> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://sunfish-studios.gitbook.io/main/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://sunfish-studios.gitbook.io/main/main-components/bobber-controller.md).

# Bobber Controller

Controls the visual bobber: spawns it with a smooth arc or linear trajectory, animates it to the water surface, handles reeling physics, and retreats it back to the rod. Integrates with animation events via the `IBobberSpawner` interface.

> ✅ **Requires**: A bobber prefab (with optional `Aligner` for rotation) and references to the rod tip and fisher.

***

#### 🔧 Inspector Settings

**Bobber Prefab**

The GameObject to instantiate as the bobber. Can be left empty for invisible fishing logic.

**Rod Tip & Fisher Ref**

* **Rod Tip**: Where the bobber originates (e.g., fishing rod tip bone).
* **Fisher Ref**: Used to align the bobber and calculate reeling direction.

**Bobber Positioning**

* **Spawn Interpolation** (`0–1`)\
  Where along the line (or arc) between rod tip and water the bobber initially appears. `0` = at rod, `1` = at water.
* **Use Arc Trajectory**\
  Enables a parabolic cast path for more natural motion.
* **Arc Height**\
  Peak height of the arc (only when arc trajectory is enabled).

**Animation Settings**

* **Animate to Surface**\
  If disabled, the bobber appears instantly at the water surface.
* **Animation Duration** & **Curve**\
  Controls how long and how smoothly the bobber moves from spawn point to water.

**Retreat Animation Settings**

* **Retreat Duration** & **Curve**\
  How the bobber returns to the rod when fishing ends.
* **Retreat Animation Percentage**\
  How long (as % of retreat time) the bobber tracks the moving rod tip.
* **Retreat Despawn**\
  When (as % of retreat time) to hide the bobber—useful for hiding it before the animation fully ends.
* **Retreat Position Offset**\
  Fine-tune the final retreat position, rotation, and scale (great for matching rod animations).

**Reeling Settings**

* **Base Reeling Speed**\
  How fast the bobber moves toward the player while reeling.
* **Reeling Bob Amount / Speed**\
  Adds subtle up/down motion during reeling for realism.

***

#### 📈 Public Methods & Events

**Events**

* `OnBobberTouchWater` — Fired when the bobber reaches the water surface.
* `OnBobberExitWater` — Fired when retreating begins.
* `OnReelerComplete` — Fired when reeling finishes (either by distance or proximity).

**Key Methods**

* `InformWaterHit(Vector3 point, LayerMask waterLayer)`\
  Called by `FishingCaster` to tell the bobber where the water surface is.
* `StartReeling(float speed, float distance)`\
  Begins reeling the bobber toward the player. Called externally (e.g., by a reeling minigame).
* `StopReeling()`\
  Immediately halts reeling motion.
* `HandleFishingEnd()`\
  Cleans up state, hides the bobber, and resets tracking. Called when fishing is canceled or completed.

> 💡 The component automatically responds to `IBobberSpawner` events (`OnBobberSpawn`, `OnBobberRetreat`)—usually triggered by animation events in your fishing state machine.


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