Patent Publication Number: US-2023148579-A1

Title: Float Fishing Apparatus

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     A wide variety of fishing tackle exists on the market today. The type of fishing tackle used generally depends upon personal choices of the angler, the species of fish sought, lighting, water conditions, season, availability, fishing style, and other factors. 
     Popping floats (also referred to as popping corks) are one type of fishing tackle used to produce strikes. A popping float is typically a two to six-inch-long float made of cork, Styrofoam, hard plastic, or other buoyant material. Many popping floats are cupped with a concave-shaped front end to create loud “chugs” and “popping” sounds when the angler pulls the float quickly through the water. A concave front of the popping cork displaces more water, resulting in louder sounds and more splashing action. The opposite end of the popping float is often tapered and weighted to make it easier to cast and keep the trail end of the float below the surface of the water. 
     The theory behind popping floats is that fish are attracted to commotion at the surface of the water, as the noise simulates an injured fish or surface feeding bait fish fleeing from predators. When fish come to investigate the sounds, they see the lure dangling below the float and strike. 
     The retrieval cadence and loudness of the “pops” can be important to attracting fish. A common technique for anglers is to cast the popping float to where fish are likely to be. The angler then pulls abruptly on (or “pops”) the float once or multiple times and then pauses before repeating the process as the angler reels the float with the lure across the strike zone. One problem with existing popping floats is that the popping sound and splash of the water predictably follows as the angler pulls on the line with a jerking motion of the rod. The float does not allow for a more random noise and splashing action. Instead, the noise and splash are limited by the angler&#39;s retrieval action. A more random and intermittent noise and splash is sometimes desired. Further, existing popping floats only make a splashing sound when the angler abruptly pulls or jerks the line. In other words, a continuous or slow retrieval of the line would typically not make any fish-attracting noises. It would sometimes be desirable to generate sounds and splashes at the surface of the water without requiring a jerking motion during retrieval. 
     There is therefore a need for an improved float fishing apparatus that overcomes these and other problems in the art. 
     SUMMARY 
     One aspect of the disclosure includes a float fishing apparatus having an elongated connecting member and a float. The float has a body portion with a forward end and a rearward end. The body portion is rotatably combined with the connecting member. In one embodiment the body portion has an opening extending therethrough with the connecting member passing slidably through the opening so that the body portion is rotatably combined with the connecting member. The float has a fin member extending from the body portion. The fin member has a leading edge and a spaced trailing edge with a pressure surface extending therebetween. The pressure surface of the fin member responds to water pressure when the float is moved through water to rotate the float and intermittently splash the water. In some forms, the pressure surface has a generally concave shape, and the fin member extends around only a portion of the body portion of the float such that the float has an asymmetrical shape. 
     Another aspect of the disclosure includes a float fishing apparatus having an elongated connecting member and a float. The float has a body portion with a forward end and a rearward end. The body portion has an opening extending therethrough with the connecting member passing slidably through the opening so that the body portion is rotatably combined with the connecting member. The float has a fin member extending from the body portion. The fin member has a leading edge and a spaced trailing edge with a pressure surface extending therebetween. The float also includes a second body portion spaced apart from and positioned rearward of the first body portion on the connecting member. The pressure surface of the fin member responds to water pressure when the float is moved through water to rotate the first body portion of the float and intermittently splash the water with the fin member. 
     Another aspect of the disclosure includes a float fishing apparatus having an elongated connecting member and a float. The float has a first body portion with a forward end and a rearward end. The body portion has an opening extending therethrough with the connecting member passing slidably through the opening so that the body portion is rotatably mounted on the connecting member. The float has a first fin member extending from the first body portion. The first fin member has a leading edge and a spaced trailing edge with a pressure surface extending therebetween. The float also includes a second body portion spaced apart from and positioned rearward of the first body portion on the connecting member. A second fin member extends from the second body portion. The pressure surface of the first fin member responds to water pressure when the float is moved through water to rotate the first body portion of the float and intermittently splash the water with the fin member, and the pressure surface of the second fin member responds to water pressure when the float is moved through the water to rotate the second body portion of the float and intermittently splash the water. In some forms, the first fin member is configured to rotate the first body portion in a first direction and the second fin member is configured to rotate the second body portion in a second, opposite direction. The first and second fin members may also, in some embodiments, be sized and/or shaped differently to rotate the first and second body portions at different speeds. 
     A still further aspect of the disclosure includes a method of fishing using a float fishing apparatus. The method includes taking a float fishing apparatus having an elongated connecting member and a float. The float has a body portion with a forward end and a rearward end. The body portion has an opening extending therethrough with the connecting member passing slidably through the hole so that the body portion is rotatably mounted on the connecting member. The float has a fin member extending from the body portion. The fin member has a leading edge and a spaced trailing edge with a pressure surface extending therebetween. The method further includes securing a lure to one of the first and second ends of the connecting member nearest the rearward end of the body portion of the float and casting the float fishing apparatus with the lure. As the angler moves the float through the water, the pressure surface of the fin member responds to water pressure to rotate the float and intermittently splash the water. In some forms, the float can include a first body portion and a second body portion, each having a fin member configured to rotate the body portion in the water and intermittently splash the surface of the water. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of the float fishing apparatus. 
         FIG.  2    is a side view of the float fishing apparatus. 
         FIG.  3    is a top view of the float fishing apparatus. 
         FIG.  4    is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the float fishing apparatus. 
         FIG.  5    is a side view of another alternative embodiment of the float fishing apparatus. 
         FIG.  6    is a side view of the float fishing apparatus with attached lure when in use. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG.  1    is a perspective view of an embodiment of the float fishing apparatus according to the present invention. The float fishing apparatus includes a popping float  10  having a body portion  12 . Some embodiments include single body portion  12  and other embodiments include a first body portion  12 A and a second body portion  12 B. The first body portion  12 A is near a front of the popping float  10 , and the second body portion  12 B is rearward of the first portion  12 A. The first and second body portions  12 A,  12 B may be made from cork, Styrofoam, or a hard plastic, such as polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or other buoyant material. 
     As shown in  FIG.  2   , the first body portion  12 A and the second body portion  12 B have a longitudinal axis which may extend along a centerline of each body portion  12 A,  12 B. A first channel or opening  13  (shown in dashed lines) extends through a least a portion of the first body portion  12 A and a second channel or opening  15  (shown in dashed lines) extends through at least a portion of the second body portion  12 B. The first opening  13  and second opening  15  may extend along the centerline of each respective body portion  12 A,  12 B. A connecting member  14 , such as a rod or wire, passes slidably through the opening  13  in the first body portion  12 A and through the opening  15  in the second body portion  12 B. 
     A fin member  16  extends from the periphery of the first body portion  12 A. In some embodiments the fin member  16  extends outward from the first body portion  12 A at an angle that is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first body portion  12 A. The fin member  16  includes a leading edge  18  and a trailing edge  20  with a pressure surface  22  located between the leading and trailing edges  18 ,  20 . As explained below in more detail, the pressure surface  22  is shaped like the surface of a propeller blade to engage the water  46  at an angle causing the fin member  16  to rotate as it is pulled through the water  46 . In some embodiments the pressure surface  22  may be shaped in a spiral plane. The pressure surface  22  may have a shape that causes rotation in either a clockwise or counter clockwise direction depending on the angle (configuration of the leading and trailing edges). The first body portion  12 A and the fin member  16  may be integrally formed or they may be manufactured separately then combined together. 
     The first body portion  12 A is rotatably combined with the connecting member  14 . When the popping float  10  is pulled through the water while fishing, the first body portion  12 A and the second body portion  12 B displace water, creating a disturbance in the water and a resulting sound. In addition, as the leading edge  18  of the fin member  16  engages the water, the pressure surface  22  responds to frictional forces exerted by the water  46  on the fin member  16 , causing the fin member  16  and the first body portion  12 A to rotate in the direction indicated by the directional arrow  24 . As the fin member  16  continues to rotate, the pressure surface  22  intermittently slaps the water, creating an additional disturbance in the water and a resulting sound. The pressure surface  22  of the fin member  16  slaps the water once per revolution. The leading edge  18  of the fin member  16  continues to cut through and engage the water as a portion of the fin member  16  extends out of the water, thus continuing to rotate the fin member  16  and the first body portion  12 A. 
     The pressure surface  22  of the fin member  16  may have a generally concave shape, as illustrated in  FIG.  3   . In one embodiment only a single fin member  16  is combined with the first body portion  12 A. The fin member  16  extends around only a portion of the periphery of the first body portion  12 A, giving the popping float  10  an asymmetrical shape. For example, in some embodiments the fin member  16  extends less than 180 degrees around the circumference of the first body portion  12 A thereby promoting a slapping action on the water each time the fin member  16  with pressure surface  22  rotates. In this embodiment the slapping action is intermittent (not continuous) since the single fin member  16  extends less than 180 degrees around the circumference of the first body portion  12 A. 
     The forward end of the first body portion  12 A shown in  FIG.  2    has a generally convex shape. However, if more water displacement is desired, the forward end of the first body portion  12 A can have a flat or concave shape. 
     The connecting member  14  in the form shown in the Figures includes a first line attachment member  26  at one end and a second line attachment member  28  at the opposite end. Fishing line  48  secured to the first line attachment member  26  extends to the angler&#39;s rod and reel (not shown). A lure  30  is secured to the second line attachment member  28 , as shown in  FIG.  6   . A variety of lures are suitable for use with the popping float, as is known in the art. 
     Beads  32  can be mounted toward opposite ends of the connecting member  14 . The beads  32  are preferably made of plastic and help prevent the first and second line attachment members  26 ,  28  from jamming inside the openings  13 ,  15  in the first and second body portions  12 A,  12 B or cracking and breaking the body portions during fishing. 
       FIG.  4    is an alternative embodiment of the fishing float apparatus that makes use of multiple fin members. As described previously, a first fin member  16  extends from the first body portion  12 A. This alternative embodiment includes a second fin member  34  extending from the second body portion  12 B. The second fin member  34  has a leading edge  36  and a trailing edge  38  with a pressure surface  40  that extends between the two edges. As the leading edge  36  of the second fin member  34  engages the water, the pressure surface  40  responds to forces exerted on the second fin member, causing the fin member  34  and the second body portion  12 B to rotate in the direction indicated by the directional arrow  42 . As the second fin member  34  continues to rotate, the pressure surface  40  intermittently slaps the water, creating an additional disturbance in the water and a resulting sound. Like the first fin member  16 , the pressure surface  40  of the second fin member  34  slaps the water once per revolution. The leading edge  36  of the second fin member  34  continues to cut through and engage the water as a portion of the second fin member extends out of the water, thus continuing to rotate the second fin member and the second body portion  12 B. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  4   , the first fin member  16  and the second fin member  34  are configured to rotate the first body member  12 A and the second body member  12 B in opposite directions, as indicated by the directional arrows  24  and  42 . The angle of the pressure surfaces  22 ,  40  are reversed so that one of the body members  12 A,  12 B rotates clockwise and the other body member  12 A,  12 B rotates counter clockwise. Rotating the first and second body members  12 A,  12 B in opposite directions helps promote a straighter line of retrieval when the angler retrieves the popping float since each fin member  16 ,  34  is pulling its respective body member  12 A,  12 B in a different direction. The first and second fin members  16 ,  34  can alternatively be configured to rotate the first and second body members  12 A,  12 B in the same direction if a different retrieval path is desired. 
     The first and second fin members  16 ,  34  can also be sized or shaped differently to rotate the first and second body portions  12 A,  12 B at different speeds and/or create different splashing noises in the water  46 . For example, in one embodiment the first fin member  16  has a first rake angle and the second fin member  34  has a second rake angle that is different from the first rake angle. The different rake angles cause the fin members  16 ,  34  to rotate at different speeds and/or create different splashing sounds. In another embodiment the first fin member  16  has a first pitch angle and the second fin member  34  has a second pitch angle that is different from the first pitch angle. The different pitch angles cause the fin members  16 ,  34  to rotate at different speeds and/or create different splashing sounds. In yet another embodiment the first fin member  16  has a first mass and the second fin member  34  has a second mass that is different from the first mass. The different masses cause the fin members  16 ,  34  to rotate at different speeds and/or create different splashing sounds. In yet another embodiment the first fin member  16  extends a first distance around the first body portion  12 A and the second fin member  34  extends a second distance around the second body portion  12 B that is different from the first distance. The different lengths cause the fin members  16 ,  34  to rotate at different speeds and/or create different splashing sounds. The first and second distance may both be less than 180 degrees around the circumference of each respective body portion  12 A,  12 B. In other embodiments one or both of the first and second distances may extend more than 180 degrees around the circumference of the respective body portion  12 A,  12 B. 
       FIG.  5    shows a variation where the body portion  12  includes a third body portion  12 C disposed between the first body portion  12 A and the second body portion  12 B. The connecting member  14  passes through an opening  44  (shown in dashed lines) of the third body portion  12 C. The third body portion  12 C is positioned between the first body portion  12 A and the second body portion  12 B. In some cases it may be desirable to decrease the amount of sound created by the first body portion  12 A and/or the second body portion  12 B. In order to maintain the desired buoyancy of the popping float  10 , the size of the third body portion  12 C may be increased when the size of the first and/or second body portions  12 A,  12 B are decreased. 
     During use, the angler casts the popping float  10  with a lure  30  to where fish are likely to be. The popping float is oriented in an upright position (as shown in  FIG.  4   ) with the first body portion  12 A above the second body portion  12 B. The upright orientation may be caused by the weight of the lure  30  pulling downward on its connection to the connecting member  14 . In other embodiments the upright orientation is caused by weights or a weight transfer device (such as weighted beads or raddles) inside the second body portion  12 B. The angler then pulls or “pops” the popping float  10  once or multiple times and then pauses before repeating the process as the angler reels the float  10  with the lure  30  across the strike zone. When the angler pulls on the line  48 , the popping float  10  transitions to a more horizontal orientation because the line  48  is being pulled at a small angle relative to the surface of the water, such as shown in  FIG.  6   . As also shown in  FIG.  6   , in some embodiments the buoyancy of the both body portions  12 A,  12 B is such that the more horizontal orientation causes the leading or front end of the first body portion  12 A to be at least partially under the surface of the water  46  when the angler is pulling on the line  48 . The partial submersion of the float  10  is furthered by the fin members  16 ,  34  creating a drag or frictional force in a direction opposite the angler&#39;s pulling force. The partial submersion of the float  10  helps the fin members  16 ,  34  continue to frictionally engage the water  46  causing rotation during retrieval. A popping sound and splash of the water  46  follows as the angler pulls on the line  48  and the body portion  12  moves through the water  46 . In addition to the water displaced by the body portion  12  of the float  10 , the first and second fin members  16 ,  34  rotate on the first and second body portions  12 A,  12 B, slapping the water intermittently with each rotation. As such, as opposed to a constant, continuing noise or splash dictated by the angler&#39;s retrieval pattern, the fin members  16 ,  34  create a more random and intermittent noise and splash pattern. 
     The popping float  10  shown in  FIG.  6   . features a fin member  16 ,  34  on each of the first and second body portions  12 A,  12 B. The popping float  10  can also be used with only a single fin member, such as described above with respect to  FIG.  2   . The fin members  16 ,  34  can also be sized and shaped to vary the direction and speed at which the fin members  16 ,  34  and body portions  12 A,  12 B rotate, as previously described. 
     Having thus described the invention in connection with the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that various revisions can be made to the preferred embodiments described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is my intention, however, that all such revisions and modifications that are evident to those skilled in the art will be included with in the scope of the following claims.