Ropeless fishing systems and methods

Abstract

Disclosed herein are novel systems and methods for performing ropeless fishing operations such as storing, transporting, and deploying ropeless fishing systems. The ropeless fishing systems include a containment cage, an actuator, a compressed gas cylinder and a floatation bag attached to the containment cage via a rotational support member. Storage methods include providing ropeless fishing systems and rotating the floatation bag about the longitudinal axis of a rotational support member and positioning the floatation bag inside the containment cage such that the containment cage can be stacked with other containment cages. Deployment methods include providing ropeless fishing systems and rotating the floatation bag about the longitudinal axis of a rotational support member and positioning the floatation bag outside the containment cage, enabling the floatation bag to inflate for recovery of the ropeless fishing system outside the confinement of the containment cage.

Description

ROPELESS FISHING SYSTEMS AND METHODSCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of US Provisional Application No. 63 / 520,343, filed August 17, 2023, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference.BACKGROUND

[0002] 1 . Field of the Invention

[0003] This invention describes systems and methods for conducting certain fishing operations without the need for vertical lines and buoys attached to fixed fishing gear deployed below the sea surface or onto on the sea bottom.

[0004] 2. Discussion of Background Information

[0005] Commercial fishing methods can be broadly classified as either “fixed” or “mobile.” One class of fixed gear refers to the use of traps or cages to harvest certain species of crustaceans (lobsters, crabs) or shellfish (oysters, mussels). Other types of fixed gear include traps and gill nets to entrap finfish. Mobile gear refers to the use of apparatus towed from moving vessels (bottom trawls, mid-water trawls, long line, clam, and scallop dredges, etc.).

[0006] This invention focuses on fixed gear which traditionally employs vertical lines attached to surface floats to mark the location of the subsurface gear and allow for its retrieval. These vertical lines present a lethal hazard to marine animals, with particular devastation imparted to the critically endangered North Atlantic Right Whale.

[0007] Existing attempts to remove the traditional vertical lines attached to surface floats suffer from an inability to identify the fixed gear once it is deployed below the sea surface. For example, unmarked fixed gear is susceptible to being towed through by mobile gear fisheries (bottom trawl, scallop dredge, etc.) and set over by other fixed gear.

[0008] Ropeless fishing systems or buoyless fishing systems, referred to herein collectively as “ropeless fishing systems,” take away the end line and buoy. However, in order for a ropeless fishing system to be practical, the functions of theend line and buoy must be replaced by a series of ropeless fishing components that are deployed on the seafloor with the fishing gear. In addition to their use in connection with fishing operations, ropeless fishing systems can replace traditional lines and buoys in any application where gear or equipment is deployed to the floor of a body of water for later retrieval. Thus, as used herein, the term “ropeless fishing” is intended to refer to and encompass activities where equipment or devices are deployed to the floor of a body of water and then raised to the surface without the use of traditional surface lines, regardless of whether the activity is a traditional fishing activity.

[0009] In addition to replacing the end line and buoy of traditional fishing methods, ropeless fishing gear must be transported and stored in a manner that protects the components of the recovery system. However, existing ropeless systems are difficult to stack and transport. Most commonly, the difficulties in stacking and transporting ropeless fishing gear results from a requirement that the floatation remain outside of a cage or trap so that the floatation can function correctly during deployment. This requirement, while important to the in-water functionality of the ropeless systems exposes the floatation to unnecessary stress and makes it extremely difficult to stack and maneuver ropeless systems aboard a fishing vessel. Further, where the ropeless systems utilize floatation bags, the positioning of the floatation bag outside of the cage or trap during storage and transport carries the additional risk of damaging the floatation bag through wear, including puncture.

[0010] While other systems and methods have been proposed for using ropeless fishing gear, none of these inventions, taken either singly or in combination, adequately address or resolve the aforementioned problems. Therefore, a need exists for an efficient system and method for performing ropeless fishing operations.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The present invention solves the problems associated with ropeless fishing and provides reliable and efficient ropeless fishing systems and methods.

[0012] The present invention is directed to a ropeless fishing system that enables equipment or devices deployed to the floor of a body of water to be raised to the surface without the use of traditional surface lines. The ropeless fishing systemcomprises a containment cage, a floatation bag, an actuator, and a compressed gas cylinder, the containment cage having a rotation support channel adjacent to or spaced from and extending substantially parallel to a wall of the containment cage. A rotational support member is housed within the rotation support channel and one or more end caps are secured to the containment cage such to prevent the rotational support member from exiting at least one end of the rotation support channel. The floatation bag is secured to the rotational support member via one or more attachment loops, such that the floatation bag can rotate about the longitudinal axis of the rotation support member. The containment cage further including a plurality of attachment sites, the attachment sites comprising U-shaped cradles, V-shaped cradles, saddle cradles, hexagon cradles, octagonal cradles or flat sections. The actuator and the compressed gas cylinder are each positioned in one of the plurality of attachment sites, with the actuator in electrical communication with a solenoid valve, and the solenoid valve in fluid communication with the compressed gas cylinder and the floatation bag such that the solenoid valve controls the release of gas from the compressed gas cylinder and inflation of the floatation bag.

[0013] The ropeless fishing system further comprising a protective flap securely fastened to the floatation bag, the protective flap configured to wrap around the floatation bag and having a securing strip to secure the protective flap around the floatation bag. In some embodiments, the containment cage further comprises a door, the door controlling access to an opening of the containment cage.

[0014] The ropeless fishing system convertible between a storage configuration and a deployment configuration. In the storage configuration, the floatation bag is rotated about the longitudinal axis of the rotational support member and positioned inside the containment cage, and in the deployment configuration, the floatation bag is rotated about the longitudinal axis of the rotational support member and positioned outside the containment cage.

[0015] The present invention is also directed to a method of performing ropeless fishing operations. The method comprises a first step of providing a ropeless fishing system comprises a containment cage, a floatation bag, an actuator, and a compressed gas cylinder, the containment cage having a rotation support channel adjacent to or spaced from and extending substantially parallel to a wall ofthe containment cage. A rotational support member is housed within the rotation support channel and one or more end caps are secured to the containment cage such to prevent the rotational support member from exiting at least one end of the rotation support channel. The floatation bag is secured to the rotational support member via one or more attachment loops, such that the floatation bag can rotate about the longitudinal axis of the rotation support member. A protective flap securely fastened to the floatation bag, the protective flap configured to wrap around the floatation bag and having a securing strip to secure the protective flap around the floatation bag. The containment cage further including a plurality of attachment sites, the attachment sites comprising U-shaped cradles, V-shaped cradles, saddle cradles, hexagon cradles, octagonal cradles or flat sections. The actuator and the compressed gas cylinder are each positioned in one of the plurality of attachment sites, with the actuator in electrical communication with a solenoid valve, and the solenoid valve in fluid communication with the compressed gas cylinder and the floatation bag such that the solenoid valve controls the release of gas from the compressed gas cylinder and inflation of the floatation bag. A second step comprises configuring the floatation bag in a rolled configuration and securing the protective flap about the floatation bag via a securing strip. The ropeless system can be configured into a transport and storage configuration by rotating the floatation bag about the longitudinal axis of the rotational support member such that the floatation bag is positioned within the containment cage following the second step. Further, where multiple ropeless fishing systems are present, the method can include stacking the plurality of ropeless fishing systems for storage or transport after configuring the ropeless fishing system into the transport and storage configuration.

[0016] The ropeless fishing system can be configured into a deployment configuration by rotating the floatation bag about the longitudinal axis of the rotational support member such that the floatation bag is positioned outside the containment cage following the second step then deploying the ropeless fishing system into a body of water such that the ropeless fishing system sinks to the floor of the body of water.

[0017] Retrieval of the ropeless fishing system can be achieved by activating the actuator to send a signal to the solenoid valve after deploying the ropelessfishing system into a body of water, which opens the solenoid valve and allows the gas in the compressed gas cylinder to inflate the floatation bag, causing the ropeless fishing system to rise to the surface of the body of water. The ropeless fishing system is the retrieved from the surface of the body of water and placed on a vessel where the gas in the floatation bag is released, and the floatation bag is rolled or compressed, the protective strap is secured around the floatation bag and the floatation bag is rotated about the longitudinal axis of the rotational support member such that the floatation bag is positioned inside the containment cage.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:

[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the ropeless fishing gear of the present invention in a storage configuration.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a side view of one embodiment of the ropeless fishing gear of the present invention in a stacked configuration.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the ropeless fishing gear of the present invention in an open configuration.

[0022] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the ropeless fishing gear of the present invention in a deployed configuration.

[0023] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the ropeless fishing gear of the present invention in a recovery configuration.

[0024] FIG. 6 shows the steps of a method of the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 7 shows the steps of a method of the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 8 shows the steps of a method of the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 9 shows the steps of a method of the present invention.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] The present systems and methods are directed to the problems associated with storing, transporting, and deploying ropeless fishing gear. Specifically, the present invention provides systems and methods for arranging ropeless fishing components to enable efficient storage and transportation and anefficient method for converting the ropeless fishing gear between a stored and a deployed state.

[0029] The present invention addresses the problems surrounding ropeless fishing gear. Ropeless fishing gear must be configured to include flotation systems. Flotation systems can take the form of rigid floatation, which is a fixed size, or inflatable floatation bags, which can be rolled or compressed during deployment and expand when inflated with gas to facilitate recovery. However, before and after deployment, ropeless fishing gear must be stored and transported aboard a vessel, which is significantly complicated when the floatation systems are located outside a containment device. The present invention addresses these issues by providing systems and methods for performing ropeless fishing operations more efficiently.

[0030] Turning to FIG. 1 , a ropeless fishing system 100 in a containment cage 10 is shown. The containment cage 10 is adapted to contain ropeless fishing components, including a compressed gas cylinder 62, an actuator 40, and a floatation bag 82. As shown in FIG. 1 , the containment cage 10 is large enough to hold the ropeless fishing components inside the containment cage 10 in a closed configuration. Preferably, the containment cage 10 includes a plurality of attachment sites 20, where the actuator 40 and compressed gas cylinder 62 can be secured to the containment cage 10. These attachment sites 20 can take any form known in the art. For example, the attachment sites 20 may be any ornamental shape as may be desired during manufacture, including U-shaped cradles, V-shaped cradles, saddle cradles, hexagon cradles or octagonal cradles. Alternatively, the attachment sites 20 can simply be a flat section of the containment cage 10 or a custom molded or adjustable cradle design. Preferably, each attachment site 20 includes at least one strap 22 to secure the ropeless fishing components to the containment cage 10.

[0031] The containment cage 10 may also include a rotation support channel 28 to house the rotational support member 30. As depicted in FIG. 1 , the rotation support channel 28 extends along the length of the containment cage 10 adjacent an upper edge of a wall of the containment cage 10. In this configuration the rotational support member 30 is housed within the rotation support channel 28 such that the rotational support member 30 remains positioned within the rotation support channel 28 when the rotation support member 30 is subjected to forces perpendicular to itslongitudinal axis, but the rotational support member 30 is permitted to slide relative to the rotation support channel 28 when the rotation support member 30 is subjected to forces parallel to its longitudinal axis. The rotation support channel 28 may be located adjacent to any wall of the containment cage 10. Alternatively, the rotation support channel 28 may be spaced from the walls of the containment cage 10 and extend substantially parallel to at least one wall of the containment cage 10. In addition, the rotation support channel 28 may be comprised of two or more segments rather than a single contiguous channel.

[0032] The rotational support member 30 serves as an attachment location for the floatation bag 82. Preferably the rotational support member 30 is a cylindrical member such as a rod, pipe or tube. However, the rotational support member 30 may be any shape known in the art provided that the rotational support member 30 does not prohibit rotation of the flotation bag 82 about the longitudinal axis of the rotation support member 30. For example, in other embodiments the rotational support member 30 may be an elongated member having a rectangular, oval or hexagonal cross section. The rotational support member 30 may be installed into position within the rotation support channel 28 by sliding the rotational support member 30 into the rotation support channel 28. Once positioned within the rotation support channel 28, one or more end caps 32 may be secured to the containment cage and positioned to fix the rotational support member 30 within the rotation support channel 28. For example, the one or more end caps 32 may be located within, or at the end of the rotation support channel 28. The one or more end caps 32 may be removably secured to the containment cage 10 to facilitate easy removal of the rotational support member 30. In addition, the one or more end caps 32 may take the form of any stop known in the art. For example, the one or more end caps 32 may be a cotter pin or a length of line.

[0033] The floatation bag 82 is secured to the rotational support member 30 via one or more attachment loops 88. The attachment loops 88 extend around the rotational support member 30 and enable the floatation bag 82 to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the rotational support member 30. The attachment loops 88 may be any material capable of withstanding a marine environment and the lift forces created during the ropeless fishing recovery stage. For example, the attachmentloops 88 may be webbing, shackles, d-rings or similar connectors known in the art. The use of one or more attachment loops 88 to connect the floatation bag 82 to the rotational support member 30 facilitates replacement of the floatation bag 82 in instances of damage or where it is advantageous to utilize a different size floatation bag 82 to adjust the lift capacity of the ropeless fishing system 100. For example, in instances where a floatation bag 82 is damaged, one of the one or more end caps 32 can be removed, enabling removal of the rotational support member 30 from the rotation support channel 28 and the attachment loops 88, and a new floatation bag 82 may be installed by inserting the rotational support member 30 back into the rotation support channel 28 and through the attachment loops 88 of the replacement floatation bag 82.

[0034] Preferably, the floatation bag 82 is in a rolled configuration during storage and deployment. To maintain the rolled or compressed configuration, the floatation bag 82 may include a protective flap 84 that is securely fastened to the floatation bag 82. The protective flap 84 may be wrapped around the floatation bag 82 and secured in place via a securing strip 86. The connection between the securing strip 86 and the protective flap 84 may be made by any means known in the art, but preferably the connection is made using a hook and loop fastener system.

[0035] The containment cage 10 may also include a transducer site 34, as a location where a transducer 46 may be installed in configurations where the actuator 40 is connected to a transducer 46 and the transducer is positioned remotely from the actuator 40.

[0036] Preferably, the bottom of the containment cage 10 is fitted with runners 24. The runners 24 facilitate stacking multiple containment cages 10 as shown in FIG. 2 and also facilitate movement of the containment cage 10 around the deck of a vessel.

[0037] Turning to FIG. 3, the containment cage 10 may include a door 14, which can provide access to an opening 12 of the containment cage 10. Once the door 14 is opened, a user may access the interior of the containment cage 10 to rotate the floatation bag 82 so that it is positioned outside of the containment cage 10 in preparation for deployment or replacement, or positioned inside the containment cage 10 for storage.

[0038] Turning to FIG. 4, the containment cage 10 is depicted in the deployed state, where the door 14 is in a closed position and the floatation bag 82 is positioned outside the containment cage 10. In both the stored configuration and the deployed configuration, it is preferable that the door 14 be secured in the closed position via a securing device 18 such as a bungie cord, spring clip, or rope. The door 14 includes a door hook 16 that engages with the securing device 18. In embodiments where the securing device 18 is a cord or rope, the door hook 18 may be positioned to retain the cord or rope but may otherwise adopt an ornamental shape.

[0039] In alternative embodiments, the containment cage 10 may exclude the door 14. In these embodiments, the floatation bag 82 may still be rotated inside the interior of the containment cage 10 such that the floatation bag 82 is within the frame of the containment cage 10, thereby enabling secure stacking of a plurality of ropeless fishing systems 100. In addition, in embodiments where the door 14 is not present, once deployed into a body of water, the floatation bag 82 is able to rotate about the rotational support member 30 when the floatation bag 82 is inflated, which allows the floatation bag 82 to expand outside the containment cage 10 and achieve the volume required to lift the ropeless fishing system 100 off the seafloor.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 5, the externally positioned floatation bag 82 may be inflated during deployment to enable recovery of the ropeless fishing system 100. In embodiments where the floatation bag 82 includes a protective flap 84 secured by a securing strip 86, the securing strip 86 is secured such that as pressure within the floatation bag 82 builds during inflation of the floatation bag 82, the securing strip 86 is released from the protective flap 84 and the floatation bag 82 is able to fully inflate.

[0041] Turning to a first method S100 of performing ropeless fishing operations, the method is directed to storing ropeless fishing gear. A first step S110 comprises providing a ropeless fishing system 100 comprising a containment cage 10, an actuator 40, a compressed gas cylinder 62 in fluid communication with a solenoid valve 66, and a floatation bag 82 having a protective flap 84. The containment cage 10 including a plurality of attachment sites 20 and a rotational support member 30 and optionally including a door 14 and a securing device 18 for securing the door 14 in the closed position. The actuator 40 positioned within a firstof the plurality of attachment sites 20 and secured in position via at least one securing strap 22. The compressed gas cylinder 62 positioned within a second of the plurality of attachment sites 20 and secured via at least one securing strap 20. The floatation bag 82 secured to the rotational support member 30 via one or more attachment loops 88. A second step S120 includes configuring the floatation bag 82 in a rolled or compressed configuration and securing the protective flap 84 about the floatation bag 82 via a securing strip 86. A third step S130 includes rotating the floatation bag 82 about the longitudinal axis of the rotational support member 30 such that the floatation bag 82 is positioned within the interior of the containment cage 10. An optional fourth step S140 includes closing the door 14 of the containment cage 10 and securing the door 14 in the closed position with at least one securing device.

[0042] Turning to a second method S200 of performing ropeless fishing operations, the method is directed to stacking ropeless fishing gear. A first step S210 comprises providing a plurality of ropeless fishing systems 100, each ropeless fishing system 100 comprising a containment cage 10, an actuator 40, a compressed gas cylinder 62 in fluid communication with a solenoid valve 66, and a floatation bag 82 having a protective flap 84. Each containment cage 10 including a plurality of attachment sites 20 and a rotational support member 30 and optionally including a door 14 and at least one securing device 18 for securing the door 14 in the closed position. Each actuator 40 positioned within a first of the plurality of attachment sites 20 of one of the containment cages 10 and secured in position via at least one securing strap 22. Each compressed gas cylinder 62 positioned within a second of the plurality of attachment sites 20 of one of the containment cages 10 and secured via at least one securing strap 20. Each floatation bag 82 secured to the rotational support member 30 of one of the containment cages 10 via one or more attachment loops 88. A second step S220 includes configuring each floatation bag 82 in a rolled configuration and securing the protective flap 84 about the floatation bag 82 via a securing strip 86. A third step S230 includes rotating each floatation bag 82 about the rotational support member 30 such that the floatation bag 82 is positioned within the interior of the associated containment cage 10. An optional fourth S240 step includes closing the door 14 of each of the plurality of containment cages 100 andsecuring the door 14 of each of the plurality of containment cages 10 in the closed position with the least one securing device. A fifth step S250 includes stacking the plurality of ropeless fishing systems 100 vertically.

[0043] Turning to a third method S300 of performing ropeless fishing operations, the method is directed to deploying ropeless fishing gear. A first step S310 comprises providing a ropeless fishing system 100 comprising a containment cage 10, an actuator 40, a compressed gas cylinder 62 in fluid communication with a solenoid valve 66, and a floatation bag 82 having a protective flap 84. The containment cage 10 including a plurality of attachment sites 20 and a rotational support member 30 and optionally including a door 14 configured in the closed position and secured via at least one securing device 18. The actuator 40 positioned within a first of the plurality of attachment sites 20 and secured in position via at least one securing strap 22. The compressed gas cylinder 62 positioned within a second of the plurality of attachment sites 20 and secured via at least one securing strap 20. The floatation bag 82 secured to the rotational support member 30 via one or more attachment loops 88 and positioned within the interior of the containment cage 10. An optional second step S320 includes releasing the at least one securing device 18 and opening the door 14. An optional third step S330 includes rotating the floatation bag 82 about the longitudinal axis of the rotational support member 30 such that the floatation bag 82 is removed for the interior of the containment cage 10. A fourth step S340 includes ensuring that the components of the ropeless fishing system 100 are connected and active, including: ensuring fluid communication between the compressed gas cylinder 62, a compressed gas cylinder valve 64, a solenoid valve 66 and the floatation bag 82; ensuring electronic communication between the actuator 40 and the solenoid valve 66; and ensuring that the actuator 40 is powered. An optional fifth step S350 includes closing the door 14 of the containment cage 10 and securing the door 14 with the at least one securing device 18. A sixth step S360 includes deploying the ropeless fishing system 100 into a body of water and allowing the ropeless fishing system 100 to sink to the seafloor.

[0044] Turning to a fourth method S400 of performing ropeless fishing operations, the method is directed to retrieving ropeless fishing gear. A first step S410 comprises providing a ropeless fishing system 100 deployed on the floor of abody of water, the ropeless fishing system 100 comprising a containment cage 10, an actuator 40, a compressed gas cylinder 62 in fluid communication with a solenoid valve 66, and a floatation bag 82 having a protective flap 84. The containment cage 10 including a plurality of attachment sites 20 and a rotational support member 30 and optionally including a door 14 configured in the closed position and secured via at least one securing device 18. The actuator 40 positioned within a first of the plurality of attachment sites 20 and secured in position via at least one securing strap 22. The compressed gas cylinder 62 positioned within a second of the plurality of attachment sites 20 and secured via at least one securing strap 20. The floatation bag 82 secured to the rotational support member 30 via one or more attachment loops 88 and positioned within the interior of the containment cage 10. A second step S420 includes the activating the actuator 40 to send a signal to the solenoid valve 66, which results in the opening of the solenoid valve 66 and the release of compressed gas from the compressed gas cylinder 62 into the floatation bag 82, thereby inflating the floatation bag 82 and creating sufficient lift to float the ropeless system 100 off the seafloor and to the surface of the body of water. The actuator 40 may be any form of actuator 40 known in the art. Thus, activating the actuator may take different forms as known in the art. For example, in some embodiments the actuator 40 may be a timer that triggers the opening of the solenoid valve 66 after the expiration of a set duration of time. In other embodiments, the actuator 40 may be configured to trigger the opening of the solenoid valve 66 at a specific time on a specific date. In still other embodiments, the actuator 40 may be a transducer actuator 40, which includes an acoustic transducer 46 capable of receiving acoustic signals or an acoustic transducer 46 capable of sending and receiving acoustic signals. In embodiment where the actuator 40 is a transducer actuator 40, the actuator 40 can be activated to trigger the opening of the solenoid valve 66 upon receipt of an acoustic signal directed to the transducer actuator 40.

[0045] A third step S430 includes retrieving the ropeless fishing system 100 from the water surface and placing it aboard a vessel. A fourth step S440 includes releasing the gas from the floatation bag 82, rolling or compressing the floatation bag 82, and securing protective flap 84 around the floatation bag 82. An option fifth step S450 includes releasing the at least one securing device 18 and opening the door14. A sixth step S460 includes rotating the floatation bag 82 about the longitudinal axis of the rotational support member 30 such that the floatation bag 82 is positioned within the interior of the containment cage 10. An optional seventh step S470 includes closing the door 14 and securing the at least one securing device 18. An optional eighth S480 step includes stacking the ropeless fishing system 100 on top of one or more other ropeless fishing systems 100 for storage.

[0046] It is noted that the foregoing examples have been provided merely for the purpose of explanation and are in no way to be construed as limiting of the present invention. While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is understood that the words, which have been used herein, are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. Changes may be made, within the purview of the appended claims, as presently stated and as amended, without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention in its aspects. Although the present invention has been described herein with reference to particular means, materials and embodiments, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed herein; rather, the present invention extends to all functionally equivalent structures, methods and uses, such as are within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:1 . A ropeless fishing system comprising: a. a containment cage, a floatation bag, an actuator, and a compressed gas cylinder; b. the containment cage having a rotation support channel adjacent to or spaced from and extending substantially parallel to a wall of the containment cage; c. a rotational support member housed within the rotation support channel such that the rotational support member is secured within the rotation support channel when subjected to forces perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the rotational support member; d. one or more end caps secured to the containment cage such that the one or more end caps prevent the rotational support member from exiting at least one end of the rotation support channel; e. the floatation bag secured to the rotational support member via one or more attachment loops, such that the floatation bag can rotate about the longitudinal axis of the rotation support member; f. the containment cage having a plurality of attachment sites, the attachment sites comprising U-shaped cradles, V-shaped cradles, saddle cradles, hexagon cradles, octagonal cradles or flat sections; g. the actuator and the compressed gas cylinder each positioned in one of the plurality of attachment sites, the actuator in electrical communication with a solenoid valve; and h. the solenoid valve in fluid communication with the compressed gas cylinder and the floatation bag such that the solenoid valve controls the release of gas from the compressed gas cylinder and inflation of the floatation bag.

2. The ropeless fishing system of a claim 1 , further comprising a protective flap securely fastened to the floatation bag, the protective flap configured to wrap around the floatation bag and having a securing strip to secure the protective flap around the floatation bag.

3. The ropeless fishing system of claim 1 , wherein the containment cage further comprises a door, the door controlling access to an opening of the containment cage.

4. The ropeless fishing system of claim 1 , wherein the ropeless fishing system is convertible between a storage configuration and a deployment configuration, wherein, in the storage configuration, the floatation bag is rotated about the longitudinal axis of the rotational support member and positioned inside the containment cage, and wherein, in the deployment configuration, the floatation bag is rotated about the longitudinal axis of the rotational support member and positioned outside the containment cage.

5. A method of performing ropeless fishing operations, the method comprising: a. providing a ropeless fishing system comprising: i. a containment cage, a floatation bag, an actuator, and a compressed gas cylinder; ii. the containment cage having a rotation support channel adjacent to or spaced from and extending substantially parallel to a wall of the containment cage; iii. a rotational support member housed within the rotation support channel such that the rotational support member is secured within the rotation support channel when subjected to forces perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the rotational support member; iv. one or more end caps secured to the containment cage such that the one or more end caps prevent the rotational support member from exiting at least one end of the rotation support channel; v. the floatation bag secured to the rotational support member via one or more attachment loops, such that the floatation bag can rotate about the longitudinal axis of the rotation support member;vi. a protective flap securely fastened to the floatation bag, the protective flap configured to wrap around the floatation bag and having a securing strip to secure the protective flap around the floatation bag; vii. the containment cage having a plurality of attachment sites, the attachment sites comprising U-shaped cradles, V-shaped cradles, saddle cradles, hexagon cradles, octagonal cradles or flat sections; viii. the actuator and the compressed gas cylinder each positioned in one of the plurality of attachment sites, the actuator in electrical communication with a solenoid valve; and ix. the solenoid valve in fluid communication with the compressed gas cylinder and the floatation bag such that the solenoid valve controls the release of gas from the compressed gas cylinder and inflation of the floatation bag; and b. configuring the floatation bag in a rolled configuration and securing the protective flap about the floatation bag via a securing strip.

6. The method of performing ropeless fishing operations of claim 5, further comprising: c. rotating the floatation bag about the longitudinal axis of the rotational support member such that the floatation bag is positioned within the containment cage.

7. The method of performing ropeless fishing operations of claim 6, wherein the ropeless fishing system is a plurality of ropeless fishing systems and the method further comprising stacking the plurality of ropeless fishing systems for storage or transport after completing steps b and c.

8. A method of performing ropeless fishing operations of claim 5, further comprising: d. rotating the floatation bag about the longitudinal axis of the rotational support member such that the floatation bag is positioned outside the containment cage; ande. deploying the ropeless fishing system into a body of water such that the ropeless fishing system sinks to the floor of the body of water.

9. The method of performing ropeless fishing operations of claim 8, further comprising: f. activating the actuator to send a signal to the solenoid valve after completing step e, which opens the solenoid valve and allows the gas in the compressed gas cylinder to inflate the floatation bag, causing the ropeless fishing system to rise to the surface of the body of water.

10. The method of performing ropeless fishing operations of claim 9, further comprising: g. retrieving the ropeless fishing system from the body of water after completing step f.11 . The method of performing ropeless fishing operations of claim 10, further comprising: h. releasing the gas from the floatation bag, rolling or compressing the floatation bag, and securing the protective strap around the floatation bag; and i. rotating the floatation bag about the longitudinal axis of the rotational support member such that the floatation bag is positioned inside the containment cage.

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