Abstract:
A chumming device is provided, comprising a container member defining an interior chamber adapted to contain a chum substance, and a dispersion mechanism operably engaged with the container member and configured cooperate with the container member to receive a flow of water thereby. The water flow provides an associated hydrodynamic force at least about the dispersion mechanism. The dispersion mechanism is further configured to cooperate with the container member such that the chum substance is extracted from the interior chamber of the container member and introduced directly into the water flow via the dispersion mechanism in response only to the hydrodynamic force. Associated systems, devices, and methods are also provided.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/641,680, filed Jan. 6, 2005, which is incorporated herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates to chumming device for fish and, more particularly, to a device, system, and method for chumming for fish whereby a chum substance is released to, and in some instances at a depth under, the water in response to a hydrodynamic force generated by motion in relation to the water.  
         [0004]     2. Description of Related Art  
         [0005]     Fishermen sometimes troll baited hooks or lures in order to target certain fish. Often, the baited hooks or lures are attached to a fishing line extending from a rod and reel combination or outfit secured on a moving boat or vessel, such that the baited hook or lure skips or swims across a surface layer of the water behind the boat as the boat is moving. This technique is known as trolling. Trolling may also involve pulling hookless baits and/or lures in conjunction with the baited hooks and/or lures, wherein the hookless baits/lures are known as “teasers” used for attracting fish to the baited hooks and/or lures. In some instances, however, the fish targeted by the fisherman may be at a certain depth under the water surface, and the fisherman must get the baited hook under the surface of the water, as the boat is moving, in order to present the baited hook to the fish at that depth. This technique is known as controlled-depth fishing or controlled-depth trolling.  
         [0006]     In order to fish by trolling at a controlled depth, a device referred to as a downrigger may be implemented or, in some instances, the baited hook or lure itself can be configured to dive to a certain depth in the water. The downrigger, when used for such a purpose, is mounted to the boat and has a length of cable or other line secured thereto and extending therefrom. At the end of the cable, opposite the downrigger, a depth-attaining element is attached. Such a depth-attaining element may comprise, for example, a lead ball, a weighted planer, or other appropriate device. The cable immediately above the depth-attaining element often carries a releasable clip, wherein the fishing line between the rod and reel outfit and the baited hook can be secured in the clip so as to travel with the clip as the depth-achieving element is lowered to the desired depth by the downrigger. In this manner, if a fish bites the baited hook, the clip will release the fishing line and the fisherman is free to fight the fish to the boat using the rod and reel outfit without interference from the cable and depth-attaining element.  
         [0007]     Such controlled-depth fishing may also be accomplished in different manners. For example, the cable may be secured directly to the boat, for example to a stern cleat, eliminating the need for the downrigger device. In such instances, a releasable clip may be slidably attached to the cable and capable of gripping the fishing line. That is, the depth-attaining element, when deployed, tautly maintains the cable between the boat and the depth-attaining element. When the releasable clip is attached to the cable and fishing line, the force of the boat moving through the water provides a force on the baited hook and/or the clip that causes the clip to slide down the cable and under the water, at any distance along the cable up until the clip is stopped by the depth-attaining element. In other instances, for example, one or more trolling weights or a weighted planer may be attached to the fishing line between the baited hook and the rod and reel.  
         [0008]     In any instance, while fishing by trolling, the fisherman may wish to chum the water in order to attract fish. Such chumming may be accomplished, for example, by cutting chunks of bait or grinding bait and dropping those bait portions into the water behind the boat, in hopes that the bait morsels will attract the fish to bite the baited hooks being trolled behind the boat. In some instances, certain bait may have an oil associated therewith after being ground or otherwise processed. Such fish oil or other oil can also be released from the boat, wherein the scent of the oil chum may disperse through the water and attract fish to bite the baited hooks being trolled behind the boat. However, such chumming is often accomplished at or about the water surface, and the bait portions or oil are generally not presented under the surface of the water until long after the trolling or moving boat has moved away from the position at which the chum is released into the water. In addition, since the boat is moving, the chum and the baited hooks/lures will generally coincide at the same position in the water for only a short time before the boat moves away. Both of these factors may also be additionally adversely affected by environmental factors such as wind, waves, and current. As such, any chum released into the water while trolling may not effectively serve to lure or attract fish to the baited hooks/lures pulled behind the boat.  
         [0009]     Thus, there exists a need for a fish chumming device capable of releasing a chum substance into the water surface while the boat or vessel is moving through the water. Such a chumming device should desirably be capable or releasing the chum substance into the water in a controlled, selective, or otherwise restricted or limited manner, at a controlled-depth or on the surface of the water, such that the chum substance is released over an extended period of time and in efficient coincidence with the baited hook/lure or teaser. Such a chumming device should also be applicable to different methods of fishing with minimal or no modifications.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010]     The above and other needs are met by the present invention which, in one embodiment, provides a chumming device, comprising a container member defining an interior chamber adapted to contain a chum substance, and a dispersion mechanism operably engaged with the container member and configured cooperate with the container member to receive a flow of water thereby. The water flow provides an associated hydrodynamic force at least about the dispersion mechanism. The dispersion mechanism is further configured to cooperate with the container member such that the chum substance is extracted from the interior chamber of the container member and introduced directly into the water flow via the dispersion mechanism in response only to the hydrodynamic force.  
         [0011]     Another aspect of the present invention comprises a controlled-depth chumming device adapted to be used with a vessel moving through water. Such a device includes a container member defining an interior chamber adapted to contain a chum substance and configured to be lowerable to a depth under a surface of the water as the vessel is moving. A dispersion mechanism is operably engaged with the container member and is configured to cooperate with the container member to receive a flow of the water thereby. The water flow provides an associated hydrodynamic force at least about the dispersion mechanism. The dispersion mechanism is further configured to cooperate with the container member such that the chum substance is extracted from the interior chamber of the container member and introduced directly into the water flow under the water surface via the dispersion mechanism in response only to the hydrodynamic force.  
         [0012]     Another aspect of the present invention comprises a controlled-depth chumming system adapted to be used with a vessel moving through water. Such a system includes a downrigger device operably engaged with the vessel and having a first end of a line attached thereto, wherein the line having an opposed second end capable of extending from the downrigger. A container member, defining an interior chamber adapted to contain a chum substance, is configured to be attached to the second end of the line so as to be lowerable to a depth under a surface of the water by the downrigger as the vessel is moving. A dispersion mechanism is operably engaged with the container member and is configured to cooperate with the container member to receive a flow of the water thereby. The water flow provides an associated hydrodynamic force at least about the dispersion mechanism. The dispersion mechanism is further configured to cooperate with the container member such that the chum substance is extracted from the interior chamber of the container member and introduced directly into the water flow under the water surface via the dispersion mechanism in response only to the hydrodynamic force.  
         [0013]     Yet another aspect of the present invention comprises a controlled-depth chumming system adapted to be used with a vessel moving through water. Such a system includes a line having a first end operably engaged with the vessel and an opposed second end extending therefrom. A depth-attaining device is attached to the second end of the line and is configured to reach a depth under a surface of the water as the vessel is moving such that the line tautly extends between the vessel and the depth-attaining device. A container member, defining an interior chamber adapted to contain a chum substance, is configured to be slidably engaged with the line so as to be lowerable along the line and under the water surface up to the depth of the depth-attaining device. A dispersion mechanism is operably engaged with the container member and is configured to cooperate with the container member to receive a flow of the water thereby. The water flow provides an associated hydrodynamic force at least about the dispersion mechanism. The dispersion mechanism is further configured to cooperate with the container member such that the chum substance is extracted from the interior chamber of the container member and introduced directly into the water flow under the water surface via the dispersion mechanism in response only to the hydrodynamic force.  
         [0014]     Still another aspect of the present invention comprises a controlled-depth chumming system adapted to be used with a vessel moving through water. Such a system includes a fishing device associated with the vessel and having a first end of a line attached thereto, wherein the line has an opposed second end capable of extending from the fishing device. An elongate leader member has opposed first and second ends, wherein the second end of the leader member has a hook device attached thereto and is adapted to interact with the water as the vessel is moving. A container member, defining an interior chamber adapted to contain a chum substance, is configured to be attached between the second end of the line and the first end of the leader member. The container member is further configured as a depth-attaining mechanism lowerable to a depth under a surface of the water by the fishing device, as the vessel is moving, such that the hook device attached to the second end of the leader member is also under the water surface. A dispersion mechanism is operably engaged with the container member and is configured to cooperate with the container member to receive a flow of the water thereby. The water flow provides an associated hydrodynamic force at least about the dispersion mechanism. The dispersion mechanism is further configured to cooperate with the container member such that the chum substance is extracted from the interior chamber of the container member and introduced directly into the water flow under the water surface in response only to the hydrodynamic force.  
         [0015]     Another aspect of the present invention comprises a method of method of chumming, comprising receiving a flow of water about a dispersion mechanism operably engaged with a container member defining an interior chamber adapted to contain a chum substance. The water flow provides an associated hydrodynamic force at least about the dispersion mechanism, such that only the hydrodynamic force extracts the chum substance from the interior chamber of the container member via the dispersion mechanism and introduces the chum substance directly into the water flow.  
         [0016]     Still another aspect of the present invention comprises a method of controlled-depth chumming from a vessel moving through water. First, a container member defining an interior chamber adapted to contain a chum substance is lowered to a depth under a surface of the water as the vessel is moving. A flow of the water is then received at least about a dispersion mechanism operably engaged with the container member. The water flow provides an associated hydrodynamic force about the dispersion mechanism, such that only the hydrodynamic force extracts the chum substance from the interior chamber of the container member via the dispersion mechanism and introduces the chum substance directly into the water flow under the water surface.  
         [0017]     The container member can be lowered to the depth under the surface of the water with a downrigger device operably engaged with the vessel via a line extending therebetween. Alternatively, a depth-attaining device can be lowered to the depth under the surface of the water as the vessel is moving, wherein the depth-attaining device is operably engaged with the vessel via a line extending tautly therebetween, and the container member then made to slide along the line to a depth under the water surface up to the depth of the depth-attaining device. As a further alternative, the container member configured as a depth-attaining device can be lowered to the depth under the surface of the water as the vessel is moving, wherein the container member is operably engaged with a fishing device associated with the vessel via a line extending therebetween and also includes an elongate leader member attached thereto and extending away from the vessel to a hook device adapted to interact with the water as the vessel is moving, such that the hook device is also under the water surface.  
         [0018]     Embodiments of the present invention thus provide significant advantages as disclosed herein. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)  
       [0019]     Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:  
         [0020]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  are schematics illustrating controlled-depth fishing techniques utilizing a depth-attaining device serially disposed between a fishing device and a hook member according to one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0021]      FIGS. 2A, 2B , and  2 C are schematics illustrating controlled-depth fishing techniques utilizing a depth-attaining device operably engaged with the vessel independently of the fishing device and the hook member according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0022]      FIG. 3  is a schematic illustrating a controlled-depth fish chumming system, according to one embodiment of the present invention, implemented in a depth-attaining device;  
         [0023]      FIG. 4  is a schematic illustrating a controlled-depth fish chumming system, according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention, implemented in a depth-attaining device;  
         [0024]      FIG. 5  is a schematic illustrating an alternative embodiment of a chumming system according to the present invention embodied in a lure device having one or more hook members operably engaged therewith;  
         [0025]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  are schematics illustrating lure devices (teasers) having no hook members operably engaged therewith with which a chumming system according to the present invention may be implemented. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0026]     The present inventions now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, these inventions may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.  
         [0027]      FIGS. 1A, 1B ,  2 A,  2 B, and  2 C illustrate various embodiments of a system for chumming for fish, the system being indicated generally by the numeral  100 , wherein such a system  100  allows a fisherman trolling fishing baits to also chum for fish. In some instances, the system  100  is configured for controlled-depth chumming for fish, wherein such a system  100  allows a fisherman trolling fishing baits at a certain depth under the water surface to also chum for fish at a depth under the water surface, generally corresponding to the depth at which the bait is being trolled.  
         [0028]     As previously discussed, fishing by trolling generally occurs in relation to a boat or other vessel  200  moving through a body of water  300 . However, in some instances, wind, wave, and/or current action, for example, may cause the boat  200  to be stationary (i.e., no relative motion of the boat  200  with respect a course over ground), and the motion of the body of water  300  due to such factors as wind, wave, and current will still result in a flow of water past the boat  200  wherein, in such instances, fishing by trolling may still be possible. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention consider such instances to be included within the scope of the disclosure presented herein. That is, it will be understood that any reference to the boat  200  moving through the water  300  will also include instances where the boat  200  is stationary, but has a flow of water thereby due to, for example, wind, wave, and/or current action, and thus may still allow the boat  200  to be trolling.  
         [0029]     For controlled-depth fishing, a depth-attaining device  400 , such as a weight ( FIG. 1B ), planer ( FIG. 1A ), downrigger ball, or other device, is tethered to the stern of the vessel  200  via a line member  500 , wherein the line member  500  may be, for example, monofilament, braided filaments, or Dacron™ type fishing line, or single or multi-stranded metallic cable. The depth-attaining device  400  is configured to sink below the surface  350  of the water  300 , when lowered from the vessel  200 , to a depth under the water surface  350  determined by the length of the line member  500 . Due to, for example, the drag force imparted on the depth-attaining device  400  and the line member  500  by the water  300  as the vessel  200  is moving (“blowback”), however, the depth-attaining device  400  is often diagonally-disposed behind the vessel  200  under the water surface  350  when trolling. In any instance, the line member  500  tethering the depth-attaining device  400  to the vessel  200  will remain taut, particularly when the vessel  200  is moving through the water  300 .  
         [0030]     In order to fish at this controlled depth, a hook member  600 , which may or may not be associated with, for example, a lure device or bait (not shown), is operably engaged with the depth-attaining device  400  and/or the line member  500  such that the hook member  600  is pulled behind the trolling vessel  200  at or up to the depth under the water surface  350  of the depth-attaining device  400 , as determined by the length of the line member  500 . For example, in embodiments as shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the line member  500  may comprise a fishing line (which otherwise may be indicated as element  550  herein) attached at the vessel end thereof to a fishing device  700  such as, for example, a rod and reel outfit, associated with the vessel  200 , and at the opposing end of the line member  500  to the depth-attaining device  400 , wherein the nature of such a rod and reel outfit will be appreciated by one skilled in the art. An elongate leader member  750  may then be attached between the depth-attaining device  400  and the hook member  600 . Once the depth-attaining device  400  is lowered by the fishing device  700  from the trolling vessel  200 , the depth-attaining device  400  causes the leader member  750  and the hook member  600  to be pulled behind the vessel  200  at a depth under the water surface  350  determined by the depth reached by the depth-attaining device  400 .  
         [0031]     In another embodiment as shown in  FIG. 2A , the line member  500  may be attached at the vessel end thereof to a downrigger device  800 , wherein the downrigger device  800  is operably engaged with the vessel  200 . Such a downrigger device  800  may comprise, for example, a reel mechanism (not shown) on which the line member  500  may be wound, wherein the reel mechanism may also be used to extend and retrieve the line member  500  with respect to the vessel  200 . In such instances, the depth-attaining device  400  may be attached to the free end of the line member  500 , (the end of the line member  500  not attached to the downrigger device  800 ) so as to be lowerable (and retrievable) by the downrigger device  800  to a selected depth under the water surface  350 . In this configuration, a fishing device  700  such as, for example, a rod and reel outfit, may be separately (from the downrigger device  800 ) associated with the vessel  200 , with a fishing line  550  extending therefrom. The hook member  600  may then be attached to the free end of the fishing line  550  (opposite the end attached to the fishing device  700 ). The fishing line  550 , between the fishing device  700  and the hook member  600 , may be removably attached to a clip  850  secured to the line member  500  at or near the depth-attaining device  400  (shown in phantom in  FIGS. 2A and 2B ) or to the depth-attaining device  400  itself. In this manner, the fishing line  550 , and thus the hook member  600 , can be lowered to the same depth under the water surface  350  as the depth-attaining device  400 . Should a fish bite the hook member  600 , the clip  850  is configured to release the fishing line  550  such that the fish can be fought and brought to the vessel  200 , with the fishing device  700 , independently of the line member  500  and the depth-attaining device  400 . In a similar embodiment as shown in  FIG. 2B , the downrigger device  800  may be eliminated and the line member  500  attached directly to the vessel  200 , wherein lowering and retrieval of the line member  500  with respect to the vessel  200  is accomplished manually.  
         [0032]     Thus, the depth-attaining device  400  may be attached directly to the vessel  200  via the line member  500  ( FIG. 2B ) or indirectly via the line member  500  and the downrigger device  800  ( FIG. 2A ). In either instance, the line member  500  will be taut when the depth-attaining device  400  is lowered below the water surface  350  and the vessel  200  is moving. In such embodiments, a supplemental depth-attaining device  450  may be removably and slidably attached to the line member  500 , as shown in  FIG. 2C . Such a supplemental depth-attaining device  450  may further be configured to have a fishing line  550  releasably secured thereto, the fishing line  550  extending from a fishing device  700 , such as a rod and reel outfit, and having a hook member  600  attached to the free end thereof (opposite the end attached to the fishing device  700 ). As such, with the fishing line  550 , between the fishing device  700  and the hook member  600 , releasably secured to the supplemental depth-attaining device  450 , the supplemental depth-attaining device  450  may be released to slide along the line member  500 . In this manner, as the supplemental depth-attaining member  450  contacts the water  300  from the moving vessel  200 , the force of the water  300  will cause the supplemental depth-attaining device  450  to slide down the line member  500  to any depth under the water surface  350  up to the depth of the depth-attaining member  400 . The fishing line  550 , and thus the hook member  600 , can thereby be lowered to a depth under the water surface  350 . Again, should a fish bite the hook member  600 , the supplemental depth-attaining member  450  will release the fishing line  550  such that the fish can be fought and brought to the vessel  200 , with the fishing device  700 , independently of the line member  500  and the depth-attaining device  400 . In such an embodiment, the supplemental depth-attaining device  450  separately connected to the vessel  200  via a tether (not shown), whereby the tether can be used to retrieve the supplemental depth-attaining device  450  to the vessel  200 , independently of the line member  500  and the depth-attaining device  400 . In other instances, the supplemental depth-attaining member  450  may be configured to be somewhat buoyant, even when filled with the chum substance  420 , such that, when the vessel  200  is stopped or otherwise stationary, the buoyancy of the supplemental depth-attaining mechanism  450  cause the supplemental depth-attaining mechanism  450  to slide back up the line member  500  to the water surface  350  to facilitate retrieval from the vessel  200 .  
         [0033]     With the described embodiments heretofore, one purpose is to keep the hook member  600  at a depth below the water surface  350  as the vessel  200  is moving so as to fish by trolling. In such instances, it may be advantageous to the fishing party to also concurrently chum for fish at that depth so as to hopefully attract fish to the hook member  600 . As such, the system  100  for controlled-depth chumming for fish may be configured to controllably release chum contained therein below the water surface  350  as the vessel  200  is moving (trolling). In such embodiments as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the system  100  may include an interior chamber  410  defined by a container member such as the depth-attaining device  400 ,  450  for receiving a chum substance  420  therein such as, for example, fish oil, through a sealable opening  430  in the depth-attaining device  400 ,  450 . One purpose of such a system  100  is thus to release the chum substance  420  to the water  300  such that the chum substance  420  lures or attracts fish to the hook member  600 . However, since the depth-attaining device  400 ,  450  and the chamber  410  defined thereby are generally of limited size, and since trolling is often a time-intensive fishing method (on the order of consecutive hours), it may be advantageous to limit or otherwise selectively release the chum substance  420  from the chamber  410  so as to avoid or minimize the need for frequent retrieval and redeployment of the depth-attaining device  400 ,  450  in order to refill the chamber  410 .  
         [0034]     According to embodiments of the present invention, the depth-attaining device  400 ,  450  is configured to controllably and/or selectively and/or limitedly release or meter the chum substance  420  from the chamber  410  into the water  300 . In some particular instances, the chum substance  420  is released from the chamber  410  only in response to a force (hydrodynamic) generated by the water  300  moving thereby or thereabout. Such hydrodynamic force may be created by the vessel  200  moving through the water  300  or a water current acting on the vessel  200  and/or depth-attaining device  400 ,  450 . In order to accomplish such a controlled release, the depth-attaining mechanism  400 ,  450  may have a dispersion mechanism  900  associated therewith and operably engaged with the chamber  410  holding the chum substance  420 . The dispersion mechanism  900  may be configured, for example, to be responsive only to the hydrodynamic force thereabout to release the chum substance  420  only when the vessel  200 /depth-attaining mechanism  400 ,  450  is moving through the water  300  or otherwise has a water current flowing thereby  
         [0035]     For instance, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the dispersion mechanism  900  may comprise a flexible diaphragm  910  having at least one perforation  920 , the at least one perforation  920  being sealed or substantially sealed at ambient pressure or above, either mechanically or due to the material characteristics of the diaphragm  910  itself. That is, once the chamber  410  is filled at ambient atmospheric pressure, the diaphragm  910  will not allow the chum substance  420  to pass from the chamber  410  through the at least one perforation  920 . When lowered under the water surface  350 , the positive underwater pressure will likewise not allow the chum substance  420  to pass from the chamber  410 . However, the depth-attaining mechanism  400 ,  450  is further configured such that a pressure differential about the depth-attaining mechanism  400 ,  450  and/or the dispersion mechanism  900 , caused by hydrodynamic force as the depth-attaining mechanism  400 ,  450  is moved through the water  300  by the vessel  200  (i.e. by trolling or by water current), causes deformation of the diaphragm  910  which, in turn, causes the at least one perforation  920  to dilate such that the chum substance  420  is able to pass through (or, in some instances, be forcibly extracted through) the at least one perforation  920 . That is, the depth-attaining mechanism  400 ,  450  maybe configured, for example, to have a pressure differential thereabout when moved through the water  300 , with one portion thereof experiencing a high hydrodynamic pressure  400   a  and another portion thereof experiencing a low hydrodynamic pressure  400   b . As such, the dispersion mechanism  900  may be disposed along the low pressure area  400   b  such that the low pressure tends to suction or forcibly withdraw or extract the chum substance  420  from the chamber  410  through the at least one perforation  920  in the diaphragm  910  and, as a result, introduce the chum substance  420  directly into the water  300 . One skilled in the art, however, will appreciate that the dispersion mechanism  900 , as described, may take many different forms such as, for example, an appropriate valve mechanism, porous material, restricted capillary, or suitable controlled-release mechanism.  
         [0036]     One skilled in the art will further appreciate that the dispersion mechanism  900  may take many different forms based upon the described pressure differential principle. For example, the depth-attaining mechanism  400 ,  450  may be additionally configured with a flexible secondary diaphragm  930  disposed about a high pressure portion  400   a  of the depth-attaining mechanism  400 ,  450 . Such a secondary diaphragm  930  may be deformed inwardly with respect to the chamber  410 , in response to being exposed to the hydrodynamic force of the moving water  300 , such that the positive pressure created within the chamber  410  causes the chum substance  420  to be expelled from the chamber through the at least one perforation  920  in the diaphragm  910 , which may not necessarily have to be disposed about a low pressure portion  400   b  of the depth-attaining mechanism  400 ,  450  (i.e. as shown in phantom in  FIG. 3 ).  
         [0037]     In another instance, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the dispersion mechanism  900  may be configured as a venturi  950  configure to have a tapering inlet  960  extending in a direction parallel to the water flow as the depth-attaining device  400 ,  450  is moved through the water  300 . The tapering inlet  960  of the venturi  950  leads to a constriction  970  and then an expanding outlet  980 . When water  300  flows through the venturi  950 , a low pressure area, suction, or vacuum is created in the expanding outlet  980  following (downstream of) the constriction  970 . As such, the venturi  950  may include a supply port  990  connecting the chamber  410  to the expanding outlet  980  for feeding the chum substance  420  into the water flow, wherein the supply port  990  may include an appropriate mechanism for limiting the release of the chum substance  420 . Such a mechanism may comprise, for example, a perforated diaphragm as previously discussed, a valve mechanism, porous material, restricted capillary, or any other suitable controlled-release mechanism for metering the release of the chum substance  420  so as to avoid or minimize required refilling of the chamber  410  with additional chum substance  420  during a trolling period. One skilled in the art will also appreciate that the venturi  950  may be operably engaged with the depth-attaining device  400  about the periphery thereof, or may be defined by the depth-attaining device  400  itself, though many other venturi-type configurations may be possible. Such controlled release of the chum substance  420  may thus provide for chumming the water  300  in depthwise relation to the hook member  600  (more particularly, the chumming is performed at a depth below the water surface  350  corresponding to the depth under the water surface  350  at which the hook member  600  is being trolled from the moving vessel  200 ) as the vessel  200  is moving, but may conserve the remaining chum substance  420  in the chamber  410  when the vessel  200  is not moving through the water  300  (i.e. wherein fishing by trolling is not being performed from the vessel  200 ).  
         [0038]     Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. For example, one skilled in the art will appreciate that a system  100  as described herein may otherwise have variations generally directed to any suitable or otherwise appropriate mechanism for controllably releasing a chum substance  420  under the water surface  350  in a metered manner using a dispersion mechanism  900  in communication with the chamber  410  containing the chum substance  420 , wherein release of the chum substance  420  occurs in response to hydrodynamic force imparted to the system  100  by the depth-attaining mechanism  400 ,  450  being trolled through the water  300  by the vessel  200  at a controlled depth below the water surface  350 .  
         [0039]     As a further example, one skilled in the art will also appreciate that a system  100  as described herein may otherwise have variations generally directed to any suitable or otherwise appropriate mechanism for controllably releasing a chum substance  420  at the water surface  350  in a metered manner using a dispersion mechanism  900  in communication with the chamber  410  containing the chum substance  420 , wherein release of the chum substance  420  occurs in response to hydrodynamic force imparted to the system  100  being trolled by the vessel  200  at the water surface  350 . That is, the system  100  may also be configured such that the container member/chamber  410  and the dispersion mechanism  900  are operably engaged with a lure device  1000 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . The lure device  1000  may include one or more hook members  600  and may, in some instances, be configured to accept or receive natural bait, whether alive or dead, in portions or as a whole. In other embodiments, the lure device  1000  may be configured without hook members  600  wherein, in such instances, the lure device  1000  functions as a teaser device (see, e.g.,  FIGS. 6A and 6B ) for luring a fish into a trolling spread such that the fish can then be directed to a separate hook member  600  attached to another lure device  1000  or to a “pitch bait” deployed from the vessel  200 . One skilled in the art will further appreciate that such a lure device  1000  may be configured to vacillate so as to, for example, emulate a swimming fish, in response to being trolled through the water  300  or having a current flow of the water  300  thereby. In such instances, the lure device  1000 , with or without the hook member(s)  600 , may be configured as a depth-attaining device, such that the lure device  1000  runs under the water surface  350  while being trolled by the vessel  200 . Alternatively, the lure device  1000 , with or without the hook member(s)  600 , may be configured to stay at or about the water surface  350  while being trolled by the vessel  200 .  
         [0040]     Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.