Abstract: A fishing line release device includes a body adapted to be attached to a downrigger line and having a first guide adjacent one end of the body and a second guide axially disposed relative to the one end of the body for receiving the fishing line therethrough. Projections are disposed adjacent the one body end and about which the fishing line can be wound. A first magnetic member is positioned along the body and defines a path extending toward and away from the projections and a release lever assembly is pivotly mounted on the body adjacent the one end and is constructed and arranged such that when the lever assembly is in an unpivoted position a lever arm extends in a direction parallel to the path. A hook is formed on the lever arm adjacent the projections to hold the fishing line thereon and whereby a force on the fishing line tends to pivot the lever arm to move the hook to a release position thereby releasing said fishing line.

Abstract: A fishing line release device includes a body adapted to be attached to a downrigger line and having projections adjacent one end about which the fishing line can be wound. A first magnetic member is the releasably positionable at plural points along the body which defines a path extending toward and away from the projections. A release lever is pivotally mounted on the body and is constructed and arranged such that when the lever is in an unpivoted position a first arm extends in a direction parallel to the path and a second arm is positioned adjacent the projections to hold the fishing line thereon and whereby a force on the fishing line tends to pivot the lever to move the second arm away from the projections and release the fishing line. A second magnet is slidably mounted on the first arm for being attracted by the first magnet thereby resisting pivotal movement of the lever with the degree of force required to release the fishing line being dependent on the position of the first magnet along the path.