Abstract:
An improved fishhook for use with live bait fish in fishing operations. The fishhook comprises a unique angular configuration designed to prolong the life of live bait fish, as well as to provide for a more natural and lifelike bait presentation, to attract game fish thereto.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This invention relates to fishhooks in general and to an improved fishhook for use with live bait-fish, in particular. 
         [0003]    2. Prior Art 
         [0004]    Anglers often utilize different types of bait/lures in fishing operations. Live bait fish, such as minnows or the like, have an advantage over artificial lures because game fish are more likely to strike live bait and are more likely to retain live bait for a longer period of time, which in turn facilitates a successful hook-up with the game fish. The utilization of live bait is further advantageous because live bait provides for a natural and lifelike movement that is attractive to the game fish. However, several problems exist with the prior art fishhooks currently utilized with live bait. For example, a common problem associated with utilizing live bait is that many prior art fishhooks are not designed to prolong the life of such bait. In many cases, as the live bait is applied to the fishhook, the bait is either killed instantaneously or fatally injured due to the fact that damaging contact of the fishhook with the bait is unavoidable. In such scenarios, the presentation of the dead or injured bait is not lifelike, resulting in a reduced chance of a strike. In addition, many of these prior art fishhooks are often complicated in construction, thereby making it difficult for novice users to utilize them. Such fishhooks also have increased manufacturing costs due to their complexity. 
         [0005]    Accordingly, an improvement over what is available in the prior art is desired. For these reasons, an improved fishhook meeting the following objectives would be highly desirable. 
       OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    It is an object of the invention to provide an improved fishhook that allows a prolonged bait life. 
         [0007]    It is another object of this invention to provide an improved fishhook that allows a more natural and lifelike bait movement. 
         [0008]    It is yet another object of the invention to provide an improved fishhook that allows a more lifelike bait presentation. 
         [0009]    It is another object of the invention to provide an improved fishhook that increases the likelihood of a strike from a fish. 
         [0010]    It is another object of this invention to provide an improved fishhook that is reliable, efficient, and easy to use. 
         [0011]    Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improved fishhook that is simple in construction and thus capable of being manufactured at a reduced cost. 
         [0012]    These and other objects of the invention shall become apparent from the ensuing figures and descriptions of the invention. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    An improved fishhook is disclosed. The preferred embodiment generally comprises an elongated shank having a straight section; a line engaging end extending from the straight section at an approximate right angle; a hook section extending from the straight section in a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the line-engaging end; wherein the hook section is offset from the straight section via a connecting section. This particular configuration of the fishhook provides for numerous advantages, including a prolonged bait life, a secure and lateral retention of the bait on the fishhook, and a natural and lifelike bait presentation. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a side perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a fishhook for use in live bait applications. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the fishhook, depicting preferred angles, α, and β. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2A  is a side view of another preferred embodiment of the fishhook, depicting a mirror image of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 2B  is an end view of a preferred embodiment of the fishhook. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3A  depicts the terminal point of the fishhook about to be run through the mouth of a live bait. 
           [0019]      FIGS. 3B  depicts the terminal point of the fishhook exiting from the gill slits of the bait. 
           [0020]      FIGS. 3C and 3D  depict the head and body of the live bait being slid along the shank, towards the line-engaging end. 
           [0021]      FIG. 3E  depicts the fishhook being rotated to position the terminal point to be embedded back into the upper body of the bait. 
           [0022]      FIG. 3F  depicts the bait in its final adjusted position on the fishhook. 
           [0023]      FIG. 4  depicts an alternative preferred embodiment of the line-engaging end of the fishhook. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0024]    An improved fishhook  1  is disclosed. Without any intent to limit the scope of this invention, reference is made to the Figures in describing the preferred embodiments of the invention. 
         [0025]    Fishhook  1  of the invention is relatively simple, yet durable, in construction. Fishhook  1  is particularly designed to be utilized in conjunction with live bait  2 , such as minnows, or the like. Typical minnows comprise a head region  2   a  including a mouth  2   c , and a body region  2   b  including an upper region  2   e  and gill slits  2   d . Fishhook  1  can be designed to be of whatever size is suitable for the particular fishing situation. As depicted by  FIG. 1 , in a preferred embodiment, fishhook  1  comprises an elongated shank  4  of any desirable length. In constructing elongated shank  4 , the inventor contemplates using metal, such as brass or steel. However, it is anticipated that various other suitable materials could also be acceptable to construct shank  4 . As further depicted by  FIG. 1 , shank  4  comprises a straight section  27  having a first end  27   a  and a second end  27   b . A line-engaging end  5  extends from first end  27   a  of straight section  27 , for connection to a fishing line. As depicted by  FIGS. 1 and 2B , in one preferred embodiment, line-engaging end  5  will extend from straight section  27 , at an approximate right angle. As will be explained in more detail below, this particular configuration of line-engaging end  5  will facilitate a horizontal suspension of bait  2  from fishing line. 
         [0026]    As depicted by  FIG. 1 , elongated shank  4  further comprises a curved hook section  6  extending from second end  27   b  of straight section  27 . When line-engaging end  5  extends from straight section  27  at a right angle, as depicted by  FIGS. 1 and 2B , it is preferred that hook section  6  be situated in a plane that is substantially perpendicular to line-engaging end  5 . Hook section  6  will further have a first end  6   a  and a second end  6   b . In a preferred embodiment, shank  4  will further comprise a connecting section  24  which will serve to offset first end  6   a  of hook section  6  from second end  27   b  of straight section  27 . As will be explained in more detail below, the angular offset of hook section  6  from straight section  27  will allow the fisherman to avoid unnecessary contact of shank  4  against body  2   b  of bait  2 , when bait  2  is applied to fishhook  1 . Continuing with a preferred construction of fishhook  1 , and as depicted by  FIGS. 2 and 2A , connecting section  24  and straight section  27  will define an obtuse angle, α, while connecting section  24  and hook section  6  will define an obtuse angle, β. In a preferred embodiment, angle α, will be equal to angle β, with each angle preferably falling within a range of about 210 degrees to about 220 degrees. 
         [0027]    Continuing with a discussion of a preferred construction of fishhook  1 , and as depicted by  FIGS. 1-4 , second end  6   b  of hook section  6  will merge into a sharp terminal point  7 , which functions to penetrate the mouth of the fish when fishhook  1  is set. Terminal point  7  may be provided with a terminal barb  7   a  to help retain the fish on fishhook  1 . However, in general, fishhooks containing terminal barbs cause more damage to the mouths of hooked fish than fishhooks without such barbs. Thus, it may be desirable to omit terminal barb  7   a , particularly when fishhook  1  is to be used in a catch and release environment. 
         [0028]    In application, fishhook  1  comprises a left embodiment L, as depicted by  FIG. 2 , and a right embodiment R, as depicted by  FIG. 2A . When viewing left embodiment L of fishhook  1  from above, hook section  6  will be configured in a counterclockwise direction, CC, starting from the beginning of hook section  6  and leading to terminal point  7 . See,  FIG. 2 . In this particular embodiment, fishhook  1  will be applied to the left side of bait  2 . When viewing right embodiment R of fishhook  1  from above, hook section  6  will be configured in a clockwise direction, C, starting from the beginning of hook section  6  and leading to terminal point  7 . See,  FIG. 2A . In this particular embodiment, fishhook  1  will be applied to the right side of bait  2 . 
         [0029]    In application, and as depicted by  FIGS. 3A and 3B , terminal point  7  of hook section  6  is first run through mouth  2   c  of live bait fish  2 . Head  2   a  and body  2   b  of bait  2  are then slid along curved section  6  of fishhook  1 , with terminal point  7  and terminal barb  7   a , if present, subsequently exiting body  2   b  via gill slits  2   d . In this fashion, bait  2  is applied to fishhook  1  by utilizing the natural apertures that bait  2  already possess, i.e. mouth  2   c  and gill slits  2 d, such that fishhook  1  does not perforate bait  2  at undesired regions, making it less likely to cause death or fatal injury to bait  2 . As depicted by  FIGS. 3C and 3D , head  2   a  and body  2   b  of bait  2  are then passed over angular section  24  and slid along straight section  27  of shank  4 , until head  2   a  of bait  2  is situated adjacent to line-engaging end  5  of fishhook  1 . Thereafter, as depicted by  FIG. 3E , fishhook  1  is rotated until terminal point  7  of hook section  6  is facing bait body  2   b . The angler will then embed terminal point  7  and terminal barb  7   a , if present, into body  2   b  of bait  2 . In one preferred application, fishhook  1  may be maneuvered such that terminal point  7  and terminal barb  7   a  remain embedded in body  2   b  of bait  2 . In an alternative preferred application, body  2   b  of bait  2  is ultimately situated so that terminal point  7  and barb  7   a  exit upper portion  2   e  of body  2   b , preferably at a region that is above the spinal column of bait  2 . Alternatively, terminal point  7  and barb  7   a  may exit body  2   b  at a region that is below the spinal column of bait  2 , the primary objective being to avoid the spinal column and internal organs of bait  2 . As terminal point  7  and barb  7   a  exit body  2   b  of bait  2 , hook section  6  will angle outward from bait body  2   b , due to the offset of hook section  6  from straight section  27 . See,  FIG. 3F , showing bait  2  in its final adjusted position on fishhook  1 . This in turn allows for minimum contact of shank  4  with gill region  2   d  of bait  2 , reducing the risk of gill injury to bait  2 . Furthermore, as hook section  6  angles outward from bait body  2   b , it also forces open gill slits  2   d , enhancing the water and oxygen uptake of bait fish  2 . In this manner, a prolonged bait life is achieved, which in turn increases the probability of a strike. Thus, the configuration of the present invention is advantageous over many prior art fishhooks, where the shank is completely straight and damaging contact of the shank with the bait&#39;s gill region is more likely, resulting in injury and/or a premature death of the bait. In such scenarios, the presentation of the dead or injured bait is not lifelike, resulting in a decreased likelihood of a strike. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, and as discussed above, a horizontal and lifelike suspension of bait  2  is further facilitated by providing fishhook  1  with a line-engaging end  5  that is situated off of straight section  26  of shank  4  at an approximate right angle. See,  FIG. 1 . However, line-engaging end  5  need not depend off of straight section  27  at a right angle. See,  FIG. 4 . 
         [0030]    The angular offset of hook section  6 , in addition to providing a prolonged bait life, as discussed above, also provides an additional advantage. In a conventional fishhook, the only pivot point is the curve situated at the base of the hook. Any upward pressure on the line will actually cause the terminal point of the hook to rotate away from the roof of the game fish&#39;s mouth, making a successful hook-up less likely. In contrast, in the current invention, hook section  6  is offset from line-engaging end  5  via connecting section  24 . This creates a second pivot point. If the game fish clamps down on connecting section  24 , an upward force on the line will cause hook section  6  to pivot around connecting section  24 . This will drive terminal point  7  and barb  7   a  of fishhook  1  toward the fish&#39;s mouth, facilitating a hook-up. 
         [0031]    It should be noted that although fishhook  1  of the invention has been discussed in the context of live bait, fishhook  1  is also capable of being utilized with a myriad of commercially available or handmade artificial lures, that can be applied to fishhook  1 , either alone or in conjunction with live bait  2  in the manner commonly known in the art. 
         [0032]    In summary, fishhook  1  of the present invention comprises a unique configuration that is inexpensive and simple in construction. Fishhook I facilitates a longer life for live bait  2 , provides for a secure and lateral retention of bait  2  on the fishhook, and provides for a natural and lifelike bait  2  presentation. While the invention has been described in terms of its preferred embodiment, other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art from a review of the foregoing. Those embodiments as well as the preferred embodiments are intended to be encompassed by the scope and spirit of the following claims.