Abstract: A fishing buoy for reducing injury or premature mortality in target fish species and endangered or protected bycatch includes: a multi-axis swivel having first and second attachment points arrayed along a central first axis and a third attachment point arrayed along a distinct second axis; an anchor or other underwater restraining device; a ballast, float and a transmitter having a transmission state; a leader and 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. After a fish or bycatch strike the trigger changes the transmitter state to provide an indication that a strike has occurred, the leader and transmitter are decoupled, and the leader is free to rotate around the central axis without entangling the anchor or other underwater restraining device.

Abstract: A fishing buoy for reducing injury or premature mortality in target fish species and endangered or protected bycatch includes: a multi-axis swivel having first and second attachment points arrayed along a central first axis and a third attachment point arrayed along a distinct second axis; an anchor or other underwater restraining device; a ballast, float and a transmitter having a transmission state; a leader and 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. After a fish or bycatch strike the trigger changes the transmitter state to provide an indication that a strike has occurred, the leader and transmitter are decoupled, and the leader is free to rotate around the central axis without entangling the anchor or other underwater restraining device.