Patent ID: 6032403
Filing Date: 2000-03-07
Classification: A01K

Abstract:
A device for disengaging a fish hook from a fish's mouth, thereby releasing a hooked fish without the need to remove the fish from the water, said device comprising:a) a tubular body having a through bore; said tubular body further having a proximal end which is sized for manual gripping by a fisherman; and a distal end which is sized for insertion into a fish's mouth, said proximal end and said distal end of said tubular body being coaxial and said tubular body having a length which is greater than the width of an adults palm;b) a slot extending from said proximal end of said tubular body to said distal end of said tubular body, said slot allowing passage of a taut fishing line, on which a fish is hooked, into said through bore of said tubular body, said slot including flanges on each side thereof, which flanges extend inwardly into said through bore, said flanqes being operable to inhibit accidental exit of the fishing line from said through bore during the fish-releasing operation; andc) the wall thickness at the tip of said distal end of said tubular body being sized so as to engage a fish hook between the shank and barb of said fish hook, which is lodged in a fish's mouth, when the device is thrust against the fish hook so as to disengage the fish hook from the fish's mouth and release the fish from the fishing line while the fish remains in the water.