If you've ever wondered how some fishing lures can create an extra attraction beyond their colour, flash and movement, ECHIP electronic bait technology is an interesting piece of fishing technology worth understanding.
Developed by Pro-Troll Fishing Products, ECHIP is designed to add an electrical attraction to fishing lures, hooks, leaders and other fishing presentations. The technology is designed to mimic the tiny electrical signals associated with live or injured baitfish, giving predatory fish another sensory cue to detect.
ECHIP is built into a range of Pro-Troll fishing lures and trolling products, and standalone ECHIP kits are also available for anglers who want to add the technology to their own lures or rigs.
What Is ECHIP?
ECHIP is a small electronic fish-attracting device developed by Pro-Troll. Unlike a conventional electronic device, it doesn't require batteries or charging.
The ECHIP consists of a small tube containing a ball and a specialised crystal. As the lure, hook or attractor moves through the water, the movement causes the ball inside the tube to agitate the crystal.
This produces tiny electrical pulses that are released into the surrounding water.
Pro-Troll designed the system to replicate electrical nerve signals associated with baitfish. Predatory fish can detect electrical signals in the water, providing another sensory cue that may help them locate prey.
The ECHIP is available in different sizes for different lure applications, with smaller units suited to smaller lures and larger ECHIPs designed for larger presentations.
How Does ECHIP Technology Work?
The basic principle is surprisingly simple.
- The lure or rig moves through the water.
- A small ball inside the ECHIP moves with the lure.
- The ball agitates the specialised crystal inside the ECHIP.
- The crystal produces a small electrical pulse.
- The pulse is discharged into the surrounding water.
- Predatory fish can detect the electrical signal as another potential indication of prey.
In other words, ECHIP is designed to add an electrical attraction to the normal visual, movement and vibration signals produced by a fishing lure.
Pro-Troll describes the electrical discharge as being similar to the nerve discharge produced by a wounded baitfish.
Can Fish Really Detect Electrical Signals?
Yes. Many fish are capable of detecting electrical signals in the water through specialised sensory systems.
Fish don't rely solely on sight when hunting. Depending on the species and conditions, predators can use a combination of senses and environmental signals to locate prey, including movement, vibration, smell, sound and electrical cues.
This is particularly interesting when visibility is reduced or when a predator is approaching prey at close range.
ECHIP is designed to take advantage of this additional sensory pathway by adding a small electrical signal to the lure's existing attraction.
Does ECHIP Use Batteries?
No. One of the interesting features of ECHIP technology is that it does not require batteries or charging.
The movement of the ball inside the ECHIP activates the crystal and produces the electrical pulse. Pro-Troll states that the ECHIP does not wear out under normal use and does not require a battery.
That means there is no battery compartment, charging routine or switch to worry about before heading out fishing.
Where Is ECHIP Used?
ECHIP technology can be used in a variety of fishing applications.
Pro-Troll incorporates ECHIP into a range of fishing lures, trolling lures and flashers. Standalone ECHIP kits can also be mounted to your own fishing equipment.
Depending on the mounting system, an ECHIP can be attached to:
- Fishing lures
- Hooks
- Jigs
- Jig heads
- Leaders
- Wire
- Flasher and trolling presentations
The standalone ECHIP kits include mounting components designed for different applications.
How Do You Use an ECHIP on a Fishing Lure?
If you're using a Pro-Troll lure with ECHIP already built in, there's nothing extra you need to do. Simply rig and fish the lure according to the manufacturer's instructions.
For anglers using a standalone ECHIP kit, the device can be mounted to your own lure, hook, jig, leader or other suitable fishing presentation.
The available mounting hardware allows the ECHIP to be positioned in several different ways, including slider-style mounting on a leader or wire and mounting directly to a hook shaft. Some applications also allow the ECHIP to be positioned between the body and hook of a spoon or jig.
Always follow the mounting instructions supplied with the particular ECHIP kit you're using.
ECHIP on Pro-Troll Trolling Lures
One of the easiest ways to fish with ECHIP technology is to use a Pro-Troll lure with the ECHIP already built in.
For example, Pro-Troll E-Lures combine lure movement with built-in ECHIP electronic attraction. The curved lure design creates an active swimming and darting action while the ECHIP adds the electrical attraction.
This gives the lure multiple potential attraction signals rather than relying on appearance alone.
ECHIP and Trout Trolling
ECHIP technology is also used in the popular Pro-Troll Trout Killer range.
Trout Killer lures are designed for trolling and combine an erratic, darting lure action with ECHIP technology. They're particularly suited to anglers targeting brown and rainbow trout in New Zealand lakes.
Depending on the model and fishing setup, Trout Killer lures can be used for flat-line trolling, lead-core fishing or deeper trolling with a downrigger.
The combination of lure movement and ECHIP is designed to provide both a visual/mechanical stimulus and an electrical attraction to cruising predatory fish.
Why Add ECHIP to Your Fishing Setup?
The biggest reason to consider ECHIP is that it adds another potential attraction mechanism to your fishing presentation.
A conventional lure may already provide:
- Colour
- Flash
- Movement
- Vibration
- Profile
ECHIP adds an electrical signal to that combination.
This can be particularly interesting when targeting predatory fish that use multiple sensory systems to locate prey.
It's not a substitute for choosing the right lure, fishing depth, trolling speed or presentation, but it can be another tool to have in your tackle box.
When Should You Try ECHIP?
ECHIP can be worth experimenting with whenever you're looking to give your lure an additional attraction.
It can be particularly useful when:
- You're targeting predatory fish
- You're trolling lures
- You're fishing deeper water
- Water visibility is limited
- Fish are following lures but not striking
- You want to experiment with a different lure presentation
- You're targeting trout with trolling lures
As with any fishing technology, results will depend on the species, conditions, location and how the lure is presented. ECHIP should be viewed as another tool rather than a guarantee of more fish.
How Long Does an ECHIP Last?
ECHIP is designed to operate without batteries and Pro-Troll states that the device does not wear out during normal use.
However, like any small fishing component, it should be handled carefully. Pro-Troll notes that damage to the ECHIP tube can affect its operation.
If you are using a standalone ECHIP, inspect it periodically and replace it if it has been damaged.
ECHIP Sizes
ECHIPs are available in different sizes to suit different lure and fishing applications.
The smaller ECHIP is approximately 1/2 inch long and is suited to smaller lures, while the larger version is approximately 3/4 inch long and is designed for larger lure applications.
When choosing an ECHIP kit, select the size and mounting option appropriate for the lure or rig you intend to use.
ECHIP vs a Traditional Fishing Lure
A traditional lure relies primarily on its physical characteristics to attract fish.
| Attraction | How it can help |
|---|---|
| Colour | Provides a visual target |
| Flash | Can imitate reflected light from baitfish |
| Movement | Creates a swimming or fleeing action |
| Vibration | Creates movement-related signals in the water |
| Profile | Can imitate the shape and size of prey |
| ECHIP | Adds an electrical attraction signal |
The idea behind ECHIP is therefore not to replace these traditional lure characteristics, but to add another potential sensory cue.
Shop ECHIP Fishing Technology at Lure Me
Lure Me stocks Pro-Troll ECHIP electronic fish attractors for anglers who want to experiment with electronic lure attraction.
Available options include standalone ECHIP kits that can be fitted to your own fishing lures, hooks, jigs or leaders.
You can also choose from Pro-Troll lures with ECHIP technology already incorporated into the lure design, including E-Lures and the popular Trout Killer trolling lure range.
Frequently Asked Questions About ECHIP
Does ECHIP need batteries?
No. ECHIP uses the movement of an internal ball and specialised crystal to generate its electrical pulse. It does not require batteries or charging.
Can I add ECHIP to my own lure?
Yes. Pro-Troll ECHIP kits are designed to allow the technology to be mounted to suitable lures, hooks, jigs, jig heads, leaders and wire using the supplied mounting components.
Does ECHIP work on trout?
ECHIP is incorporated into the Pro-Troll Trout Killer range, which is designed for trolling for brown and rainbow trout.
Does ECHIP guarantee more fish?
No fishing lure or attractor can guarantee a catch. ECHIP is designed to provide an additional electrical attraction that may complement the lure's existing movement, appearance and vibration.
What is the difference between an ECHIP lure and an ECHIP kit?
An ECHIP lure already has the technology incorporated into the lure. An ECHIP kit allows you to add the attractor to your own suitable fishing lure, hook, jig, leader or other presentation.
Final Thoughts
ECHIP is an interesting piece of fishing technology designed to give predatory fish another reason to investigate a lure.
By generating small electrical pulses as the lure moves through the water, ECHIP is designed to mimic electrical signals associated with baitfish and complement the visual, vibration and movement characteristics of the lure.
For anglers who enjoy experimenting with different lure presentations, ECHIP provides another tool to try — whether you're trolling for trout, fishing with Pro-Troll lures or adding an ECHIP to your own lure or rig.
Explore the ECHIP range at Lure Me and try a different approach to attracting predatory fish.