Frequent Questions

How does the FishMAX® work?
Fishing with the FishMAX® is all about attracting and catching more fish and larger fish! FishMAX® generates four of the five sensory stimulants that attract fish!

Are fish effected by electricity?
The idea of using electricity in the FishMAX® to improve your fishing success might seem unbelievable. However, it has long been proven that fish are influenced by electricity in water. As a matter of fact, fish are effected in very specific ways, depending on the kind of electricity in the water. Fish have electro-reception; they detect electrical potential (voltage). These sensory cells are very sensitive and fish can detect minimal voltage from miles away. An understanding of the principles of how fish react to sensory stimulants will help you discover how the FishMAX® works and will improve your fishing success.

Does the FishMAX® work in the ocean or in fresh water?
Of course, the FishMAX® works in fresh water. Water is a good conductor of electricity and salt water is an extremely good conductor of electricity. This is why the FishMAX® is at it's optimum performance in the ocean.

Fishing boats in salt water put out their own electrical waves. There is even an electric charge created between a boat's propeller and it's protective hull zincs. This electrolysis is produced naturally from the reaction of dissimilar metals to the salt water. Metals can also produce either a negative or a positive electrical charge. Some metals are far better than others at producing a positive electrical charge. Gold plated lures, for instance, generate one of the highest positive charges possible (however a very costly way to fish!).

How do I verify that the FishMAX® is working?
If the light is on and you can feel the vibration + sound, the unit is operating. FishMAX® will attract and excite fish, if there are fish in the signal area, however you still have to use your skill with bait or lure to catch them! However, IRD has received information from FishMAX® dealers around the world saying fisherman have gotten great results. One dealer wrote: "I have received the sample kit for the FishMAX®, and in the same day I have tried the products on the lake where I live with my son. We have captured 20 fish only in 30 minutes!"

A "Fish Finder" will verify that the FishMAX® is working. (The electric device that fishing boats have to verify activity under the boats bottom.)

A friend of mine has a FishMAX® that he purchased last year and has excellent results with, so I decided to purchase the FishMAX® as well. However, I have noticed that my unit doesn't look exactly the same as his. Will it still work as well as the older version?
It was our goal to make the FishMAX® components hermetically sealed from water, both fresh and salt, along with the basic elements of weather. We accomplished the goal of completely hermetically sealing the device by sub-miniaturizing the components that were normally required and put the entire circuit into a package totally contained in the size of a single LED component. This single component contains and/or replaces the following:

It is amazing what new technology is bringing us. This improved version of the FishMAX® became available for shipment in April, 2001.

What is the difference between the FishMAX® and the Commercial FishMAX®?
FishMAX® and the Commercial unit have identical ranges, however, because of the extended antenna of the Commercial model the signal propagates in such a way as schools of fish are attracted, this in turn is most valuable to the professional Fishermen who do net fishing. The Commercial FishMAX® is also included within the sample package. The suggested U.S. Retail Price for the FishMAX® is $49 USD.

What is the expected life span of FishMAX® and can its battery be replaced at a later date?
The FishMAX® has a built-in battery which will provide hundreds of hours of fishing pleasure before the unit will need to be replaced. The battery itself can not be replaced, because the FishMAX® unit has been hermetically sealed to be completely waterproof and submersible. It can even be attached to floating fishing nets to attract fish for miles.

Do my customers get a guarantee?
YES! All MAX Products Carry an Unconditional Retail Customer Guarantee. International Research & Development will make a full refund directly to any consumer who is not completely satisfied with the result of any IRD product within (3) months from the date of purchase (Proof of retail purchase and returned unit are required.)

International Research & Development will replace any faulty IRD product, or unit that is believed to have lost strength, or to be considered defective in any way. The unit should be returned to the store where it was purchased. The manufacturer will immediately replace or repair the original unit and return it directly to the consumer or dealer without charge.