Fishing lure

A fishing flasher device which is configured to be attached to a main fishing line to be drawn through the water, generally by trolling behind a slowly moving water vessel. The flasher device has an on-axis mainline attachment on the forward end to produce a spinning or rotational movement about the axis of the mainline. The flasher device also has at least one off-axis mainline attachment at the forward end configured to produce an orbiting motion rather than a rotational movement of the flasher device. A trailing line is generally attached to a trailing line attachment point on the rearward end of the flasher device to which is connected lures, bait, hooks, etc. for catching fish.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure relates to the field of line fishing devices configured to visually and vibrationally attract fish to a hook.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Disclosed herein is a fishing flasher device having a substantially planar main body having opposing transverse sides. In one example the main body is substantially rotationally symmetric about a longitudinal axis; the main body having a forward end and a rearward end; an on-axis main line attachment at the forward end of the main body on the longitudinal axis; at least one off-axis main line attachment at the forward end of the main body on the longitudinal axis, laterally offset from the lateral axis; a trailing line attachment at the rearward end of the main body on the lateral axis; a fin fold line in the plane of the main body at a fin axis angle to the longitudinal axis on each lateral side of the longitudinal axis; a plurality of fins each extending from the main body along a fin fold line at a fin fold angle such that each fin is not coplanar with (extends at an angle with respect to) the main body; and at least one transverse side of the main body having a highly reflective surface thereon.

The fishing flasher device may further include a surface defining a hanging hole through the main body longitudinally rearward of the on-axis main line attachment.

The fishing flasher device may be arranged wherein the fin fold angle is between 40 and 55 degrees. In a narrower range, the fishing flasher device is arranged wherein the fin fold angle is between 40 and 45 degrees.

The fishing flasher device may be arranged wherein the fin fold angle is commensurate (proportionate) with the longitudinal length of the main body along the longitudinal axis.

The fishing flasher device in one example is formed wherein the longitudinal length of the main body is substantially 8⅝″ (21.91 cm) and the fin fold angle is substantially 44 degrees.

The fishing flasher device in another example is formed wherein the longitudinal length of the main body is substantially 7¾″ (19.69 cm) and the fin fold angle is substantially 41 degrees.

The fishing flasher device in another example is formed wherein the longitudinal length of the main body is substantially 6 5/16″ (16.03 cm) and the fin fold angle is substantially 40 degrees.

The fishing flasher device in another example is formed wherein the longitudinal length of the main body is substantially 5″ (12.70 cm) and the fin fold angle is substantially 55 degrees.

The fishing flasher device as recited in claim1wherein each transverse side of the main body has a highly reflective surface thereon.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the sport, hobby, research, and commercial practice of fishing with at least one hook and line, it has been found beneficial to use visual, scent, and/or vibrational attractants to attract a fish towards the hook. Once attracted towards the hook, the fish is more likely to bite the hook. The hook and fish may then be retrieved for food, research, or sport. It is know that some fish species are more attracted to visual or vibrational attractants, while other species are more attracted to scent attractants. The present disclosure is of particular significance when used as a visual and/or vibrational attractant while fishing, and the present disclosure will be described herein in the context of attracting fish for food, research, and/or sport.

Visual/vibrational attractants used while fishing are often called “flashers” due to the visual nature they present when pulled through the water as they reflect sunlight during rotation, oscillation, or orbit. One such fishing flasher device20is shown in the drawings. Pulling of such fishing gear through the water is generally done at slow speeds from a water vessel (boat) (not shown) and is called “trolling.”

In the art of line fishing, as shown inFIG. 1a mainline22is often affixed at one end to a rod and reel (not shown) and at another end to the flasher device20. As the vessel moves during trolling, the main line22is under tension such that forward movement of the vessel through the water pulls the flasher device through the water. As is conventional, the reel also allows for the mainline length from the reel to the hook24to be adjusted and allows relatively easy retrieval of a hook24, lure26, fish, etc. In particular, the distal end28of the mainline22is attached to gear30generally including varying combinations of rigid eyes32, swivels34, snap swivels36, and weights (not shown), in addition to the flasher20, lure26, and hook24. The gear30may also include accessories such as scent holders, sonic attractants, and the like.

The example flasher20is designed to operate in first and second flasher modes when pulled through the water during trolling, In the first flasher mode, the flasher20rotates about its longitudinal axis where the longiduinal axis is substantially aligned with a main pull axis A generally defined by a force vector on the portion of the mainline22just ahead of the flasher20. In the second flasher mode, the flasher20rotates about its longitudinal axis and the longiduinal axis orbits or revolves about the main pull axis A generally defined by the direction of travel of the vessel towing the mainline22. The example flasher20is sized, constructed, and dimensioned such that the attachment point at which the mainline22is connected to the flasher20determines whether the flasher20operates in the first flasher mode or the second flasher mode.

The example flasher device20shown inFIG. 1and inFIG. 2comprises a main body42with various attachment points and one or more fins extending therefrom. The fishing flasher device20of this example is attached to the main line22at the snap swivel36. In this example, the snap swivel36is attached to a first, on-axis attachment38provided on the longitudinal axis40of the main body42at a forward end44. The first, on-axis attachment38may be a surface defining a void through the main body.

A trailing line46is attached to at least one trailing line attachment48. The trailing line attachment48may be on the longitudinal axis40or may be offset therefrom or a combination thereof. This trailing line attachment48may be a surface defining a void through the main body. The trailing line46may be attached at either end by way of a knot or other methods to a snap swivel50which may include an eye52and a swivel54. The trailing line46of this example extends rearward to the lure26generally having one or more hooks24thereon. As shown, the trailing line46may be attached by way of a knot to an eye56. Another swivel and/or snap swivel may be utilized at this attachment to reduce twisting of the line and to ease in attachment and removal. Generally, the mainline22will be a very strong line relative to the size of the fish intended to be caught, whereas the trailing line46may have less tensile strength than the mainline. In this way, when the hook24catches upon a log, or other fixed structure, the trailing line46will break before the mainline22, thus allowing salvage of mainline22, the flasher20, and other accessories attached forward of the break. The trailing line46may be of a substantially large and stiff material (line) so as to more appropriately transfer movement from the flasher20to the lure26without tangling. The lure26as shown is an artificial lure however, bait type lures may also be utilized and combinations of artificial lures and bait may be used with or without scent attractants.

The example flasher20as shown comprises a plurality of fins including a first fin58and a second fin60extending laterally and longitudinally from the axis40. These fins58and60may be a homogenous unitary structure to, or integrally formed with the main body42. The fins58and60may alternatively be separately formed and attached to the main body42. The main body42and fins58and60may be made of one or more materials such as polymers, metals etc. The example first and second fins58and60may be formed by heating the a blank along a first fin fold line62aand a second fin fold line62b, respectively, and then bending the heated blank at first and second fin fold lines62aand62bsuch that the fins58and60extend at first and second fin fold angles66aand66bas shown inFIG. 4. The example flasher20is constructed such that the first and second fin fold lines62aand62bextend at a first and second fin axis angles64aand64bfrom the longitudinal axis40as shown inFIG. 4. In the example flasher20, the fin axis angles64aand64bare substantially the same and the fin fold angles66aand66bare substantially the same.

Looking toFIG. 7, it can be seen that the fins58and60are folded or bent along the fin fold line62at the fin fold angles66aand66b, respectively. As the fins58and60are thus folded, hydrodynamic forces acting upon these fins58and60will cause rotation of the main body42around the longitudinal axis40when attached in the manner shown inFIGS. 1-3.

In the example shown, the main body42has alternate or opposing transverse sides68and70. Rotation of the main body42and fins58and60will cause one transverse side and then the other to be facing fish in the vicinity and angled to the sun. This arrangement causes a flashing action when the transverse side of the main body42is at the proper angle between the fish and the sun. In some examples, micro cube corner type reflectors may be utilized to enhance this reflective quality. In some examples, both transverse sides68and70may be covered fully or partially with a reflective surface. These reflective surfaces may be formed by a polished surface of the main body and/or fins or may be painted onto the main body and/or fins. In some examples an adhesive backed layer having the reflective surface may be applied to the main body and/or fins.

Rotation of the main body42may also impart a vibration in the water. Each of the flashing visual cue and the vibration sensory cue may attract fish toward the flasher device20. Once the fish is relatively close to the flasher device20it is intended that the fish see the lure26as a possible food source, thus biting the lure26and becoming impaled upon the hook24. The entire assembly (with the fish attached) may then be retrieved by way of the rod and reel previously described.

FIG. 3shows the flasher20in the first flasher mode in which the main body42rotates about the longitudinal axis40from a first position72to a second position74in rotational direction of travel76. This axial rotation continues in this example in a counter-clockwise direction as long as the apparatus is pulled through the water. The fins may be reversed along the fin fold line to impart a clockwise rotation.

Looking toFIG. 8it is shown that the main line22is attached to the main body42at a second, off-axis main line attachment78to allow the flasher20to operate in the second flasher mode during trolling. The second, off-axis main line attachment78may be a surface defining a void (hole) through the main body. The second, off-axis main line attachment78is formed in the main body42adjacent to the forward end44and the first, on-axis main line attachment38. However, while the first, on-axis main line attachment38is formed on the longitudinal axis40, the second, off-axis main line attachment78is spaced from the longitudinal axis40and may be slightly to the rear of the first off-axis main line attachment38.

In use in the second flasher mode, attachment of the main line22to the off-axis attachment78instead of to the on-axis attachment38will generally interfere with rotation of the flasher device20from that shown inFIG. 3as the longitudinal axis40does not pass through the off-axis attachment78. As can be appreciated by looking toFIGS. 8 and 9, when arranged in this configuration, the flasher20will not only rotate around the longitudinal axis40of the flasher20but also orbits around an orbit centerline82aligned with the main pull axis A. When a downrigger assembly is used, this orbit centerline82may extend longitudinally rearward of a downrigger release such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,698,933.

As can be appreciated by looking toFIGS. 8 and 9, the lure26attached to a flasher20in this configuration will also orbit about the orbit centerline82at an offset84therefrom in a generally circular pattern. In practice, many hydrodynamic variables interact with the flasher20and lure26and it has been found that in the configuration associated with the second flasher mode some rotation of the flasher20about the longitudinal centerline40may occur in combination with orbiting about the orbit centerline82along direction of orbit86. Likewise, the lure26in many examples rotates about the eye56due to hydrodynamic forces upon the surfaces of the lure26.

Fish are generally believed to be less likely to strike a target acting in a predictable manner. The hydrodynamic actions and forces acting on the example flasher20result in orbital and longitudinal somewhat random motion of the lure26which is more likely to appear non-mechanical and unpredictable and thus are more likely to cause a fish to bite or “strike” the lure26than the predictable or mechanical action provided by most lures26and rotating flashers20. As with most predators, many fish are more likely to attack a sick or wounded target because the example flasher20causes the lure26to at least appear to move in a non-predictable or apparently random manner that more closely resembles a sick or wounded target desired by many fish.

In addition, the (convex) leading edges88and90as well as (convex) trailing edge (edges)92,94are relatively large smooth curves relative to the longitudinal length and lateral width of the main body42. It is generally believed that the smooth and even surfaces defined by the leading edges88and90and trailing edge or edges92and94, at trolling speeds generally between 2-12 knots, do not cause air pockets or cavitation resulting in a relatively predictable motion. These sharper curves may contribute to more random action of the flasher20but, as they are smaller surfaces, the random action will be less pronounced than they would be on larger surfaces so curved or angled.

In addition, these curves combine to form the shape of a flasher20which is generally fish-like. In this example. where the eye of a fish will generally be is shown a surface defining a void80forming a hanging hole through the main body42. The hanging hole80as located further allow the carrying (stacking) of multiple flashers20even of varying sizes very easily such as by passing a carabiner, rope, wire, or other apparatus through the hanging holes80of a plurality of flashers20simultaneously hanging or carrying the combination of flashers. The hanging hole80in one example may be a void having a diameter between ¼″ to 1″.

As can be appreciated by looking toFIG. 5, in this example the fishing flasher device20is substantially rotationally symmetric about the longitudinal axis. As the upper half of the apparatus is geometrically rotated about the longitudinal axis40, the upper half is substantially identical to the lower half. Several aspects which may make the apparatus not fully rotationally symmetric include: the transverse sides68and70if they are not identical, such as having different reflective surfaces, the off-axis main line attachment78, and an off-axis hanging hole80.

In one example, the surfaces defining main line attachment38, trailing line attachment48, and off-axis main line attachment78, each form surfaces defining voids having a diameter of 1/32″ to ¼″, and in a narrower range from 1/16″ to ⅛″.

The size of the fins, the angle of the fin fold angle, the lateral distance between the fin fold line and the longitudinal axis, trolling speed, as well as the fin axis angle; all play a part in the rotational/orbital speed of the fishing flasher device. In one example, the fishing flasher device is arranged wherein the fin fold angle is between 40 and 55 degrees. In a narrower range, the fishing flasher device is arranged wherein the fin fold angle is between 40 and 45 degrees.

To maximize rotational speed of the fishing flasher device, the example fishing flasher device may be arranged wherein the fin fold angles66aand66bare equal and may be selected based on or to complement the longitudinal length of the main body along the longitudinal axis. The following table sets forth certain examples of the fin fold angles66aand66bfor several example main body lengths for one particular example shape of a fishing flasher device of the present invention:

Looking toFIG. 10is shown a plurality of flasher devices20of varying sizes attached via voids80by way of a carry device96. In this configuration, the carry device96is a ring shaped apparatus having a gate98which rotates about a pivot100forming an open region102. Such carrying devices are commonly known in the forms of carabiners, key rings, etc. Another example of a carry device96which would function in a similar manner is a length of rope, string, line, cable, etc. which can be tied or otherwise coupled to form and close the open region. Once the open region is formed, the flasher devices20may be attached by passing one end of the carry device96sequentially through the surfaces defining voids80. In the example shown inFIG. 10, a large, first flasher device20ahaving a surface defining a void80ais attached to the carry device96. Next a large, second flasher device20bhaving a surface defining a void80bis attached to the carry device96. Next a smaller, third flasher device20chaving a surface defining a void80cis attached to the carry device96. Lastly a smallest, fourth flasher device20dhaving a surface defining a void80dis attached to the carry device96. When the last flasher device20is attached to the carry device96, the open region102is closed by fastening, tying, or a spring loaded gate98so as to secure the flasher devices20thereto.

While the present invention is illustrated by description of several embodiments and while the illustrative embodiments are described in detail, it is not the intention of the applicants to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications within the scope of the appended claims will readily appear to those sufficed in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicants' general concept.