Patent ID: 8397425

Claim:
A fishing hook device comprising: (a) a hook shaft 105 having a first end 105 a and a second end 105 b; (b) an eyelet 116 disposed on the first end 105 a of the hook shaft 105 , the eyelet 116 is for attaching fishing line; (c) a first hook 112 a , a second hook 112 b , and a third hook 112 c each extending from the second end 105 b of the hook shaft 105 , the hooks 112 each curve upwardly towards the first end 105 a of the hook shaft 105 , wherein each hook has a beveled, barbed, or pointed end; (d) a first panel 120 a , a first end of the first panel 120 a is pivotally attached to the hook shaft 105 via a first attachment means, the first panel 120 a is elongated and is positioned in between the first hook 112 a and the second hook 112 b; (e) a second panel 120 b , a first end of the second panel 120 b is pivotally attached to the hook shaft 105 via a second attachment means, the second panel 120 b is elongated and is positioned in between the second hook 112 b and the third hook 112 c; (f) a third panel 120 c , a first end of the third panel 120 c is pivotally attached to the hook shaft 105 via a second attachment means, the third panel 120 c is elongated and is positioned in between the third hook 112 c and the first hook 112 a ; and (g) spring-loaded wires 150 disposed in each panel 120 extending from the first end of each panel 120 to its respective second end; wherein panels 120 can each pivot between a closed position, wherein each panel 120 is positioned in between the respective hooks 112 and each panel 120 is generally parallel to the hook shaft 105 , and an open position, wherein the second end of each panel 120 is pivoted upwardly such that each panel 120 is generally perpendicular to the hook shaft 105 and the hook shaft 105 is exposed.