Abstract:
A method of fishing that employs a fishing loop as the terminal tackle article that holds bait and interoperates with fish attractants. The fishing loop opens a gap urged by pressure between a gradual bend top and a loop closing extension to receive bait and allow fish flesh to pass. The gap closes after pressure is released holding the bait or engaged fish. The fishing loop has an elongated lever eye for securing fishing line. The lever eye also serves to help the loop stay closed under pressure from swimming fish. The fishing loop can be shaped from a single section of wire or rod; or, the loop closing extension can be a separate flexible material when rigidity in the fish engaging portion is desired. The fishing loop can be used with natural or penetrable artificial bait. A jig head slug or lure body with an opening sized to accommodate the fishing loop can also be used as a fish attractant in place of natural or penetrable artificial bait; wherein the structure of the opening is compatible with the fishing loop allowing it to operate effectively.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/837,763, filed 2006 Aug. 15 by the present inventor. 
   Patent application Ser. No. 10/679,651 filed 7 Oct. 2003 by the present inventor for Barbless Spring-Closure Fish Hook Device, now abandoned. 

   FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
   Not Applicable 
   SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM 
   Not Applicable 
   BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
   1. Field of Invention 
   This invention relates to fishing methods, specifically to use of a barbless terminal tackle fishing loop for engaging bait and fish and the fishing loop&#39;s interoperability with other compatible fishing tackle devices. 
   2. Prior Art 
   Fishing involves the activity of capturing fish for consumption as food, for sport, or both. A traditional method of fishing involves a hook to engage the fish, line attached to the hook on one end and attached to a pole or reel on the other end. When a fish is engaged with the hook the angler retrieves the hooked fish by raising the end of the pole attached to the line or cranking line onto the spool of a reel generally through eye openings attached to a fishing rod. When the hooked fish is close to the angler it is lifted from the water and removed from the hook to be stored for food or released back into the water. 
   To be effective the hook needs a sharp point to penetrate fish and a mechanism to prevent the fish from slipping off easily. Typically a barb is extended backward from the point of the hook and outward from the hook material to prevent premature release of the hooked fish. While barbed hooks thus constructed are somewhat effective for retaining fish there are several problems associated with their use. Removal of a barbed hook from a fish usually involves tearing fish flesh as the hook is extracted. Barbed hooks also pose a threat to anglers or other persons if one is accidentally pierced by a barbed hook. To remove an embedded barbed hook it must be either torn out of flesh (a painful experience); pushed through flesh until the barbed portion is exposed so the barbed portion can be clipped off and the hook slid out; or it can be surgically removed by cutting flesh sufficiently to extract the barb through the surgical opening. Other aggravations associated with barbed hooks include snagging of clothing, landing nets and other objects. Barbs snagged in objects are difficult to remove, consume time, and frequently cause damage to property. 
   Despite these and other objectionable results of use of barbed hooks, the barbed hook remains the staple terminal tackle for sports and commercial anglers because no viable alternative is currently on the market and available to anglers. The current invention was developed to fill that market void and make available to anglers a device and method of use of that device which will eliminate, minimize or ameliorate the ill effects of use of barbed hooks noted above. Various inventors and innovators have devised ways to relieve the inconvenience and disadvantages of use of barbed hooks. Some of those include making hooks with plain (barbless) points or altering hooks by filing off the barb or pinching the barb down against the hook material. These efforts eliminate or minimize the ill effects of barbs but render the hook ineffective as it lacks a mechanism for holding fish. 
   A number of other devices and ways to engage fish have been proposed. Many of these have appendages that cover, overlap or contact the hook at or around the point. Most with appendages are intended to deflect vegetation (weedless) and involve a barb as the fish holding mechanism. These are excluded as prior art since one object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of barbs on hooks. Others with appendages are intended to shield persons from accidental piercing. Most such devices either have barbs or no fish holding capacity and have been excluded as prior art. Still other apparatus have been proposed with appendages that are complicated devices with various assembly components that are cumbersome and expensive to produce which probably accounts for an absence of such devices in the market place. 
   One such device is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,570,373 to Brief (1986) in which an appendage is formed of smaller diameter wire than the hook portion with the smaller wire wrapped around the hook shank or secured to the hook shank with a metal tab. The device is similar in intended function to the fishing loop of the present invention. However, it fails to provide a simple one-piece unitary construction, a lever eye to help hold fish, a continuously bent looping design, and would not be compatible with other items included in the fishing loop method of fishing. It could also malfunction if hook setting action or fish playing pressure caused the appendage to dislodge from the hook portion of the small wire allowing the mechanism to spring open prematurely. 
   Other devices have included spring arms like one embodiment of U.S. Pat. No. 2,996,828 to Williams (1961). The spring arm in this case is welded to a hook shank and the arm in its relaxed position has a sheath that covers the point such that it will tend to deflect objects or fish prior to contact with the point. That device can be expected to be expensive and time-consuming to produce as well as being less effective than the fishing loop at piercing the intended catch due to the deflecting effect of the point-covering sheath. 
   Some prior art exposes the concept of a spring opening hooking device with an arm that opens to engage fish and closes to hold the fish. Most, such as U.S. Pat. No. 2,710,481 to Matthes (1955) and U.S. Pat. No. 2,853,827 to Schwarzer (1958) involve complex assemblies. The Matthes device uses both a forward opening and closing mechanism and a side opening mechanism that rely on a slip ring to hold portions of the hook and arm together. The Schwarzer device has a separate wire component from the hook component that involves several wraps in two directions to produce the spring effect for opening and closing the device. Both would be heavy, cumbersome and expensive to produce which probably accounts for their absence in the marketplace. The fishing loop of the current invention is practical, economical to produce, and proven to be effective. Since the other components of the fishing loop method of fishing are specifically formed to interact with the fishing loop, use of any other apparatus would not be compatible or appropriate for the current invention. 
   An additional prior art item was the Barbless Spring-Closure Fish Hook Device, the preferred embodiment of the present inventor&#39;s patent application Ser. No. 10/679,651 filed 7 Oct. 2003 and referred to in the Cross Reference to Related Applications; now abandoned. That device has a similar purpose as the fishing loop device of the present application but lacks several features and some functionality of the fishing loop and would not be compatible or interoperable with the other components of the fishing loop method of fishing. The flattened part of the spring arm of that device that facilitates the spring function is clearly different from the opening and closing mechanisms of the fishing loop. That device also lacks a lever eye for aiding retention of fish. Additionally it relies on a traditional J shape with a straight shank rather than the continuously bending loop of the fishing loop which simplifies shaping from a strand of wire cut from a wire coil. And the referenced device does not provide for or anticipate the in-water release feature of the fishing loop device component of the present invention. 
   Fishing is a sport engaged in by millions of people and its popularity and participation continue to grow. Recent developments in fishing equipment and fish attractants have helped increase the likelihood that anglers will catch more of the available fish than in the past. An undesirable consequence of this success is depletion of fish stocks in fisheries. Numerous actions have been instituted to address depletion of fish including regulatory restrictions on the size and quantity of fish allowed to be kept, length of fishing season, areas where fishing is disallowed, etc. for many of the more popular fish species. These actions have helped minimize depletion and in some case helped restore some fish species. 
   Besides regulation, conservation and sports minded individuals and groups have contributed to the effort through publicity of fish mortality reduction activities such as catch and release encouragement and use of less lethal methods of catching fish. One contributor to less mortality and minimizing injury to fish is use of barbless hooks to replace barbed hooks. Barbed hook removal from fish has long been recognized as a major contributor to injury and mortality to fish released back into the water. Some regulators even ban use of barbs on hooks used in certain locations and for some species of fish. 
   Although hooks without barbs or with the barb removed can engage fish as well or better than their barbed counterparts, their absence of a fish retaining mechanism renders them significantly less effective at catching fish. A fish can easily slip off the non-barbed device unless constant and unrelenting pressure remains exerted on the engaged fish until landed; a daunting task since a fighting fish can change direction quickly, leap and shake violently, and thrash about in the water. Thus a barbless fish engaging device capable of holding the fish is desired to meet conservation and reduced mortality objectives as well as provide anglers with a reasonable likelihood of success at catching fish. 
   Prior art has also produced products that stress safety features to reduce the likelihood of accidental piercing and imbedding of hooks in human flesh. Most such features also deflect objects encountered by the devices including fish. U.S. Pat. No. 2,996,828 to Williams (1961) has several embodiments with the purpose of providing that protection. Such devices have a noble purpose of protecting people but sacrifice utility with regard to the devices&#39; primary intended purpose of engaging fish. The fishing loop of the present invention addresses the safety issue by reducing the possibility of severe injury to humans while providing an effective means of engaging and holding fish. 
   OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES 
   Accordingly, besides the objects and advantages of the fishing loop method of fishing described above, several objects and advantages of the present invention include:
         (a) to provide an article of terminal fishing tackle that results in an effective means of catching fish without using a barb for retaining fish;   (b) to provide fish attractants that operate with the barbless fishing loop to enhance the fishing loop&#39;s effectiveness and enjoyment for the angler;   (c) to provide a method of fishing involving the fishing loop and cooperating fish attractants that is less traumatic for fish;   (d) to provide an article of terminal fishing tackle that is less of an injury hazard to persons than the barbed fish hook;   (e) to provide anglers a choice of fishing loop structure and size that conforms to the nature of the fish being targeted;   (f) to provide a means of adding weight to a fishing loop to facilitate casting and sinking where distance and depth are important considerations while fishing;   (g) to provide a way for a fishing loop and its cooperating lure body to operate together while being retrieved and to separate without losing either after a fish is engaged, allowing for easy dislodging of the fishing loop from the caught fish;   (h) to provide a method of releasing unwanted large fish and snagged objects without the loss of terminal tackle;   (i) to provide a way for a fishing loop to remain intact even when stress from pressure exerted by a swimming and thrashing engaged fish distorts the shape of the loop.       

   These objects and advantages will allow anglers to catch and release more fish in a less harmful way than with barbed hooks reducing fish injury and improving the rate of fish survival. They also will pose less hazard to humans decreasing trauma of painful hook removal. Barbed hook snags and resulting damage to property will be lessened as will loss of terminal tackle for anglers. 
   Consequently, the experience and enjoyment of fishing will be enhanced for the angler using the fishing loop method of fishing, while the impact on fish mortality from barbed hooks will be lessened. Still other objects and advantages will be apparent from consideration of the ensuing descriptions and drawings. 
   SUMMARY 
   A method of fishing employing a fishing loop and its interoperability with compatible fish attractants. 

   
     DRAWINGS 
     Figures 
     The inter-related products introduced here as part of the fishing loop method of fishing are: 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a fishing loop device which is used in conjunction with live, natural or penetrable artificial bait. This device is also used in conjunction with a lure body as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates another embodiment of a fishing loop that is inserted in a specially formed jig head that operates with this fishing loop structure. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates another embodiment as a fishing loop assembly which uses an alternative material as the portion of the loop that opens and closes the loop. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a fishing lure body equipped with a chamber and channel in which a fishing loop is fitted and strung with line to operate together. 
   

   DRAWINGS 
   Reference Numerals—Fishing Loop Device 
   The preferred embodiment is a fishing loop device  8  which is illustrated in  FIG. 1  and has the following elements:
           10  sharp point     12  gradual bend top     14  major bend     16  gradual bend bottom     18  angled bend     20  crimp bend     22  wrap bend     24  loop closing extension     26  loop end     30  eye     32  eye lever       

   DESCRIPTION 
   Fishing Loop Device 
     FIG. 1  is a side view of a fishing loop device  8 . A section of wire or rod of predetermined length, diameter and material is shaped beginning with a sharp point  10  followed by a gradual bend top  12  yielding to a major bend  14  followed by a gradual bend bottom  16  that extends beyond the sharp point  10 . There is an angled bend  18  followed closely by a crimp bend  20 . The material is then wrapped over the angled bend  18  to form a wrap bend  22  directing the end of the material toward the middle of the gradual bend top  12  comprising a loop closing extension  24 . The loop end  26  of the loop closing extension  24  is tapered and bent slightly inward to contact the gradual bend top  12 , thus forming a closed loop. An eye  30  opening is formed between crimp bend  20  and wrap bend  22  wrapping over and in contact with angled bend  18 . The configuration of material forming the eye  30  also creates an eye lever  32 . Specific material length, diameter, point shape and bend curves will vary somewhat depending on the type and size of target fish but will generally be configured in accordance with the above description and accompanying drawing. 
   OPERATION 
   Fishing Loop Device 
   An angler uses the fishing loop device  8  as a substitute for a barbed fishing hook to hold bait and secure fish until the fish is intentionally released by the angler. 
   The angler attaches a terminal end of a fishing line to the fishing loop device  8  by passing the terminal end of the line through the eye  30  and tying the terminal end segment of line to the segment of line on the other side of the eye  30 . The other end of the fishing line is either secured to a fishing pole or threaded through openings (eyes) attached to a fishing rod. Fishing rods generally have a fishing reel attached which can hold a considerable length of line tied to a spool then rolled onto the spool. Various mechanisms on different types of reels allow the angler to retrieve line onto the spool and dispense line off the spool. Most reels also have an adjustable mechanism called a drag which permits line to dispense when the pressure of a pull on the line at or toward the terminal end exceeds adjusted limits. 
   When preparing to fish with live, natural, or penetrable artificial bait, the angler secures a bait to the fishing loop device  8  by depressing the loop closing extension  24  toward the gradual bend bottom  16  thus creating a gap between the gradual bend top  12  and the loop end  26 . Some mass of the bait is then penetrated with the sharp point  10  which is passed through the mass until the sharp point  10  is exposed. The penetrated portion of the bait is then slid past the juncture where the loop end  26  and the gradual bend top  12  touch when the fishing loop device  8  is in its relaxed state. The penetrated bait mass is slid toward or onto the major bend  14 . Pressure exerted to depress the loop closing extension  24  is released restoring the loop to its closed state. The bait is thus secured on the closed loop unless it tears free or the fishing loop device  8  is opened under external force. 
   The secured bait, thus impaled on the fishing loop device  8  which is attached to the terminal end of the fishing line, is presented into water where fish may be present. If a fish attempts to consume the bait it will likely ingest the fishing loop device  8  with the bait. The angler should then exert pressure with a jerking or pulling motion on the fishing line causing the fishing loop device  8  to align with its sharp point  10  toward the mouth opening of the fish. Pressure will likely cause the sharp point  10  to engage fish flesh. Once the sharp point  10  engages and penetrates fish flesh, further pressure will likely cause the sharp point  10  to pass through some flesh. The passing fish flesh mass, along with pulling pressure by the angler on the fishing line, will force the loop closing extension  24  to bend toward the gradual bend bottom  16  allowing the punctured fish flesh mass to slide over the gradual bend top  12  onto the major bend  14 . After the mass passes the area where the gradual bend top  12  and the loop end  26  abut when the fishing loop device  8  is in its relaxed state, the cleared mass will relieve pressure on the loop closing extension  24  allowing it to restore to its closed state with the loop end  26  touching the gradual bend  12 , thus closing the gap and securing the fish to the fishing loop device  8 . The fish thus secured is pulled toward the angler by exerting pressure on the fishing line. 
   Pressure on the major bend  14  caused by an engaged swimming fish or the weight of the fish being lifted from the water will cause some degree of change in the bend of the major bend  14  thus increasing the distance between the gradual bend top  12  and the gradual bend bottom  16 . The structure of the bends that form the eye  30  help prevent the bend changes to the major bend  14  from creating a gap in the fishing loop device  8  through which a secured fish might escape. Any outward pressure on the major bend  14  will result in pressure against the eye lever  32 . Pressure on the eye lever  32  will cause the angled bend  18  to become a less severe angle thereby causing a lifting of the loop closing extension  24 ; which lifting will help keep the loop end  26  in contact with or in proximity to the gradual bend top  12 . That will eliminate or decrease any gap that would result from pressure on the major bend  14  thereby decreasing any opportunity for the secured fish to escape through the gap. 
   When a fishing pole is used the angler exerts pressure by raising the tip of the pole to which the fishing line is secured thereby lifting the secured fish from the water. Fishing poles are generally employed in targeting small fish which are unlikely to exert enough swimming pressure to deform an appropriate size fishing loop device  8 . 
   When a rod and reel are used the angler uses a combination of raising the rod tip and retrieving line rolling it onto the reel spool until the secured fish is close enough to be lifted from the water. Rod and reel anglers target all sizes of fish. The structure of the fishing loop device  8  is especially suited to rod and reel angling. When the fishing loop device  8  of appropriate size is matched with an appropriate reel, reel drag setting, and fishing line strength, an enhanced means of fishing is experienced. 
   The angler selects the fishing loop device  8  with sufficient resistance to deformation in the major bend  14  to accommodate the type of fish targeted. The reel drag setting is adjusted to dispense line under slightly less pressure than the deformation pressure point for the major bend  14 . The strength of the fishing line is selected to withstand more pressure than the amount needed to deform the major bend  14 , decreasing any likelihood of the swimming fish breaking the line and escaping with the fishing loop device  8  permanently imbedded in its flesh. 
   The angler plays the fish by retrieving fishing line rolling it onto the reel spool when swimming pressure does not exceed the drag resistance setting and allowing line to dispense off the spool when pressure exceeds the drag setting. The fish is played until it tires sufficiently to offer minimum resistance at which time it can be brought close to the angler and lifted from the water. The fishing loop device  8  is then removed from the fish by depressing the loop closing extension  24  and backing the sharp point  10  out of the punctured fish flesh with the fish flesh mass passing through a gap created between loop end  26  and the gradual bend top  12  by depressing the loop closing extension  24 . The angler can then retain the fish or release it back into the water with only a small puncture wound received during its encounter with the fishing loop device  8 . 
   An additional feature of the fishing loop device  8  is the angler&#39;s ability and option to release a fish or other engaged object before retrieving it from the water. If a secured fish or other object is heavy enough or there is sufficient pressure exerted to deform the major bend  14  the angler can intentionally cause a deformation of the major bend  14 . This is accomplished by increasing the reel drag resistance beyond the amount of pressure required for deformation and exerting enough pull to cause a straightening of the major bend  14 . When sufficient straightening has occurred the gradual bend top  12  and the sharp point  10  will slip out of the penetrated fish flesh or other mass thereby detaching the fishing loop device  8  from the unwanted object. This is especially useful when large unwanted fish are engaged or obstacles are snagged. The angler can then retrieve the deformed fishing loop device  8 , restore the major bend  14  to its original shape and resume fishing without losing terminal tackle or wasting time playing unwanted fish or trying to detach from snagged objects. 
   DRAWINGS 
   Reference Numerals—Fishing Loop Inserted in Jig Head 
   Another embodiment is a fishing loop inserted in jig head  40  as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . The elements of the fishing loop portion are the same as those in the fishing loop device  8  illustrated in  FIG. 1  except the wrap bend  22  is replaced with an inside touching bend  42  and the loop end  26  is replaced with a loop end  46 . 
   Added elements for the fishing loop inserted in jig head  40  are:
           41  jig head slug     42  inside touching bend     44  front jig opening     46  loop end     48  rear jig opening     49  jig channel       

   DESCRIPTION 
   Fishing Loop Inserted in Jig Head 
     FIG. 2  is a side view of the fishing loop inserted in jig head  40 . 
     FIG. 2A  illustrates the fishing loop portion which is a section of wire or rod that, in its completed stage, forms a closed loop. 
     FIG. 2B  is a front view of a jig head slug  41  with an oblong narrow front jig opening  44  sufficient to accommodate the fishing loop portion at its inside touching bend  42  and narrow enough vertically to prevent the loop portion from rotating inside the slug portion. The slug can be any material that is heavier than water such as, but not limited to, metal, glass, ceramic, resin, etc. molded or fabricated with the openings and channel described here. The slug may be painted or decorated as desired by the producer to be attractive to anglers and/or fish. 
     FIG. 2C  is a side view of the jig head slug  41  that depicts a jig channel  49  that passes through the length of the slug and widens vertically as it approaches the rear of the slug. 
     FIG. 2D  is a rear view of the jig head slug  41  that depicts an oblong rear jig opening  48  that is considerably deeper from top to bottom than the front jig opening  44  and approximately the same width as the front and channel open spaces. 
   The fishing loop inserted in jig head  40  is constructed as follows:
         Mold or fabricate the jig head slug as depicted in  FIGS. 2B ,  2 C and  2 D.   Cut a strand of wire or rod of sufficient length and sharpen one end for the sharp point  10 .   Make the crimp bend  20 , the angle bend  18  and the inside touching bend  42 .   Exert pressure on the loop closing extension  24  and gradual bend bottom  16  to depress the angle at the inside touching bend  42  until the loop end  46  touches the gradual bend bottom  16 .   While holding the loop end  46  and gradual bend bottom  16  together, insert the sharp point  10  in the front of the slug and push the point out the rear jig opening  48 . Push the compressed loop closing extension  24  and gradual bend bottom  16  through the jig slug until the angle bend  18  prevents further insertion. Release pressure allowing the loop closing extension  24  to restore to its original angle.   Form the major bend  14  by bending the material around until the gradual bend top  12  remains in contact with the loop end  46 .   Taper the loop end  46  slightly downward.       

   OPERATION 
   Fishing Loop Inserted in Jig Head 
   An angler uses the fishing loop inserted in jig head either without attachments (if appropriately adorned to attract fish) or with attached live, natural, or penetrable artificial bait as fish attractants. The weight of the jig head slug facilitates casting greater distances and allows the lure and/or bait to drop in the water if desired by the angler. The device can be bumped along the bottom to attract bottom feeding fish, retrieved further up in the water column for suspended fish, or retrieved quickly across the top if the angler chooses. 
   The manner of attaching and holding bait, securing fish, and disengaging fish is the same as with the fishing loop device  8  in  FIG. 1 . 
   DRAWINGS 
   Reference Numerals—Fishing Loop Assembly 
   Yet another embodiment is a fishing loop assembly  50  as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
   The elements of the fishing loop assembly  50  are the same as the fishing loop device  8  as illustrated in  FIG. 1  except the wrap bend  22  is replaced with an inside touching bend  52  and the wire or rod terminates shortly thereafter in an extension holding stub  54 . Additionally the loop closing extension  24  and loop end  26  are replaced with a different material other than the wire or rod used in  FIG. 1 . 
   Added elements for the fishing loop assembly  50  are:
           52  inside touching bend     54  extension holding stub     56  loop closing attachment     58  stub receiver     59  loop end       

   DESCRIPTION 
   Fishing Loop Assembly 
     FIG. 3  is a side view of a fishing loop assembly  50 . The metal portion is formed by sharpening and bending a section of wire or rod as illustrated. The metal portion terminates with a short section which serves as an extension holding stub  54  pointing toward the gradual bend top  12 . A section of flexible material such as springy plastic or monofilament fluorocarbon serves as a loop closing attachment  56  which extends from just beyond the inside touching bend  52  to the gradual bend top  12  where it ends with a tapered loop end  59 . The loop closing attachment  56  has a stub receiver  58  cavity shaped to fit snugly onto the extension holding stub  54 . An adhesive can be applied to hold the stub and extension firmly together. 
   The metal portion of this embodiment is normally more rigid and heavier gauge material than is used for the fishing loop device  8  in  FIG. 1 . This embodiment&#39;s metal portion may also be tempered, forged or both to add to its strength and rigidity. Because it is stronger and more rigid, a less rigid and springier material is needed for the loop closing portion. 
   OPERATION 
   Fishing Loop Assembly 
   This embodiment is used and operates in the same way as the fishing loop device  8  in  FIG. 1  except that the strength and rigidity makes it unlikely that fish can be released by deformation of the major bend  14 . The fishing loop assembly  50  is used in fishing environments where fish need to be hoisted quickly and forcibly from the area where engagement occurs. It is also used for the largest and strongest of fishes. 
   DRAWINGS 
   Reference Numerals—Lure Body with Chamber for Fishing Loop 
   A component of the fishing loop method of fishing associated with the fishing loop device  8  of  FIG. 1  and the fishing loop assembly  50  of  FIG. 3  is a lure body with chamber for fishing loop  60  illustrated in  FIG. 4 . The lure body can be any shape, size, material and decor desired by the producer as long as there is sufficient material to accommodate a chamber into which a fishing loop can be implanted as described below. The lure body can be fabricated or molded from any of a variety of materials and can have other attachments such as skirts, lips, eyes, etc. 
   The elements for the lure body with chamber for fishing loop  60  are:
           62  front opening     64  channel     66  cavity     68  bottom opening       

   DESCRIPTION 
   Lure Body with Chamber for Fishing Loop 
     FIG. 4  is a side view of the lure body with chamber for fishing loop  60  which shows a fishing loop device  8  implanted appropriately with a fishing leader tied to the loop&#39;s lever eye and strung through the lure body where it can be attached to fishing line. 
     FIG. 4A  is a side view of the lure body prior to implanting the fishing loop device and leader. 
     FIG. 4B  is a top view of the lure body. 
     FIG. 4C  is a bottom view of the lure body. 
     FIG. 4D  is a front view of the lure body. 
   The lure body with chamber for fishing loop  60  is constructed by drilling, fabricating or molding a front opening  62  and channel  64  in the front of the lure body. The channel enters a cavity  66  that is shaped to accommodate a predetermined size fishing loop device  8  or fishing loop assembly  50 . The cavity  66  is milled, molded or fabricated in the lure body with the bottom portion of the cavity sloping toward a bottom opening  68 . The length of the cavity  66  is slightly longer than the predetermined fishing loop to be used. The depth of the cavity  66  from top to bottom opening  68  is slightly less than the distance from the gradual bend bottom  16  of the fishing loop to its sharp point  10 . The width of the cavity  66  is uniform and slightly more than the widest portion of the fishing loop device  8  which is its wrap bend  22 ; or, if a fishing loop assembly  50  is used, the widest portion of the assembly which is the outside diameter of the stub receiver  58 . The bottom opening  68  is shorter than the cavity  66  and of sufficient length to allow the eye lever  32  and wrap bend  22  or stub receiver  58  to pass freely in and out of the bottom opening  68 . 
   OPERATION 
   Lure Body with Chamber for Fishing Loop 
   The angler may obtain the lure body with chamber for fishing loop  60  either as a lure separate from the fishing loop or with the fishing loop and attached leader preimplanted. 
   If obtained separately, the angler ties a leader end to the lever eye of the fishing loop, passes the free end of the leader through the bottom opening  68 , the cavity  66 , the channel  64 , and out the front opening  62 . The angler then tugs the free end of the leader to pull the fishing loop into the cavity  66  and snugs the lever eye to the front of the cavity where it meets the channel  64 , leaving the sharp point  10  and a small portion of the gradual bend top  12  exposed outside the bottom opening of the lure body. The free end of the leader is then attached to the fishing line secured to the angler&#39;s tackle. 
   The angler presents the lure into water where fish may be present. When a fish attempts to consume the lure it will generally engulf the lure in its mouth and close its mouth. The angler, sensing a bite, tugs the line causing the lure to attempt to exit the fish through its mouth. The exposed sharp point of the implanted fishing loop will likely engage part of the fish as the lure attempts its exit from the fish. Further tugs by the angler will cause deeper penetration of the sharp point in the fish causing the back of the fishing loop to release from its snug position inside the lure cavity. Afterwards the lure body will usually be regurgitated by the fish causing the lure body to ride forward along the leader toward the angler. This activity allows the penetrated fish flesh to cause the fishing loop to secure the fish as previously described. 
   In addition to the benefits and advantages of fishing loops previously described, the angler now may procure and transport lure body and fish securing apparatus separately as opposed to having hooks permanently affixed to each lure. 
   DRAWINGS 
   Reference Numerals—Fishing Loop Pliers 
   Another component of the fishing loop method of fishing is the jaws portion of a pair of pliers shaped and grooved to facilitate disengaging a fishing loop from a caught fish. The handles and hinge portion of the pliers can be any of a number of conventional pliers levering and hinging apparatus and are not considered part of the invention. 
   Elements of the fishing loop pliers  70  are:
           72  conventional pliers handles and hinge     74  right angled jaw     76  right angled jaw     78  perpendicular grooves     79  parallel grooves       

   RAMIFICATIONS AND SCOPE OF INVENTION 
   Accordingly, the reader will see that the fishing loop method of fishing offers the angler an enhanced fishing experience having several advantages over conventional fishing methods. Any of the above embodiments of fishing loops holds bait and secures fish without the aggravations and damaging effects of barbs, particularly where barbed hook removal is concerned. The invention also allows anglers to conserve fishing tackle by intentional release from unwanted fish and snags as well as being able to restore the shape of a fishing loop that has been deformed. The angler can procure terminal tackle separately from lure bodies and change fish attractants while using the same fishing loop rather than buying lures with dedicated hooks attached. And, because the lever eye helps hold fish on the fishing loop, the likelihood of success at catching fish is enhanced. Consequently, availability of the fishing loop method of fishing will make fishing a more enjoyable, economical and environmentally friendly pursuit. 
   While the above descriptions contain many specificities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as exemplifications of embodiments thereof. Many other variations are possible. For example, the fishing loops can have many sizes and be made of various materials with various colors. The interoperable jig head slugs and lure bodies can be any size, shape and material that allows a fishing loop to be inserted as specified. The slugs and lure bodies can be decorated with a single or multiple colors and various designs to attract fish and anglers. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiments illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.