Abstract: A bushing for a fishing reel comprising: a body having an aperture therethrough for receiving a shaft such that the shaft is movable in the aperture; a plurality of chamfers extending from the body for securing the bushing in the fishing reel; an exterior contacting surface provided on the body; and at least one cam lobe provided on the body. The inventive bushing is particularly well-suited for placement on the spool hub of a spincast-type fishing reel such that the bushing operably receives and retains the reel's main operating shaft.

Abstract: A retainer for retaining a lure attached to a fishing line extending from a fishing reel. The retainer preferably comprises an eyelet provided on the fishing reel. The eyelet is preferably integrally formed on the exterior of the reel.

Abstract: An improved fishing rod of the type having a substantially cylindrical body with a peripheral surface. The improvement is a mark on the body situated so that the circumference of the fishing rod body with the mark thereon simulates the torso of a selected species of fish, with the mark having markings characteristic of markings on the torso of the selected fish species.

Abstract: A braking apparatus for a fishing reel and a braking element assembly preferred for use in the inventive apparatus. The inventive braking apparatus comprises: a contacting structure; a plurality of braking elements for contacting the contacting structure to generate a braking force; a dial and cam slider assembly for selectively placing the contacting structure in a plurality of predetermined positions relative to the braking elements; and an indexing structure for identifying the predetermined positions. The inventive braking element assembly preferably comprises: (a) a housing having a longitudinal axis and a longitudinal end and (b) a plurality of braking elements retained in the housing for radial braking movement relative to the longitudinal axis. A first and second one of the braking elements are each retained in the housing at a first longitudinal position spaced a first longitudinal distance from the first end.

Abstract: A casting actuator having a slip-resistant contacting surface which flexes to accommodate the user's thumb. The casting actuator preferably comprises: an actuating lever; a support structure; a living hinge pivotably connecting the actuating lever to the support structure; and a flexible cover extending from the support collar over at least a portion of the lever. The flexible cover provides a flexible, slip-resistant contacting surface on the lever. The inventive actuator is preferably formed by an inventive method comprising the steps of: (a) placing a first material in a mold to form a unitary, molded structure and (b) while the first material is present in mold, placing a second material in the mold to form the flexible cover. The unitary, molded structure formed from the first material comprises: the actuating lever; the support collar; and the resilient hinge. The inventive casting actuator preferably includes a convex engaging surface for operably contacting a main shaft of the fishing reel.

Abstract: A braking apparatus for a fishing reel comprising: a carrying structure for carrying a braking surface; at least one turnable cam including at least one ramp segment having an outer end and a base end; at least one interacting member, projecting from the carrying structure, for interacting with the cam; a first retaining feature at the base end; and a second retaining feature following the outer end. The cam can be turned to selectively move the interacting member to the first and second retaining features. When the interacting member is retained by the first retaining feature, the braking surface will be located at a first position. When the interacting member is retained by the second retaining feature, the braking surface will be located at a second position different from the first position.

Abstract: A braking apparatus for a fishing reel comprising: a plurality of braking elements; a braking element assembly for retaining the braking elements in radial paths about a rotational axis such that a centrifugal force imparted to the braking elements by rotating the braking elements about the rotational axis will urge the braking elements to move in their radial paths away from the rotational axis toward individual, extended radial positions; a contact member; and a positioning mechanism for selectively positioning the contact member in at least a first location and a second location. When the contact member is positioned in its first location and the braking elements are in their extended radial positions, at least one of the braking elements contacts the contact member. However, when the contact member is positioned in its second location, the one braking element just mentioned cannot contact the contact member, regardless of whether the braking element is in its extended radial position.

Abstract: An anti-reverse apparatus for a fishing reel comprising: (a) a ratchet member mounted on a main operating shaft of the fishing reel and (b) an engaging structure incorporated in a crankshaft assembly of the fishing reel. The engaging structure is operable for directly engaging the ratchet member to thereby prevent reverse rotation of the main operating shaft and of the crankshaft assembly. The engaging structure is preferably received in a recess provided in a crankshaft drive gear. The inventive apparatus preferably also comprises a boss projecting from the reel frame for retaining the engaging structure in the recess. The engaging structure preferably comprises: a plate having a first side and an aperture extending through the plate; a first arm extending from the first side for engaging the ratchet gear; and a second arm extending from the first side for contacting the frame boss in order to limit the axial and rotational movement of the engaging structure.

Abstract: A structure for retaining the line spool and elements of a line spool drag mechanism, if employed, upon the hub of a spin cast type fishing reel, wherein the hub has a plurality of axial grooves and radial slots in the surface and the retainer comprises a flange adjacent the line spool, a first cylindrical member extending axially of the flange for disposition over the hub between the hub and the line spool. The first cylindrical member having a plurality of lugs extending radially inwardly thereof into engagement with the axial grooves and radial slots in the hub, whereby the retainer is locked on the hub with the flange adjacent to the outer face of the line spool. A second cylindrical member coaxial with the first extends from the other side of the flange and comprises a cam surface for actuating the line retrieving mechanism and a bearing surface for supporting the line retrieving mechanism in the line retrieving position.

Abstract: A fishing reel having a frame, a line carrying spool, and first structure for mounting the line carrying spool to the frame for reciprocating movement in a first predetermined path. The first structure includes a shaft that moves reciprocatively in a second predetermined path as an incident of which the line carrying spool moves in the first predetermined path. Second suture is provided on the frame for directing line onto the line carrying spool, with there being third structure cooperating between the first and second structures for causing reciprocating movement of the shaft in the second predetermined path as an incident of the second structure being operated. The first structure includes a rolling element cooperating between the shaft and the frame for guiding movement of the shaft in the second predetermined path.

Abstract: An apparatus for removably securing a cover on a fishing reel frame. The inventive apparatus comprises a locking member having a locking pin. The inventive apparatus also comprises an opening, provided by the frame, for receiving the locking pin to thereby secure the cover on the frame. The locking member is retained in the cover for reciprocating movement along a line of reciprocation. The apparatus further comprises an actuator, operable from outside of the cover, for moving the locking member along its line of reciprocation to thereby remove the locking pin from the frame opening.

Abstract: A fishing reel having a line carrying spool and an operating mechanism for directing line onto the spool. The operating mechanism includes a first shaft that is rotatable about a first axis and a second shaft that is rotatable about a second axis that is transverse to the first axis. The first and second shafts are each rotatable in forward and reverse directions around the first and second axes.

Abstract: A fishing reel having a front and rear, a top and bottom, and laterally spaced sides. The fishing reel has a deck plate with a forwardly facing surface and an opening extending in a fore and aft direction. A reel operating mechanism is provided, with there being first structure for mounting at least a portion of the reel operating mechanism to the deck plate. A housing encases at least a portion of the reel operating mechanism and has laterally oppositely facing side walls and a rear wall. Second structure is provided for mounting the housing with the operating mechanism thereon to a fishing rod. A one-piece subassembly defines at least a part of each of a) the deck plate, b) one of the side walls, and c) the rear wall, with there being a rearwardly facing, undercut surface in the deck plate part on the subassembly extending around the deck plate opening.

Abstract: A fishing reel having a frame and an operating mechanism on the frame including a line carrying spool, a first element for directing line onto the line carrying spool, first structure cooperating between the first element and frame for mounting the first element for rotation relative to the frame in a first direction about a first axis as an incident of which line is wrapped around the line carrying spool, and second structure selectively preventing the first element from rotating oppositely to the first direction around the first axis.