Abstract:
A counterweighted weedless fishing float suitable for suspending at least part of an attractant, such as live bait or an insect replica, above the surface of water in which the float is borne, and kits for assembling a variety of attractants, are provided. The float is counterweighted, and may comprise a plurality of air-trapping channels arranged within it to trap an amount of air sufficient to support the float and a connected attractant. In other embodiments, the float may comprise one or more sealed chambers to provide buoyancy. The float may be disguised as a water plant, fallen tree leaf, twig or other floating detritus or water creature. The attractant may replicate an insect such as a dragonfly, an insect larva such as a hellgrammite, or any other natural or artificial fish bait or prey. The float includes an adjustable stem so that the relative position of the attractant or bait with respect to the float and the water surface may be changed depending on the particular fish sought or the conditions present. In one form, the specific gravity of the invention may be adjusted by adding weights to vary its floating characteristics.

Description:
The present application is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/770,199, filed Jan. 29, 2002, now abandoned, which is a Continuing Patent Application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/777,480, filed Dec. 30, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,237,276, and of Provisional U.S. Patent Application No. 60/331,777, filed Nov. 21, 2001, and of Provisional U.S. Patent Application No. 60/308,586, filed Jul. 31, 2001. All of the above-identified applications are hereby incorporated by reference and priority is claimed to them. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to fishing lures that are water-borne by means of a float, and more particularly to floats that suspend a fishing lure or other fish attractant at least partially above water while simultaneously minimizing the chances of entanglement in water-borne plants or debris. The present invention relates also to kits for assembling such lures and floats. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to fishing floats that can be used as platforms for attaching one or more different kinds of attractants, to float-lure combinations, and to kits for assembling the lures, floats, and float-lure combinations. The present invention relates also to a series of fishing floats that include a clip, one or more spiral attachment devices, or a clip combined with a spiral attachment device for attaching or demountably attaching one or more fishing lures or attractants, including natural baits. Such attractants include, for example, natural baits such as grasshoppers, flies, dragonflies, grubs, larvae, worms or other echinoderms, leeches, and replicas thereof. 
   Fishing lures have various features directed toward minimizing or eliminating snags in water-borne weeds or debris. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,107,615 to Shaffer discloses a lure having a hook disposed to lie within a shield so that the point of the hook protrudes through an aperture in the shield to assume a fish catching position only when pressure is applied by the mouth of a fish. 
   Another common problem relating to water-borne lures is that of presenting an attractant which is borne realistically enough to lure fish efficiently. Numerous approaches have been employed in the art in order to provide a realistic attractant. For instance, some lures are configured to replicate small injured fish, swimming frogs, floating flies, spiders, insect larvae, and numerous other fish prey. An additional problem in the field of fishing lures relates to the efficient use of materials in fabricating and assembling the lures. Thus, it is desirable to have the various elements of the lure, such as the float, and parts that make up the attractant portion of the lure, such as the body and wing parts of the attractant, amenable to manufacturing and assembly processes that use a minimal amount of key materials while enabling an acceptable level of performance of the float, the lure, and their various combinations. However, until the present invention, no lure has provided the advantages of a weedless water-borne lure with those of an attractant which replicates realistically the behavior of fish prey while affording efficiencies of assembly and manufacture, and providing the user with multiple adaptations. Thus, there is a need for floats and lures which provide a realistic attractant combined with a weedless configuration which is still capable of easy manufacture at relatively low material costs. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In view of these and other needs in the art, and in view of the disadvantages inherent in numerous known types of water-borne lures, the present invention provides embodiments of floats, attractants and their combinations whereby all or part of the attractant portion of the lure is suspended, at least part of the time, above the surface of the water in which the lure is borne to thereby both minimize or eliminate disadvantageous snags and present a realistic attractant and hook to target fish. The interaction between the float and attractant elements of the invention is transmitted through both the connector element and the fishing line to which the attractant, lure or both are attached. Thus, the connector or fishing line transmits the motion or vibration of the float or line to the attractant so that parts of the attractant wiggle or otherwise move and thereby appear to hover or dangle over the water surface. Another advantageous aspect of the present invention is found in the fact that the hook element of the attractant can be disposed to be held above the water surface to thereby avoid snags. The attractant, float or both portions of the present invention may be provided in kit form, that is, in a group or selection of parts such that the parts may be assembled to form a multiplicity of embodiments of any given type of attractant. For example, as is shown in the accompanying figures, parts for assembling multiple permutations or varieties of dragonflies may be presented in kit form for final assembly by the user. Other kit-built attractants are also within the scope of the invention. For instance, parts to assemble other attractants such as grasshoppers, frogs, worms, crustaceans such as crayfish, amphibians such as turtles and salamanders, and damsel flies among other fish prey, are within the scope of the invention. The present invention therefore combines the advantages of an artificial attractant, such as a dragonfly replica, realistically held by the connector and float elements of the invention above, partly above, or dipping into and out of the water surface in which the float-attractant combination is cast, thrown or placed, to thereby appear to hover. 
   The fishing floats of the present invention can be used to attach fishing flies, live bait, replicas of live bait or any other type of attractant effective for drawing the attention of target fish. Advantageously, fishing floats of the present invention can be made of many different materials including multiple polymers, castable compounds, foam plastics, wood, fiberglass or other composites or any other suitable material that can be molded, machined or otherwise made into a float having a specific gravity of less than 1.0 with respect to water, and thus are capable of suspending an attractant above the surface of water in which the float is placed. 
   As shown in the accompanying figures, floats of the present invention can be provided with a means for attaching a keel or other weight to thereby ensure that the float comes to be disposed at desired position with respect to the water in which it is floating. Moreover, floats of the present invention can be of various shapes and confirmations depending on the type of environment in which the float will be used. For example, floats of the present invention can be of many different types but are preferably formed to replicate something that would normally be found in a body of water such as leaves, sticks, clumps of grass, lily pads or clumps of spanish moss. 
   Floats according to the invention can be of varying colors and opacities. For example, the floats can be tinted or molded of colored material, such as green polypropylene to replicate a freshly falling leaf or brown polypropylene to replicate a leaf in some state of decay. In some embodiments, floats of the present invention may be translucent or transparent and comprise the phantom shadow of an attractant disposed on one or more surfaces or facets of the float such that target fish will be attracted by the apparent shadow of their prey. 
   Demountably attachable attractants are also provided, particularly in kit form, and rotation-resistant hooks of novel shapes that permit the demountable or reversible attachment of an attractant to the hook, or to a float or line to which the hook is attached. Demountable attractants according to the invention can comprise a slot for reversibly receiving a hook having a shaft that is shaped to both prevent its rotation when it is disposed within an attractant body, and engage a positioning notch or dimple in the attractant body such that, once the hook is seated in the attractant body, the barbed end of the hook is disposed for hooking a fish that strikes the attractant, and the attractant is securely mounted on the hook. 
   In the context of the invention, the term “scrobiculate” means having a plurality of elongated tubes or channels that are closed at least at one end and therefore useful for trapping air and providing buoyancy to a fishing float. The tubes or channels are disposed such that when the lure is cast, thrown or placed into an aqueous medium such as the water in a pond or stream, air is trapped within the channels and provides buoyancy to the float in addition to whatever the float may possess by virtue of the density of the material from which it is made. In some embodiments of scrobiculate floats according to the present invention, some or all of the channels are closed at both ends. In other embodiments of floats according to the invention, the channels are closed at both ends to thereby provide closed pockets of very low specific gravity. The channels may be of any shape and disposition so long as they function to trap a sufficient amount of air, other gas or light material that the float can support itself and an attached attractant at a desired height or degree over or in relation to the water in which they are borne. 
   In accordance with one aspect of the scrobiculate floats of the present invention, the channels may be parallel cylinders of ovoid or circular cross-section disposed close to one another in bundles or clusters. In other embodiments, the channels can be of any geometric cross-section desired and suitable for a particular use or for particular manufacturing methods or efficiencies. For example, the channels may be square, pentagonal, hexagonal, seven-sided, octagonal, free-formed curves. The channels of a float according to the present invention may be of any diameter or wall thickness so long as they function to provide sufficient flotation for the intended use. Moreover, distances between the channels or groups of channels may be provided such that the desired balance and specific gravity of a particular embodiment are achieved. The channels may similarly be provided in patterns, diameters or densities that achieve the desired balance and amount of floatation necessary, for example, to suspend the weight of a particular attractant a desired distance above a water surface. 
   As one of skill in the art will understand, the present invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description and drawings. The invention is capable of various other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. One of skill in the art will also understand that the terminology and phraseology employed herein to describe the present invention are illustrative and not limiting. 
   In this regard, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the concept upon which the present invention is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods, and configurations for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. Accordingly, it is important that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent instructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
   It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a lure that, when floating in water, provides a platform for levitating or suspending at least part of an attached attractant is held above the surface of the water to thereby eliminate or minimize snags. 
   In accordance with this and other objects of the invention, a scrobiculate float for use with a fishing attractant is provided. A float according to the invention includes a float body, the float body comprising an upper surface, the upper surface being bordered by an outer margin, a water-contacting surface comprising at least one arc, at least part of the water-contacting surface being disposed opposite the upper surface. In some embodiments, a plurality of channels extends from the water-contacting surface toward the upper surface, the channels being constructed and arranged such that they trap air when the float is cast, thrown or placed into water, and a keel or stalk disposed on or in the float in proximity to the bottom margin, the keel or stalk comprising a counterweight that is disposed such that the float tends to stabilize into a position where the upper surface is disposed upwardly when the float is in water. 
   The float includes also a connector, such as a stem or arm that extends upwardly from the float and disposed for connecting the float to an attractant, the connector being constructed and arranged such that the attractant is held at least partially above the water in which the float is borne. The float also includes means comprising an aperture, such as an eyelet or loop for receiving a fishing line. The aperture is preferably disposed on the upper surface of the float and away from the connector. 
   In one method of using a float according to the invention, a fishing line is threaded through the aperture and attached to an attractant comprising a hook that is demountably connected to the connector element of the float. One means of attaching the float and connector is by way of complementary press-fit elements, such as a tab and slot, on the respective parts. Thus, when the attractant is bitten by a target fish, even though the float and attractant may separate, both the attractant and float are still attached to the fishing line for the easy retrieval of both. In accordance with other aspects of the invention, the connector is adjustable with respect to said float so that the relative position of said attractant with respect to said float, and with respect to the water in which said float is borne, is adjustable. 
   The channels of the scrobiculate floats according to the present invention can be of any dimension so long as they fulfill the desired functions of trapping air or providing stability to the float and attractant in water. In one preferred embodiment of the present floats, the channels are straight and are disposed substantially parallel to one another and substantially perpendicular to the upper surface of the float. In other embodiments, the channels are arcuate. In yet other embodiments of floats according to the present invention, some of the channels are substantially straight and some are arcuate channels. 
   In embodiments having arcuate channels, the channels may diverge from portions of the upper surface to open at the margins of the water-contacting surface of the float. For reasons of efficiency of manufacture, and economy of materials, channels of the present floats comprise numerous embodiments of dimensions. For example, in cross-section, the channels may approximate any geometric shape and preferably one or more from the group consisting of a circle, an oval, a triangle, a square, a pentagon, a hexagon, a septagon or an octagon. The dimensions of the float channels include a cross-sectional diameter and a longitudinal axis, the axis having an axis length, the cross-sectional diameter having a diametric width and being disposed substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis length. Preferably, the diametric width of the channels is within the range of from 1.0 millimeters (“mm”) to 20.0 mm, and the ratio of the diametric width to the axis length is between 1:3 and 1:40. Thus, the present invention provides for numerous permutations of channeled floats. 
   Attractants for use with floats of the invention are numerous, and include not only those described herein in kit form, but assembled attractants available from numerous public sources. Preferably, the attractant used with the present floats replicates one or more from the group consisting of insects, arachnids, amphibians, reptiles, insect larvae, earthworms and other echinoderms, birds, small fish and small animals. Preferably, at least a portion of the attractant comprises at least one element that wiggles or vibrates in relation to other segments of the attractant when force is applied to said lure. An attractant that replicates a dragonfly, and being provided with wings of a lightweight diaphanous or reflective material, such as Mylar brand membrane or acetate film or sheeting, are thought to be particularly suitable for use with the floats of the present invention. 
   Additional aspects in accordance with the invention include wherein the connector is frangible to the extent that it breaks under the force applied by a striking fish so the attractant is free of the float and the connector, and wherein the specific gravity of the lure is adjustable to thereby control the depth of the float in the aqueous fluid and the height of the hook above the aqueous fluid, and wherein the connector is deformable to the extent that the position of the attractant in relation to the float and the aqueous fluid is adjustable. 
   In accordance with still other objects of the invention, a snag-resistant fishing lure platform is provided comprising a float, a connector suitable for suspending a hook or an attractant above the surface of a body of water in which the platform is placed, and means for attaching the lure to a fishing line. The various components of the lure according to the invention can be made from materials conventional in the field. For example, the attractant means can be formed of moldable material such as plastics, fabric, metals, wood or other plant products, and fibers, all known in the trade or that may be adaptable to the purpose and spirit of the attractant element of the present invention. Alternatively, the attractant can be any conventional fly, insect, or other fish prey replica known in the art. 
   In some embodiments of the present invention, a float, connector and means for attaching an attractant to the connector, such as a conventional fly or live bait, are provided. Thus, a user of the invention can tailor it to the specific type of fish being sought or to bait availability due to seasonal changes. The hook element of the attractant is preferably formed from metal as is conventional in the fishing lure art, although it may also be made of fiberglass or other composite materials of sufficient strength and rigidity to form a hooking means. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is an oblique side view of a counterweighted float and attached dragonfly lure and according to the invention and floating in water. 
       FIG. 2  is an oblique side view of a float according to the invention having a compartment for containing counterweights and a clip to which can be demountably attached a variety of fishing lures. 
       FIG. 3  is a side view of a float replicating a stick floating upright in water and comprising guides for a fishing line and a clip for demountably attaching live bait or another type of attractant. 
       FIG. 4  shows a float similar to that in  FIG. 3  but having a combined helical line guide and barbed bait/attractant impaler suitable for use with live bait such as the caterpillar attractant shown about to be impaled thereon. 
       FIG. 5  is shows a float similar to that in  FIG. 4  but having a combined helical line guide and eyelet for directing a fishing line to an attached attractant. 
       FIG. 6  is a side oblique view of a fishing lure according to the invention wherein a counterweighted float is camoflaged as a clump of grass and is provided with a line guide and clip holding an artificial insect lure above water. 
       FIGS. 7 and 8  show examples of artificial attractants comprising clips according to the invention and thus being suitable for use with many embodiments of the floats of the invention. 
       FIGS. 9 and 10  show a top and oblique side view respectively of a float replicating a leaf and being provided with an attractant clip and a fishing line guide aperture that is accessible from a side slot. 
       FIG. 11  shows an oblique side view of a float replicating a leaf floating in water and being provided with a helical line guide and barbed bait impaler. 
       FIG. 12  shows a float similar to that in  FIG. 11  but having a wire keel containing lead shot counterweights. 
       FIG. 13  shows a float replicating a stick floating on its side in water and having a combined helical line guide and barbed bait/attractant impaler suitable for use with live bait such as the caterpillar attractant shown. The attractant is shown in position to be impaled by the barbed guide and is partially in the water. 
       FIG. 14  shows an oblique side view of a float replicating a leaf and being provided with fishing line guides disposed for suspending a hook for attaching an attractant above water in which the float is borne. 
       FIG. 15  shows a float similar to that of FIG.  14  and being provided with an attractant clip and a fishing line guide aperture that is accessible from a side slot. 
       FIG. 16  shows an oblique side view of a float replicating a leaf and being provided with a helical fishing line guide and an attractant suspended above water in which the float is borne. 
       FIG. 17  shows an oblique side view of a float replicating a leaf and being provided with helical line guides disposed for suspending a hook and attached attractant above water in which the float is borne. 
       FIGS. 18   a  and  b  show one form of a float according to the invention wherein a top portion comprising guide and attachment elements for a fishing line, attractant and counterweight is joined with a bottom portion of plastic foam of very low density. 
       FIGS. 19   a-e  show snap-fit embodiments of a hollow float according to the invention wherein a counterweight stalk extends from a top portion of the float through the bottom portion. 
       FIGS. 20   a-c  show snap-fit embodiments of a hollow float according to the invention wherein a counterweight stalk extends from a bottom portion of the float. 
       FIG. 21  shows a top oblique view of a scrobiculate, or channeled, float provided with channels that are square in cross-section, replicating a leaf and being provided with an eyelet line guide and a stem, or connector, disposed for attachment to an attractant such that the attractant can be suspended at least partly above water in which the float is borne. 
       FIG. 22  shows a top oblique view of a scrobiculate, or channeled, float similar to that of  FIG. 21  but provided with channels that are rectangular in cross-section. 
       FIG. 23  shows a top oblique view of a channeled float according to the invention wherein the channels are ovoid in cross-section. 
       FIG. 24  shows a top oblique view of a channeled float according to the invention wherein the channels are substantially circular in cross-section. 
       FIG. 25  shows a bottom view of the channeled float of FIG.  22 . 
       FIG. 26  shows a bottom view of a channeled float similar to that shown in  FIG. 22  but having channels that are hexagonal in cross-section. 
       FIG. 27  shows a top oblique view of a channeled float according to the invention wherein the channels are substantially circular in cross-section and slant from the water-contacting surface to terminate at a wall provided in a medial portion of the float. 
       FIG. 28  is a side view of the channeled float shown in FIG.  27 . 
       FIG. 29  is a top oblique view of a channeled float similar to that in  FIG. 27  but having a greater number of channels, and the channels are substantially ovoid in cross-section. 
       FIG. 30  is a top oblique view of a transparent or translucent float according to the invention provided with the phantom shadow of an attractant. 
       FIG. 31  is an exploded view of one example of a kit embodiment of the invention showing exemplary parts an artificial dragonfly attractant attached to a scrobiculate float having a mushroom-shaped counterweight. 
       FIG. 32  shows the invention of  FIG. 31  in assembled form and provided with a cylindrical counterweight. 
       FIG. 33  shows examples of thorax element variations of the kit form of the invention. 
       FIGS. 34   a-c  shows examples of tail element variations of the kit form of the invention. 
       FIG. 35  shows examples of eye element variations of the kit form of the invention. 
       FIGS. 36   a-c  show examples of wing element variations of the kit form of the invention. 
       FIGS. 37   a-e  show examples of leg element variations of the kit form of the invention. 
       FIGS. 38   a-c  show one embodiment of a rotation-resistant hook according to the invention and suitable for use with attractants comprising a complementary slot. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The advantages and characteristics of the levitating bait weedless fishing floats, lures lure kits, and lure-float combinations of the present invention can be elucidated from the following detailed description of multiple embodiments of the invention to be taken as examples and not as limitations in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. From the information disclosed herein, it is also clear that many permutations of the present invention are possible by combining the various components described in the drawings and specification and by adding other elements within the spirit of the invention. 
   With respect to the present description, one of skill in the art will recognize that the optimal dimensional relationships for the elements of the invention, including variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are readily apparent and equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the present description and drawings and are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. For example, a larger form of the lure according to the invention may be advantageous in the pursuit of larger fish such as lake bass or muskellunge, or fish living in saltwater habitats. 
   With reference to  FIG. 1 , fishing line  13  is threaded through a fishing line guide aperture  156  and attached to attractant  215  at attractant eyelet  219 . Float  251  is provided with counterweight stalk  161  and counterweight  133 . With reference to  FIG. 2 , float  253  is provided with weight chamber  354  having weight chamber lid  259  and weight chamber opening  254 . Thus, one or more weights, such as lead shot or split shot, can be added to weight chamber  354  in order to control its relative stability and specific gravity while in use. Lure  253  of  FIG. 2  also includes clips  181  having an aperture  155 . Clip  181  is disposed for being attached to an attractant such as a dragonfly replica or other fish bait. Line  13 , which is threaded through fishing line guide aperture  156  and aperture  155  on clip  181 , is diposed for connetion to such an attractant. 
     FIG. 3  shows a floating stick embodiment of the invention. Float  171 , which replicates a floating stick, comprises float body  271  spiral connector  113  and clip  181  which is fitted with leaf replica  183 . In use, line  13  is threaded through spiral connector  113  and aperture  155  in clip  181  and then connected by tying or by means of a swivel as known in the fishing arts, to eyelet  219  of attractant  215 . Attractant  251  can then be mounted by eyelet  219  in the jaws of clip  181 . 
   With reference to  FIG. 4 , float  171  is provided with eyelet  209 , and spiral attachment device  113  having sharp, barbed end  114  which is constructed and disposed for piercing live or artificial bait. In  FIG. 4 , artificial caterpillar  315  which is provided with hook  219  is shown in a position to be pierced by spiral connector  113 . Line  13  is threaded through the several connectors and attached to eyelet  19  of attractant  315 . 
     FIG. 5  shows float  171  disposed with spiral connector  113  comprising eyelet  117  for attachment of fishing line  13 , an attractant, or both.  FIG. 6  depicts an embodiment of the invention wherein float  281  replicates a floating clump of grass. Float  281  is provided with weight shaft  161  and counterweight  133  as well as clip  181  which is disposed to receive portion  219  of attractant  615 .  FIGS. 6 and 7  depict attractants for use with floats according to the invention.  FIG. 9  is a bottom view of  FIG. 10  which shows float  255  having fishing line guide aperture  156  and opening  256  for threading fishing line  13  therethrough. 
     FIG. 11  shows an embodiment of the present invention wherein wire  109  is constructed and arranged both through and outside of the body of the float body to comprise an armature of the float body eyelet, an exposed wire for attaching weights thereto, and spiral connecting device  333  having barbed end  335 .  FIG. 12  depicts a float similar to that of  FIG. 11  but wherein a portion of wire  109  extends below the bottom of the float and is disposed such that weights, such as split shot, can be attached thereto.  FIG. 13  shows float  371 , which replicates a horizontal stick floating in water. Float  371  is provided with eyelet  209 , spiral attachment device  113  having a barbed extension  333  disposed for piercing a natural or artificial attractant, such as a caterpillar. 
     FIG. 14  shows a float of the present invention replicating a leaf and having fishing line guide aperture  156  and eyelet  340 . In use, line  13  is threaded through fishing line guide aperture  156  and eyelet  340  to be connected to eyelet  440  on hook  444 . Line  13  moves relatively freely through both fishing line guide aperture  156  and eyelet  440  to connect, preferably by tying, to hook  443 . Thus, the relative elevation of hook  443  with respect to water  20  is determined by the tension on line  13  as hook  443  hangs therefrom. 
     FIG. 15  shows an embodiment of the invention comprising weighted keel  293  disposed along its bottom.  FIG. 16  shows an embodiment of the invention comprising spiral connector  319  disposed for receiving line  13  therethrough.  FIG. 17  shows an embodiment similar to that shown in  FIG. 12  but having spiral line guides  319  and  419  disposed at opposite ends of the float body. The relative height of the attractant over the water is thus controlled by the relative tension on line  13 . 
     FIGS. 18-20  show permutations of non-scrobiculate floats that are suitable for use in practicing the present invention. 
     FIG. 21  shows a scrobiculate, or channeled, lure according to the invention having float body  544  that replicates a leaf or a portion thereof. Float body  44  having outer margin  525  and upper surface  510  is provided with eyelet  503  and stem  502  having attractant attachment tab  513  disposed at the end of stem  502 . Float body  544  is provided also with a plurality of elongated channels  509  that are approximately rectangular in cross section. Elongated rectangular channels  509  are shown each with their respective top ends, disposed near the upper surface closed closed ends at the top of open ends. Some embodiments of the invention, however, channels  509  can be closed. Leaf float  501  is also provided with counterweight stalk  53 l for attachment of a counterweight (not shown) of sufficient mass to keep the float upright in an aqueous fluid. 
     FIG. 22  is a side view of a float similar to, but not identical to, float  501  shown in  FIG. 21  except that channels  514  are approximately square in cross-section. Bottom boundary or water-contacting surface  539  of float  502  is formed by the furthest reaches of the walls  508  that form channels  509  and  514 .  FIG. 23  shows float  503  having float body  521  and channels  512  that are oval in cross section disposed within float body  521 . Float  503  is provided with counterweight stalk  531  that extends from bottom boundary  539  to provide a means for attaching a counterweight (not shown) of sufficient mass to keep the float upright in an aqueous fluid.  FIG. 24  shows float  504 , which is similar in design to float  503  except that channels  511  are round in cross section instead of oval. 
     FIG. 25  shows a bottom plan view of float  501  of  FIG. 21  where walls  508  form square channels  514  and counterweight stalk  531  extends from float body  544  for attaching a counterweight (not shown) of sufficient mass to keep the float upright in an aqueous fluid.  FIG. 26  shows a bottom plan view of a float similar to float  501 , but wherein walls  527  form hexagonal channels  515 .  FIG. 27  is a side oblique view of float  550  having float body  551  outer margins  525 , stem  502 , attracrant attachment tab  513  and eyelet  503 . Float body  551  of float  550  is provided with a plurality of slanted channels  541  that slant to terminate at center wall  558 . 
     FIG. 28  shows float  560  which is similar to float  550  shown in  FIG. 27  except that float body  553  of  560  is provided with slanted channels of  543  that are oval in cross section and end at center wall  558 . Similar to other leaf replicating floats described herein, float  560  is provided with outer margins  525  bottom boundary  539 . Counterweight attachment stalk  531  (counterweight not shown) eyelet  503  stalk  502  and attachment tab  513  for attaching an attractant such as a naturally occuring bait made or an artificial lure thereto. 
     FIG. 30  is an oblique view of float  580  having float body  561  and weighted keel  573  attached thereto. Float body  561  includes upper surface  510  having embossed or printed thereon a false shadow  565  of an attractant such as, for example, a dragonfly. Float body  561  is preferably made of a translucent material such as polyethylene or polypropylene. Weighted keel  573  may comprise attachment points or attachment ridges for the attachment of weights such as split shot (not shown). 
     FIG. 31  is an exploded view of one example of a kit embodiment of the invention showing an artificial dragonfly attractant attached to a float. The kit of  FIG. 31  is shown assembled in FIG.  32 .  FIGS. 31 and 32  show artificial dragonfly  70  having thorax  71  provided with attachment barb  73  for attaching tail  76  to thorax  71 . Thorax  71  is provided also with hook slot  94  (shown in  FIG. 33 ) for attaching dragonfly attractant  70  to hook  95 . Thorax  71  is provided also with mouth slot  97  for attaching dragonfly  70  to scrobiculate float  501  at attractant attachment tab  513  on adjustably flexible stem  502  of float  501 . Rotation-resistant hook  95  is provided with hook eyelet  96  for attaching hook  95  to a fishing line (not shown) that has been threaded through eyelet  503  of float  501 . Dragonfly  70  is also provided with wings  85  having wing attachment apertures  86  which are disposed for connecting wings  85  to thorax  71  by means of attachment posts  72  on the top surface of thorax  71 . Thorax  71  is provided also with eye-mounting surfaces  78  for mounting eyes  81  on thorax  71 . Thorax  71  is provided also with leg attachment surfaces  79  disposed on opposite sides of thorax  71  for attachment of leg sets  91 . In use, the various elements of dragonfly  70  are assembled to form a complete dragonfly of a chosen combination of elements. 
   Thus, a user may select one type of wing, one type of thorax, one type of tail, one or two types of eyes and one or two types of leg sets to assemble a specific type of lure. This aspect of the invention is particularly advantageous since it permits a fisherman to assemble a lure that is seasonably appropriate or specific to one or more varities of dragonfly and to one or more target fish species. Assembled, dragonfly  70  can be attached to float  501  by means of attractant attachment tab  513  or by other means such as a clip (not shown), and then used to attract and catch fish. One preferred method of using the many possible float/attractant combinations of the invention is to thread a fishing line through eyelet  503  of float  501  and attach the fishing line to rotation-resistant hook  95  disposed in thorax  71 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 31 and 32 , float  501  is provided with counterweight stalk  531  and tubing  541  for suspending lead counterweight  543  disposed at least partially within tubing  541  at a distance appropriate to keep float  501  upright in water thus suspending dragonfly  70  at a desired position above, or partly above, the surface of the water in which the attractant and float combination is cast, thrown or placed.  FIG. 32  shows dragonfly  70  and float  501  of in their assembled state. 
   By combining the variations of the several elements of the kit form of the invention, many different permutations of the dragonfly attractant are provided. As is shown in  FIG. 33 , for example, variations of thorax  71  are possible. While only four variations are shown, numerous others are within the scope and spirit of the present invention. Within the scope of the invention, each element of the dragonfly attractant has numerous permutations with respect to, for example, size, color, texture, odor, flexibility, plasticity, elasticity, density, degree of reflectiveness, degree of movability, and degree of motion while being subject to vibration, among other characteristics. 
   Although, for example, while thorax  571  has wing attachment posts  572 , and thorax  671  has wing attachment cones  672 , and thorax  771  has wing attachment slots  772 , thorax  871  has mushroom tabs  872  all of which are provided for attaching one or more variations of wings  85  to thorax  71 . Thorax  71  can be provided with co-molded eyes and legs. Alternatively, as is shown in  FIGS. 31-33 , thorax  71  can be provided with eye-mounting surfaces  78  and leg-mounting surfaces  79  so that many permutations of the lure can be assembled from a relatively small variety of specific body elements. Thorax  571  is provided also with slot  94  for receiving rotation-resistant hook  95 . Thus, hook  95  can be attached to an attractant such as a dragonfly, by insertion into a slot provided in a thoray or other body part of the artificial attractant while also being attached to a fishing line by means of eyelet  96 . 
     FIG. 34  shows several permutations of tails  76  of the invention. While all versions of tail  76  are provided with mounting holes  78  for connecting tail  76  to thorax  71  by way of tail-mounting barb  73  provided on thorax  76 , variations of tails  76  afford the permutational advantages discussed herein. FIG.  34 ( a ) shows tail  676  having an upward or downward bend, FIG.  34 ( a ) shows tail  776  having a right or left sideways bend, while FIG.  34 ( c ) shows tail  876  in a substantially straight confirmation. The scope and spirit of the present invention encompass all variations of the body parts of any attractant whether it is a dragonfly, grasshopper, worm, beetle, salamander or any other type of fish bait or attractant. 
     FIG. 35  shows a number of permutations of eyes  81  of the invention, including iris  81 , movable element  83  and shading or eyelid  84 . In some embodiments of the eye elements of kit forms of the invention, the back sides of eyes  81  are provided with adhesive  87  and mounted on slip sheet  86 . Thus, in use, eyes  81  can be peelably removed from slip sheet  86  and mounted in eye mounting surfaces  78  of thorax  71 . 
     FIG. 36  shows a number of permutations of wings  85  of the invention. FIG.  36 ( a ) shows wings  685  provided with tabs  688  and adhesive surface  687 . Tabs  688  are disposed for insertion into slots  772  of thorax  771  (shown in FIG.  33 ). Adhesive surface  687  of FIG.  36 ( a ) is provided so that adhesive, such as a silicone or other water-resistant adhesive (not shown) can be used to assist in the attachment of wing  685  to thorax component  71  of one or more of the kit forms of the invention. FIG.  36 ( b ) shows wings  785  provided with wine attachment apertures  86  for attaching the wings to one or more permutations of thorax  71 , for example, permutations  571 ,  671  or  871  shown in FIG.  33 . FIG.  36 ( c ) shows wings  885  provided with post  801  disposed for insertion into slot  772  of thorax  771 . 
     FIG. 37  shows a number of permutations of leg sets according to the invention. The essential potions of the legs are thigh portions and shin portions. For example, FIG.  37 ( a ) shows bent leg set  591  having thigh portion  578  and shin portion  579  attached to leg-mount element  93 . Leg mount element  93  is constructed and arranged so that its shape corresponds to mounting surface  79  on thorax permutations  71 . Leg mount element  93  can be provided with an adhesive, if desired, or snap-fit elements complementary to elements that may be provided on thorax  71  (not shown). FIG.  37 ( b ) shows leg set  691  having converging shins  679  while FIG.  37 ( c ) shows leg set  791  having parallel shins  779 . FIG.  37 ( b ) shows leg set  891  comprising straight legs  892  attached to leg mount element  93 . FIG.  37 ( b ) shows leg set  991  having legs  992  arranged into a grasping position and attached to leg-mount element  93 . 
     FIGS. 38   a-c  show one embodiment of a rotation-resistant hook  95  according to the invention. FIG.  38 ( a ) is a side view of rotation-resistant hook  95  having eyelet  96  disposed for attaching the hook to a fishing line or clip, shaft  100 , comprising Z-shaped bend  99 , curved portion  101 , point  103  and barb  105 . Shaft  100 , having Z-shaped bend  99 , curved portion  101 , point  103  and barb  105  are disposed substantially in one plane. FIG.  38 ( b ) is an oblique side view of the rotation-resistant hook  95  of FIG.  38 ( a ) showing the corresponding elements as well as the opening of eyelet  96 . FIG.  38 ( c ) is a top view of rotation-resistant hook  95  shown in FIG.  38 ( a ) and showing the opening of eyelet  96 , and barb  98  extending slightly outward from the plane in which shaft  100 , Z-shaped bend  99 , curved portion  101 , and point  103  are disposed. Thus, when hook  95  is engaged in a slot, such as slot  94  of thorax  71 , the hook and attractant will not rotate, or will rotate very little relative to one another, and thus provide positional stability for the hook/attractant combination. As one of skin in the fishing lure art will comprehend, rotation-resistant hook  95  can be adapted to numerous other uses, particularly with respect to its combination with fishing lures. 
   As one of skill in the art will understand, the present invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description and drawings. The invention is capable of various other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. One of skill in the art will also understand that the terminology and phraseology employed herein to describe the present invention are illustrative and not limiting. 
   In this regard, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the concept upon which the present invention is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods, and configurations for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. Accordingly, it is important that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent instructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.