Abstract:
A bobber includes a float and a fishing line handling assembly. The float has a passage extending therethrough from a first end of the float to a second end of the float, and the fishing line handling assembly is fitted in the passage. The assembly is terminated (i) at one end thereof by a downrigger release that extends from the passage at the first end of the float, and (ii) at an opposing end thereof by a snap clip that extends from the passage at the second end of the float.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention relates generally to bobbers, and more particularly to a bobber that incorporates a fishing line handling assembly having a downrigger release at one end of the bobber and a snap clip at the other end of the bobber. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Bobbers are used by fishermen to hold bait on a hook at a certain depth in the water. Typically, a bobber includes a float that includes means for attaching the float to a fishing line. The fishing line extends to a baited hook at a selected water depth. When the fish bites on the baited hook and starts to swim away, the bobber&#39;s float moves along the water&#39;s surface. If the fish is large enough, it can dive down and pull the float underwater. However, the buoyant forces acting on the bobber&#39;s float can cause the hook to be “sling shot” out of the fish&#39;s mouth causing the “catch” to be lost. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a fishing bobber. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a fishing bobber the remains securely coupled to a fishing line at the water&#39;s surface before, during and after the time that a fish bites on a hooked line coupled to the bobber. 
   Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more obvious hereinafter in the specification and drawings. 
   In accordance with the present invention, a bobber includes a float and a fishing line handling assembly. The float has a passage extending therethrough from a first end of the float to a second end of the float. The fishing line handling assembly is fitted in the passage. The assembly is terminated at one end thereof by a downrigger release that extends from the passage at the first end of the float. The assembly is terminated at an opposing end thereof by a snap clip that extends from the passage at the second end of the float. The snap clip receives and loosely holds a fishing line therein while the downrigger release holds the fishing line securely therein until a sufficient tension develops in the fishing line, e.g., when a fish bites on a hook attached to the fishing line. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reference to the following description of the preferred embodiments and to the drawings, wherein corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings and wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a partial cross-sectional view and a partial side view of a fishing bobber in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 2  is a partial cross-sectional view and partial side view of a fishing bobber in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to  FIG. 1 , a bobber in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is shown and is referenced generally by numeral  10 . Bobber  10  is shown floating on the surface  102  of a body of water  100  with a fishing line  200  being coupled thereto. Fishing line  200  is illustrated in dashed line form to indicate that it is not part of the present invention and is not a limitation thereon. One end  200 A of fishing line  200  extends to a fishing pole (not shown) and the other end  200 B terminates at a baited hook  202 . As will be explained further below, bobber  10  facilitates the positioning of bated hook  202  at a selected depth D beneath surface  102 . 
   Bobber  10  includes a float  12  that can be a conventional rope float as depicted in the illustrated embodiment. That is, float  12  has an oblong body  12 A that is configured to define a passage  12 B all the way through the central portion of body  12 A. Body  12 A can be made of solid foam or other floatable material. However, as would be understood in the art, body  12 A could also be a hollow body without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
   Fitted in passage  12 B is an assembly that provides the elements for handling fishing line  200 . More specifically, the assembly includes a rigid tube  14  that extends along the length of passage  12 B. Tube  14  can be sized to form a press-fit engagement with passage  12 B, or can be diametrically smaller than passage  12 B in which case one or more spacers or shims  16  can be positioned between tube  14  and passage  12 B. For example, shims  16  can be elastomeric rings or cylinders designed to fit over tube  14  and engage the walls of passage  12 B. 
   In general, tube  14  supports a downrigger  18  and a snap clip  20  such that the functional portions thereof extend from opposing ends of float body  12 A. More specifically, a portion downrigger  18  resides in one end of tube  14  and a portion of snap clip  20  resides in the other end of tube  14 . Downrigger  18  and snap clip  20  are coupled to one another by a rigid connecting rod  22  as one end of connecting rod  22  loops through a hole  18 A in downrigger  18  and the other end of connecting rod  22  loops through a connection ring  20 A of snap clip  20 . The arrangement of downrigger  18 , snap clip  20  and connecting rod  22  is held in place in tube  14  by means of a fill material  24  that bonds to the arrangement as well as the inside walls of tube  14 . Typically, this arrangement is placed in tube  14  prior to the placement of fill material  24 . By way of non-limiting examples, fill material  24  can be a variety of glues, foams or other curable materials that can be injected into tube  14  in an uncured state thereof once downrigger  18 , snap clip  20  and connecting rod  22  are positioned in tube  14 . To facilitate the filling of tube  14  while keeping downrigger  18  and snap clip  20  free of fill material  24 , a fill hole  14 A can be provided in a side wall of tube  14 . 
   Downrigger  18  is any of a variety of conventional downriggers that can hold fishing line  200  until a prescribed line tension causes fishing line  200  to be released therefrom. Snap clip  20  is any of a variety of snap clips that can be quickly opened/closed to allow a fisherman to capture fishing line  200  loosely therein. Although not required, snap clip  20  can incorporate a swivel  20 B to permit free and full rotation of snap clip  20  relative to float  12 . 
   In use of bobber  10 , snap clip  20  is opened to receive fishing line  200  therein. Fishing line  200  is then captured in downrigger  18  as shown so that a selected amount of fishing line  200  extends to baited hook  202 . When a fish bites on baited hook  202  and begins to swim away, the tension in fishing line  200  will cause line  200  to be released from downrigger  18 . Once this happens, line  200 /hook  202  runs with the fish. However, since fishing line  200  is only loosely captured in snap clip  20 , float  12  remains at the surface  102  of water  100 . Thus, the present invention prevents float  12  from being pulled underwater no matter what size fish bites on baited hook  202 . 
   The present invention can also be adapted for use in jugline fishing (e.g., method used when fishing for catfish). A bobber configured for jugline fishing is illustrated in  FIG. 2  and is referenced generally by numeral  50 . In  FIG. 2 , the same reference numerals are used for elements that are common with bobber  10 . Such elements will not be described further herein. 
   Bobber  50  includes float  52  that is a conventional buoy float designed to float in a vertical orientation relative to the surface  102  of water  100  as is known in the art. That is, float  52  has a shaped body  52 A that defines a passage  52 B all the way through a central longitudinal portion of body  52 A. As with float  12 , float  52  can be made of foam or other floatable material, but can also be a hollow body without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
   Fitted in passage  52 B is an assembly that provides for the handling of fishing line  200  and provides for the manual retrieval of bobber  50  from the surface  102  of water  100 . More specifically, the assembly includes a rigid tube  54  that is longer than passage  52 B such that tube  54  extends from float  52  at the top end thereof as shown. As in the previous embodiment, tube  54  supports downrigger  18 , snap clip  20 , connecting rod  22  and fill material  24 . In addition, mounted on the portion of tube  54  that extends from float  52  is a T-shaped handle  56  that facilitates the placement and retrieval of bobber  50 . 
   In use of bobber  50 , fishing line  200  is fixedly coupled (e.g., tied on) to snap clip  20  and captured in downrigger  18 . The portion of fishing line  200  between downrigger  18  and snap clip  20  defines a desired amount of slack with which a fish can run once baited hook  202  is bit on and the tension in fishing line  200  causes line  200  to be released from downrigger  18 . 
   The advantages of the present invention are numerous. The “fishing line” bobber embodiment will remain at the water&#39;s surface and thereby eliminating the “sling shot” effect regardless of the size of the fish that bites on the baited hook. Attachment of the bobber to a fishing line is quick and the positioning thereof for hook depth is easily adjusted. The “jugline” bobber is similarly configured to provide simple, adjustable and efficient placement, use and retrieval. 
   Although the invention has been described relative to a specific embodiment thereof, there are numerous variations and modifications that will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described.