Abstract:
A fishing lure and method of casting are disclosed. In one aspect, a lure assembly includes a fishing hook having an eyelet and a bend separated by a shank, the bend terminating at a point separated from the shank by a gape. The lure assembly further includes a hook appurtenance attached to the fishing hook and positioned past the bend generally aligned with the shank of the fishing hook. The hook appurtenance includes an ergonomic mass forming a resilient structure for gripping by a person, the ergonomic mass having a size smaller than a gape of the hook to avoid interfering with operation of the fishing hook.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/810,679, filed Apr. 10, 2013, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates generally to fishing equipment, and in particular to a fishing lure, a hook appurtenance for a fishing lure, and a method of casting of a fishing lure. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Many different types of fishing lures exist, and are particularly tailored to attract a variety of species of fish. Additionally, different lures are tailored for use in different weather conditions and water conditions. Additionally, many different rods, reels, and other devices have been constructed to provide easy, accurate casting of such fishing lures to desired locations, for example to accurately locate such lures where fish are hiding. However, little attention has been paid to the lure itself when considering casting methods or casting accuracy. As such, the type or shape of lure can limit the types of casting techniques that can be used. 
         [0004]    One method of casting a lure is referred to as a “slingshot cast” or a “bowspring cast”. In a slingshot cast, an angler will grip either the line or a lure connected thereto, and pull on the line such that the tip of the rod bends from a straight position to a bent position. The angler will then release the line or lure, causing the lure to slingshot out to a desired location. This method of casting is particularly accurate, specifically for casting under or around branches or other debris where fish typically reside. However, it has potential drawbacks. Specifically, because lures typically have hooks, and in particular hooks at trailing locations on the lure, it can be difficult to reliably grip the lure in a way that releasing the lure does not cause a trailing hook positioned behind the angler&#39;s grip location to catch the angler&#39;s hand during the cast. Furthermore, it can be difficult to grip either the hook or other features that may trail a hook (e.g., feathers or other delicate features of the lure). 
         [0005]    For these and other reasons, improvements are desirable. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    In accordance with the following disclosure, the above and other issues are addressed by the following: 
         [0007]    In a first aspect, a method of casting a fishing lure is disclosed. The method includes affixing a fishing lure to a fishing rod via fishing line, the fishing lure including an ergonomic mass positioned at a point extending beyond a bend of a hook, for example to provide a grip point for an angler. The method further includes propelling the fishing lure to an intended location by gripping said mass and applying tension in the line sufficient to flex or bend the fishing rod. The method further includes releasing the mass, thereby releasing the tension in the line and allowing return of the fishing rod to an unflexed position. This causes the lure and associated fishing line to be propelled using a “slingshot cast” or “bowspring cast”. 
         [0008]    In a second aspect, a hook appurtenance is disclosed that includes a mass that is sized and positioned to endure abrasions and repeated gripping and releasing use, yet still as not to interfere with the action of the attached lure to which it resides. In some aspects, the hook appurtenance includes a spherical shape with a connective conduit to attach to the hook positioned on an outside of the bend. 
         [0009]    In a third aspect, a lure assembly includes a fishing hook having an eyelet and a bend separated by a shank, the bend terminating at a point separated from the shank by a gape. The lure assembly further includes a hook appurtenance positioned past the bend generally aligned with the shank of the fishing hook, the hook appurtenance including an ergonomic mass forming a resilient structure for gripping by a person, the ergonomic mass formed as a unitary part of the fishing hook and having a size smaller than a gape of the hook to avoid interfering with operation of the fishing hook. 
         [0010]    In a still further aspect, a device applied to a hook is disclosed that does not interfere physically with hooking or catching a striking fish during retrieval. In some aspects, the hook may also be aesthetically dressed with hair or feathers as to disguise the preferred device, which itself may also be of a particular color as to facilitate an attractive appearance. 
         [0011]    In further example aspects, the device can be applied to a single, double or treble hook as to be largely universal enough to be incorporated in the construction of the lure or to be added as a attachable item to various types of lures including, but not limited to; spoons, plugs, spinners and topwater lures, whereas an existing hook may be substituted for a hook including the appurtenance. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  shows a transverse view of a portion of an assembly including fishing line and an associated bead, forming a hook appurtenance. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  shows a cutaway transverse sectional view of the fishing line as it is attached to a bead, forming a hook appurtenance. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  shows a transverse view of the bead and line assembly as attached with thread to a treble hook. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  shows a transverse view of the bead and line assembly as attached to a dressed treble hook, forming the hook appurtenance as part of a lure. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  shows a rear view of the line and bead assembly affixed to a dressed treble hook as seen in  FIG. 4 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  shows a rear view of the line and pyramid shaped bead assembly affixed to a dressed treble hook. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  shows a transverse view of the assembly of  FIGS. 4-5  as included within wire construction of an in-line type spinner lure, blade facing front. 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  shows a transverse view of the assembly of  FIGS. 4-5  as included using conventional type connector to spoon type lure. 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  shows a transverse view of the assembly of  FIGS. 4-5  as included using conventional type connector to topwater type lure. 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  shows a transverse view of the assembly of  FIGS. 4-5  as included using conventional type connector to plug type lure. 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  shows a side view of a welded shank treble hook with an additional fourth shank piece extending from hook shank opposite eyelet and acting as a hook appurtenance, in this further embodiment. 
           [0023]      FIG. 12  shows a view of a line and cone head assembly forming a hook appurtenance affixed to single hook. 
           [0024]      FIG. 13  shows a view of a line and bead assembly forming a hook appurtenance affixed to single hook. 
           [0025]      FIG. 14  shows a transverse view of a hook sleeve useable as a hook appurtenance in a further embodiment. 
           [0026]      FIG. 15  shows an opposite transverse view of the hook sleeve of  FIG. 14 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 16  shows a transverse view of the hook sleeve of  FIG. 14  positioned over a treble hook. 
           [0028]      FIG. 17  shows an opposite transverse view of a hook sleeve over a treble hook as seen in  FIG. 16 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 18  shows a side view including general parts description of a hook that can be included in a lure. 
           [0030]      FIG. 19  shows a facing away view of the method of casting including parts and gear described herein. 
           [0031]      FIG. 20  shows a treble hook including a molded mass useable as a hook appurtenance, in an alternative embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0032]    As briefly described above, embodiments of the present invention are directed to fishing equipment, and in particular to a fishing lure, a hook appurtenance for a fishing lure, and a method of casting of a fishing lure. In particular, the present application describes a hook appurtenance useable with a fishing lure or assembly to perform a method of casting of a lure using a “slingshot” or “bowspring” casting method. Accordingly, in some embodiments discussed herein, the hook appurtenance can be referred to as a “slingshot bead.” Although in various embodiments a traditional bead can be included and/or used as the slingshot bead as the most practically available material, other types of shapes or materials can be used. 
         [0033]    Referring now to the drawings in detail wherein for the purpose of illustration we have disclosed example embodiments of the invention,  FIG. 1  illustrates a hook appurtenance, shown as bead  10  to which a length of line  12  has been knotted  14 . The unknotted end of line  12  is inserted into a hole in the bead  10  and drawn out the other side of the bead  10 . The line  12  is then reinserted at the first side of the bead  10 , so that the line may be cinched tightly against the bead  10  until the knot  14  becomes flush with the bead  10 . In the embodiment shown, in particular in  FIG. 2 , two lengths of line will be contained side by side within the bead  10 . In such embodiments, the line  12  is generally sized with a thickness that is approximately half of the inner bead  10  diameter, so that when the knotted end  14  does not pull through the bead  10 . 
         [0034]    As illustrated in  FIG. 18 , parts of hooks are typically referred to with hook specific names. An eyelet  18  is formed from the end of a long straight section of metal, called the shank  8  which begins to turn at the bend  4  about 180 degrees and then continues upward to a barb  3  and a sharp end known as the point  2 . The distance between the shank  8  and the point  2  is the gape  5 . The distance between the middle of the bend  4  and the gape  5  is the bite/throat  6 . 
         [0035]    As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , this bead  10  and line  12  assembly illustrated in  FIGS. 1-2  is placed on the shank  8  of a hook  16  with the line  12  end through the hook eyelet  18  and placed down the opposite side of shank  8  the hook  16 . Thread  20  is then wrapped around the hook  16  below the hook eyelet  18  to encompass the line  12  on both sides. Optionally, an adhesive is used to cure the thread  20  permanently. Alternatively, the thread  20  can be fused or otherwise permanently affixed to the bead  10 . 
         [0036]    As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , with the addition of hair or feathers  22 , the hooked becomes dressed around the example embodiment shown. Furthermore, although illustrated in  FIG. 5  the bead  10  is shown centered behind the hook  16 , in alternative embodiments the bead could be placed in other locations where it can be positioned to be gripped while allowing for unobtrusiveness regarding the hook  16 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 6  illustrates an alternative example hook appurtenance including bead  11 . As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the bead  11  can be affixed in the same manner as discussed above, but can take a variety of other shapes. In the example shown, the bead  11  is at least partially prism-shaped. In alternative embodiments, other shapes, such as cubic or rounded shapes, could be used as well. 
         [0038]    In general the hook appurtenances of the present disclosure can take any of a variety of shapes and sizes; however, in some cases, a preferred size of the hook appurtenance will be generally smaller than the hook with which it is associated, such that the hook appurtenance does not interfere with operation of the hook. In example embodiments, the diameter or width of the hook appurtenance will not exceed about ½ the gape of the hook; however, in alternative embodiments, various sizes of hooks and hook appurtenances can be used. In one example, a hook having a ¼″ gape can be used with a spherical hook appurtenance having a diameter of about ⅛″. In a further example a hook having a ⅜″ gape can be used with a spherical hook appurtenance having a diameter of about 3/16″. 
         [0039]    A further example embodiment of a hook appurtenance is illustrated in connection with a dressed treble hook in  FIG. 7 . In that arrangement, an in-line spinner type lure is wound at the hook eyelet  18  into a wire eyelet  24  to which the wire shaft  36  may be centered within a cone head weight  26 , bead  28 , and spinner of in-line type  30  and secured with a front eyelet  32 , around which a swivel  34  was built. 
         [0040]    A further example embodiment as shown on a dressed treble hook in  FIG. 8  is shown using a connector known as a split ring  40  to an eyelet  42  on a spoon type body  44  and connected to line with a front eyelet  46 . 
         [0041]    In a still further example embodiment, a dressed treble hook is shown in  FIG. 9  using connector referred to as a split ring  40 , which connects to an eyelet  50  on a topwater type body  52  and connected to line with a front eyelet  56 . In the embodiment shown, the hook appurtenance is associated with the rearmost hook as not to interfere with an anglers hand upon release. In alternative embodiments, the hook appurtenance  10  could be associated with hook  54 , but that would have the disadvantage of potentially allowing hook  16  to interfere with the angler&#39;s release of the lure. 
         [0042]    The embodiment as shown on a dressed treble hook in  FIG. 10  is shown using a conventional type connector known as a split ring  40  to an eyelet  60  on a plug-type body  62  with a lip  66  and connected to line with a front eyelet  68 . In the embodiment shown, the hook appurtenance is associated with the rearmost hook as not to interfere with an anglers hand upon release. In alternative embodiments, the hook appurtenance  10  could be associated with hook  64 , but that would have the disadvantage of potentially allowing hook  16  to interfere with the angler&#39;s release of the lure. 
         [0043]    Referring now to  FIGS. 11-17 , various alternative arrangements for the hook appurtenance and associated hooks are shown. In the example embodiment shown in  FIG. 11 , the hook appurtenance is formed as part of the hook itself, with each of the treble hooks  16  individual shanks  8  along with an additionally included shank  13  extends beyond the bend of the hook where a bead  10  may be affixed upon the shank and kept in place by a weld  15 . 
         [0044]    In the alternative embodiment shown in  FIG. 12 , a cone head  26  and line  12  and knot  14  assembly are affixed to a single hook  17  through the hook eyelet  18  and attached with thread  20 . In contrast, in the embodiment as shown in  FIG. 13 , a round bead  10  and line  12  and knot  14  assembly are affixed to a single hook  17  through the hook eyelet  18  and attached with thread  20 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 14  illustrates a version of the hook appurtenance that uses a cylindrical sleeve that includes a top opening  80  a cylindrical body  82  spanning down to a bottom opening  84  extending using a flap of conduit facing forward  86  to an ergonomic mass  88 . In the alternative view shown in  FIG. 15 , a cylindrical type sleeve may include a top opening  80  a cylindrical body  82  spanning down to a bottom opening  84  extending using a flap of conduit facing away  86  to an ergonomic mass  88 . 
         [0046]    In the embodiment as shown in  FIG. 16 , a cylindrical type sleeve, such as that shown in  FIG. 14  and  FIG. 15 , is slid bottom opening  84  first over hook eyelet  18  until it becomes exposed through top opening  80  with the body of the sleeve  82  resting over the shank  8  of the hook  16  allowing the flap of formed conduit  86  to extend an ergonomic mass  88  beyond the bend of the hook  16 . In the alternative view as shown in  FIG. 17 , a rear view of the embodiment of  FIG. 16  is shown, in which a cylindrical type sleeve such as is shown in  FIG. 14  and  FIG. 15  is slid bottom opening  84  first over hook eyelet  18  until it becomes exposed through top opening  80  with the body of the sleeve  82  resting over the shank  8  of the hook  16  allowing the flap of formed conduit  86  to extend an ergonomic mass  88  beyond the bend of the hook  16 . 
         [0047]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 20 , a molded mass  100  is pierced with a point  2  of the hook  16  and slides down to the bend  4  of the hook  16 . In this embodiment, the molded mass  100  can be used in the alternative to the ergonomic mass  88 , or beads as discussed above. 
         [0048]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-20  generally, and specifically to  FIG. 19 , in use the hook appurtenance will be gripped by an angler, preferably (as discussed above) at a position past a bend and generally aligned with the shank of the fishing hook that is included in a lure. As noted above, preferably this is a “rearmost” hook of a lure that includes two or more hooks. The angler can then tension the line attached to the lure and hook, causing a bend in a rod attached to the line. The angler can then aim the rod and release the hook appurtenance, thereby releasing tension in the rod and casting the fishing lure to a desired location. By using this casting method, the angler can avoid interference by any hooks of the lure while accurately casting under branches, or to other narrow areas where accuracy is critical. 
         [0049]    This method of casting including an appurtenance  90  as shown in  FIG. 19  is portrayed with a lure holding hand  99  grabbing said appurtenance  90  as included in a lure  91  which is attached at the lure eyelet  92  by fishing line  93 . The appurtenance  90  and lure  91  can be any of the lures or appurtenances previously described. The rod holding hand  98  holds the rod handle  96  to which an attached reel  97  spooled with line  93 . Tension in line  93  will then pull back the rod tip  94  to make the rod bend  95 . Upon releasing the lure  91  from the lure holding hand  99 , and in close succession releasing the line  93  near the reel from the rod holding hand  98  is how a slingshot cast is achieved. 
         [0050]    Still referring to  FIGS. 1-20  generally, although interconnection of the hook appurtenance is shown in the embodiments herein using fishing line, and thread with head cement to attach to the hook, alternative methods of manufacturing can provide other methods for attachment and types of ergonomic shapes for said mass. Furthermore, manufacturing may also utilize more streamlined design to build said mass as to incorporate directly into design of the hook or to offer manufacturing of specialized materials to be attached to the hook for the purpose of utilizing this method of casting. Furthermore, although, in some embodiments the slingshot bead is best suited for use on the opposite side of the lure from the line tying to the eyelet, it may be used in other locations of lure that are available for attachment. 
         [0051]    The above specification, examples and data provide a complete description of the manufacture and use of the composition of the invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.