Abstract:
A weight to facilitate weed resistant fishing is disclosed. Embodiments include a biconically-tapered weight shaped to define a relatively centrally located aperture, an off-center exit aperture, surrounded by a lip, wherein the weight has a channel where conventional fishing line may pass through the top of the weight, through the channel, and out an exit aperture. With tension on the line, a portion of the hook enters the lip and the hook is relatively shielded from accumulating weeds on decent through a weed mass. A variety of methods disclose manipulating a conventional fishing rod and line with the subject weight.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The application claims 35 U.S.C. §119(e), to U.S. Provisional Application 61/237,674 filed Aug. 27, 2009, entitled “WEED RESISTANT FISHING WEIGHT AND METHOD” which is incorporated by reference into this application as if fully set forth herein. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention is related to fishing apparatus and tackle generally, and more specifically to fishing weight utilization and weed resistant tackle. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    The need for weight on a fishing line is common. Weight aids in line casting and permits bait or lure placement at a specific position relative to the bottom surface of a body of water. Aquatic vegetation takes many forms including weeds—and it is hard to find an experienced fisherman who has not encountered problematic weeds. Weeds result in hook snaring, loss of bait, broken line, and improper bait/line placement. Weights frequently compound the problem of collecting weeds wherein a weighted line passes through a mat of weeds and the weight itself serves as a weed collection point. What is needed is a weight that minimizes weed collection. Often, a thick mat of surface cover will exist over prime fishing waters, and presenting the lure or bait through a thick mat of reeds of weeds is a challenge. 
         [0004]    One way to penetrate dense surface cover is to cast a line bearing a conventional weight relatively high into the air to provide the necessary acceleration/force to penetrate the dense surface weed cover. This is problematic because the technique commonly causes excessive surface water disturbance as the weight aggressively enters the water. This has the undesirable consequence spooking fish and disrupting fishing conditions. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    The present invention discloses a weight which aids in penetrating weeds without gathering them. In one embodiment, the present invention discloses a weight that is conical on one or both ends, wherein the tip of the weight penetrates a weed mat without becoming ensnared. In one embodiment, the present invention discloses a bi-conical weight with a centrally disposed aperture at a first apex through which a fishing line passes, wherein the line exits through the weight&#39;s side. The weight may terminate in a second apex. The present also discloses a method of manipulating the inventive apparatus to delicately penetrate surface cover. This allows the angler to present the weight and bait surreptitiously—in a stealthy and refined manner. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a series of embodiment weights. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a elevation view of a bi-conical embodiment weight. 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a bottom view of an embodiment weight illustrating an exit aperture. 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is a top view of an embodiment weight illustrating a central entrance aperture. 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an embodiment weight. 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  is a top view of an embodiment weight illustrating a central entrance aperture. 
           [0012]      FIG. 7  is a bottom view of an embodiment weight illustrating an exit aperture of non-limiting specific embodiment dimensions. 
           [0013]      FIG. 8  is a sectional view taken through line A-A of  FIG. 7  illustrating an weight depicting embodiment tapering and embodiment channel. 
           [0014]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view showing the apparatus in use with an example conventional hook and line. 
           [0015]      FIG. 10  is a sectional view taken through line A-A of  FIG. 7 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]    In one embodiment, as illustrated by a series of different sized weights depicted by  FIG. 1 . apparatus weight  5  having a long axis and short axis, has a first end  10 , and second end  20 , wherein the first end  10  and second end  20  taper. In one embodiment apparatus  5  may be biconically shaped and second end  20  may terminate in point  22 . The weight has an outer surface which, in certain embodiments, may be coated to minimize friction between the weight&#39;s  5  outer surface and a weed mass and/or promote laminar flow of water over weight  5 . Aperture  25  is relatively centrally located in the proximal aspect of first end  10  and defines the entrance to channel  27  which has an inner surface and passes through weight  5  exiting at exit aperture  35 , which in one embodiment may be off-center. Exit aperture  35  is surrounded by lip  30 . 
         [0017]    In one specific non-limiting example embodiment found to be useful, as illustrated by  FIGS. 6-8 , apparatus  5  is tapered to a specified degree a inwardly relative to widest portion  7 . In one embodiment σ equals 10 degrees inwardly as measured from the widest point of apparatus  5   a  to the point  22   a  or  25   a  at one or both ends. Importantly, in an alternative embodiment, second end  20  may be tapered while first end  10  is non-tapered or tapered to a different degree—and vice versa.  FIG. 7  illustrates an embodiment second end  20   a  terminating in point  22   a . Lip  30   a , in one embodiment only, is pitched at 20 degrees and surrounds aperture  35   a , which in a preferred embodiment is 0.0425 inches. Lip  30   a  slants inwardly and becomes progressively deeper toward aperture  35   a .  FIG. 6  illustrates central entrance aperture  25   a , the mouth of which may be the same size or slightly larger than channel  27   a  passing through the center of weight  5   a  as illustrated by  FIG. 8 . Importantly, it should be noted that a channel, such as channel  27   a  may be present in all embodiments described herein. 
         [0018]    In one embodiment, channel  27   a  may be coated with a material having a coefficient of static and kinetic friction between the fishing line and weight that is less than the surface of weight  5  itself. For example, silicone, plastic, or Teflon, may be used. In one embodiment, a tubular insert may be disposed within the channel—the insert having a cross-sectional diameter sufficient to permit fishing line to pass within. In one example, a low friction tubular insert may be disposed within channel  27  and comprised of nylon or plastic. The use of such is particularly useful where fishing with relatively thin, low pound-test line is desired. The addition of a low friction insert permits more movement of the weight and line relative to each other and prevents potentially catastrophic line fraying and wear. 
         [0019]    In use, a fishing line and rod is provided. The rod has at least one line guide for maintaining control of the line on the rod. An apparatus as described above is provided and disposed on the line between the line guide and the line&#39;s end which is attached to a conventional hook which has an eye and a barb or lure. Fishing line is passed through aperture  25 , then through channel  27   a  in the weight and exits through aperture  35  such that the line and weight  5  are movable relative to each other. Weight  5  rests on the hook bearing the object to be fished. The line bearing the hook and weight  5  is cast and the rod tip raised. The rod and line are then manipulated to minimize weed accumulation on the hook/lure. In one method, as the rod is raised, relative tension in the line orientates the long axis of weight  5  perpendicular to the water surface. Tapered second end  20  penetrates weed beds, grass, hyacinth, hydrilla, lilly pads, dead or live tule mats, delta cheese, or other top or subsurface aquatic vegetation. As illustrated by  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the eye of a conventional hook enters aperture  35   a  and is thereby relatively shielded by resting in lip  30  from accumulating weeds on descent through a weed mass. As weight  5  makes contact with the bottom surface the hook or lure is disengaged from aperture  35   a  and lip  30  and may be fished with sufficient and variable distance between the hook and weight  5 . In an alternative method, the user can provide more distance between weight  5  and the hook by feeding line as weight  5  is falling. In this method of utilization, the relatively wide falling weight  5  will clear a path for the trailing hook or lure to prevent weed ensnarement. 
         [0020]    Regarding composition, weight  5  in certain embodiments may be constructed of any metal including brass, copper, steel, titanium, aluminum, and other metals. In a preferred embodiment, the external surface of apparatus  5  may be colored flat green through known methods, such as by powder coating. The dull color mimics tule and minimizes the chance that a target fish will be frightened by unfamiliar appearing materials. The size of apparatus  5  is determined by the variables such as anticipated weed type, weed density, the lure or hook used, and rate of desired descent. Non-limiting useful examples weights have been 0.75 ounce, 1.0 ounce, 1.5 ounce, and 2.0 ounce weight embodiments. 
         [0021]    On retrieval, the line is retrieved through the weight until the eye of the hook enters aperture  35  and the barb is within lip  30 —relatively recessed. As the line is retrieved, the barb is relatively shielded from accumulating weeds, and the tapered nature of first end  10  substantially minimizes weed collection. 
         [0022]    The present invention also discloses a variety of methods of fishing weight  5  by providing a weight  5  that has a tapered first end  10  and tapered second end  20  wherein a central aperture  25  in first end, and exit aperture  35  recessed within a lip  30  in the second end, wherein line may be threaded through said central aperture  25 , through a channel within said weight, and exit through the exit aperture  35 . The user next attaches a suitable hook or lure to the line&#39;s terminal end. 
         [0023]    In a first preferred embodiment, an angler imparts a relatively small amount of force to the rod&#39;s tip sufficient to gently “flick” or “tug” weight  5  to free a lure and weight caught in vegetation. Further, this flicking or tugging action permits weight  5  to be moved gently along the surface weeds until one of the manipulations orients weight  5  perpendicular to the weed cover such that point  22  of tapered second end  20 , or the narrowest portion of first end  10  penetrate the weed mat and clear a path for the trailing hook and/or lure. Of course, it is possible that apparatus  5  may penetrate surface weed cover in some circumstances where the manipulation results in weight  5  being oriented in a less than a precisely perpendicularly; whether or not weight  5  will penetrate a given weed cover depends on a host of factors including the type of weed cover, weed density, mass of weight  5  selected, as well as characteristics of the lure/hook/bait such as buoyancy and resistance. 
         [0024]    In a second method, weight  5 , line, and rod are assembled as described above, and the angler places continuous tension on the line to engage the eye of the hook or lure with exit aperture  35  of said weight such that the recess and tapered nature of the weight&#39;s second end  20  minimize weed accumulation on the weight or hook/lure. The user next casts or drops the weighted line into the water to be fished, and by placing continuous tension on the line (e.g. by raising the tip of a fishing rod or engaging the reel) the line will orient weight  5  such the long axis is perpendicular to the water surface. The weight descends through the water and may penetrate weed beds and other aquatic vegetation while minimizing the collection of plant material. Next, the user allows the hook/lure to disengage from the weight so that the bait/hook/lure may be presented away from weight  5 . This may be accomplished by relaxing tension in the line to permit weight  5  to descend in the water faster than the lure/hook/bait or by permitting the weight to settle on the bottom surface of the body of water being fished whereupon current factors, buoyancy of the lure/hook/bait, or action of live bait will provide such distance. When retrieval is desired, the user retrieves the line whereupon the eye of the hook will become engaged in aperture  35 . Lip  30  and the shape of the first end  10  of weight  5  minimize the hook&#39;s and weight&#39;s exposure to collecting weeds. 
         [0025]    In a third method, the user casts the line while permitting continuous slack. Weight  5  falls freely through the water, clearing a path for the trailing hook/lure/bait. The angler feeds line, after casting and weight  5  is falling, and the distance between the hook and weight  5  is increased, wherein the relatively wide falling weight  5  clears a path for the trailing hook to prevent weed ensnarement. 
         [0026]    In a forth method used where the hook/lure/bait is particularly susceptible to ensnaring weed material (such as a brush hog) a bobber stopper may be fastened in a position above the hook—such as six inches from the hook&#39;s eye. Where the lure becomes ensnared, a tug of the rod tip will cause weight to move in the direction of the line. As weight  5  strikes the bobber stopper, a sudden force is imparted to the lure—often suddenly dislodging it from a weed mass. 
         [0027]    In a fifth method, weight  5  is employed as part of a conventional Carolina rig. The location of aperture  35  orients the proximal narrowest portion of first end  10  upwardly. As the rig is pulled along the bottom surface of a body of water, the upward orientation prevents weight  5  from ensnaring and becoming entrapped on obstructions such as rocks, stumps, debris, and the like. 
         [0028]    Importantly, where the term “weedless” is used herein, it is understood that the term is generally understood to envisage minimizing troublesome weed material—not entirely eliminating the possibility that the weight or hook will be ensnared on any vegetation. Additionally, the use of the term hook, lure, and bait has been used interchangeably throughout. It should be understood that the inventive apparatus may be used with a variety of hooks, lures, and dead/live baits. 
         [0029]    Although the present invention has been described with reference to the various described embodiments, it should be understood that various modifications and variations can be easily made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing disclosure should be interpreted as illustrative only and is not to be interpreted in a limiting sense. It is further intended that any other embodiments of the present invention that result from any changes in application or method of use or operation, method of manufacture, shape, size, or material which are not specified within the detailed written description or illustrations contained herein yet are considered apparent or obvious to one skilled in the art are within the scope of the present invention.