# What is this (fishing related?) object? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 25, 2012, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-fishing-related-object/638816 "2012-10-25T13:53:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![SubaRhubarb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecd19e/32.png) [@SubaRhubarb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SubaRhubarb)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2012, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-fishing-related-object/638816/1 "2012-10-25T13:53:17Z")
[![](https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd471/RachelRhubarb/20121021_133938.jpg) ](https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd471/RachelRhubarb/20121021_133938.jpg) There is a small pond in a park that has this odd contraption extending over the water on a study metal pole. It seems to have a small solar cell attached. Any idea what it is? I am having a hard time posting from my phone, but i believe there are a few more pictures of it in that album if anyone can figure out how to access the contents. Reported myself for forum change… ---
**Author:** ![Turek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/turek/32/18782_2.png) [@Turek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turek)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2012, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-fishing-related-object/638816/2 "2012-10-25T14:17:35Z")
My guess would be some sort of automatic fish feeder. ---
**Author:** ![Yorikke](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yorikke/32/4335_2.png) [@Yorikke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yorikke)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2012, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-fishing-related-object/638816/3 "2012-10-25T14:32:24Z")
Looks like a frog box to me. ---
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2012, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-fishing-related-object/638816/4 "2012-10-25T14:43:51Z")
An electric frog box. or a blackfly trap. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2012, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-fishing-related-object/638816/5 "2012-10-25T14:57:01Z")
Does it dispense fish food? ---
**Author:** ![SubaRhubarb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecd19e/32.png) [@SubaRhubarb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SubaRhubarb)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2012, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-fishing-related-object/638816/6 "2012-10-25T14:57:47Z")
A frog box? Like a box to keep frogs? It has no holes that could allow for food, frogs, or insects to enter or exit without having a key. As it is directly in the sun in temperatures up to 100F I do not think (as in I hope) anything alive could be in there. This shows it is too far for a person to reach from the dock [http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd471/RachelRhubarb/20121021\_133958.jpg](http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd471/RachelRhubarb/20121021_133958.jpg) and the bar does not swing. This is the album. [Photobucket | Make your memories fun!](http://s1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd471/RachelRhubarb/) I will try to upload more pictures if wanted. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2012, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-fishing-related-object/638816/7 "2012-10-25T15:07:06Z")
Perhaps it holds [alcohol.](http://m1221.photobucket.com/albumview/albums/RachelRhubarb/DSCN1170.jpg.html?o=8) It may dispense food to attract fish to the dock or pier. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2012, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-fishing-related-object/638816/8 "2012-10-25T15:12:32Z")
Maybe some kind of insect trap. The little slanted thing that looks like a solar panel on the side could be a place they enter. Either that or it’s a frog trap and the frogs are supposed to be lured in by the pictures of happy frogs on the sides. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2012, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-fishing-related-object/638816/9 "2012-10-25T15:17:45Z")
[They make solar powered automatic fish feeders.](http://www.automaticfishfeeder.org/page/7) I’ve never seen one that looks like this, though. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2012, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-fishing-related-object/638816/10 "2012-10-25T15:20:57Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > [They make solar powered automatic fish feeders.](http://www.automaticfishfeeder.org/page/7) I’ve never seen one that looks like this, though. [This one](http://sweeneyfeeders.com/-Scatter-Fish-Feeder-p0024.html) is similar. ---
**Author:** ![SubaRhubarb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecd19e/32.png) [@SubaRhubarb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SubaRhubarb)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2012, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-fishing-related-object/638816/11 "2012-10-25T15:38:48Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > Perhaps it holds [alcohol.](http://m1221.photobucket.com/albumview/albums/RachelRhubarb/DSCN1170.jpg.html?o=8) > > It may dispense food to attract fish to the dock or pier. Oddly alcohol was not involved in that, and I never got my coupon for compensation from getting a glass shower. So as many say it looks like a feeder, where does the food exit? The bottom is solid. Unrelated question- what brand of vehicle is in that picture linked above? ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2012, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-fishing-related-object/638816/12 "2012-10-25T15:46:33Z")
> [@SubaRhubarb](#): > > So as many say it looks like a feeder, where does the food exit? The bottom is solid. [These](http://www.dunnsfishfarm.com/texas_hunterd425_465_prd1.htm) apparently blow the food out the side. ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2012, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-fishing-related-object/638816/13 "2012-10-25T16:39:56Z")
> [@SubaRhubarb](#): > > Unrelated question- what brand of vehicle is in that picture linked above? It’s a small pic but looks like a [Buick Enclave](http://consumerguideauto.howstuffworks.com/2009-buick-enclave-4.htm) to me? ---
**Author:** ![newme](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e0b2c6/32.png) [@newme](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newme)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2012, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-fishing-related-object/638816/14 "2012-10-25T18:11:22Z")
Here is another [Solar Fish Feeder](http://www.waymarking.com/gallery/image.aspx?f=1&guid=dc054a43-26cc-4c74-8351-2103c518c63f&gid=3), same model as the one in the OP. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2012, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-fishing-related-object/638816/15 "2012-10-25T18:50:31Z")
Nice find, **newme**. [Sweeney](http://www.sweeneyfeeders.com/Pond-Lake-Fish-Feeders-c007.html). ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2012, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-fishing-related-object/638816/16 "2012-10-25T21:50:01Z")
Props, **newme**. ---
**Author:** ![SubaRhubarb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecd19e/32.png) [@SubaRhubarb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SubaRhubarb)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2012, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-fishing-related-object/638816/17 "2012-10-25T22:50:47Z")
Thank you so much! That has been bugging me for weeks. The Dope wins again.