Abstract:
A fish catching system includes a hook having a barb and a shaft terminating in an eyelet that receives a fishing line and a lure manipulator slidably mounted on the shaft. The lure manipulator may include a slot adapted to receive the shaft of the hook therein, whereby constriction of the lure manipulator closes the slot and secures the lure manipulator about the shaft. The fish catching system includes a lure that may have a body and a tail with an aperture that receives a hook or a fishing line therethrough. The lure may include a barb guard coupled therewith.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09/819,584, filed Mar. 28, 2001, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09/745,235, filed Dec. 20, 2000. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The present invention relates to fishing and, more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a fish catching system including a fishing lure shaped as a decapod, worm, or the like.  
           [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0005]    Many game fish sought by anglers are predators pursuing live food animals. Game fish typically maintain a set diet consisting of one or several main live food animals. Illustratively, certain game fish feed primarily on decapods, such as shrimp, crawfish, lobster, and the like. Game fish in pursuing decapods instinctively and through experience understand the characteristics of such live food animals. Consequently, during hunting, game fish search for decapod signs according to their known characteristics and, upon finding a decapod, attack and devour the decapod.  
           [0006]    Anglers often use live bait because game fish prefer their decapod food animals alive. Although live bait can be successful, there is the disadvantage in that the bait dies quickly rendering it ineffective in attracting game fish. A dead decapod attached to a fishing line does not exhibit the characteristics normally associated with such animals, resulting in game fish ignoring the bait and a poor day of fishing.  
           [0007]    In an attempt to replace live bait, artificial lures in the form of decapods have been developed. Unfortunately, such lures have experienced limited success because they do not present game fish with a realistic looking and acting food animal. The lures are typically not properly colored like live decapods and, further, do not exhibit the characteristics normally associated with such animals. When the lure is pulled through the water, it appears no different then a dead decapod, thereby failing to attract game fish.  
           [0008]    Accordingly. A fishing lure shaped and colored as a decapod that, when pulled through the water, exhibits the characteristics normally associated with decapods improves over both live bait and existing artificial lures.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0009]    In accordance with the present invention, a fish catching system includes a hook with a barb and a shaft terminating in an eyelet that receives a fishing line and a lure manipulator slidably mounted on the shaft. The fish catching system further includes a lure secured in a first position to the lure manipulator and to the hook, whereby pulling the fishing line moves the shaft of the hook through the lure manipulator to place the lure in a second position and releasing the fishing line returns the shaft of the hook through the lure manipulator to place the lure in the first position. The lure may include a body, a tail with an aperture that receives a hook or a fishing line therethrough, and a barb guard coupled with the body.  
           [0010]    The lure manipulator includes a sleeve, a sleeve having a weight attached thereto, a sleeve with a post attached thereto, or a lure retainer coupled with a head. The lure manipulator may be hollow so as to receive a noisemaker therein. The fish catching system may include a collar coupled with the shaft to stop the forward movement of the lure manipulator as well as a spring mounted on the shaft between the collar and the lure manipulator.  
           [0011]    Alternatively, the fish catching system may include a lure manipulator with a slot adapted to receive a shaft of the hook therein, whereby constriction of the lure manipulator closes the slot and secures the lure manipulator about the shaft. In this instance, the fish catching system may include multiple lure manipulators securable to the hook to accommodate variable fishing conditions.  
           [0012]    Still further in the alternative, the fish catching system may include a sleeve. The sleeve is coupled with a lure and receives a fishing line therethrough. The fishing line attaches to an eyelet of a hook secured to the lure. The sleeve facilitates movement of the lure along the fishing line, thereby simulating game fish prey motion.  
           [0013]    In a method of fishing, a lure is secured to a hook having a fishing line attached thereto. A lure manipulator is selected dependent upon fishing conditions and secured to the hook and to the lure, thereby placing the lure in a first position. The lure is cast into a body of water and allowed to settle to a desired depth. The fishing line is pulled to move the hook through the lure manipulator and place the lure in a second position and then released to return the hook through the lure manipulator and place the lure in the first position.  
           [0014]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a fish catching system that manipulates a lure so as to simulate game fish prey motion.  
           [0015]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a fish catching system useable under variable fishing conditions.  
           [0016]    Still, other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become evident to those of ordinary skill in the art in light of the following. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]    [0017]FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a lure manipulator according to a first embodiment of a fish catching system.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a lure manipulator according to a second embodiment of a fish catching system.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a lure manipulator according to a third embodiment of a fish catching system.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a lure manipulator according to a fourth embodiment of a fish catching system.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a lure manipulator according to a fifth embodiment of a fish catching system.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 6A is a side elevation view illustrating a lure manipulator according to a sixth embodiment of a fish catching system.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 6B is a top plan view illustrating the lure manipulator according to the sixth embodiment of a fish catching system.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 7 is a side elevation view illustrating a lure manipulator according to a first embodiment of a fish catching system, including a lure.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 8A is a side elevation view illustrating a lure manipulator according to a seventh embodiment of a fish catching system, including a lure.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 8B is a bottom plan view illustrating a lure manipulator according to the seventh embodiment of a fish catching system.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 9 is a top plan view illustrating a lure manipulator according to the first embodiment of the fish catching system.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 10 is a top plan view illustrating an eighth embodiment of a fish catching system.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 11 is a side elevation view illustrating the lure manipulator according to the seventh embodiment of a fish catching system, including a lure in a first or unmanipulated position.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 12 is a side elevation view illustrating the lure manipulator according to the seventh embodiment of a fish catching system, including a lure in a second or manipulated position.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 13 is a side elevation view illustrating a lure manipulator according to a ninth embodiment of a fish catching system, including a lure. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0032]    As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 7, and  9 , a first embodiment of a fish catching system  50  includes a hook  51  having a shaft  52  terminating in an eyelet  53  at a first end and a curvature  54  terminating in a barb  55 . Although this embodiment discloses a hook  51  including a single barb  55 , those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that any hook, such as a treble hook, may be substituted.  
         [0033]    The fish catching system  50  further includes a lure manipulator  56 . The lure manipulator  56  includes a lure retainer  58 , a head  57  secured to or formed integrally with the lure retainer  56 , and a passageway  59  through the head  57  and the lure retainer  58 . The lure manipulator  56  may further include lure-retaining posts  60  and  61  secured to or integrally formed with the head  57 . The passageway  59  permits the lure manipulator  56  to reside about the shaft  52  of the hook  51 . The lure manipulator  56  secures about shaft  52  during the manufacturing process of the fish catching system  50  using any of several well-known techniques. However, other means of securing may include a slot along the axis of the lure manipulator  56  into which the hook  51  is placed such that, when the lure manipulator  56  is squeezed, the constriction of the slot secures the lure manipulator  56  about the shaft  52  of the hook  51 . The passageway  59  is sized such that the lure manipulator  56  slides freely along the shaft  52  of the hook  51 . The lure retainer  56  may include any device, such as concentric flanges, a barb, or other detent, that receives a lure thereon but prevents dislodgement of the lure during the use of the lure manipulator  56 . The lure manipulator  56  may be constructed from any suitable material, such as lead, metal, hard plastic, or the like.  
         [0034]    In this first embodiment, a bend  63  just prior to the eyelet  53  of the shaft  52  prevents movement of the lure manipulator  56  towards the eyelet  53  during use of the lure manipulator  56 . The bend  63  in this embodiment curves the same direction as the curvature  54 , such that when a user pulls a line attached to the eyelet  53  the fish catching system  50  is kept or returned to a position that allows the proper operation of the lure manipulator  56 . Similarly, a collar  62  prevents movement of the lure manipulator  56  beyond a predetermined point on the shaft  52  of the hook  51  and also prevents movement of a lure that is secured to the shaft  52  along the shaft  52 .  
         [0035]    In this first embodiment, the head  57  is triangle shaped and is weighted to permit sinking of the fish catching system  50 . Although the first embodiment discloses the lure manipulator  56  as sliding freely along the shaft  52  of the hook  51 , those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that under certain fishing conditions it may be desirable to have the lure manipulator  56  fixed permanently to the shaft  52 .  
         [0036]    The fish catching system  50  in this first embodiment further includes a lure  10  that provides both the proper shape and coloring exhibited by a decapod, such as a shrimp, crawfish, lobster, and the like. The lure  10  in this first embodiment is constructed from soft plastic or any suitably malleable material.  
         [0037]    The lure  10  includes a body  11  and a tail  12 . The body  11  includes claws  14  and  15  and antennae  18  and  19 , which are both formed integrally at a front portion thereof. The body further includes eyes  16  and  17  attached at a front portion of thereof. The tail  12  includes a tail fan  20  formed integrally at the rear thereof. The body  11  and the tail  12 , including the claws  14  and  15 , antennae  18  and  19 , and the eyes  16  and  17 , provide the lure  10  with a shape identical to a decapod. Further, the color of the body  11  and the tail  12 , including the claws  14  and  15 , antennae  18  and  19 , and the eyes  16  and  17 , resemble that of a decapod or any other color scheme suitable to attract game fish.  
         [0038]    The lure  10  further includes a barb guard  30  formed integrally with lure  10 . The barb guard  30  includes an end portion  31  that allows for the sheathing of the barb  55 . The barb guard  30  therefore covers the barb  55  to prevent the hook  51  from snagging on underwater plants and debris common in places where game fish hide.  
         [0039]    In use, an angler attaches a fishing line  70  supported on a rod and reel to the eyelet  53  of the hook  51 . The angler then drives the lure retainer  58  of the lure manipulator  56  through the tail fan  20  of the lure  10 . The angler further inserts the lure-retaining posts  60  and  61  of the lure manipulator  56  through the tail fan  20  of the lure  10 . Next, the angler inserts the hook  5   1  through the body  11  of the lure  10  starting underneath the body  11  and going through the body  11  until the barb  55  protrudes from the top of the body  11 , thereby placing the fish catching system  50  in a first or unmanipulated position. Finally, the angler inserts the barb  55  into the end portion  31  of the barb guard  30  to cover the barb  55  and thus prevent the hook  51  from snagging on underwater plants and debris common in places where game fish hide.  
         [0040]    When rigged as described above, the angler casts the fish catching system  50  into a body of water and permits the fish catching system  50  to sink to a desired depth, where it resides in the first or unmanipulated position. Once at the desired depth, the fish catching system  50  permits the angler to move the lure  10  without having to retrieve the fishing line  70  utilizing the reel. The angler grasps the fishing line  70  and pulls it a limited distance, resulting in the shaft  52  of the hook  51  passing forward through the passageway  59  of the lure manipulator  56 . Alternatively, the angler may move the rod to facilitate the passing forward of the shaft  52  through the passageway  59 . The shaft  52  passes forward through the passageway  59  until the lure retainer  58  contacts the collar  62 , thereby compressing the tail  12  of the lure  10  underneath the body  11  and moving the fish catching system  50  into a second or manipulated position.  
         [0041]    Upon reaching the second or manipulated position, the angler looses the tension in the fishing line  70 , allowing the release of elastic energy stored in the tail  12  of the lure  10  due to its compression and facilitating the return of the shaft  52  rearward through the passageway  59 . The shaft  52  passes rearward through the passageway  59  until the eyelet  53  of the hook  51  abuts the head  57  of the lure manipulator  56 , thereby uncompressing the tail  12  of the lure  10  and moving the fish catching system  50  into its first or unmanipulated position.  
         [0042]    In moving back and forth between the first or unmanipulated position and the second or manipulated position, the tail  12  of the lure  10  compresses and releases to simulate a swimming decapod in the body of water. In systematically moving the tail  12  of the lure  10 , the angler subsequent hooking of the game fish via the hook  51 . The barb guard  30  does not interfere with a game fish strike as the strike causes the barb  55  to dislodge from the barb guard  30 . After moving the tail  12  of the lure  10  in place, the angler still has the option of reeling the fish catching system  50  to a new location before again moving the tail  12  of the lure  10 . The angler repeats the foregoing procedure until a game fish strikes or the fish catching system  50  has been retrieved completely.  
         [0043]    The fish catching system  50  is an improvement in attracting game fish because, when attached by a fishing line to a fishing rod and reel, an angler may work the lure  10  to appear the same as a live decapod traveling through the water. In working the fish catching system  50  as described above, the angler manipulates the lure  10  such that it appears as a decapod traveling through the water because live decapods travel backwards using their tails as the means of propulsion. Accordingly, the fish catching system  50  attracts game fish because it presents game fish with prey that both looks and acts identical to their staple food of decapods.  
         [0044]    As illustrated in FIG. 2, a second embodiment of a fish catching system  100  is similar in design and operation to the fish catching system  50 , and like parts have been labeled with like numerals. The fish catching system  100  differs from the fish catching system  50  in that it includes a spring  64  residing on the shaft  52  of the hook  51  between the collar  62  and the lure manipulator  56 . The spring  64  provides a biasing force that aids in returning the lure  10  from its second or manipulated position to its first or unmanipulated position.  
         [0045]    As illustrated in FIG. 3, a third embodiment of a fish catching system  150  is similar in design and operation to the fish catching system  50 , and like parts have been labeled with like numerals. The fish catching system  150  differs from the fish catching system  50  in that the collar  62  is removed and the lure manipulator  56  comprises a sleeve  151  movable along the shaft  52  of the hook  51 . Attachment of the lure  10  occurs through the driving of the tail fan  20  onto the sleeve  151  followed by the securing of the hook  51  to the body  11  of the lure  10  as previously described. In addition the fish catching system  150  may include lures different from the lure  10 , such as for example a plastic worm. A plastic worm is attached through driving the head of the plastic worm onto the sleeve  151  followed by the securing of the hook  51  to the body of the plastic worm, thereby permitting the manipulation of the tail of the plastic worm.  
         [0046]    As illustrated in FIG. 4, a fourth embodiment of a fish catching system  200  is similar in design and operation to the fish catching system  50 , and like parts have been labeled with like numerals. The fish catching system  200  differs from the fish catching system  50  in that the collar  62  is removed and the lure manipulator  56  comprises a sleeve  155  movable along the shaft  52  of the hook  51  and having a weight  123  attached thereto. Attachment of the lure  10  occurs through the driving of the tail fan  20  onto the sleeve  155  followed by the securing of the hook  51  to the body  11  of the lure  10  as previously described. In addition the fish catching system  200  may include lures different from the lure  10 , such as for example a plastic worm. A plastic worm is attached through driving the head of the plastic worm onto the sleeve  155  followed by the securing of the hook  51  to the body of the plastic worm, thereby permitting the manipulation of the tail of the plastic worm.  
         [0047]    As illustrated in FIG. 5, a fifth embodiment of a fish catching system  250  is similar in design and operation to the fish catching system  50 , and like parts have been labeled with like numerals. The fish catching system  250  differs from the fish catching system  50  in that the collar  62  is removed and the lure manipulator  56  comprises a sleeve  165  movable along the shaft  52  of the hook  51  and having a post  160  attached thereto. Attachment of the lure  10  occurs through the driving of the tail fan  20  onto the post  160  followed by the securing of the hook  51  to the body  11  of the lure  10  as previously described. In addition the fish catching system  250  may include lures different from the lure  10 , such as for example a plastic worm. A plastic worm is attached through driving the head of the plastic worm onto the post  165  followed by the securing of the hook  51  to the body of the plastic worm, thereby permitting the manipulation of the tail of the plastic worm.  
         [0048]    As illustrated in FIGS. 6A and B, a sixth embodiment of a fish catching system  300  is similar in design and operation to the fish catching system  50 , and like parts have been labeled with like numerals. The fish catching system  300  differs from the fish catching system  50  in that the collar  62  is removed and the lure manipulator  56  is hollow to accommodate therein a noisemaker, such as beads  170 . The beads  170  produce a rattling sound responsive to the movement of the entire fish catching system  300  or the movement of the lure manipulator  56  as the lure  10  travels from its first or unmanipulated position to its second or manipulated position so as to attract game fish that respond to sound.  
         [0049]    As illustrated in FIGS. 8A and B, a seventh embodiment of a fish catching system  350  includes a hook  351  having a shaft  352  terminating in an eyelet  353  at a first end and a curvature  354  terminating in a barb  355 . Although this embodiment discloses a hook  351  including a single barb  355 , those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that any hook, such as a treble hook, may be substituted.  
         [0050]    The fish catching system  350  further includes a lure manipulator  356 . The lure manipulator  356  includes a lure retainer  358 , a head  357  secured to or formed integrally with the lure retainer  356 , and a slot  359  through the head  357  and the lure retainer  358 . The lure manipulator  356  may further include lure-retaining posts  360  and  361  secured to or integrally formed with the head  357 . The slot  359  permits the securing of the lure manipulator  356  about the shaft  352  of the hook  351 . Particularly, the shaft  352  of the hook  351  is placed within the slot  359  and the lure manipulator  356  is squeezed such that the constriction of the slot  359  secures the lure manipulator  356  about the shaft  352  of the hook  351 . The slot  359  is sized such that the lure manipulator  356  slides freely along the shaft  352  of the hook  351 . The lure retainer  356  may include any device, such as concentric flanges, a barb, or other detent, that receives a lure thereon but prevents dislodgment of the lure during the use of the lure manipulator  356 . The lure manipulator  356  may be constructed from any suitable material, such as lead, metal, hard plastic, or the like.  
         [0051]    The fish catching system  350  includes a lure manipulator  356  with a slot  359  to provide the fish catching system  350  with the capability of using different lure manipulators  356 . The lure manipulators  356  may be of different weights, shapes, sizes, and the like to accommodate variable fishing conditions. Illustratively, when fishing in shallow water, a lightweight lure manipulator  356  may be secured to the hook  351  so that, when cast into a body of water, the fish catching system  350  resides atop grasses and weeds. In deeper water, a heavier lure manipulator  356  may be secured to the hook  351  so that, when cast into a body of water, the fish catching system  350  sinks to a depth suitable for fishing in such waters.  
         [0052]    The fish catching system  350  further includes a lure manipulator  356  with the head  357  positioned interior to the lure retainer  358  so that the head  357  is hidden underneath a lure. This provides the advantage of a more realistic appearing bait as the head cannot be seen by a game fish observing the fish catching system  350 . In this seventh embodiment, the fish catching system  350  includes a lure  10  as previously described in the first embodiment with reference to FIGS. 7 and 9.  
         [0053]    In use as illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, an angler attaches a fishing line  370  supported on a rod and reel to the eyelet  353  of the hook  351 . The angler then secures the tail fan  20  of the lure  10  to the hook  351  such that the tail fan  20  resides adjacent the eyelet  353 . The angler further places the shaft  352  of the hook  351  within the slot  359  of the desired lure manipulator  356  and constricts the lure manipulator  356 , thereby affixing the lure manipulator  356  to the shaft  352 . Next, the angler drives the lure retainer  358  of the lure manipulator  356  through the tail fan  20  of the lure  10  and inserts the lure-retaining posts  360  and  361  of the lure manipulator  356  into the tail fan  20  of the lure  10 . In addition, the angler inserts the hook  351  through the body  11  of the lure  10  starting underneath the body  11  and going through the body  11  until the barb  355  protrudes from the top of the body  11 , thereby placing the fish catching system  350  in a first or unmanipulated position. Finally, the angler inserts the barb  55  into the end portion  31  of the barb guard  30  to cover the barb  355  and thus prevent the hook  351  from snagging on underwater plants and debris common in places where game fish hide.  
         [0054]    When rigged as described above, the angler casts the fish catching system  350  into a body of water and permits the fish catching system  350  to sink to a desired depth, depending on the selected lure manipulator, where it resides in the first or unmanipulated position. Once at the desired depth, the fish catching system  350  permits the angler to move the lure  10  without having to retrieve the fishing line  370  utilizing the reel. The angler grasps the fishing line  370  and pulls it a limited distance, resulting in the shaft  352  of the hook  351  passing forward through the slot  359  of the lure manipulator  356 . Alternatively, the angler may move the rod to facilitate the passing forward of the shaft  352  through the passageway  359 . The shaft  352  passes forward through the passageway  359  until the head  357  contacts the body  11  of the lure  10 , thereby compressing the tail  12  of the lure  10  underneath the body  11  and moving the fish catching system  350  into a second or manipulated position.  
         [0055]    Upon reaching the second or manipulated position, the angler looses the tension in the fishing line  370 , allowing the release of elastic energy stored in the tail  12  of the lure  10  due to its compression and facilitating the return of the shaft  352  rearward through the slot  359 . The shaft  352  passes rearward through the passageway  359  until the eyelet  353  of the hook  351  abuts the tail fan  20 , thereby uncompressing the tail  12  of the lure  10  and moving the fish catching system  350  into its first or unmanipulated position.  
         [0056]    In moving back and forth between the first or unmanipulated position and the second or manipulated position, the tail  12  of the lure  10  compresses and releases to simulate a swimming decapod in the body of water. In systematically moving the tail  12  of the lure  10 , the angler attempts to attract a game fish&#39;s attention resulting in a strike upon the lure  10  and the subsequent hooking of the game fish via the hook  351 . The barb guard  30  does not interfere with a game fish strike as the strike causes the barb  355  to dislodge from the barb guard  30 . After moving the tail  12  of the lure  10  in place, the angler still has the option of reeling the fish catching system  350  to a new location before again moving the tail  12  of the lure  10 . The angler repeats the foregoing procedure until a game fish strikes or the fish catching system  350  has been retrieved completely.  
         [0057]    The fish catching system  350  is an improvement in attracting game fish because the multiple lure manipulators  356  permit use of the fish catching system  350  under a variety of fishing conditions. Further, placement of the head  357  of the lure manipulator  356  underneath the tail  12  of the lure  10  produces a realistic appearing bait. In addition, when attached by a fishing line to a fishing rod and reel, an angler may work the lure  10  to appear the same as a live decapod traveling through the water. In working the fish catching system  350  as described above, the angler manipulates the lure  10  such that it appears as a decapod traveling through the water because live decapods travel backwards using their tails as the means of propulsion. Accordingly, the fish catching system  350  attracts game fish because it presents game fish with prey that both looks and acts identical to their staple food of decapods.  
         [0058]    As illustrated in FIG. 10, an eighth embodiment of a fish catching system  395  includes a lure  400 . The lure  400  provides both the proper shape and coloring exhibited by a decapod, such as a shrimp, crawfish, lobster, and the like. The lure  400  in this eighth embodiment is constructed from soft plastic or any suitably malleable material.  
         [0059]    The lure  400  includes a body  411  and a tail  412 . The body  411  includes claws  414  and  415  and antennae  418  and  419 , which are both formed integrally at a front portion thereof The body further includes eyes  416  and  417  attached at a front portion of thereof. The tail  412  includes a tail fan  420  at the rear thereof. The tail fan  20  may be formed integrally with the tail  412  or, alternatively, attach thereto using any suitable means, such as clips, hooks, or the like, to permit the use of the tail fan  420  with different bodies  411  and tails  412 . The tail fan  420  encloses a weight  421  that facilitates movement of the tail  412 . The tail fan  420  and the weight  421  include an aperture  422  sized to permit the passing of a hook therethrough. Alternatively, the tail fan  420  could be formed from a material that provides weight to the tail fan  420 . The body  411  and the tail  412 , including the claws  414  and  415 , antennae  418  and  419 , and the eyes  416  and  417 , provide the lure  400  with a shape identical to a decapod. Further, the color of the body  411  and the tail  412 , including the claws  414  and  415 , antennae  418  and  419 , and the eyes  416  and  417 , resemble that of a decapod or any other color scheme suitable to attract game fish.  
         [0060]    The lure  400  further includes a barb guard  430  formed integrally with lure  400 . The barb guard  430  includes an end portion  431  that allows for the sheathing of a hook barb. The barb guard  430  therefore covers the hook barb to prevent the hook from snagging on underwater plants and debris common in places where game fish hide.  
         [0061]    In use, an angler attaches a fishing line supported on a rod and reel to an eyelet of a hook. The angler then passes the hook through the aperture  422 , and inserts the hook through the body  411  of the lure  400  starting underneath the body  411  and going through the body  411  until its barb protrudes from the top of the body  411 . Finally, the angler inserts the barb into the end portion  431  of the barb guard  430  to cover the barb and thus prevent the hook from snagging on underwater plants and debris common in places where game fish hide. When rigged as described above, the tail fan  20  slides freely along a shaft of the hook so that the lure  400  simulates a swimming decapod when cast into a body of water.  
         [0062]    As illustrated in FIG. 13, a ninth embodiment of a fish catching system  500  includes a sleeve  510  and a hook  511  having a shaft  512  terminating in an eyelet  513  at a first end and a curvature  514  terminating in a barb  515 . Although this embodiment discloses a hook  511  including a single barb  515 , those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that any hook, such as a treble hook, may be substituted. The fish catching system  350  further includes a lure  10  as previously described in the first embodiment with reference to FIGS. 7 and 9.  
         [0063]    In use, an angler drives the sleeve  510  through the tail fan  20  of the lure  10 . The angler then passes a fishing line  520  supported on a rod and reel through the sleeve  510  and attaches the fishing line  520  to the eyelet  513  of the hook  511 . Next, the angler inserts the hook  511  through the body  11  of the lure  10  starting underneath the body  11  and going through the body  11  until the barb  515  protrudes from the top of the body  11 . Finally, the angler inserts the barb  515  into the end portion  31  of the barb guard  30  to cover the barb  515  and thus prevent the hook  511  from snagging on underwater plants and debris common in places where game fish hide. When rigged as described above, the sleeve  510  and thus the tail fan  20  slides freely along the fishing line  520  so that the lure  10  simulates a swimming decapod when cast into a body of water.  
         [0064]    Although the present invention has been described in terms of the foregoing embodiment, such description has been for exemplary purposes only and, as will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, many alternatives, equivalents, and variations of varying degrees will fall within the scope of the present invention. That scope, accordingly, is not to be limited in any respect by the foregoing description; rather, it is defined only by the claims that follow.