Patent Publication Number: US-2007107293-A1

Title: Apparatus and method for imparting mechanical vibration to fish bait

Description:
RELATIONSHIP TO PRIOR APPLICATION  
      This is a U.S. non-provisional application relating to and claiming the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/737,736, filed Nov. 16, 2005. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      This invention relates to an apparatus and method for fishing. More particularly, it relates to an apparatus and method for imparting vibration to fish bait.  
      As used herein, the term “fish bait” broadly means live bait such as live worms and minnows, other organic bait such as dough balls, and artificial lures. It is known that fish are attracted to fish bait when the bait is jiggled, i.e., vibrated. Normally, this jiggling or vibration is accomplished by the fisherman rapidly moving the fishing pole in short jerky motions. Certain artificial lures have been designed to vibrate rapidly in the water when being retrieved so as to provide a sound in the water to attract fish.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      In accordance with one form of this invention, there is provided a fishing apparatus including a fishing rod having a proximal end and a distal end. The apparatus further includes a fishing line contacting a portion of the distal end of the fishing rod. The fishing line has a free end and fish bait is connected to the free end. A mechanism is provided for imparting a vibration to the fishing rod so that the fishing line and the fish bait may be caused to vibrate.  
      In accordance with another form of this invention, there is provided a method for fishing using a fishing rod, fish line and fish bait wherein the fish bait is attached to one end of the fishing line and the rod contacts a portion of the line. The method comprises casting the fish bait into a fishable body of water; reducing slack which may be in the fishing line between the rod and the fish bait; and applying a vibration to the rod, the vibration being transferred to the fishing line and to the bait.  
      In accordance with yet another form of this invention, there is provided a device for providing a vibration to a fishing rod. The device includes a stiff resilient wire. The wire includes a clamp portion for securing the device to the fishing rod. The wire includes an actuation portion for enabling the user of the fishing rod to apply vibration to the rod using the device. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, together with further objects and advantages thereof may be better understood in reference to the accompanying drawings in which:  
       FIG. 1  is a pictorial view of an apparatus forming one embodiment of the invention attached to a fishing rod.  
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the vibration imparting device shown in  FIG. 1 .  
       FIG. 3  is a more detailed perspective view showing the apparatus of  FIG. 1  and a portion of the fishing rod.  
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the apparatus and fishing rod of  FIG. 3 , but shown from a different angle.  
       FIG. 5  is a partial perspective view showing an alternative embodiment of the invention.  
       FIG. 6  is a pictorial view illustrating the apparatus and method of the subject invention.  
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION  
      Referring now more particularly to the embodiments of  FIGS. 1-4  and  FIG. 6 , there is provided fishing rod  10  having proximal end  12  and distal end  14 . Fishing reel  16  is attached to rod  10  near proximal end  12 . By “proximal end,” it is meant the end of the rod which is held by the fisherman. By “distal end,” it is meant the tip of the rod or the end of the rod which is furthest away from the fisherman. Fishing line  18  is payed out from fishing reel  16  through a plurality of eyelets  20  which are attached to fishing rod  10 . Fish bait  22  is attached to free end  24  of fishing line  18 . Fishing line  18  is in contact with distal end  14  of fishing rod  10  since it passes through eyelet  20 A which is attached to distal end  14  of rod  10 . Vibration device  26  is attached to rod  10  near proximal end  12  and adjacent to fishing reel  16 .  
      In the embodiment of  FIG. 5 , the vibration device  28  in the form of resilient finger  30  extending from rod  10  is made integral with rod  10 .  
      In the preferred embodiment as shown in  FIG. 2 , vibration device  26  is in the form of a resilient wire which is formed into a shape so as to enable one to conveniently clip or clamp device  26  onto rod  10 . Device  26  includes first loop  30  and second loop  32 , each of which are adapted to clip to one side of rod  10 . Device  26  includes third loop  34  which is adapted to make contact with the other side of rod  10  to further secure device  26  to rod  10 . The axis of third loop  34  is perpendicular to the axes of the first and second loops. Device  26  further includes actuation member  36  which is a spring. When device  26  is attached to rod  10  as shown in  FIG. 1 , actuation member  36  extends away from rod  10  towards the fisherman (not shown). The placement of device  26  near proximal end  12  of rod  10  with the actuation member extending away from the rod and towards the fisherman enables the fisherman to stroke actuation member  36  at or near its free end  38 , which has been looped so as to prevent injury to one&#39;s thumb, and enables one to impart vibration to rod  10 , to line  18 , and thus to fish bait  22 , all of which is best illustrated in reference to  FIG. 6 .  
      Although it is believed that any vibration of fish bait  22  will attract fish, it is preferred that the vibrations be in a frequency range so as to be detectable by a fish without the fish having to see the vibrating bait  22 . It is believed that fish have a lateral line or some type of sensor on the fish body which picks up vibrations in the water. It is believed that a frequency in the range of approximately 55 cycles per second to approximately 120 cycles per second would be most effective, although the invention is not limited to that specific vibration frequency range.  
      The device and apparatus of the subject invention may be used in accordance with the method of the subject invention as set forth below.  
      The fisherman casts bait  22  into fishable waters  40 . Reel  16  is cranked so as to take the slack out of line  18 . The fisherman then strums vibration actuation member  36  with his thumb causing fishing rod  10  to vibrate. The vibration of fishing rod  10  causes taut fishing line  18  to also vibrate because of the fishing line&#39;s contact with eyelet  20 A on the distal end  14  of fishing rod  10 . The vibration of line  18  causes fish bait  22  to also vibrate. It has been found that the vibrating bait  22  will often attract fish. It is also believed that the vibrating fishing line  18  also attracts fish.  
      The fisherman may also strum actuation member  36  while he or she is retrieving bait  22  by cranking fish reel  16 . The fisherman can control the timing, modulation and rhythm of the vibration by tightening line  18  and strumming actuation member  36 .  
      This invention does not interfere with the casting or retrieval of the fish bait. The device shown in  FIG. 2  will also fit most commercially available spinning rods.  
      From the foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be apparent that many modifications may be made therein. It should be understood, however, that each of these embodiments of the invention are exemplifications of the invention only and that the invention is not limited thereto. It is to be understood, therefore, that it is intended in the appended claims to cover all modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.