Patent ID: 7017295

Claim:
A device for handling fish comprising: a handle portion ( 10 ) extending between a closed end and an open end for gripping by a human hand, a hook portion ( 11 ) spaced from said handle portion ( 10 ) to present a fish retention pocket ( 12 ) therebetween, an arm portion ( 13 ) interconnecting said handle portion ( 10 ) and hook portion ( 11 ) at said closed end to define a bottom ( 14 ) of said pocket ( 12 ), said hook portion ( 11 ) extending along a hook axis (A) from said arm portion ( 13 ) to a distal end ( 15 ), said hook portion ( 11 ) and said handle portion ( 10 ) presenting straight sides ( 16 , 17 ) diverging from said bottom ( 14 ) to an open end of said pocket ( 12 ) with said straight side ( 16 ) of said handle portion ( 10 ) parallel to said hook axis (A) to provide a wider open space (S) between said handle portion ( 10 ) and hook portion ( 11 ) at said distal end ( 15 ) of said hook portion ( 11 ) than the closed space (WB) between said handle portion ( 10 ) and hook portion ( 11 ) defined by said arm portion ( 13 ) at said bottom ( 14 ) of said pocket ( 12 ), said hook portion ( 11 ) has a cross section that tapers inwardly in transverse radial directions toward said axis (A) from said arm portion ( 13 ) to said distal end ( 15 ) so that said cross section of said hook portion ( 11 ) progressively reduces in size from said arm portion ( 13 ) to said distal end ( 15 ), said cross section of said hook portion ( 11 ) is of an I beam with parallel traverse flanges ( 18 ) having edges and centrally interconnected by a center web ( 19 ), said flanges and said center web ( 19 ) tapering inwardly from said arm portion ( 13 ) toward said distal end ( 15 ) whereby said I beam cross section reduces in size along said taper, said hook portion ( 11 ) includes a round, bullet-shaped tip section ( 20 ) at said distal end ( 15 ), and said hook portion ( 11 ) includes a four sided solid cross sectional section ( 21 ) between said flanges ( 18 ) and said tip section ( 20 ).