Abstract:
A fishing lure is generally provided that incorporates a hook stabilizing device that substantially holds the hook in place without allowing rotation of the hook while the lure is being fished. The hook stabilizing device is configured to accept the connection a fishing line to a hook, such as a crimp connection to an eyelet of a hook. Rotation of the hook may be allowed after a fish is hooked when the connection of the line to the hook is removed from the hook stabilizing device while fighting the hooked fish.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to fishing lures. More specifically, the present invention relates to fishing lures incorporating a hook stabilizing device that substantially holds the hook in place without allowing rotation. However, the hook stabilizing device can allow the lure to move up the fishing line when fighting a fish, which allows the hook to rotate freely.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Sport fishing is enjoyed around the world. From fresh water to salt water, a wide variety of fish species exist. Fishermen employ a variety of equipment and tackle depending upon the water being fished, the time of day, the species of fish sought, personal choice, and many other factors. A fishing lure, sometimes referred to as an artificial lure, is frequently a part of such equipment and tackle.  
         [0003]     Fishing lures are typically designed and decorated with the goal of replicating or mimicking the movement and appearance of a food source for the particular fish being sought. For example, such lure may take on the shape of a minnow, tadpole, frog, mouse, insect, salamander, another fish, or such other food source. The fisherman&#39;s hope is that by having a lure closely resembling or acting like a source of food, fish will be enticed into biting the lure.  
         [0004]     In an effort to make the lure aesthetically realistic, a designer can use materials pigmented with the desired colors. For example, colored plastics or rubber may be used. In addition, a designer can paint or stain the external surface of the lure to achieve the desired color and marking characteristics. Decorative features such as scales, eyes, and fins may be painted onto the surface or otherwise added to the lure.  
         [0005]     Lures can also be designed with features that make the lure realistic in a functional manner. Fins, diving planes, spinners, rattles and the like may be added in order to make the lure move and sound like a food source. Some lures may be specifically designed to operate on the water surface while others may function only when below.  
         [0006]     Typically, fishing lures are designed to incorporate at least one hook somewhere within or attached to the fishing lure. In some lures, it may be desired that the hook does not rotate or move freely with respect to the lure to prevent the hook from excessive movement that may discourage a targeted fish from striking the lure. Also, by preventing the hook from rotating freely with respect to the lure body, the hook can stay in the desired position and angle to better ensure that a striking fish will be hooked. Furthermore, in embodiments where the leader line is connected directly to the hook, preventing the hook from rotating will prevent build up of unwanted twist in the leader line and the fishing line. However, controlling the movement of the hook relative to the lure is difficult, especially when the hook is attached to a fishing line that extends through the lure body and out the back or bottom of the body. Typically, the lure does not prevent the hook from rotating or moving freely with respect to the lure body.  
         [0007]     Also, it may be desired to have the lure body move away from the hook, up the fishing line toward the fisherman, while fighting a hooked fish. This movement allows the hook to rotate freely with the hooked fish&#39;s movement, while preventing the lure body from dislodging the hook out of the fish&#39;s mouth.  
         [0008]     As such, a need exists for a device that prevents the hook from rotating freely with respect to the lure while being fished, but still enables the hook to rotate freely when fighting a hooked fish.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     Objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.  
         [0010]     Generally, in one embodiment, the present invention is directed to an internal member configured to be inserted inside a fishing lure to accept a leader line attached to an eyelet of a fishing hook. The internal member comprises a first end and a second end. The first end defines an aperture configured to receive the leader line. The second end defines a first slot and a second slot that intersect and are configured to receive the eyelet of the fishing hook that is attached to the leader line and to prevent the eyelet of the hook from substantially rotating.  
         [0011]     In one embodiment, the first slot and the second slot intersect to form an aperture having a cross-like shape. Also, in one embodiment, the intersecting first and second slots extend through at least two-thirds of the internal member. For example, in one embodiment, the intersecting first and second slots taper to the size and shape of the aperture defined by the first end. In one embodiment, the aperture defined by the first end has a conical, tube shape. Also, in some embodiments, the internal member can define a tubular, oval shaped member that terminates at the first end and the second end.  
         [0012]     In another embodiment, the present invention is generally directed to a fishing lure rig assembly attached to a leader line. The fishing lure rig assembly comprises a hook, a structural member, and a lure body that substantially surrounds the structural member. The hook defines an eyelet that is connected to the leader line. The structural member defines a first end and a second end. The first end defines an aperture for the receipt of the leader line. The second end defines a pair of intersecting slots shaped to receive the eyelet of the hook and shaped to prevent the eyelet from rotating within the pair of intersecting slots.  
         [0013]     In yet another embodiment, the present invention is generally directed to a fishing lure configured for connection to a fishing line comprising a lure body, a hook, and a hook stabilizing device. The lure body defines a head section where the fishing line enters the lure body. The hook defines an eyelet that is connected to the fishing line. The hook stabilizing device is located within the lure body and defines a first end and a second end. The first end defines an aperture shaped to receive the fishing line. The second end defines a pair of intersecting grooves designed to encompass the eyelet of the hook such that the hook is substantially prevented from rotating when contained within the pair of intersecting grooves.  
         [0014]     Additional objects and advantages of the present subject matter are set forth in, or will be apparent to, those of ordinary skill in the art from the detailed description herein. Also, it should be further appreciated that modifications and variations to the specifically illustrated, referred and discussed features and elements hereof may be practiced in various embodiments and uses of the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter. Variations may include, but are not limited to, substitution of equivalent means, features, or steps for those illustrated, referenced, or discussed, and the functional, operational, or positional reversal of various parts, features, steps, or the like.  
         [0015]     Still further, it is to be understood that different embodiments, as well as different presently preferred embodiments, of the present subject matter may include various combinations or configurations of presently disclosed features, steps, or elements, or their equivalents (including combinations of features, parts, or steps or configurations thereof not expressly shown in the figures or stated in the detailed description of such figures).  
         [0016]     Additional embodiments of the present subject matter, not necessarily expressed in the summarized section, may include and incorporate various combinations of aspects of features, components, or steps referenced in the summarized objects above, and/or other features, components, or steps as otherwise discussed in this application. Those of ordinary skill in the art will better appreciate the features and aspects of such embodiments, and others, upon review of the remainder of the specification. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]     A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which includes and makes reference to the appended figures, in which:  
         [0018]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a fishing squid-like lure incorporating an embodiment of the hook stabilizing device of the present invention;  
         [0019]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0020]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the present invention when the hook stabilizing device is up the fishing line away from the hook;  
         [0021]      FIG. 4A  is an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of the hook stabilizing device of the present invention;  
         [0022]      FIG. 4B  is a cutaway view of an embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0023]      FIG. 5  is a cross sectional view of one embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
       [0024]     Repeat use of reference characters throughout the present specification and appended drawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features or elements of the invention.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0025]     The present application generally provides for a fishing lure incorporating a hook stabilizing device that prevents the hook from rotating relative to the lure while being fished, but still allows the hook to rotate freely when fighting a hooked fish. In order to fully understand the advantages of the present disclosure,  FIGS. 1-5  will be explained in greater detail as exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Each example is provided by way of an explanation of the invention, and not meant as a limitation of the invention. For example, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment may be used for another embodiment to yield still a further embodiment. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.  
         [0026]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , an exemplary embodiment of a fishing lure  10  according to the present invention is illustrated. Fishing lure  10  is shown comprising lure body  12  and hook stabilizing device or member  14 . Hook stabilizing device  14  is shown to be an internal member hidden within lure body  12  and designed to encompass a connection of eyelet  16  of hook  18  to leader line  20 . As used herein, “leader line” describes the fishing line segment that attaches to the lure or hook. The leader line may be a separate fishing line, typically stronger than the regular line on the fishing reel, or may simply be a portion of the fishing line attached to the fishing reel.  
         [0027]     Hook stabilizing device  14  is shaped to prevent hook  18  from rotating while lure  10  is being fished. Preventing hook  18  from rotating with respect to lure  10  is advantageous while the lure  10  is being fished to prevent the hook from excessive movement that may discourage a targeted fish from striking the lure. Also, by preventing the hook  18  from rotating freely with respect to the lure, the hook  18  can stay in the desired position and angle to better ensure that a striking fish will be hooked and/or that the lure is less susceptible to hooking the body of water&#39;s bottom surface or unwanted debris found in the water, such as aquatic plants, rocks, logs, etc. Also, in the exemplary embodiments shown, the hook  18  is connected directly to leader line  20  at crimp  21 ; thus, preventing hook  18  from rotating will prevent the build-up of twist in the leader line  20 .  
         [0028]     However, when fighting a hooked fish, the angler may desire hook  18  to rotate freely and for lure body  12  to move up leader line  20  away from hook  18 . As such, lure body  12  will not dislodge hook  18  out of a hooked fish&#39;s mouth and will be allowed to rotate freely with the hooked fish. According to the present disclosure, when a fish strikes lure  10  and is hooked by hook  18 , the pressure asserted by the fish can pull eyelet  16  or hook  18  out of hook stabilizing device  14 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . Thus, while fighting a hooked fish, hook  18  can rotate with the hooked fish.  
         [0029]     As best seen in the exemplary embodiments of  FIGS. 4A, 4B , and  5 , hook stabilizing device  14  defines a first end  22  and a second end  24 . First end  22  defines an aperture  26  configured to receive the leader line  20 . Generally, aperture  26  has a hollow, cylindrical tube shape, the size of which can vary according to the diameter of the inserted leader line  20 .  
         [0030]     In the exemplary embodiment shown, the intersecting slots or grooves  28  and  30  defined by second end  24  of hook stabilizing device  14  taper in both size and shape to become the aperture  26  defined by the first end  22 . Also, as shown, the intersecting slots  28  and  30  extend at least about two-thirds of the length of the hook stabilizing device  14 . However, the length of intersecting slots  28  and  30  can vary according to the particular application of lure  10 . In fact, the relative length of intersecting slots  28  and  30  to hook stabilizing device  14  is not critical, as long as intersecting slots  28  and  30  are deep and long enough to accept eyelet  16  and crimp  21  to prevent hook  18  from substantially rotating with respect to lure body  12 .  
         [0031]     As stated, the second end  24  of hook stabilizing device  14  also defines a first intersecting slot  28  and a second intersecting slot  30 . As shown in  FIGS. 4A  and B, the intersecting slots  28  and  30  extend through the hook stabilizing device  14  to connect to the first aperture  26  located on the second end  24 . The pair of intersecting slots  28  and  30  are shown in the exemplary embodiments of  FIGS. 4A, 4B  and  5  to form a cross-like shape on second end  24  of stabilizing device  14 . However, any shape can be used that can effectively receive the eyelet  16  of hook  18  and crimp  21  of leader line  20  and prevent the eyelet from rotating with respect to the lure body  12 . In the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , the cross-like aperture formed by intersecting slots  28  and  30  is capable of receiving both the eyelet  16  of hook  18  and the crimp  21  used to attach leader line  20  to eyelet  18 .  
         [0032]     The exemplary embodiments of  FIGS. 1-3  show hook  18  attached to leader line  20  at eyelet  16  by the use of crimp  21 . However, any method of attaching leader line  20  to hook  18  can be employed within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, in other embodiments, leader line  20  can be tied onto hook  18  at eyelet  16 . In this embodiment, slots  26  and  28  can be configured to accept the knot formed at or on eyelet  16  or shaft  38  of hook  18  as well as eyelet  16  itself to prevent hook  18  from substantially rotating with respect to lure body  12 .  
         [0033]     In the exemplary embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 1-5 , hook stabilizing device  14  is depicted as a tubular, oval shaped structure. However, any external shape can be utilized so long as the apertures defined by the first and second ends are capable of preventing the hook  18  from rotating with respect to lure body  12 . Also, in the exemplary embodiments of  FIGS. 1-4A , hook stabilizing device  14  is shown with decorative extrusions  32  that define decorative eye features  34  for lure  12 . However, the decorative eye features  34  are optional and in some embodiments may not be present on hook stabilizing device  14 , for instance as shown in  FIGS. 4B and 5 . Other decorative designs and extrusions can be included on the exterior of hook stabilizing device  14  without affecting its intended function.  
         [0034]     Hook stabilizing device  14  can be composed of any material that is capable of being formed or configured into the desired shape. For example, in the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1 , the stabilizing device  14  can be a lightweight, plastic-like material. However, in other embodiments, such as in the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 2 , hook stabilizing device  14  can be a metal so that hook stabilizing device  14  doubles in function to also provide weight to lure  10 . In other embodiments, hook stabilizing device  14  can define a portion of lure body  12  such that hook stabilizing device  14  is essentially a part of lure body  12 .  
         [0035]     In the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 1 , lure body  12  is shaped to resemble a squid-like bait. However, as shown in the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 2 , lure body  12  can take the shape of a bait fish. In fact, lure body  12  can be shaped into any form desired, including squid-like baits, bait fish, and other sea or aquatic creatures.  
         [0036]     Hook  18  is shown in the exemplary embodiments of  FIGS. 1-3  as being a single hook comprising hook bend  36 , hook shaft  38 , and hook eyelet  16 . In other embodiments, hook  18  can be comprised of more than one hook bend  36 , such as a double or treble hook. Also, hook  18  can take the shape of any conventional hook that is typically used while fishing. Finally, the size of hook  18  can vary according to the particular application and fish targeted.  
         [0037]     While the present subject matter has been described in detail with respect to specific embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art, upon attaining and understanding of the foregoing may readily produce alterations to, variations of, and equivalents to such embodiments. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure is by way of example rather than by way of limitation, and the subject disclosure does not preclude inclusion of such modifications, variations, and/or additions to the present subject matter as would be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.