Abstract:
The present fishing jig is potted, battery powered, water activated, and light emitting. A jig is a kind of lure that is essentially a bare hook. A jig is a hook having two ends, with a barb located at one end and with a relatively small body, such as a small plastic ball, located at the other end near the eyelet. Components of the present jig are potted in plastic such that the jig is sealed against entry of water, such that seam breakage need not be a concern, and such that the jig can be dropped without internal components being jarred from their positions. The battery of the jig is a relatively small calculator, watch, coin cell, or button battery. Water activation occurs via exposed electrical leads such that the light emitting diode is activated only when the lure is immersed in water. The fish attracting light emitting diode, like a worm, confronts the barb of the hook such that fish striking the light source also likely strike the barb of the hook. A stick-on potted strip having a water-activated light source is further disclosed.

Description:
[0001]     This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/655,263 filed Feb. 21, 2005, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety into this application. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates generally to a fishing jig, particularly to a potted fishing jig, and specifically to a water-activated fishing jig having a potted battery, a potted light source, and a potted electrical lead arrangement between the battery and light source.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     A fishing jig is essentially a single hook. What a fishing jig has, and what a bare undressed hook does not have, is a ball opposite the barbed end. The ball is engaged on the hook close to the eyelet of the hook. The eyelet is used to tie the fishing jig to a fishing line.  
         [0004]     The ball of the fishing jig may be painted to have what appears to be an eye or pair of eyes. Or the-ball of the fishing jig may be of a solid bright color. Or the ball of the fishing jig may have some other exterior graphic.  
         [0005]     In use, a worm or leech or other bait may be placed on the hook of the fishing jig. The fishing jig may then be lowered into the water, and then further lowered to the bottom of the stream or lake or other body of water, whereupon the fishing jig may be raised and lowered and then raised and lowered again and again in an attempt to attract fish. The fishing jig, not much more than a single naked hook, is slightly heavier than a single naked hook by virtue of the ball on the hook, and hence the fishing jig more readily falls by gravity to seek the bottom of the body of water where the ball more likely hits the bottom of the body of water and where the bait on the hook more likely may wiggle slightly above the bottom of the body of water.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     A feature of the present invention is the provision in a fishing jig having a plastic body, of a hook, battery, light source and electrical lead arrangement at least partially potted in the plastic body.  
         [0007]     Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a fishing jig having a plastic body with one or more components at least partially potted in the plastic body, of the hook being partially potted in the plastic body, of the battery being entirely potted in the plastic body, of the light source being entirely potted in the plastic body, and of the electrical lead arrangement being partially potted in the plastic body.  
         [0008]     Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a fishing jig having a plastic body with one or more components at least partially potted in the plastic body, of the hook being at least partially potted in the plastic body, and of the hook being a single fishing hook having no more than one hook.  
         [0009]     Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a fishing jig having a plastic body with one or more components at least partially potted in the plastic body, of the hook being at least partially potted in the plastic body, and of a light source potted in the plastic body and confronting the barb of the hook such that a fish striking at the light source likely confronts the barb of the hook.  
         [0010]     Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a fishing jig having a plastic body with one or more components at least partially potted in the plastic body, of the hook being at least partially potted in the plastic body, and of the plastic body having a ball portion and with a battery being set in the ball portion.  
         [0011]     Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a fishing jig having a plastic body with one or more components at least partially potted in the plastic body, of the hook being at least partially potted in the plastic body, and of the plastic body having a stem portion and with a light source being set in the stem portion.  
         [0012]     Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a fishing jig having a plastic body with one or more components at least partially potted in the plastic body, of the hook being at least partially potted in the plastic body, of the hook including a curved section proximate the barb and with the curved section being disposed in generally a first plane, of the battery including a face engaged to the hook, and of the face of the battery lying in a second plane parallel to and confronting the first plane such that the fishing jig takes up a minimum of space.  
         [0013]     Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a fishing implement, of a stick-on potted strip having a water-activated light source, where the stick-on potted strip includes a battery, and where the stick-on potted strip includes an adhesive covered by a release strip.  
         [0014]     Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a fishing implement, of a water-activated light source in a plastic body, with the plastic body being solid up to the surfaces of hardware or internal components in the plastic body such that the plastic body is solid from end to end, from side to side, and from front to back and such that plastic of the plastic body includes no voids.  
         [0015]     An advantage of the present invention is that it catches fish. One feature contributing to this advantage is the placement of the light source along the intermediate portion of the hook such that the light source confronts the portion of the hook having the barb, such that the light source confronts the barb of the hook and such that the light source confronts the tip of the hook, whereby a fish striking at the light source likely strikes the tip and barb of the hook. Further, a worm is placed near the tip and barb of the hook, not at the other end of the hook where the hook is tied to a fishing line via an eyelet.  
         [0016]     Another advantage of the present invention is size. The present fishing jig can be of a relatively small size. Features contributing to a minimizing of the size of the present fishing jig are, in one embodiment, the location of the battery in the ball portion of the jig and the location of the light source in the stem portion of the jig running along an intermediate portion of the hook and, in another embodiment, the location of both of the battery and light source in the ball portion.  
         [0017]     Another advantage of the present invention is length of operation. Since the present fishing jig is water-activated, the battery is in use only when the fishing jig is in use in a body of water.  
         [0018]     Another advantage of the present invention is cost. The present fishing jig is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, has a shelf life limited only by the shelf life of the potted battery and incorporates relatively inexpensive components.  
         [0019]     Another advantage of the present invention is durability. Since the components of the fishing jig are potted or at least partially potted, electrical connections remain engaged to each other even if the fishing jig is dropped on a rock and even after landing a hard fighting fish.  
         [0020]     Another advantage of the present invention is that the present fishing jig has generally the appearance and three-dimensional structure of a conventional fishing jig. That is, the present fishing jig includes a single hook, a relatively small ball or ball like portion, and an eyelet. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0021]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present fishing jig without the plastic body that pots or partially pots components of the fishing jig.  
         [0022]      FIG. 2A  is a side view of the fishing jig of  FIG. 1  with the plastic body that pots or partially pots components of the fishing jig.  
         [0023]      FIG. 2B  is a side view, opposite of the side view of  FIG. 2A , of the fishing jig of  FIG. 1  with the plastic body that pots or partially pots components of the fishing jig.  
         [0024]      FIG. 3A  is a section view at lines  3 A- 3 A of  FIG. 2B  showing the light source structure potted in the stem portion of the plastic body.  
         [0025]      FIG. 3B  is an end view of  FIG. 2A  showing the battery potted in the ball portion of the plastic body.  
         [0026]      FIG. 4A  is a top view of one half section of a mold for manufacturing the present fishing jig.  
         [0027]      FIG. 4B  is a top view of the other half section of the mold of  FIG. 4A .  
         [0028]      FIG. 5A  is a side view of the fishing jig of  FIG. 2B  having a portion resembling a tail of a fish.  
         [0029]      FIG. 5B  is a side of the fishing jig of  FIG. 2B  having a portion resembling a leech.  
         [0030]      FIG. 6A  is a side view of an alternate embodiment of the present fishing jig.  
         [0031]      FIG. 6B  is an end view of an alternate embodiment of the present fishing jig.  
         [0032]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present fishing jig without the plastic body that pots or partially pots components of the fishing jig.  
         [0033]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the fishing jig of  FIG. 7  with the plastic body that pots or partially pots components of the fishing jig and shows in phantom internal components of the fishing jig.  
         [0034]      FIG. 9  shows a circuit diagram for the fishing jig embodiment of  FIGS. 7 and 8 .  
         [0035]      FIG. 10  is a front view of an alternate embodiment of the invention where such embodiment is a stick-on potted strip that can be stuck on a fishing lure such as the spoon shown in  FIG. 10 , where the stick-on potted strip includes an internal light that is water-activated.  
         [0036]      FIG. 11A  is a top view of the stick-on potted strip of  FIG. 10 .  
         [0037]      FIG. 11B  is a side view of the stick-on potted strip of  FIG. 11A . 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION  
       [0038]     As shown in  FIGS. 2A, 2B ,  3 A, and  3 B, one embodiment of the present fishing jig is indicated by the reference numeral  10 .  FIG. 1  shows a prefabricated form  11  of the fishing jig  10 . Fishing jig  10  generally includes a hook  12 , a power source  14 , a light source structure or light emitting diode (LED)  16 , an electrical lead or circuit arrangement  18 , and a plastic body  20 .  
         [0039]     As shown in  FIG. 1 , hook  12  is a single hook. Hook  12  includes a first end portion  22 . First end portion  22  includes an eyelet  24 . A fishing line, a fishing lead line, a snap, a wire, or other device may engage eyelet  24 . Hook  12  further includes a second end portion  26 . Second end portion  26  includes a sharp tip  28  and a barb  30 . Hook  12  further includes an intermediate portion  32  disposed between the first and second end portions  22 ,  26 . Intermediate portion  32  includes a first generally linearly extending section  34 , a second generally linearly extending section  36 , and a curved hooking section  38 . The first and second generally linearly extending sections  34 ,  36  are disposed at generally a 90 degree angle relative to each other and meet at a junction  40 . Curved section  38  extends between second generally linearly extending section  36  and the second end portion  26 . Hook  12  lies generally in a single plane such that curved section  38  and first generally linearly extending section  34  lie in a common plane. A length of each of the first and second generally linearly extending sections  34 ,  36  confronts and lies flat on a first face  42  of battery  14 . Second generally linearly extending section  36  is electrically and physically engaged to the first face  42  via an adhesive connection  44 , where the adhesive of the adhesive connection  44  can include a conductive component and where the adhesive can include an epoxy. A conductive adhesive maximizes electrical conduction between battery  14  and hook  12 . The potting of first and second generally linearly extending sections  34 ,  36 , or a portion thereof, against the flat face  42  of battery  14  further maximizes an engagement and conduction between battery  14  and hook  12  such that conduction can occur not only at adhesive connection  44  but also along relatively great lengths of first and second generally linearly extending portions  34 ,  36 . The stripping of any rust protective coating that may be on first and second generally linearly extending sections  34 ,  36  further maximizes conduction between battery  14  and hook  12 . The rust protective coating can be stripped from merely a portion about junction  40 , or can be stripped from a greater portion of hook  12 . Plastic of the potting can later cover the location or locations where the rust protective coating has been stripped such that hook  12  again has a coating that minimizes the formation of rust. First end portion  22  and eyelet  24  extend beyond a periphery of battery  14  and further lie beyond an exterior surface of a ball portion  46  of plastic body  20 . Hook  12  is formed of a material that is relatively hard and rigid, can be sharpened, and is conductive. Hook  12  is preferably a metal hook. Of metals, steel is preferred.  
         [0040]     Power source  14  is preferably a battery. Battery  14  is a generally in the shape of a disk. Battery  14  includes the first face  42 , an annular face  50 , and a second face  48  raised from the annular face  50 . First face  42  is a first terminal. Second face  48  is a second terminal. Battery  14  includes a periphery or rim  52 .  
         [0041]     Battery  14  can be a watch, coin cell, or button battery. Battery  14  can consist of a single cell containing electrodes and an electrolyte that together convert chemical energy into electrical energy. Battery  14  can include a silver oxide, alkaline manganese or lithium cell such as a lithium manganese (LiMn) cell. Battery  14  is preferably a kind of battery that is substantially free of mercury, and is more preferably a kind of battery that is free of even trace amounts of mercury. All components of the present fishing jig are preferably substantially free of mercury and, more preferably, are free of even trace amounts of mercury.  
         [0042]     Battery  14  generates between about 0.5 volts and about 5.0 volts, more preferably between about 1.5 volts and about 3.0 volts. Battery  14  weighs between about 0.05 grams and about 5.0 grams, more preferably between about 0.05 grams and about 1.5 grams. Electrical lead arrangement  18  can include an integrated circuit, such as an integrated circuit of a circuit board, such as circuit board  124  shown in  FIG. 7 . The integrated circuit can control whether the light source of light source structure  16  stays on continuously when fishing jig  10  is immersed in water (is steady), whether the light source of the light source structure  16  blinks, the rate of blinking of the light source such as the period between blinks and the time period of the blink itself (i.e., the amount of time that the light source stays on to generate light), any regular or irregular pattern of such blinking, the relative dimness of the light, and the relative brightness of the light. It should be noted that, with a blinking light of the present light source structure  16 , the light source may emit light for 1/20 of a period and not emit light (be turned off) for the remaining 19/20 of the period.  
         [0043]     Second face or terminal  48  of battery  14  is electrically connected to the light source structure or LED  16 . Light source structure  16  preferably includes, as a light source, a light emitting diode. Light emitting diodes may emit visible light or ultraviolet light. Ultraviolet light is invisible to the human eye. Ultraviolet light may be seen or somehow sensed by fish, and fish may be attracted to an ultraviolet light source. The color of the light of the light source may be any color, including blue, red, green, yellow, or white. The light emitted by the light source may be incandescent or ultraviolet (UV) light or light at bandwidths close to such.  
         [0044]     Light source structure  16  includes a first electrical lead  54  having a distal end portion  56 . Distal end portion  56  is electrically and physically engaged to the second face or terminal  48  of battery  14  via an adhesive connection  58 , where the adhesive of the adhesive connection  58  can include a conductive component and where the adhesive can include an epoxy. Distal end portion  56  is electrically conductive where distal end portion  56  confronts face  48 , not merely at connection  58 , and distal end portion  56  is held in such confronting and electrically conducting relationship via being potted in the plastic body  20  with the battery  14 .  
         [0045]     Light source structure  16  includes a second electrical lead  60 . Second electrical lead  60  includes a conductive lead portion  62  and an electrically insulative portion or jacket  64 . At a distal end portion  66  of second electrical lead  60 , conductive lead portion  62  is exposed relative to jacket  64  and relative to the plastic body  20  such that the distal end portion  66  of conductive lead portion  62  is exposed to the outside environment, where the outside environment can include the atmosphere or a body of water. Jacket  64  isolates the conductive lead portion  62  from the first face or terminal  42  of battery  14  and from the metal hook  12 , which is also an electrical lead. Jacket  64  can terminate exactly at the outer surface of plastic body  20 , slightly within the outer surface of the plastic body  20 , or slightly beyond the outer surface of the plastic body  20 . The length of the exposed portion  66  of conductive lead  62  is preferably sufficiently great such that the exposed portion  66  of conductive lead  62  can be bent to touch eyelet  24 , and then be bent away from eyelet  24 . Electrical lead  60  exits plastic body  20  preferably sufficiently close to hook end portion  22  such that the length of the exposed portion  66  of conductive lead  62  is minimized, such that exposed portion  66  of conductive lead  62  can be manipulated by the human eye and the human finger or finger nail, such that water can complete a circuit between hook end portion  22  and the exposed portion  66  of conductive lead  62 , and such that air cannot complete a circuit between hook end portion  22  and the exposed portion  66  of conductive lead  62 . Hook  12  including adhesive or conductive connection  44 , electrical lead  60 , and electrical lead  54  including adhesive or conductive connection  58 , can be referred to as a lead arrangement or an electrical lead arrangement.  
         [0046]     Light source structure  16  is positioned proximate the tip  28  and barb  30  of hook  12 . Light source structure  16  is positioned to confront the intermediate portion  32  of hook  12 . Light source structure is positioned to further confront the second end portion  26  of the hook  12 . Light source structure is positioned to further confront the tip  28  and barb  30  of hook  12 . Light source structure  16  is positioned generally between battery  14  and the tip  28  and barb  30 . In such a position, light source structure  16  is adjacent the tip  28  and barb  30  so as to maximize chances that the tip  28  and barb  30  catch a fish attracted to the light source of light source structure  16 .  
         [0047]     Light source structure  16  can be potted inside or outside of plastic sphere or ball portion  46 . Light source structure  16  can be potted in a stem portion  68  of plastic body  20 .  
         [0048]     Plastic body  20  includes the ball portion  46  and the stem portion  68 . Ball portion  46  and stem portion  68  are one-piece and integral with each other. Ball portion  46  and stem portion  68 , and the plastic body  20  as a whole, are formed at the same time from the same plastic or resin. Ball portion  46  is preferably spherical or generally spherical. Stem portion  68  includes a cylindrical section  72  engaging ball portion  46  and a frustoconical or tapering section  74  leading away from the ball portion  46  and cylindrical section  72  and leading toward the second end  26  of hook  12  along hook  12 .  
         [0049]     Power source  14  is entirely contained or potted within ball portion  46 . A housing  70  (from which light is emitted) of light source structure  16  is entirely contained or potted within stem portion  68 . Electrical lead  54  and adhesive connection  58  are entirely contained or potted within plastic body  20 , with a portion of electrical lead  54  potted within stem portion  68  and a portion of electrical lead  54  potted within ball portion  46 . Electrical lead  60 , except for generally exposed portion  66 , is entirely contained or potted within plastic body  20 , with a portion of electrical lead  60  potted within stem portion  68  and a portion of electrical lead  60  potted within ball portion  46 . Hook  12  is partially contained or potted within plastic body  20 , with stem portion  68  containing or potting a length of the second generally linearly extending section  36  of hook  12 , with ball portion  46  containing or potting a length of the second generally linearly extending section  36  of hook  12  including adhesive connection  44 , and with ball portion  46  containing or potting a length of the first generally linearly extending section  34  of hook  12 .  
         [0050]     Plastic body  20  is preferably clear (transparent) or relatively clear. Plastic body  20  may be translucent. Plastic body  20  is preferably not opaque.  
         [0051]     It should be noted that electrical lead or circuit arrangement  18  can include hook  12 , battery  14 , LED  16 , electrical leads  54 ,  60 ,  62  and other electrical leads, connection  44 , connection  58 , eyelet  24 , exposed portion  66 , and other electronic components, and can further include transistors, resistors, capacitors and integrated circuits.  
         [0052]     In operation, fishing jig  10  is engaged to a fishing line via eyelet  24 . Fishing jig  10  is then immersed in a body of water. Upon immersion, an electrical circuit is completed between exposed portion  66  and hook end portion  22 . Electrical flow can thereupon occur from hook end portion  22 , to exposed portion  22 , through electrical lead  60 , to light source structure  16 , to electrical lead  54 , to the second face  48  of battery  14 , to the first face  42  of battery  14 , and back to hook  12  and hook end portion  22 . Depending upon the circuitry in the light source structure  16  and/or battery  14  and/or contained or potted within plastic body  20 , the light source of the light source structure  16  emits light to attract fish, which then strike the fishing jig  10  at the light in the proximate area of the tip  28  and barb  30  of the hook  12 . Upon withdrawal of the fishing jig  10  from the body of water, water falls away from the area between exposed portion  66  and hook end portion  22 , whereupon the electrical circuit is broken and the light source structure  16  ceases operation, thereby automatically preserving power of the power source  14 .  
         [0053]     A half section  76  of a potting mold is shown in  FIG. 4A  and the mating half section  78  of the potting mold is shown in  FIG. 4B . A face  80  of mold section  76  confronts and engages a face  82  of mold section  78 . Mold section  76  includes a set of nubs  84  that uniquely engage a set of depressions  86  of mold section  78 . Each of the mold sections  76 ,  78  includes a set of cavities  88 . Each of the cavities  88  includes a cavity portion  90  for forming about one-half of ball portion  46 . Each of the cavities  88  includes a cavity portion  92  for forming about one-half of stem portion  68 . Each of the cavities  88  of mold section  76  oppose a respective cavity  88  of mold section  78  when the mold section  76 ,  78  engage each other via the nubs  84  and depressions  86 . Each of the cavities  88  can include an eyelet cavity  94 . Mold sections  76 ,  78  can be formed of silicon or steel.  
         [0054]     To make potted fishing jig  10 , light source structure  16  is physically and electrically engaged to the second face  48  of battery  14  with the adhesive connection  58 . Structure  16  is selected such that electrical lead  54  is preferably relatively rigid so that light source structure  16  maintains a relatively stationary and stable position relative to battery  14  after being engaged via the adhesive connection  58 . Hook  12  is then physically and electrically engaged to the first face  42  of battery  14  via adhesive connection  44 . Hook  12 , preferably formed of a relatively rigid, though bendable or flexible metal such as steel, thus maintains a relatively stationary and stable position relative to the battery  14 . Such a prefabricated state or form  11 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , is laid into one cavity  88  of mold half section  76  (or mold half section  78 ), with the eyelet  24  engaging eyelet cavity  94  and with second end portion  26  of hook  12  laying on face  80  (or face  82 ). Then second electrical lead  60  is laid on top of first face  42  and oriented such exposed portion  66  is adjacent eyelet  24 . (If a cavity  88  is being used where the first face  42  is disposed on top of second electrical lead  60 , then exposed portion  66  may be stuck into eyelet  24  or stuck into a receptor in the mold half section to keep the second electrical lead  60  away from a surface of cavity  88  and to maximize chances that electrical lead  60 , except for portion  66 , is entirely contained within plastic body  20 .) Then, with the prefabricated structure  11  generally suspended in cavity  88 , the mold sections  76  and  78  are engaged. Then molten plastic is poured into an inlet  96 , through main channel  98 , into manifold or distributor  100 , through second channels  102 , into cavities  88  where the molten plastic flows over and around the prefabricated structure shown in  FIG. 1 . Excess molten plastic or fluid or gaseous emissions can flow out of the mold via third channels  104 . Then, after the molten plastic has cooled, the mold sections  76 ,  78  are removed from each other, and a set of four fishing jigs  10  can be removed with a minimum of trimming or buffing.  
         [0055]     The plastic of the plastic body  20  preferably includes a thermoset plastic or a thermoplastic. Of these, a thermoset plastic is preferred. The present fishing jig  10 , in its finished form, includes plastic sections of various thickness, and thermoset plastics are preferred when working with plastic sections of various thicknesses as found in fishing jig  10 .  
         [0056]     The plastic of the plastic body  20  can include a polyurethane or epoxy based polyurethane.  
         [0057]      FIG. 5A  shows fishing jig  10  engaging a flexible plastic bait piece  106  resembling a tail of a fish.  FIG. 5B  shows fishing jig  10  engaging a flexible plastic bait piece  108  resembling a leech. Each of the pieces  106 ,  108  can circumferentially engage stem portion  68  via a tubular resilient portion  110 . Tip  28  can be inserted into tubular portion  110 , poked (pierced) through portion  110 , and tubular portion  110  can be stretched about stem portion  68  to engage piece  106  (or piece  108 ) to its respective fishing jig  10 .  
         [0058]     It should be noted that the fishing jig  10  (or the stick-on potted strip  216 ), particularly the exterior surface of the plastic body  20  or a portion of the exterior surface of the plastic body  20 , can be painted with luminescent paint  112  (shown in  FIG. 5A ) and/or with fluorescent paint  114  (shown in  FIG. 5B ) or with some other kind of light reflective or emitting paint. Luminescent paint includes paint that emits light after being exposed to incandescent light. Fluorescent paint includes paint that emits light after being exposed to ultraviolet light. Such paint, whether luminescent or fluorescent, can be of different colors. The ball portion  46  can be painted, leaving the stem portion  68  unpainted.  
         [0059]     It should be noted that the light source structure  16  can be entirely contained in ball portion  46  such that stem portion  68  can be eliminated from fishing jig  10 . For example, housing  70  can be disposed to abut or almost abut the rim of battery  14 , as shown by fishing jig  116  in  FIG. 6A . Or housing  70  can be disposed in one spherical half portion of ball portion  46  and the battery  14  can be disposed in the other spherical half portion of ball portion  46 , as shown by fishing jig  118  in  FIG. 6B . Or a ball portion  46  can contain two light source structures  16 , one in each spherical half portion with the battery  14  intermediate the light source structures  16 , as shown by fishing jig  118  in  FIG. 6B . The plastic of the ball portion  46  of fishing jigs  116 ,  118  can disperse or magnify the light from the light source structure  16  thereby turning a light source such as an LED from a relatively small almost dimensionless light into a light having the appearance of three dimensions, having the appearance of greater volume, and even having the appearance of being brighter. Transparent (clear or substantially clear) plastic or translucent plastic can be used for the ball portion  46  of fishing jigs  116 ,  118 .  
         [0060]     Ball portion  46  is preferably formed in the shape of a sphere or in the shape of a general sphere. Ball portion  46  can be formed in a shape that is not the shape of a ball. For example, portion  46  can be formed in the shape of a cube or parallelepiped (box-like) structure. Or portion  46  can be shaped in an irregular shape. Or portion  46  can be conical or frustoconical. Or portion  46  can be a generally flat and relatively thin structure.  
         [0061]     It should be noted that with a watch, coin cell or button battery, the life of such battery may be a year or two (such as when the battery is in a watch and is continuously supplying power). With the present fishing jig  10 , the fishing jig  10  is not continuously immersed in water, is not continuously on and hence is not continuously draining battery  14  of power. The life of fishing jig  10  is thus generally the same as the life of a given unused battery minus the time the particular fishing jig  10  is immersed in a body of water.  
         [0062]     It should be noted that with the potting of the fishing jig  10 , components of the fishing jig  10 , including battery  14 , are sealed therein. Potential for leakage, such as chemicals from battery  14 , is thereby minimized. Fluid leakage out of the plastic body  20  is minimized. Fluid flow or seepage into the plastic body  20  is minimized.  
         [0063]     As between first generally linearly extending section  34  and second generally linearly extending section  36 , some angle, such as an acute, right, obtuse, or oblique angle is preferred so as to minimize any spinning of battery  14  relative to hook  12 , in the prefabricated form  11  or in the final structure  10 . Such angle somewhat cradles or provides a platform for battery  14 . However, a generally 90 degree angle is more preferred between sections  34  and  36 .  
         [0064]     It should be noted that eyelet  24  be set in generally a common plane with barb  30  and with the curved section  38  of the hook  12 , or can be perpendicular or oblique to a plane in which the barb  30  and curved section  38  of the hook  12  lie. It is preferred that eyelet  24  be set in generally a common plane with barb  30  and with the curved section  38  of the hook  12 .  
         [0065]      FIGS. 7 and 8  show an alternate embodiment of the fishing jig  10  shown, for example, in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . In  FIGS. 7 and 8 , a fishing jig  120  includes battery  14 , LED  16 , and plastic body  20 . Fishing jig  120  further includes an electrical lead arrangement  122 , a circuit board  124 , a transistor  126 , and a hook  128 .  
         [0066]     As shown best in  FIG. 7 , electrical lead arrangement  122  includes an electrical lead  130  having an exposed end portion or moisture contact  132 . Electrical lead  130  includes a second end portion  134  electrically and physically engaged (such as via a soldering cement) to one or more of the circuit board  124  and battery face or terminal  42 . The main body of electrical lead  130  can be electrically isolated from face or terminal  42  of battery  14  via an electrically insulative jacket.  
         [0067]     Electrical lead arrangement  122  further includes an electrical lead  136  having a first end portion  138  and a second end portion  140 . First end portion  138  is electrically and physically engaged (such as via a soldering cement) to one of more of circuit board  124  and battery face or terminal  42 . Second end portion  140  is electrically and physically engaged (such as via a soldering cement) to light source structure or LED  16 . The main body of electrical lead  136  can be electrically isolated from face or terminal  42  of battery  14  via an electrically insulative jacket.  
         [0068]     Electrical lead arrangement  122  further includes an electrical lead  142  having a first end portion  144  and a second end portion  146 . First end portion  144  is electrically and physically engaged (such as via a soldering cement) to light source structure or LED  16 . Second end portion  146  is electrically and adhesively engaged to second face or terminal  48  of battery  14 .  
         [0069]     Electrical lead arrangement  122  further includes an electrical lead  148  having a first end portion  150  and a second end portion or moisture contact  152 . First end portion  150  is electrically and adhesively engaged to second face or terminal  48  of battery  14 . Second end portion or moisture contact  152  is an eyelet to which a fishing line can be tied or to which a fishing peripheral such as a fishing lead line can be snapped or otherwise engaged. Electrical lead  148  may be relatively rigid and can be one-piece and integral with moisture contact or eyelet  152 . Electrical lead  148  may come under relatively great forces when a fish strikes fishing jig  120  and when a fisherman plays such fish.  
         [0070]     Circuit board  124  can be electrically and physically engaged (such as via a soldering cement) to battery face or terminal  42 . As indicated above, circuit board  124  can include an integrated circuit for controlling a number of functions, as indicated above, of the fishing jig  10  or the fishing jig  120 . These functions can include providing a steady or always on light or LED (when immersed in water), a regularly blinking light (when immersed in water), and an irregularly or randomly blinking LED (when immersed in water). Such functions or integrated circuitry can also include the capability or circuitry to use different colored light emitting diodes including ultraviolet light emitting diodes.  
         [0071]     Transistor  126  can be electrically and physically engaged (such as via a soldering cement) to circuit board  124 . Transistor  126  can be a transistor of an NPN kind or of a PNP kind, with the PNP kind of transistor being preferred. In relatively cold water, such as water under ice in a lake where the water has a depth of several feet to several hundred feet and where such water can have a temperature as low as of about 32 degrees F., transistors that are more effective as switches are preferred. One such cold water transistor is the PNP kind of transistor. Fishing water temperature may be different depending on, for example, the region of the lake or river or stream, and the time of the year. For example, in January or February in a lake in the state of Alabama, a lake temperature may be run from about 45 degrees F. to about 55 degrees F. However, in Minnesota, under ice, lake temperature can be as low as about 32 degrees F. It should be noted that some transistors, such as some NPN transistors, are ineffective as switches at relatively cold temperatures, such as at temperatures less than room temperature. Even more transistors are ineffective as switches when in environments at less than 50 degrees F. Even further transistors are ineffective as switches when in environments at less than 45 degrees F. An inoperable transistor cannot operate the light source  16  or will operate the transistor so ineffectively that the light source  16  will be extremely dim and unacceptably dim.  
         [0072]     Fish can survive, feed, and be active at temperatures as low as about 32 degrees F. Fish, a cold blooded animal, responds to the temperature of the water. For example, rainbow trout spawn in the spring when water temperatures fall in the range from about 41 degrees to about 55 degrees F.  
         [0073]     Some types of fish are more active at colder temperatures. For example, some types of fish are more active at about 40 degrees F. than at about 70 degrees F. One way to classify fish is as a warm water species or a cold water species.  
         [0074]     Cold water has the capacity to hold a relatively great amount of oxygen. Warm water has the capacity to hold a relatively small amount of oxygen. As a general rule of thumb, electrical apparatus such as transistors tend to operate more efficiently at warmer temperatures and less efficiently at colder temperatures.  
         [0075]     Transistor  126  is, by definition, a three terminal semiconductor amplifying device. Transistor  126  can be a bipolar kind of transistor or an FET kind of transistor (a field effect transistor). Among such, the bipolar kind of transistor is preferred.  
         [0076]     A bipolar kind of transistor is a kind of transistor made from a sandwich of N-kind and P-kind semiconductor material: either NPN or PNP. Among such, the PNP kind of transistor is preferred.  
         [0077]     A PNP kind of bipolar transistor includes a layer of N-doped semiconductor (the base) between two P-doped layers (the collector and emitter). The emitter, base, and collector in the PNP kind of transistor are made of materials that are different from the materials that are used in the NPN kind of transistor such that most of the current carriers in the PNP kind of transistor are holes. A PNP kind of transistor conducts electricity by virtue of electron deficiency. Most of the current carriers in the NPN kind of transistor are electrons. An NPN kind of transistor conducts electricity by virtue of free electrons.  
         [0078]     Transistor  126  is effective as a switch when immersed in water having a temperature between about 32 degrees F. and about 100 degrees F. or above. Transistor  126  is effective as a switch when immersed in water having a temperature as low as about 70 degrees F., or as low as about 60 degrees F., or as low as about 55 degrees F., or as low as about 50 degrees F., or as low as about 45 degrees F., or as low as about 40 degrees F., or as low as about 35 degrees F., or as low as about 32 degrees F. Effective means that the light source  16  turns on and further means that the light source  16  reaches and maintains a bright light (a standard level of brightness, or a maximum level of brightness, for the LED or light source that is used) even in muddy dark waters.  
         [0079]     Hook  128  can be a complete hook. That is, hook  128  can include tip  38 , barb  30 , curved section  38 , intermediate section  32 , and eyelet  152 . Intermediate section  32  can include the first generally linearly extending section  34  where such section  34  is electrical lead  148  and where such lead  148  is one-piece with eyelet  152  such that hook  128  is one-piece with lead  148  and eyelet  152 . Hook  128  further can include the second generally linearly extending section  36 . If desired, hook  128  can be of a two-piece kind, as shown in  FIG. 8 , where a first piece is fixed by the ball portion  46  of the plastic body  20  and where a second piece is fixed by the stem portion  68  of the plastic body  20 . Such first piece includes the first generally linearly extending section  34  including the eyelet  152 . Such second piece includes a length of the second generally linearly extending section  36 , hook section  38 , barb  30  and tip  28 . In  FIG. 8 , stem  68  can include a reinforcing collar  154 , formed of a metal, plastic or composite material, where collar  154  can minimize a splitting of stem  68 .  
         [0080]      FIG. 9  shows the electrical lead arrangement  122  including battery  14 , light source structure  16 , transistor  126 , moisture contacts  132 ,  152 , and electrical leads  130 ,  136 ,  142  and  148 . Electrical lead arrangement  122  further includes an electrical lead  156  between battery face or terminal  42  of battery  14  and transistor  126 .  
         [0081]     It should be noted that the internal components (or hardware) of fishing jig  120  of  FIG. 8  are shown in phantom. However, plastic body  20  of fishing jig  120  is preferably relatively clear and transparent such that the internal components can be readily seen with the naked eye through the plastic body  20 . If desired, plastic body  20  can be translucent.  
         [0082]     It should be noted that plastic to be poured into the closed mold formed by mold sections  76  and  78  can be a polyurethane thermoset, such as IE  100  Polyurethane available from Innovative Polymers, Inc. of St. Johns, Mich. It should be noted that clear plastics are preferred and that a clear plastic body  20  can be obtained with a polyurethane or polycarbonate.  
         [0083]     It should be noted that weights may be molded (potted) within plastic body  20  so as to increase the weight (mass) of the present fishing jig. Such weights may be small pieces of a relatively dense material such as a metal. The metal may be lead (Pb) or a non-toxic metal such as steel. The shape of such weights may be of any shape, such as a ball shape or cylindrical shape or rod shape. Lead weight  244  is shown in jig  118  of  FIG. 6B .  
         [0084]      FIG. 10  shows a fishing lure or spoon  200 . Spoon  200  includes a first end  202  having an eyelet  204  for attachment to a fishing line. Spoon  200  further includes a second end  206  having an eyelet  208  that engages a ring  210  that in turn engages a tripartite hook  212 . Spoon  200  further includes a surface  214  that is typically curved.  
         [0085]     As shown in  FIG. 10 , the stick-on potted strip  216  is fixed to the surface  214  of the spoon  200 . As with fishing jig  10  (or jig  116 ,  118  or  120 ), and as shown in  FIG. 11A and 11B , stick-on potted strip  216  includes the power source  14 , the light source structure or light emitting diode (LED)  16 , the electrical lead or circuit arrangement  18 , and the plastic body  20  (with the plastic body being formed in a different shape than plastic body  20  shown in  FIG. 2A ). The electrical lead or circuit arrangement  18  includes circuit board  124  and transistor  126 . The electrical lead or circuit arrangement  18  further includes electrical lead  54  running from one face of power source or battery  14  to the LED  16 . The electrical lead or circuit arrangement  18  further includes electrical lead  60  running from LED  16  to circuit board  124  having transistor  126 , to which it makes an electrical connection, and from circuit board  124  to exit the plastic body  20  at exposed portion  66 . Exposed portion  66  and an exposed portion  218  of wire  22  act as a switch, closing circuit arrangement  18  when body  20  is submersed in water. Wire  22  is physically and electrically engaged to the other face of the battery  14 .  
         [0086]     The mechanical and electrical arrangement of hardware with the potted body  20  of the stick-on potted strip  216  is entirely disposed within body  20  except for exposed portions  66  and  218 . That is, at least the following elements are within body  20 : battery  14 , LED  16 , electrical lead or circuit arrangement  18 , lead  54 , lead  60 , circuit board  124 , transistor  126  and wire  22 . As with jig  10 , preferably no voids are contained within plastic  20  such that body  20  is solid plastic over three dimensions, i.e., from side to side, from top to bottom, and from front to back and such that plastic of the plastic body  20  is solid up to the surfaces of the hardware contained within the plastic body  20 . It is noted that an LED may, as fabricated, contain a void or empty space and that transistor  126  may contain voids or empty spaces.  
         [0087]     Plastic body  20  of stick-on potted strip  216  includes an upper surface  220 , a lower surface  222 , a first end  224 , a second end  226 , a first side  228  and a second side  230 . Stick-on plastic strip  216  further includes an adhesive  232  on lower surface  222  and running from the first end  224  to the second end  226  and from the first side  228  to the second side  230 . A release strip  234  entirely covers the adhesive  232  such that, when release strip  234  is removed, adhesive  232  is in condition for adhering to a face of a fishing lure, such as face or surface  214  of spoon  200 .  
         [0088]     If desired, lower surface  222  of body  20  of stick-on potted strip  216  can be slightly curved from first end  224  to second end  226  and/or from first side  228  to second side  230  because surfaces of fishing lures are often curved.  
         [0089]     Preferably, the plastic of plastic body  20  of stick-on potted strip  216  is relatively flexible such that, even if lower surface  222  is not curved, the lower surface  222  can flex to attain the surface curvature of the fishing lure to which it is stuck. Preferably, the plastic of plastic body  20  of jig  10  (or jig  116 ,  118  or  120 ) is relatively rigid.  
         [0090]     One method for making strip-on potted strip  216  uses the step of suspending or holding the hardware (battery  14 , LED  16 , circuit arrangement  18 , etc.) in a space via the exposed portions  66 ,  218 . Then liquid plastic can be poured into the space and permitted to harden with or without catalysts or hardeners.  
         [0091]     The hardware of the stick-on potted strip  216  can be potted generally midway between the first and second ends  224 ,  226 . Or the hardware of the stick-on potted strip  216  can be potted such that the hardware confronts the first end  224 . Or the hardware of the stick-on potted strip  216  can be potted such that the hardware confronts the second end  226  such that the LED  16  confronts the hook  212  so as to maximize the chances that a fish, attracted to the LED  16 , strikes the spoon  200  adjacent hook  212 .  
         [0092]     The shape of the body  20  of the stick-on potted strip  216  is elongate. However, the shape of body  20  may be in the form of a disk, or a square, or a rectangle, or crescent, or some other shape.  
         [0093]     It should be noted that, instead of a circuit board  124  in jig  10  (or jig  116 ,  118  or  120 ) and stick-on potted strip  216 , some type of processor or microprocessor can be in the electrical lead or circuit arrangement  18 .  
         [0094]     As illustrated in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , the plastic body of jig  10  can include a prong or barb or projection  236  to maximize engagement of a plastic bait such as plastic bait  106  or  108 . The barb  236  is one-piece and integral with the body  20 .  
         [0095]     It should be noted that, as illustrated in  FIG. 6A , a “BB” tube  238  having metal or plastic balls  240  (or “BBs”  240 ) contained therein may be potted in the stem portion  68 , particularly when LED  16  is potted within the ball portion  46  of plastic body  20 . When jig  10  (or jig  116 ,  118  or  120 ) is raised and lowered, balls  240  move back and forth within tube  238  so as to generate a rattling sound, thereby attracting fish. Tube  238  and balls  240  can also be placed in the stick-on potted strip  216 .  
         [0096]     As illustrated in  FIG. 6B , jig  10  (or jig  116 ,  118  or  120 ) or stick-on potted strip  216  can include an electrically powered eccentric cam or tuning fork or other vibration producing apparatus  242  so as to vibrate plastic body  20 , thereby attracting fish. Eccentric cam or apparatus  242  can be electrically engaged to the battery  14 .  
         [0097]     As with jig  10  (or jig  116 ,  118  or  120 ), stick-on potted strip  216  can have a luminescent coating  112  and/or fluorescent coating  114 , as shown in  FIG. 11A .  
         [0098]     As with jig  10  (or jig  116 ,  118  or  120 ), stick-on potted strip  216  can be formed of plastic of different colors. As with jig  10  (or jig  116 ,  118  or  120 ), such plastic can include luminescent and/or fluorescent elements or components such that the plastic itself “glows.” 
         [0099]     The present jig  10 ,  116 ,  118  or  120 , or the stick-on potted strip  216 , can be fabricated by reactive injection molding.  
         [0100]     The present jig  10 ,  116 ,  118  or  120 , or the stick-on potted strip  216 , can be fabricated by a process that includes the steps of a) opening a mold, b) then injecting a small amount of a mixture of a polyurethane material (or other polymer material), a mold release agent, a coloring agent and a catalyst into the mold cavities of both portions of the mold so that the polymer material may adhere to the whole surface of the wall of the cavity and form the surface portion of the final product (i.e., the jig  10 ,  116 ,  118  or  120  or stick-on potted strip  216 ), c) then allowing the polymer material to at least partially cure or harden, d) then laying the internal components or hardware (including the battery  14 , LED  16 , circuit arrangement  18 ) into a cavity so as to be isolated from the wall of the cavity except for the exposed portions of the circuit arrangement  18  which can be engaged in slots formed in the wall cavity, e) then closing the mold, f) then injecting another polyurethane material (or other polymer material) into the cavity to form an inner portion of the final product, g) then opening the mold, and h) then removing the final product. As to such a process and as to reactive injection molding, the Tachi et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,962,142 issued Oct. 5, 1999 and entitled Two-colored Molded Product Of Polyurethanes Made By RIM And Process For Manufacturing The Same is hereby incorporated by reference.  
         [0101]     Thus since the invention disclosed herein may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or general characteristics thereof, some of which forms have been indicated, the embodiments described herein are to be considered in all respects illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is to be indicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalents of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.