Abstract:
The present invention discloses a fishing lure having a body and a means for skimming. The means for skimming comprises a strike plate arranged on an underside of the body and configured to provide a force bearing lower surface for communicating with the surface of a water body for providing improved fluid dynamic characteristics of the lure when in use. The lure may be a unitary item or assembled together by joining the body to the means for skimming.

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to fishing lures and in particular to a surface lure. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    It is known to use a lure attached to a fishing line to improve the likelihood of catching a fish, and there are a wide variety of known fishing lures available on the market. Many known lures imitate one or more aspects of an actual fish, such as colour, shape, size, sound and/or behaviour in an attempt to attract a larger predatory fish to attack the lure and thereby become hooked on one or more barbs and caught by an angler. 
         [0003]    Surface fishing lures are designed to move across the surface of the water when the lure is in motion such as when trolling behind a boat or being retrieved by an angler. Known surface lures can be either floating or non-floating when stationary. It is known for surface lures to be designed to have features such as a cupped face to cause splash, fins or blades that spin and/or create a fizzing sound as they move across the water surface thereby attracting the attention of predatory pelagic fish species. 
         [0004]    However at increased retrieval or travel speeds the stability of known surface lures may be compromised with the lure randomly bouncing across the water surface and becoming less effective in simulating the movements of a fish. 
         [0005]    Other known fishing lures are designed to move below the surface of the water when the lure is in motion. Such submerging lures are typically arranged to have a bib at the front end of the lure which has a downward orientation that urges the lure into a nose dive and thereby pulls the lure under the surface of the water as it is moved in a forward direction. The actual swimming depth of a submerging lure can be generally controlled by the size of the bib and so can therefore be used to target specific fish species. 
         [0006]    The present invention attempts to provide a useful alternative to existing known fishing lures. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a lure for use with fishing tackle to catch fish in a water body, the lure comprises a body having a length along a longitudinal axis, the body comprising a head portion and an opposed tail portion, the head portion and the tail portion being separated by a middle portion, the lure comprising connection means for connecting to the fishing tackle, and means for skimming, wherein the means for skimming is arranged, in use, to impact against a surface of the water body for facilitating a controlled movement of the lure across the surface. 
         [0008]    In the preferred embodiment the means for skimming comprises a strike plate having at least a force bearing lower surface arranged, in use, to be in substantial contact with the water surface for enabling the lure to skim across the surface of the water body. 
         [0009]    Preferably the means for skimming is disposed on an underside portion  15  of the lure and proximal the head portion of the body. 
         [0010]    Preferably the lower surface defines a front edge distal the tail portion wherein the lower surface is arranged to be inclined upwardly toward the front edge and in use acts generate a lift force as the moves across the r surface thereby reducing a drag force on the lure. 
         [0011]    Preferably the strike plate comprises a portion extending longitudinally and/or laterally beyond the body of the lure. 
         [0012]    Preferably the strike plate comprises a plurality of spaced apart lower surfaces. 
         [0013]    Preferably the lure and the means for skimming comprise a resinous material. 
         [0014]    Preferably the connection means is disposed at least in part on the means for skimming. 
         [0015]    Preferably the body of the lure has an upperside portion and an underside portion, the upperside and the underside portions respectively shaped and coloured to visually resemble a bait fish or other aquatic creature. 
         [0016]    Preferably the body further comprises a stabilising portion disposed on the underside portion proximal the tail end of the body, the stabilising portion comprises a substantially flat face which, in use, impacts with the surface when the lure is moving. 
         [0017]    Preferably the connection means provides connection to at least an elongate support line and a hooking means. 
         [0018]    Preferably the connection means comprises one or more eyelets fixed to the lure, and in a preferred embodiment the connection means comprises an eyelet proximal the head portion for connecting to the elongate support line, and a respective eyelet proximal the tail portion and middle portion for connecting to the hooking means. 
         [0019]    Preferably the hooking means comprises a barbed hook. 
         [0020]    In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a lure  10  comprising a first portion and a second portion, the first and second portions preferably arranged to be slidably connected with each other during an assembly of the lure  10  into a unitary piece. 
         [0021]    Preferably the first portion substantially comprises the body of the lure  10  and the second portion substantially comprises the means for skimming. 
         [0022]    Preferably the lure  10  further comprises detent means for a limiting movement between the first portion and the second portion. In a preferred embodiment the detent means comprises at least one biased finger disposed on the first portion, and a complementary recess disposed on the second portion, the recess adapted to receive and restrain the finger as the first and second portions are slidably moved from a first unassembled position to a second assembled position. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0023]    The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0024]      FIG. 1  is a plan view of a fishing lure in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 2  is a bottom view of the fishing lure of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the fishing lure of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 4  is a front view of the fishing lure of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the fishing lure of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 6  shows the fishing lure of  FIG. 5  fitted with tackle ready for use; 
           [0030]      FIG. 7  is a plan view of a fishing lure in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0031]      FIG. 8  is a plan view of a fishing lure in accordance with a further alternative embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0032]      FIG. 9  is a plan view of a first portion of a fishing lure in accordance with a still further alternate embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0033]      FIG. 10  is a bottom view of the first portion of a fishing lure of  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0034]      FIG. 11  is a side view of the first portion of  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0035]      FIG. 12  is a lower perspective view of the first portion of  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0036]      FIG. 13  is a plan view of the first portion of  FIG. 9  fitted with a bib; 
           [0037]      FIG. 14  is a bottom view of the lure of  FIG. 13 ; 
           [0038]      FIG. 15  is a side view of the lure of  FIG. 13 ; 
           [0039]      FIG. 16  is a lower perspective view of the lure of  FIG. 13 ; and, 
           [0040]      FIG. 17  (A), (B) and (C) show a bottom view of a method of assembling a lure according to  FIG. 13 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0041]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a fishing lure  10  for use with fishing tackle to catch fish in a water body in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The lure  10  comprises a body  12  having a head portion  14 , a middle portion  16  and a tail portion  18 . 
         [0042]    As shown in the  FIG. 3  the body  12  comprises an upperside portion  13  which generally faces away from a water surface in use and a underside portion  15  which faces towards the water surface in use. The upperside and lowerside portions  13 , 15  will be configured in size, shape and colour to substantially resemble a bait fish and may typically comprise features such as eyes, gills, fins and scales for example as is known in the art. 
         [0043]    The lure  10  may further comprise internal cavities comprising ball bearings or other such components which are capable of generating a sound for drawing the attention of predatory pelagic fish. 
         [0044]    As seen in  FIGS. 1 to 5 , the lure  10  further comprises connection means for connecting the lure  10  to the fishing tackle. In the preferred embodiment shown in  FIG. 6  the connection means comprises one or more eyelets  20  fixed to the body  12  and spaced along the lure  10 . Each eyelet  20  typically comprises a metallic ring which is adapted for connection to known fishing tackle elements including an elongate support line  22 , such as a fishing line or swivel for example, and/or hooking means. The hooking means may comprise any known hook such as for example a single, double or triple barbed hook  24  as is known in the art. 
         [0045]    Alternate embodiments (not shown) of the present invention may comprise, lure  10  having hooking means integral with the body  12 . 
         [0046]    As can be seen in the Figures the lure  10  further comprises means for skimming. The means for skimming is arranged to facilitate a movement of the lure  10  across the surface of the water when a force is applied to the lure  10  via the elongate support line  22  as is generally the case when fishing from a moving water vessel or retrieving the lure  10  using a fishing reel for example. In the present embodiment the means for skimming comprises a strike plate  30  having at least a lower surface  32  adapted for contact with the surface of the water for facilitating, in use, a skimming of the lure  10  across the surface. 
         [0047]    In a preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 2  the means for skimming comprises a plurality of lower surfaces  32 . Preferably at least two lower surfaces  32  are spaced apart and separated from one another by a recessed portion  31 . The recessed portion  31  is arranged to have an arcuate configuration, as seen in  FIG. 4 . The recessed portion  31  substantially extends along a length of the strike plate  30  and is disposed to be collinear with a longitudinal axis of the lure  10  thereby providing for a configuration of at least two spaced apart and generally parallel lower surfaces  32  as seen in  FIGS. 2 and 4 . 
         [0048]    As shown in  FIGS. 2 to 6  the strike plate  30  of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is disposed on the underside portion  15  of the lure  10  proximal the head portion  14  of the body  12 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1  the strike plate  30  comprises one or more laterally and longitudinally extending flanges  34 . It should be understood that the flanges  34  permit a greater surface area of the lower surface&#39;s  32  for contacting the surface of the water. 
         [0049]    It should be understood that the means for skimming provides at least a force bearing lower surface  32  that facilitates a surface lure characteristic. The strike plate  30  essentially provides a water ski upon which the body  12  of the lure  10  is mounted. Accordingly in the preferred embodiment the one or more lower surface/s  32  comprise a portion having an upwardly inclined configuration as seen in  FIG. 3 . The lower surface/s  32  may have a rounded hull like configuration shown in  FIG. 4  for assisting to stabilise the lure  10  in use and for reducing friction or drag orces which are induced as the lure  10  is propelled across the water surface at speed. 
         [0050]    Furthermore, it is also to be understood that the lower surface/s  32  may provide a resultant upward thrust force resulting from the impact with the water surface during motion of the lure  10 . The upward force applied to the lure  10  from the lower surfaces  32  limits the lure  10  from being drawn under the surface of the water. Further, the upward thrust force contributes to facilitating the skimming motion of the lure  10  across the water surface when the lure  10  is subject to a propulsive force from an elongate support line  22  connected with a reel or a water vessel for example. 
         [0051]    Typically the upward inclination of the lower surface/s  32  will be in the range of 5 to 60 degrees from a horizontal plane substantially coplanar with the surface of the water and more preferably the inclination will be within the range of 15 to 30 degrees from the horizontal plane. 
         [0052]    In the preferred embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 to 6  an eyelet  20  is disposed within the recessed portion  31  of the strike plate  30  for connection to the elongate support line  22 . However in alternate embodiments the eyelet  20  for connection to the elongate support line  22  may be disposed at any point on the strike plate  30  or head portion  14  of the lure  10 . 
         [0053]    The means for skimming strike plate  30  may be an integral feature of the lure  10  or alternatively may be mechanically attached to the lure  10  and selectively removable from the lure  10  thereby permitting the lure  10  to have multiple and various configurations for use as desired by an operator. 
         [0054]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , alternative embodiments of the strike plate  30  may have various sizes, angles and shapes which alter the dynamics of the lure  10  in use. Therefore a lure  10  may be selectively assembled with any one of numerous strike plates  30  thereby providing an operator with a variable choice of features. 
         [0055]    In accordance with the further aspect of the invention there is provided a fishing lure  10 , as seen in  FIGS. 9 to 17 , which comprises a first portion  50  and a second portion  70  which are manufactured separately to one another. In this embodiment the lure  10  comprises detent means for connecting the first portion  50  and the second portion  70  together. 
         [0056]    In the preferred embodiment shown in the  FIGS. 9 to 17  the first portion  50  substantially comprises the body  12  and the second portion  70  substantially comprises the means for skimming strike plate  30 . It is to be understood that variations to this embodiment would fall within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0057]    It is to be understood that the first portion  50  or body  12  of the lure  10  will be shaped and or coloured to imitate a bait fish or other marine creature. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention the second portion may comprise a substantially clear material for ensuring that the assembled lure  10  maintains a genuine fish shape similar to that of a bait fish for example. However other alternative embodiments may comprise a second portion  70  and/or means for skimming which comprises a marked, coloured or solid appearance. 
         [0058]    As seen in  FIGS. 9 to 17 , a preferred embodiment of the detent means comprises at least one biased finger  52 , preferably a pair of fingers  52 . Each finger  52  is configured to be biased outwardly. The fingers  52  are disposed on an underside portion  15  of the first portion  50  as can be seen in  FIG. 12 . The detent means further comprises one or more complementary recesses  72  disposed on the second portion  70 . Each recess  72  is arranged to receive and restrain a complementary finger  52  during an assembly of the first and second portions  50 , 70 . 
         [0059]    The detent means further comprises channel means  60  arranged such that the first and second portions  50 , 70  can be fitted together and selectively moved with a sliding action (as shown by the arrows in  FIG. 17 ) between a first un-assembled position and a second assembled position. In the first position, as seen in  FIG. 17(A) , the first portion  50  and the second portion  70  are brought together such that the first and second portions engage one another via the channel means  60 . 
         [0060]    As seen in  FIG. 17(B)  the portions  50 , 70  are then moved relative to one another with enough force to overcome the finger&#39;s  52  bias until the second position is reached wherein the fingers  52  expand outwardly and are received into a respective recess  72  for holding the first and second portions  50 , 70  together as seen in  FIG. 17(C) . Once the first portion  50  and the second portion  70  are arranged in the second assembled position the lure  10  is ready to be connected with tackle via the connection means eyelets  20  and put to use. 
         [0061]    The channel means  60  comprises a projection  62  disposed at the head portion  14  which is attached to the body  12  via a central column and which provides one and preferably two elongate slots  64  as seen in  FIG. 12  for receiving complementary rails disposed upon the second portion  70 . The channel means  60  are arranged such that the rails are received into the slots  64  thereby holding the first and second portions  50 , 70  together and facilitating a linear movement along the channel means  60  between the first and second positions. 
         [0062]    The channel means  60  further comprises a step  66  against which the second portion  70  may abut when it reaches the second position. 
         [0063]    The lure  10  according to the present invention may comprise detent means which are reversible, upon an application of a suitable force for example, allowing the first and second portions  50 , 70  to moved from the second position to the first position. However it is to be understood the detent means will selectively restrain the first portion  50  and the second portion  70  in the assembled in use position. 
         [0064]    Preferably the lure  10  of the present invention is substantially constructed from a resinous material however various materials including plastics, rubbers, metals and wood may also be used. It is envisaged that a lure  10  in accordance with the present invention will be substantially buoyant when it is at rest in water. 
         [0065]    Alternate embodiments may provide a lure  10  which is neutral or negatively buoyant. 
         [0066]    As seen in  FIG. 12  the present invention the lure  10  may comprises a stabilising portion disposed proximal an underside portion  15  of the body  12 . The stabilising portion comprises a surface  27  which is slightly broader than an adjacent underside portion  15  which in use is dragged along or under the surface of the water for assisting to stabilise the skimming action of the lure  10 . 
         [0067]    In use, an operator will attach an assembled lure  10  to their fishing tackle, such as a fishing line  22  or clip for example, using the connection means eyelet  20  located at the head portion  14  of the body  12 . Hooking means such as one or more barbed hooks may be fixed to eyelets  20  located elsewhere along the lure  10 . 
         [0068]    Once the lure  10  is connected to a fishing rod and its elongate support line  22  with the hooks  24  fitted the operator will use the lure  10  as is known in the art by casting the lure  10  into the water and winding a reel on the rod to generate a pulling force to retract the line  22  and retrieve the lure  10 . As the line  22  is retrieved it pulls on the lure  10  thereby causing the lure  10  to begin moving in a forward direction with the head portion  14  foremost and the tail portion  18  rearmost. 
         [0069]    Alternatively the lure  10  may be used from a moving water vessel thereby imparting a travelling speed pulling force upon the lure  10  without retrieving the support line  22 . Typically a trolling water vessel may travel at a speed of around 6 knots however it is envisaged the lure  10  according to the present invention may provide controlled skimming across the water surface at slower speeds and at higher speeds which would often be the case when the lure  10  is used as a casting lure. 
         [0070]    As the lure  10  moves relative to the water the strike plate  30  lower surface  32  engages with and skims over the water surface thereby limiting a force of water resistance acting on the lure  10  as a whole and allowing the lure  10  to glide or skim over the water surface. It is envisaged the recessed portion  31  will reduce a magnitude of wake created by the lure  10  by providing a passage through which water may pass without impacting on the lower surface/s  32  and also assists to stabilise the lure  10  by having the two lower surfaces  32  equally spaced about the connection means eyelet  20  thereby balancing the propulsive force which is imparted to the lure  10  by the support line  22 . 
         [0071]    During motion of the lure  10  the impact of water upon the lower surface  32  creates an upward lift or thrust force upon the lower surface  32  which assist in maintaining the body  12  of the lure  10  substantially above the water surface. The strike plate  30  also displaces water via the recessed portion  31  and/or a periphery of the lower surfaces  32  thereby creating a splash for attracting the attention of nearby fish and reducing the water turbulence generated by the moving lure  10 . 
         [0072]    Due to the advanced fluid dynamics of the present invention it is advantageously found that a retrieval speed or travel speed of the lure  10  may be increased with the lure  10  remaining substantially stable in its course across the surface of the water thereby enhancing the functionality of lure  10  at a greater range of speeds. 
         [0073]    When a predatory fish is attracted to the lure  10 , mistaking it as a bait fish or other prey, the predatory fish attacks the lure  10  from the rear or the sides attempting to bite or swallow the lure  10 . In doing so the hooking means are bought into direct contact with, and piercing, the mouth or flesh of the predatory fish thereby hooking the predatory fish upon the lure  10 . The operator can then retrieve the lure  10  with the hooked fish as is known in the art. 
         [0074]    Modifications and variations as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention.