Abstract:
The present invention discloses a combination fishing lure comprising a common crankbait and jacket. The removable jacket is a highly elastic covering molded into a seamless, elongated shell that is stretchable over the crankbait. The thickness of the jacket provides a natural flesh-like texture to wood, hard plastic or metal crankbaits while protecting the crankbait from scratches caused by fish strikes or by collision with other objects.  
     The jacket has a cavity with at least a first opening providing access to the cavity. The crankbait is removably positioned in the cavity of the jacket by stretching the jacket in the region surrounding the opening until it is large enough to insert the crankbait. The jacket may include a rearwardly projecting tail portion that changes the appearance of the crankbait by increasing the overall length of the crankbait and that moderates the erratic wobble of the crankbait creating a realistic undulating swimming action.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/008,944 filed Dec. 20, 1995.  
           [0002]    The present invention relates to fishing lures. More particularly, the present invention relates to a flesh-like jacket for encasing and enhancing the action of a crankbait fishing lure.  
           [0003]    Fishing is an activity enjoyed by many as a recreational sport or as commercial enterprise. Sport fisherman or recreational anglers still use the time-proven method of dropping a baited hook attached to a piece of line into the water in the hopes of catching a fish. Through modern advances, anglers now have a wide assortment of equipment with which to find and catch fish.  
           [0004]    To encourage the fish to bite, the hook may be baited with a tempting morsel of food such as a live bait fish, live worms, roe or other live bait that is part of the natural diet of the fish species sought by the angler. Anglers also may use a fishing lure which is a manufactured artificial bait that mimicks the look and action of the natural bait. Although the dietary choices of most fish can be extremely fickle, part of the attraction of fishing is attempting to discern not only where the fish are located but also the type of bait that the fish are interested in eating. When bait fish are not available to the angler or its use forbidden due to local laws restricting such use, anglers often use fishing lures to catch fish. Fishing lures are used by anglers in both salt water and fresh water.  
           [0005]    There is a large variety of soft plastic lures typically made from plastisol and molded into the shape of, by way of example, worms, grubs or similar such shapes. The plastic material may be impregnated with salt or other scents so that the taste of the lure is similar to natural bait. Soft plastic lures are threaded onto a hook, attached to a fishing line and cast out and retrieved or bounced along the bottom to mimic a worm swimming in the water. Although very effective as a bait, fish often inhale soft plastic lures and become internally hooked. Since many anglers practice “catch and release,” it is undesirable to internally hook the fish because such fish often die due to the internal hook set.  
           [0006]    In addition to soft plastic lures, other lures, often referred to as “crankbaits” are commonly used. Crankbaits are hard-bodied fishing lures attached to the fishing line, cast out onto the water and then cranked or reeled in by the angler. The motion of the crankbait through the water causes the crankbait to dive beneath the surface of the water or, alternatively, create a disturbance on the surface of the water that mimics an injured minnow or a fleeing fish. When a fish attacks a crankbait it is often hooked in the lip thereby facilitating its subsequent release.  
           [0007]    [0007]FIG. 1 illustrates a typical prior art crankbait  10  which may be manufactured from wood, metal or hard plastic (such as poly-carbonate plastic) and coated with several layers of colorful finish paint or decals to attract fish by mimicking the coloration of a bait fish. Alternatively, the body may be painted in a color, such as metallic, or brightened by embedding reflective facets (not shown) in a polyurethane coating so that the crankbait is bright and readily discernible in murky water or low light conditions or is otherwise enticing to fish. The finish layers often include painted representations for eyes  12 , fins  14 , scales  16  or gills  18  so as to emulate a natural appearance of common bait fish. It will be appreciated that such features may be duplicated on the side of crankbait  10  not shown in FIG. 1.  
           [0008]    Crankbait  10  may have a diving bill  20  that extends outward and in some cases downward from the head portion of crankbait  10 . A fishing line attachment loop  22  is shown as a part of the diving bill although attachment loop  22  may be located on crankbait  10  in the area generally defined as between the diving bill  20  and the top of the head portion above eye  12 . Diving bill  20  may vary in size with a smaller surface area causing the crankbait  10  to dive to a relatively shallow depth and larger surface area for deeper diving crankbaits. The angle of attachment of diving bill  20  may also vary respect to the longitudinal axis  24  of crankbait  10  with a larger angle resulting in a faster diving crankbait. A fixed, solid dorsal fin  26  is shown extending above the body of crankbait  10  in FIG. 1 although many crankbaits do not have any such protruding features.  
           [0009]    Although not shown, crankbait  10  may have a variety of configurations. For example, the forward-most head portion could be flattened or concave (to represent a bait fish swimming with an open mouth) rather than the generally convex shape as shown in FIG. 1. In such configurations, diving bill  20  is omitted since such crankbaits are intended to be fished on the surface of the water. In other configurations, diving bill  20  is attached to the head portion of crankbait  10  below axis  24 .  
           [0010]    With so much diversity in size, color and shape designed to appeal to one or more species or size of fish, anglers often carry a large number of crankbaits in their tackle boxes. Notwithstanding the diversity, individual anglers will often develop a preference for a preferred crankbait that, they believe, has a high probability of catching fish. Popular freshwater crankbaits are manufactured by Rapala of V{umlaut over (aa)}ksy, Finland and by Mirrolure of Largo, Fla. as well as by many other companies throughout the world.  
           [0011]    Colorful streamers, noise makers or other novelties can be attached to the crankbait or to the fish line in an attempt to make the crankbaits more attractive to the fish. For example, a propeller (not shown) may be rotatably mounted to the head portion or rear portion of crankbait  10  to create turbulence as the crankbait is pulled through the water. One such crankbait is manufactured by Fred Arbogast and available from Bass Pro Shops located in Springfield, Mo. In still other configurations, crankbait  10  may have a jointed body where a separate rear portion is coupled to the body portion of crankbait  10  by interlocking loops or may have a segmented body such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,182,875.  
           [0012]    It is believed that common attributes of a successful crankbait is its coloration, size, appearance and swimming action. With respect to the coloration of a crankbait, one skilled in the art will appreciate that with use, the decals or the painted design of a crankbait often become scratched from collisions with other items in the angler&#39;s tackle box, with items under water such as rocks, submerged logs or other such debris or from repeated strikes by fish attracted by the crankbait. The brightness of the painted design may also fade after extended use in water and exposure to sunlight. With continued use, such crankbaits may tend to lose their effectiveness resulting in fewer and fewer strikes over a given period of time because fish tend to avoid crankbaits that appear unattractive or unappealing as food. It is preferable to refurbish a popular crankbait by enhancing the attractiveness of the crankbait rather than abandon its use.  
           [0013]    At times, it may be desirable to change the appearance of the crankbait by changing the coloration or adding decorative features. If an angler were fishing with a crankbait painted to look like a sardine but the game fish are feeding on anchovies, the sardine crankbait would likely be largely ignored and the number of strikes could be few or nonexistent. Thus, the angler may have to remove the sardine crankbait and replace it with a crankbait having the coloration suggestive of an anchovy to increase the number of strikes. However, replacing one crankbait with another similar crankbait differing only in the coloration requires duplication in the number of crankbaits. It would be cheaper, if the angler could reduce the number and variety of crankbaits that must be carried while maintaining the flexibility to quickly and easily change the coloration of the crankbait to match the desired bait fish.  
           [0014]    At still other times the water conditions may make it difficult for fish to locate bait because of, for example, darkness or murky water conditions. When this occurs, anglers may need to fish with a crankbait that has a metallic or shiny finish or that is fluorescent so as to increase visibility of the crankbait in the water. However, it would again be cheaper if the angler could adapt a single crankbait to compensate for the conditions with a bright shiny finish.  
           [0015]    At still other times, even if the proper coloration of the crankbait is selected, fish will often fail to strike at even the most productive of the angler&#39;s crankbaits. In such instances, the angler may be tempted to try larger or smaller crankbaits to determine what size of bait attracts the fish. To change from, for example, a small anchovy to a larger anchovy, the angler would have to remove the anchovy crankbait and replace it with another similar but larger crankbait. This change requires the angler to further maintain a stock of crankbaits that have a similar body designs but that differ in size. Clearly, it would be to the advantage of the angler to have the ability to quickly and inexpensively change a single crankbait so as to make it appear to the fish as a larger (and, hopefully, more desirable) bait fish or conversely, a smaller bait. Alternatively, it may be desirable to add features to a crankbait such as protruding fins, tails, scales or other anatomical features to make the crankbait appear more life-like. An example of prior art attempts to change the appearance of a crankbait is disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 5,333,406, issued to Wylie in which a cloth covering changes the coloration of the lure.  
           [0016]    With respect to the swimming action of a crankbait, it is desirable for action of the crankbait to closely mimic the undulating side-to-side motion of a natural bait fish. However, most crankbaits have an erratic side-to-side action or wobble significantly different from the natural motion of a bait fish. Accordingly, it is desirable to modify the motion of a crankbait such that it has a fluid, undulating side-to-side motion of a bait fish as it is cranked in by the angler.  
           [0017]    Another problem that arises with many crankbaits is that even though the body design closely duplicates the natural bait which the crankbait is intended to replace, fish often hit the bait but do not strike to the degree necessary to permit the angler to set the hook and catch the fish. One reason for this is that fish have sensitive mouths and are able to discern that the texture of the crankbait is hard and unfamiliar. Having tasted the bait, fish lose interest and move on to seek other bait. It would be to the angler&#39;s benefit to present a lure that has both the swimming action of a crankbait as well as the texture and taste of a soft plastic lure that more closely simulates fish flesh than does a wood, metal or hard plastic crankbait or a crankbait having a cloth covering.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0018]    To overcome the limitations associated with prior art crankbaits described above, and to overcome other limitations that will become apparent upon reading and understanding this specification, the present invention discloses a combination of a common crankbait such as is found in the tackle box of every angler and a jacket or skin that covers the crankbait. In one preferred embodiment, the jacket comprises a highly elastic covering molded into a seamless, elongated shell with a rearwardly projecting tail portion, which may include a caudal fin, that is stretchable over a crankbait. The thickness of the jacket provides a natural flesh-like texture to wood, hard plastic or metal crankbaits while protecting the crankbait from scratches caused by fish strikes or by collision with other objects.  
           [0019]    For purposes of illustration the following description describes the present invention as used with conventional prior-art crankbaits which have a generally fish-like appearance with a head and-a rear portion separated by a body portion. Treble hooks are attached at one or, in most instances, two or more hook attachment points one of which is usually positioned on the rear portion of the crankbait. Additional hooks may be attached proximate to the head portion of the crankbait or, if the crankbait is of sufficient size, to the body portion of the crankbait midway between the head and rear portions. Some crankbaits may have a diving bill attached to the forward end of the head portion so that the crankbait will dive beneath the surface of the water when moving through the water.  
           [0020]    The jacket has a cavity with at least a first opening providing access to the cavity. The crankbait is removably positioned in the cavity of the jacket by stretching the jacket in the region surrounding the opening until it is large enough to insert the crankbait into the cavity. Insertion is simplified by first rolling the jacket into a minimized configuration prior to stretching the jacket and unrolling the stretched jacket over the crankbait.  
           [0021]    Once the crankbait is encased within the jacket, the hooks project through “slits” in the jacket which can be made using a sharp knife or by forcing the hook attachment loop through the jacket material. If the crankbait has a diving bill, it preferably projects through the opening. Due to the tear resistant nature of the jacket, the opening or slits will not further significantly tear even if the jacket is removed and applied to a much larger crankbait.  
           [0022]    The shape of cavity is generally elliptical with a girth dimension that is preferably smaller than the corresponding girth dimension of the crankbait. The length of the cavity is preferably about equal to or less than the length of the crankbait although the length of the cavity may be substantially greater without noticeable negative effects. With the elastic material of the jacket, the cavity is stretched until the cavity&#39;s dimensions substantially equal the dimensions of the crankbait so that the jacket tightly clings to the body of the crankbait. When the jacket is applied to a crankbait, the overall length of the crankbait is extended by the jacket&#39;s tail portion which extends rearward. The tail portion of the jacket changes the appearance of the crankbait by increasing the length and by adding a realistic looking fish-tail or a trailing skirt of colorful material. The tail portion also acts as a rudder that tends to moderate the erratic wobble of a crankbait thereby creating a very realistic undulating swimming action of a natural bait fish.  
           [0023]    The jacket in one preferred embodiment is substantially clear or amber in color. With a clear jacket the coloration and shape of the crankbait may readily be perceived by the fish. Highlights, such as reflective particles or dye, may be added to the tail portion of a clear jacket to provide definition to the otherwise transparent tail. Amber jackets may be used to present a brightly colored lure with a slightly faded appearance or to provide a more visible tail section. Bright or reflective particles may be added to the jacket during manufacture so as to enhance the original coloration of the crankbait. Alternatively, the jacket may be dyed so that the perceived color of the lure is changed.  
           [0024]    The jacket may also have a textured outer surface to represent scales as well as protruding elements representing fins and gills. When the jacketed crankbait is allowed to float in the water, the protruding fins will flutter outward giving the appearance of a suspending fish but will fold back against the crankbait as it is retrieved.  
           [0025]    In yet another embodiment, the jacket may include one or more cavities into which scent attractant, such as fish blood, cricket legs, worm parts or commercial fish food may be inserted. Slits or openings in jacket provide access to the cavities so that the jacketed crankbait emits the attractant as it is retrieved.  
           [0026]    Together with the flesh-like texture of the material, the jacket of the present invention makes it possible to provide a hard bodied crankbait with a texture, appearance, smell and swimming action of a natural bait fish. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0027]    [0027]FIG. 1 is a representation of a prior art hard-bodied fishing crankbait;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 2A is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the protective jacket of the present invention;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 2B is a front view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2A.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the protective jacket of the present invention;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIGS. 4A and 4B are illustrative representations of a method of applying the protective jacket of the present invention over a crankbait;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 5 is a side view of another preferred embodiment of the protective jacket of the present invention;  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 6 is a side view of a segmented crankbait to which the protective jacket is applied in yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 7 is a front view of one segment of the crankbait shown in FIG. 6; and  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 8 is a side view of another embodiment of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0036]    In the following description of one preferred embodiment, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration a specific embodiment in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. For purposes of illustration the following description describes the present invention as used with conventional prior-art crankbaits that have a generally fish-like appearance. However, it is contemplated that the present invention can be used in conjunction with other baits such as jerk baits, spoons, jigs or as a soft bait.  
         [0037]    Referring again to FIG. 1, treble hooks  28  and  30  are attached to the body of crankbait  10  at one and preferably two or more hook attachment points. Hook  28  is typically attached to a loop  27 A that protrudes from the belly of crankbait  10  while hook  30  is typically attached to a rear protruding loop  27 B or to a hole (not shown) positioned proximate to the rear of the crankbait. If crankbait  10  is of sufficient size, an additional hook attachment point (not shown) may also be provided in the body portion of crankbait  10  midway between loops  27 A and  27 B. Split rings  29  are commonly used to couple hooks to the protruding loops. Alternatively, treble hooks with an open shank (not shown) may be pressed over loops  27 A and  27 B without split rings  29 . Although the length of treble hooks will vary depending on the size of fish an angler anticipates catching as well as the size of crankbait  10 , treble hooks  28  and  30 , in one representative example, extend from crankbait  10  by about 2.54 cm (one inch).  
         [0038]    Referring now to FIGS. 2A and 2B, a protective cover or jacket  32  of the present invention is shown having a head portion  34 , a tail portion which may include a caudal fin  36 , pectoral fins  33 , a dorsal fin  35  and pelvic and anal fins  35  and  37 , respectively, or other features that creates a realistic replica of a bait fish.  
         [0039]    As shown in FIG. 3, jacket  32  also includes a cavity  38 . Tail portion  36  may be molded into a desired shape such as a fish tail, a streamer or other selected shape and undulates as the crankbait is trolled through the water. It is possible to embed capsules with steel weights, or other similar material (not shown) in tail portion  36  or cavity  38  to add weight or to create noise as the crankbait is trolled through the water.  
         [0040]    Opening  46  provides access into cavity  38  as is shown more clearly in FIG. 4A and crankbait  10  is inserted “rear first” into cavity  38  through opening  46 . Opening  46  has a dimension that is significantly smaller than crankbait  10  but is stretchable to permit crankbaits of different sizes to be insert or removed from cavity  38 . In one example, the diameter of opening  46  is preferably less than approximately 0.3175 cm (0.125 inches) through which a small crankbait with a length of about 5.08 cm (2 inches) and a maximum girth 6.35 cm (2.5 inches) may be inserted. In general, the dimension of opening  46  is elastically deformable and need only be large enough to dilate sufficiently to permit insertion of the crankbait, and optionally the attached treble hook  28 , into cavity  38  yet sufficiently small so that after insertion of the crankbait into cavity  38  jacket  32  is able to conform around the rear portion of the crankbait. A larger opening may be desirable for jackets designed for larger crankbaits to prevent microtearing of the material in the vicinity of opening  46 .  
         [0041]    Slits  40 ,  42  and  44  (see FIG. 2A) are preferably narrow openings such that, in the unstretched state, opposing edges substantially remain in contact. Slits  40 ,  42  and  44  may be made using a pair of scissors, a knife or stretching the jacket over an attachment loop until an opening is created or formed during the molding process.  
         [0042]    In the preferred embodiment, hooks  28  and  30  are removed before crankbait  10  is positioned in cavity  38  and then reattached to the crankbait after the jacket envelops crankbait  10 . Once crankbait  10  is positioned within cavity  38 , hook  28  extends outward from jacket  32  through slit  42  and hook  30  extends through slit  40 . If a particular crankbait has a fishing line attachment loop positioned near the top of the head portion, the attachment loop will protrude through slit  44 . Once crankbait  10  is inserted into cavity  38 , jacket  32  clingly conforms to the surface of crankbait  10  and openings  40  and  46  and slits  42 - 44  attempt to return their unstretched dimensions thereby creating a tight fit around protruding elements of crankbait  10 . The tight fit and the adherence of jacket  32  to crankbait  10  substantially eliminates ballooning or separation of jacket  32  from crankbait  10  when trolling or casting the jacketed crankbait.  
         [0043]    In another preferred embodiment, slit  40  has a diameter of about 0.3175 cm (0.125 inches). To ensure adequate strength in the region surrounding opening  46 , the thickness of material may be increased by between 2% to 25%. The elasticity of the material comprising jacket  32  is thus believed to be sufficient to dilate during insertion of crankbait  10  and return, or attempt to its original dimensions in order to form a tight seal around diving bill  20 . When crankbait  10  is inserted through slit  40  it is important that the seal around the front of crankbait  10  is as tight as possible so as to reduce the possibility that cavity  38  will fill with water and cause jacket to separate from the surface of crankbait  10  as it is retrieved. Opening  46  and slit  40  are elastically deformable such that diving bill  20  may be inserted therethrough without tearing or permanent deformation even if diving bill  20  is wide relative to the diameter of opening  46 .  
         [0044]    In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, a durable synthetic flesh-like material is castable in a variety of shapes to form jacket  32 . The material is preferably a transparent hot melt adhesive material, product numbers HL-2249-X and HL-2502-X, obtained from H. B. Fuller Company of St. Paul, Minn. and marketed under the name of Full Flesh. Although the material is considered experimental by the manufacturer, HL-2249-X is a very soft, clear to amber rubber material with a tacky texture and a high degree of elasticity. The material has high elongation and tensile strength and excellent shape retention after extreme deformation. It has a Molten Gardner color of 1.5 and viscosity of 68,000 cP (mPa.s) at 325° F. (162.8° C.); 18,500 cP (mPa.s) at 350° F. (176.7° C.); 3,000 cP (mPa.s) at 375° F. (190.6° C.); and 625 cP (mPa.s) at 400° F. (204.4° C.). The recommended application temperature for HL-2249-X is in the range of 350° F. (176.7° C.) to 375° F. (190.6° C.). Higher application temperatures may tend to burn the material and cause a loss of clarity. HL-2502 is a stiffer rubber compound that has a less tacky surface. Although HL-2449-X is suitable, and indeed preferable for construction of jacket  32  due to the suppleness of the resulting jacket, it is possible to mix HL-2449-X and HL-2502-X in various proportions to achieve a compound having intermediate stiffness and tackiness properties. A powder, such as baby powder or flour, may be applied in small quantities to the exterior of jacket  32  to reduce surface tackiness and promote ease of application of jacket  32  over crankbait  10 . Alternatively, jacket  32  may be dipped in a bath to coat the outside of jacket  32  and/or the inside of cavity  38  with a tackfree polyethylene wax. The wax is applied by first dispersing the wax in water and then dipping jacket  32  into the bath. The wax may be injected or sprayed into cavity  38  to coat the internal surface of cavity  38 .  
         [0045]    In another preferred embodiment, jacket  32  is molded from a soft silicon based material that is injectable using high volume injection molding equipment. The material must have a soft pliable composition and must have sufficient degree of elasticity to stretch over a crankbait. It is believed that one such material, for example, ______ is available from Reedy International in Keyport, N. J. (telephone number (201) 264-1777).  
         [0046]    Due to flexibility afforded by the material and molding techniques, it is possible to add protruding elements in the form of fins  56  and  58 , such as shown in FIG. 5, or other decorative features such as a long streaming tail  50  such as shown in FIG. 3. The material is castable into a variety of shapes using, by way of example, a two- or three-piece, non-porous, heat resistant, high temperature mold as is well understood by those skilled in the art. The molds may be made from metal, aluminum or from fiber glass using material available from Fiber Resin Corporation of Burbank, Calif. A three piece mold, also referred to as a matrix mold, is used when elements protruding from the base of jacket  10  make it otherwise difficult to pull a two-piece mold apart. For the sake of conciseness, further description of the construction of such molds will be omitted.  
         [0047]    The mold pieces are put together around a core element and injected with the material. It should be noted that care must be taken to prevent incursion of moisture during the molding process to minimize bubbling of the material or explosive vaporization of the water upon application of the material.  
         [0048]    The core element (not shown) defines the dimension of cavity  38  and the thickness of the jacket as well as the dimensions of openings  46  and  47 . The core element is supported in the mold by projecting rods that define opening  46  and tail opening  47 . After the material has cooled and solidified, jacket  32  is removed from the mold and the core removed from jacket  32 . Any resulting mold seams or burrs on jacket  32  may be removed using a sharp knife or a heated iron.  
         [0049]    Jacket  32  is elastically stretchable such that it may cover either a small crankbait or a large crankbait. For example, an early prototype of jacket  32  was initially constructed for a crankbait having a length of about 4.45 cm but applied to a crankbait having a length of about 13.34 cm (5.25 inches). The longer crankbait also had a maximum girth of about 8.25 cm. (3.25 inches) which was about twice as large as the original crankbait. Jacket  32  was then removed and subsequently reapplied to the original small crankbait. Regardless of the crankbait to which jacket  32  was applied, no ballooning was observed during multiple casting and underwater retrievals. However, if jacket  32  is unduly stretched by, for example, a factor of five or more, microtearing of jacket  32  may change the coloration such that jacket  32  appears more translucent. Accordingly, to prevent jacket  32  from turning translucent, the angler may need to take some degree of care to match jacket  32  with appropriately sized crankbaits.  
         [0050]    In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, jacket  32  is either substantially clear in appearance such that the original coloration of crankbait  10  is visible with little or no distortion or a transparent amber in appearance that tends to impart an amber hue to brightly colored crankbaits. Metallic particles or bright reflective crystals may be added to all or a portion (such as to the top) of jacket  32  so as to add additional sparkle to the original coloration of crankbait  10 . In yet another preferred embodiment, a dye or pigmentation is added to jacket  32  to produce a coloration independent from the coloration of crankbait  10 . In this manner, jacket  32  may quickly and inexpensively change the coloration of crankbait  10  to match that of a desired bait fish without requiring the angler to buy multiple crankbaits that differ only in coloration.  
         [0051]    Referring now to FIGS. 4A and 4B, a preferred method for inserting crankbait  10  into cavity  38  of jacket  32  is represented. Initially, jacket is rolled into a minimized configuration such as is indicated at  53  in FIG. 4A. Specifically, starting from opening  46 , jacket  32  is rolled toward the tail portion  36  and the rear of crankbait  10  is inserted through opening  46 . If necessary, opening  46  is elastically stretched to accommodate a range of diving bills from deep diving crankbaits to shallow diving crankbaits. As jacket  32  is unrolled along crankbait  10 , opening  46  attempts to resume its original dimensions thereby causing a tight conforming fit of jacket  32  along the junction of diving bill  20  and the head portion of crankbait  10 . If crankbait  10  has projections, jacket  32  is flexible enough to stretch over and substantially conforms to such projections. When the unrolling of jacket  32  reaches the proximity of hook  28 , jacket  32  and opening  46  are stretchable so as to encompass the combined girth of crankbait  10  and hook  28 . Since hook  28  is rotatably coupled to crankbait  10  at loop  27 A, it is possible to minimize the combined girth by rotating hook  28  until its length is substantially parallel to longitudinal axis  24  (see FIG. 1). However, it is preferrable that hooks  28  and  30  are removed before crankbait  10  is inserted and later re-attached.  
         [0052]    The unrolling of jacket  32  continues, as shown more clearly in FIG. 4B, until slit  42  is proximate to loop  27 A. By dilating slit  42 , that is, by locally stretching jacket  32 , it is possible to insert loop  27 A through slit  42 . Once passed through slit  42 , the local stretching force is no longer be applied and slit  42  substantially resumes its original dimensions again providing a tight conforming fit around loop  27 A. Jacket  32  is furthered unrolled until diving bill  20  protrudes from opening  46 . The position of jacket  32  may need to be adjusted until the dorsal fin is centered over the longitudinal centerline of crankbait  10 .  
         [0053]    In an alternative preferred method for applying jacket  32  (not shown), opening  46  has a diameter of about 0.3175 cm (0.125 inches) and crankbait  10  is inserted “head first” into cavity  38  through slit  40 , which preferrably has wider dimensions than slits  42  and  44 , rather than opening  46 . Specifically, slit  40  is dilated to provide access to the cavity  38  while rolling the jacket into a minimized configuration. Dilation is obtained by stretching the jacket  32  in the region surrounding the opening until opening  40  is large enough to insert the crankbait into the cavity. The head of crankbait is then positioned in the cavity of the jacket with diving bill  20  projecting from opening  46  and the stretched jacket is unrolled over crankbait  10  and allowed to conform to the crankbait  10 . The position of jacket  32  may need to be adjusted until the dorsal fin is centered on the longitudinal centerline of crankbait  10 .  
         [0054]    Once applied to crankbait  10 , jacket  32  substantially conforms to the shape of crankbait  10  as is more clearly shown in FIG. 4C. Further, if jacket  32  has a trailing tail portion  36  or  50  (see FIGS. 2 and 3) or similar feature, the crankbait  10  appears as a larger bait. If no such tail is present, the size of crankbait  10  is substantially unchanged with the application of jacket  32  although the texture is more flesh-like with jacket  32  applied. Depending on the color or decorative features of jacket  32 , the coloration and texture of crankbait  10  may be easily changed. Additional life-like features, such as scales  16 A, may be readily added.  
         [0055]    As generally indicated by reference numeral  56 , jacket  32  has a certain thickness associated therewith. With the preferred material, the thickness associated with jacket  10  provides realistic compression and elongation. Thus, when a fish strikes at the crankbait, the crankbait presents a life-like texture to crankbait  10  rather than the hard unnatural texture of a wood, plastic or metal crankbait. Due to the elastic tendency of the preferred material, jacket  32  substantially adheres to crankbait  10  so there is little separation between jacket  32  and crankbait  10  even if the crankbait has multiple protrusions. Also, since the preferred material is durable and tear resistant, jacket  32  resists repeated strikes by fish without tearing and returns to its original shape despite repeated applications onto or removal from different sized crankbaits.  
         [0056]    As indicated at  52  (by the dashed line) in FIG. 3 and in FIG. 4C, the thickness of jacket  32  in the head and body portions is preferably a membrane of between 20.32 mm (0.08 inches) and 63.5 mm (0.25 inches) that provide flesh-like compression once it is applied to a crankbait. It being understood that such thickness is not shown to scale in FIGS. 3 and 4C. Preferably, the membrane thickness of jacket  32  will be at least 31.75 mm (0.125 inches) in the body portion and thicker than 31.75 mm in the head portion  34  around opening  46 . It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the actual thickness when applied on crankbait  10  may vary depending on the relative size of crankbait  10  and cavity  38  and protrusions, if any, (on crankbait  10 ). However, thicker head and body portions of jacket  32  are expected to be more durable and capable of being stretched over a wider variety of differently sized crankbaits without incurring excessive microtearing, ballooning when applied to crankbait  10  and trolled through the water or inducing a partially opaque appearance to an otherwise transparent jacket  32 . Tail portion  36  of jacket  32  is preferably a substantially solid extension having a girth of about 3.175 cm (1.25 inches). It is believed that tail portion  36  should comprise about 40% to 60% of the overall length of jacket  32  in the unstretched state. Specifically, tail portion  36  may have a length of between 2.54 cm to 4.45 cm (1.0 to 1.75 inches) with a preferred length of about 3.05 cm (1.3 inches) for a jacket having an overall length of about 6 cm (2.4 inches). When applied to a crankbait, tail portion  36  will comprise about one third of the overall length of jacket  32  when stretched to an overall length of about 9.9 cm (3.9 inches). Longer, thinner tail portions  50 , such as shown in FIG. 3, are also contemplated and may comprise about 50% of the overall length of jacket  32  when stretched onto a crankbait body.  
         [0057]    Referring now to FIG. 5, another preferred embodiment of jacket  32  is shown. In this embodiment, jacket  32  has dorsal fin  56  and fins  33  extending outward from jacket  32 . One skilled in the art shall further appreciate that added features may include additional fins or other protrusions. Preferably, dorsal fin  56  and fins  33  are integrally molded into jacket  32  during the manufacturing process and are comprised of the preferred jacket material made as thin as possible (that is, preferably less than 31.75 mm) so as to present a life-like appearance as the crankbait is alternately moved through or suspended in the water. Specifically, when the jacketed crankbait is allowed to float in the water, the protruding fins will flutter outward giving the appearance of a suspending fish but will fold back against the crankbait as it is retrieved. Dorsal fin  56  may include a stiffning ridge (not shown) along the forward edge to ensure that the fin protruds away from crankbait  10  but will also flutter when allowed to float in water.  
         [0058]    Also shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5 are cavities or pockets  60  and  62 . Pockets  60  and  62  comprise voids formed in jacket  32  into which the angler may insert fish attractant such as blood, fish or other bait parts or solid matter such as commercial fish food. Slits  64  and  66  provide access to pockets  60  and  62 , respectively, so that the attractant can be easily inserted. Due to the adhesive and elastic nature of the preferred material comprising jacket  32 , slits  64  and  66  are sealed by applying pressure to the slits. In yet another embodiment, pockets  60  and  62  have a very thin or blister-like membrane (not shown) such that when a fish strikes the jacketed crankbait, the blister-like membrane is easily punctured thereby releasing a large amount of fish attractant in a very short period from pocket  60  and or pocket  62 . Alternatively, attractant may be inserted into cavity  38  behind crankbait  10  or absorbed into jacket  32  directly by submersing jacket  32  into an attractant oil or solution. The attractant is absorbed into the synthetic flesh-like material due to the porous nature of the material. Advantageously, tail opening  47  (FIG. 3) provides a passage for scent attractant positioned in cavity  38  to be expressed out through tail  36  as crankbait  10  is moved through the water. It is anticipated that such a quick release of an attractant such as blood, will encourage the fish to strike the crankbait again thereby permitting the angler to readily hook the fish. It will be understood by one skilled in the art that using the matrix molding technique described above, the cavity that the jacketed crankbait could continually release a fish attractant and when hit by a fish, release a large amount of attractant from blister pockets  60  and  62  to further attract strikes by the fish.  
         [0059]    Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, a segmented crankbait  70  is shown having a plurality of segments  72  coupled together by a flexible wire rope or plastic impregnated string  74  and substantially symmetrically aligned along longitudinal axis  24 . Segment  72 A is coupled to a head portion  76  at one end of crankbait  70  while segment  72   n  is coupled to tail portion  78  at a second end. The diameter of each segment  72  is generally equal to or smaller than the preceding segment when proceeding from the head end to the tail end of crankbait  70 . Specifically, the diameter of segment  72 A is substantially equal to or larger than the diameter of segment  72 B which, in turn, is larger than the diameter of segment  72 C. Segment  72  C is larger than segment  72  D and so on to segment  72   n  so that the overall effect is that segmented crankbait  70  has a shape substantially similar to a solid crankbait. The forward facing surface of each segment  72  may be slightly concave while the rear surface may be convex. Alternatively, each segment  72  comprises a disk with parallel forward and rear surfaces.  
         [0060]    As shown in FIG. 7, each segment  72  has a center hole  80  through which the wire rope or string  74  may pass. Between each segment, a spacer  82  having a diameter larger than center hole  80 , is inserted to prevent relative movement of each segment along rope or string  74 . One skilled in the art will appreciate that spacers  82  may comprise items such as washers, knots, beads or additional segments. The rope or string  74  is terminated at each end in a knot or other retention means such as a staple so that the segments  72  are permanently retained on the rope or string  74 . Hook and line attachment loops, weights, for example weighted tape, and diving bills may be attached to one or more of the segments  72 . Jacket  32  is applied over segmented crankbait  70  in the manner described above in conjunction with FIGS.  4 A- 4 C. Movement of segmented crankbait  70  when trolled or reeled toward the rod is enhanced if jacket  32  has a tail portion  36  or  50  such as is shown in FIG. 2A or FIG. 3.  
         [0061]    In yet another embodiment, the material completely surrounds each segment  72  such that segmented crankbait  70  is fully and permanently embedded in the material. In this embodiment, segmented crankbait  70  provides the structural support for mounting the hooks and for attaching to crankbait to the fishing line while the material presents a realistic “feel” to the fish. In one preferred method, segmented crankbait  70  is dipped into a vat of liquid synthetic material heated to approximately 350° (176.5° C.) until the material substantially fills in the area between segments and a desired thickness of the material is obtained over the circumference of segmented crankbait  70 . In this preferred embodiment, the coated segmented crankbait will have a substantially cylindrical shape with the hooks and line attachment loops projecting therefrom.  
         [0062]    Alternatively, segmented crankbait  70  may be positioned in the mold in place of the core so that realistic fins, tails and/or scales may be added to the crankbait. Preferably, a removable skewer is inserted through a second hole  80 A in each segment to ensure proper positioning in the mold. After the material is injected into the mold, segmented crankbait  70  is removed from the mold and the skewer is extracted. The skewer comprises a thin metal rod of sufficient length such that, when inserted through segmented crankbait  70  and placed in the mold, it is supported at its end portions by the mold. Also, since the external geometry of the segmented crankbait  70  is defined by the mold, segments  72  may have substantially uniform dimensions and may also be any desired shape, such as, by way of example, a rectangular cube, elongated rod, circular disk or combinations thereof. Further, the number of segments may be limited to a head segment  76  and a tail segment  78 .  
         [0063]    Referring now to FIG. 8, another preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. Specifically, lure  80  comprises a plug or skull cap  82  which is placed into a mold and embedded in a substantially solid fish-shaped body. Skull cap  82  may have a fishing line attachment loop  22  and diving bill  20  directly attached thereto. A thin wire cable or rope  84 , which terminates in a hook attachment loop  86  that protrudes near the tail portion  36  of the lure  80 , is threaded to skull cap and eye loop  90 . A second hook attachment loop  88  protrudes below the belly of the lure body proximate to skull cap  82 . Loop  88  is attached to rope  84  and maintained in place by eye loop  90 . Skull cap  82  is embedded in the flesh-like material such that a layer of material covers the skull cap  82  as indicated at  92 .  
         [0064]    As with the other preferred embodiments, discussed above, realistic tail portion  36 , including a caudal fin, decorative tail  50 , dorsal fin  56 , anal fin  94 , pelvic fin  96  and/or pectoral fins (not shown) may be molded into the body of lure  80 . The protruding fins and tail portion are made as thin as possible (that is, preferably less than 31.75 mm) so as to present a life-like appearance as the crankbait is alternately moved through or suspended in the water. Specifically, when lure  80  is allowed to float in the water, the protruding fins will flutter outward giving the appearance of a suspending fish but will fold backwards as lure  80  is retrieved.  
         [0065]    While certain exemplary preferred embodiments have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad invention. Further, it is to be understood that this invention shall not be limited to the specific construction and arrangements shown and described since various modifications or changes may occur to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed. It is intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description but by the claims appended hereto.