Abstract:
A fish attractant material is provided. The fish attractant includes a fibrous material and a coating. The coating includes a polymer combined with a solvent. The coating is embedded and attached within the fibrous material. A coloring or a glow powder may be added to the coating to add additional effect. Multi-colors can be created, such as striping or the like, by double coating or by adding colors prior to drying.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application number 62/091,185, filed Dec. 12, 2014, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to fishing and, more particularly, to a specially treated material for attracting fish. 
         [0003]    A fishing lure is a type of artificial fishing bait which is designed to attract a fish&#39;s attention. The lure uses movement, vibration, flash and color to bait fish. Many lures are equipped with one or more hooks that are used to catch fish when they strike the lure. Most lures are attached to the end of a fishing line and have various styles of hooks attached to the body and are designed to elicit a strike resulting in a hookset. Color and scent may also increase the chances the catching a fish. 
         [0004]    As can be seen, there is a need for improved fishing lures that have a strong scent and color to attract fish. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    In one aspect of the present invention, a fish attractant comprises: a fibrous material; and a coating comprising a polymer and a solvent. 
         [0006]    In another aspect of the present invention, a fish attractant comprises: a fibrous material; and a coating embedded within the fibrous material, wherein the coating comprises a thermoplastic elastomer combined with an aromatic hydrocarbon. 
         [0007]    In another aspect of the present invention, a method of forming a fish attractant comprises: mixing a polymer with a solvent forming a coating; dipping a fibrous material into the coating, thereby allowing the coating to embed within the fibrous material; and drying the coating embedded within the fibrous material. 
         [0008]    These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in use; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a flow chart of process steps of an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a section view of an embodiment of the present invention, taken along line  4 - 4  in  FIG. 3 ; and 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of embodiments of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
         [0015]    The present invention includes a specially treated fabric used for fishing. The present invention may be considered a trailing scent gland. The trailing scent gland is designed from a chemically treated process which locks in scent, color and fish oils. The present invention includes a mixture including a basic soft rubber added to a solvent and a fibrous material coated with the mixture. 
         [0016]    The materials of the present invention may include, but are not limited to, cotton with a scrim, shammy, PVA, Dacron, polyester, etc. In the preparation of the coating solution, 20-80% of the elastomer may be used. In certain embodiments, 40% by volume of the elastomer when mixed with a 60% by volume of an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent provides ideal properties. Once the coating has been prepared, the solution turns into a gel after several days. One may need to adjust the solution to create a workable liquid solution viscosity. After adding various effects such as color, glow etc., the fibrous material is then placed in the liquid formula and dried. The micron-thick coating on each fiber allows the interstitial space to carry excess oil, while the elastomer also holds an absorbed amount of oil for a period of time. After the scent has been flushed out in the water, it can be replaced by patting the scent gland dry and adding several drops of fish oil, depending on the size of the design. 
         [0017]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 5 , the present invention includes a fish attractant. The fish attractant includes a fibrous material  10  and a coating. The coating includes a polymer combined with a solvent. The coating is embedded within the fibrous material  10 . A coloring or a glow material may be added to the coating to add additional effect. 
         [0018]    The fibrous material  10  may include a cotton material, a leather material, a polyvinyl alcohol material, a polyethylene material, a polyester material, and the like. The fibrous material  10  may be in the shape of any marine animal  14 , such as a fish  26 , a fish tail  28  (to be attached to a fish-type lure), a tadpole  24 , a squid  30 , a skirt  34 , an eel or worm  32 , and the like. The fibrous material  10  may include a hook hole  12  formed through a first end. The hook hole  12  may be placed over and around a fishing hook  16 , thereby attaching it to the fishing hook  16 . The coated fibrous material  10  may be used in conjunction with a fishing lure  18 , such as a fishing lure  18  with skirt material  34 , also of the same material. The scent and color from the coated fibrous material  10  and skirt  34 , in conjunction with the fishing lure  18  increases the likelihood of catching a fish  22 . 
         [0019]    In certain embodiments, the polymer is about 20% up to about 80% of the coating and the solvent is about 20% up to about 80% of the coating. For example, the polymer is about 40% of the coating and the solvent is about 60%. 
         [0020]    The polymer of the present invention may include approximately a 0 shore A durometer to approximately a 65 shore A durometer. The polymer of the present invention may be a thermoset material, a thermoplastic material or a combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the polymer may be a thermoplastic elastomer, a urethane, a latex, a silicone or a combination thereof. 
         [0021]    The solvent of the present invention may include an aromatic hydrocarbon. 
         [0022]    The present invention may further include a method of forming a fish attractant. The method may include the following steps. A thermoplastic oil based elastomer and an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent are mixed and allowed to gel into a workably viscous liquid. Colors, glow powders, sparkles, and the like are added to the solution. The scent gland material, such as a fibrous material, is dipped into the liquid solution and then dried. The coated fabric fibers allow the interstitial space to carry excess oil while the elastomer holds an absorbed amount of oil for a longer period of time. The fabric may then be cut into a desired shape to be used as a skirt, a lure, or in conjunction with other lures to attract fish. After the applied scent has been flushed out in the water, the scent may be replaced by patting the scent gland material dry and applying more oil of one&#39;s choice. Many types of oils are available and will work with this scent gland by longer retention periods. 
         [0023]    It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.