Fishing leader holder and method

A fishing leader holder which allows fishermen and fisherwomen to carry leaders of various lengths without the threat of the leaders becoming bent or being caught on other objects. The fishing leader holder (1) is comprised of a holder (1) and two ends (2) and (3) that receive fishing hooks (8). The holder (1), preferably made of PVC pipe, is hollow, cylindrically-shaped and has cut out windows (5) for the acceptance of leaders (9). The holder (1) has a first frayed end (2) and a second corked end (3). Optional holes (6), which also hold fishing hooks (8), may be included on the holder (1), as well as an optional cap (10) which would prevent the hooks (8) from falling out of the slots (4) on the frayed end (2). Because the leaders (9) are stored within the device rather than outside the device, the user need not be concerned with the leaders (9) becoming caught on external objects. Additionally, because the leaders (9) are not wrapped around an object, the user need not be concerned with the leaders (9) becoming bent.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to fishing leader holders, more specifically, a fishing leader holder that allows a user to carry leaders of various lengths without the threat of the leaders becoming bent or being caught on other objects.

Fishing has been a long-time favorite outdoor activity for many. The calming water, the peace and quiet and simplistic nature of the sport entice all people, from young and old to novice and professionals, to get outside and go fishing. As in most sports, having the proper equipment is a key factor in obtaining the desired results.

In the sport of fishing, equipment at its most basic form includes a fishing pole, fishing line, a hook and bait. However, to achieve better results, fishing leaders are commonly used to separate the fishing line from the hook and bait to enable precise and gentle fly set-up on the water when casting.

However, one leader may not be adequate for all types of fishing conditions. As such, leaders are made in differing lengths, with some as small as three inches in length to some as large as at least nine feet in length, and of differing materials, single wire or multi-wire, for example, in order to accommodate various fishing and weather conditions, fish types and individualized fishing techniques. Therefore, these various types of leaders need to be readily available to the fisherman or fisherwoman in order for him or her to adjust to the varying fishing and weather conditions.

Currently, there are several ways in which a fisherperson may carry the various sized leaders. For example, he or she may carry the leaders in a tackle box. However, this method allows for easy tangling of the leaders. In the alternative, the fisherperson may carry the various sized leaders in devices known as leader holders. However, current leader holders are deficient in that they either require the leaders to be wrapped around the holder, thus causing the leaders to bend, or are attached to a holder so the leaders are exposed to the environment, thereby allowing the leaders to be caught on other objects. Additionally, it is difficult to access the leaders from current leader holders.

Also, many fisherpeople prefer to attach the leader to the hook prior to engaging in the sport of fishing as it is difficult to tie the proper leader knot when his or her hands are wet. Thus, many times fisherpeople become injured by hooks when, trying to obtain a single leader from the tackle box or current fishing leader holders, they become hooked on the hook attached to the leader.

Thus, the need exists for a fishing leader holder exists wherein the leaders do not become entangled, are held internally within a device and are easily and safely accessible to the fisherperson.

The relevant prior art includes the following patents:

Although the above patents teach various types of fishing leader holders, none teach a cylindrically-shaped fishing leader holder having both a corked end and a fringed end wherein windows are cut into the holder for the acceptance of the leader so the leader is stored within the holder, thereby protecting the leader and enabling a user to retrieve a leader without opening the device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a fishing leader holder that can hold fishing leaders of various lengths and widths.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a fishing leader holder that prevents the leaders from becoming bent.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a fishing leader holder that allows a user to obtain a threaded leader safely.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a fishing leader holder that protects the leaders by keeping the leaders within the holder.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a fishing leader holder that accommodates various sized hooks.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a fishing leader holder that is easy to use and easy to carry.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a fishing leader holder that is lightweight.

The present invention fulfills the above and other objects by providing a fishing leader holder comprised of a holder having two ends that receive fishing hooks. The holder, preferably made of PVC pipe, is cylindrically-shaped, has cut out windows and is hollow. The holder has two ends, a first frayed end and a second corked end. Optional holes may be included on the holder, as well as an optional cap, preferably made of a plastic material so as to resist corrosion. In addition, the holder may be attached to a boat by using a clip and/or line.

There are various methods in which to use the present invention. A first use is whereby the user hangs the hook, which has a leader attached thereto, on the frayed end of the holder. First, the user feeds the leader through a cut out window on the holder. Once the leader is located within the holder, the user places the hook into one of the slots on the frayed end of the holder and hangs the hook therefrom. The user may then place the removable cap on the frayed end so as to keep the hooks and leaders from falling out. To access the hook and leader, the user simply removes the cap and lifts the hook off the frayed end.

A second use is whereby the user inserts the hook and attached leader into the corked end of the holder. The user inserts the leader into a cut out window in the holder. Then, the user simply presses the hook into the cork so it will not become dislodged. To access the hook and leader, the user simply pulls the hook from the cork.

A third use is whereby the user inserts the hook and attached leader into one of the holes cut into the holder. The user first inserts the leader into the holder by feeding it through a cut out window. After the leader is inserted, the user hooks the hook onto a cut out hole on the holder. To access the leader, the user simply removes the hook from the hole.

Although the present invention is described and shown as a holder having a frayed end and a corked end, the invention could also include having a holder that has two frayed ends or two corked ends. In addition, a user may find it easier to first secure the hook onto the holder and then feed the leader through the cut out window, rather than feeding the leader and then securing the hook, as described above. Additionally, although leaders attached to hooks are described, the present invention is also capable of holding leaders attached to clips wherein the clips are securable onto the holder.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of describing the preferred embodiment, the terminology used in reference to the numbered components in the drawings is as follows:

With reference toFIG. 1, a side view of the present invention is shown. The fishing leader holder has a holder1, preferably made of PVC pipe, that is hollow and has two ends which can readily accommodate fishing hooks. The holder1has a first frayed end2with slots4and a second corked end3. Windows5and holes6are cut out of the holder1. The slots4have a first open end and are rectangular shaped, the windows5are trapezoid-shaped, the holes6are round, and their respective pluralities are all formed on the circumference of the holder. The windows5located below the holes are aligned with each other within a common horizontal plane and the windows5located near the corked end3are aligned with each other within a different common horizontal plane. The holes6are aligned with each other in a separate common horizontal plane.

InFIG. 2, a side view of the frayed end2of the present invention in use is shown. The slots4on the frayed end2are capable of holding fishing hooks8on the holder1. Leaders9, which are attached to the fishing hooks8, are then fed into the holder1via the cut out windows5. Additionally, the fishing hooks8can be secured to the holder1by using the cut out holes6on the holder1wherein the leaders9are also fed into the holder1via the cut out windows5. Because the leaders9are now located within the holder1and are thus not exposed to the external environment, they are not susceptible to becoming soiled, bent or becoming caught on other objects.

InFIG. 3, a side view of the embodiment ofFIG. 2is shown with a cap10. The optional cap10may be placed upon the frayed end2of the holder1so as to prevent the hooks8from falling out of the slots4.

With reference toFIG. 4, a side view of the corked end3of the holder1is shown. Fishing hooks8are pressed into the cork7so as to hold the fishing hooks8securely in place.

Finally,FIG. 5shows a top view of the corked end3of the present invention. The round piece of cork7is surrounded by the holder1so as to keep the cork7secure by frictional engagement with an inner surface of the holder1and an end of the piece of cork7being flush with the corked end3of the holder. The other end of the piece of cork7located between parallel sides of each window5of the plurality of windows near the corked end3.

The use of the present invention will allow fishermen and fisherwomen to carry hooked fishing leaders of various lengths and sizes easily without the threat of having the leaders becoming entangled or becoming caught on external objects.