfalls

The market for fishing lures and baits is huge. AI can sort out 3–5 suitable candidates, according to the specified criteria. For some lakes, AI recommended to Jozef products with a meat and fish profile, which corresponded to the water conditions and the type of bottom. For another type of lake, it was a proposal to use corn baits with a sweet natural profile, because the water was less densely stocked and the fish had an abundance of natural food. 

 Automatic fishing?

"The use of AI and modern technologies in fishing does not make me an automatic fisherman," says Jozef Filipovský: "I don't focus on quantity, but I try to select large fish. Often fishing is about one shot and one big fish. I also sometimes experience fishing without a bite, despite the use of all modern technologies. Nature is unpredictable.  I approach it, including fishing, always with humility. My fishing always remains fair and sporty – safe rigs, gentle release of fish, respect for the water and other anglers. I am a follower of the "catch and release" philosophy. The goal of my fishing expeditions is primarily to take a break from everyday worries, clear your head and organize your thoughts. Sometimes my wife and son accompany me on my fishing trips, and sometimes I go on an expedition with friends. If I manage to catch the target fish, I take it as a bonus that is always pleasing."

We also wanted to know if Jozef likes fish on his menu and if he would share a good recipe with us:  " From freshwater fish, I only like trout and zander. The others did not. It has to do with the level of purity of our nature.  The lower the lake is, the more tributaries it has, the more pollutants get into the water.  It is different on private ponds, which are not as contaminated as natural lakes. I prefer sea fish on my plate – tuna and salmon. And the recipe? Unfortunately, I don't, I leave that to my wife."

 How many fishermen in Slovakia use AI? Answer from ChatGpt:

Currently, there are no publicly available and reliable statistics that would indicate how many fishermen in Slovakia use artificial intelligence (AI) when fishing. Apparently, this area is still in its infancy, and no research or surveys have yet been devoted to it.