Abstract: A fishing gaff hook including a rotatable eyelet.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device for retrieving a fish caught on a fishing line, the device including a receptacle for passing along the fishing line and then receiving the caught fish, and a retriever for retrieving the receptacle and the fish.

Abstract: A fully collapsible, double articulated gaff for retrieving fish when fishing from high bridges, piers and high banks. The device collapses to approximately 5 inches in diameter by 1 inch high to enable it to be carried in a tackle box. It has three double articulated, weighted gaff hooks. The fishing line is threaded thru the overlap in guide mechanism, then lowered to the fishes head gripping it with the gaff hooks, then by pulling up on the rope lifting the device and the fish. Materials and method of construction used to help reduce manufacturing cost.

Abstract: A ice fishing fish containment device for securing a caught fish within a hole for ice fishing. The device including a tubular sidewall extending the depth of the hole. The sidewall having a bracket on its lower end. A flapper having a top side with a grasping member higedly attached to the bracket, wherein the upward movement of a fish into the hole with displace flapper temporarily until the fish enters the hole clearing the height of the flapper. The flapper will then close securing the fish with the hole.

Abstract: A fishing protector and a method for use of the fishing protector at or near the sea bed by long-line fishing is provided to avoid that the catch is eaten by sea mammal when the line with the catch is hauled into a fishing boat. A gliding stopper is fastened at the termination of the line and thereafter the fishing protector is hooked on the line during the setting out of the line such that the line passes through the fishing protector. By hauling of the line the line is passing through the fishing protector and the catch is hooked off inside the fishing protector. An opening and closing mechanism at a first termination of the fishing protector closes the opening through which the fish passed, avoiding fish to escape.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device for retrieving a fish caught on a fishing line, the device including a receptacle for passing along the fishing line and then receiving the caught fish, and a retriever for retrieving the receptacle and the fish.

Abstract: An elongated handle has a pointed fish hook rotatably affixed to one end of the handle, the hook having two operating dispositions, a first disposition wherein the hook is open for gaffing purposes and a second disposition wherein the hook folded back against the handle to block the hook point for safety. A mechanism releasably secures the hook at either disposition. A button actuated mechanism releases the hook from either disposition so that the hook can be moved from one operating disposition to the other. Preferably the gaff further includes a bias for urging the hook toward its open, gaffing disposition.

Abstract: A fishing gaff has a handle with an offset portion. A shaft extends longitudinally from the offset portion. Generally equidistantly spaced openings are formed in the shaft to facilitate movement through the water. A hook extends from the end of the shaft. Overmould material along portions of the handle provide offset grip segments to enhance leverage.

Abstract: A pole with a device on one end thereof is adapted to hook or grab a line that is attached to a jug or noodle to allow the user to pull in the jug or noodle without having to lean over the side of a boat and physically grab the jug or noodle from the water. The pole of the present invention will allow all anglers, including the young, elderly and others, to enjoy the fun, action and excitement of jug fishing without the fear of losing one's balance when retrieving the jug or noodle.

Abstract: A gill hook for landing fish is disclosed, the hook has an elongate member having a handle at one end and a comparatively large hook at the opposite end.

Abstract: A fishing gaff has a handle with an offset portion. A shaft extends longitudinally from the offset portion. Generally equidistantly spaced openings are formed in the shaft to facilitate movement through the water. A hook extends from the end of the shaft. Overmould material along portions of the handle provide offset grip segments to enhance leverage.

Abstract: An apparatus configured for fish retention includes a first arm and a second arm integral with a channel lock hinge having a plurality of channels; a lattice top jaw integral to the channel lock hinge, the lattice top jaw and bottom jaw defining a curved surface extending through a middle portion of the lattice top and bottom jaw from the channel lock hinge to a forward end, each of the lattice top jaw and the lattice bottom jaw movable to form an adjustable cavity for receiving a fish; the lattice top jaw defining a first notch at the lattice top jaw forward end, and the lattice bottom jaw defining a second notch at the lattice bottom jaw forward end, the first notch and the second notch configured to enable retention of the fish without damaging one or more fins of the fish.

Abstract: A lobster snare device (1) that permits a user to catch a lobster without harming the environment or the lobster. A telescoping internal pole (3) is located inside an external pole (2). A loop (9), located on a distal end of the internal pole, may be made smaller or bigger by pushing or pulling the internal pole. The proximal end of the internal pole extends from the external pole and has a handle/dive indicator (13) attached to it which is preferably colored red so as to indicate where a user is located while in the water. The proximal end may also have a dive flag (14) attached to it to warn boaters of the user's location while in the water. While the lobster snare device is not in use, the dive flag may be rolled around the handle/dive indicator and covered by an outer cover (15).

Abstract: An apparatus that enables the fishing pots to be lifted with ease. The system includes a hook embedded in the gear rope near the first pot. The string of pots is set normally, with the end of the rope marked with a buoy. To retrieve the pots, the buoy is pulled up onto the boat and the rope is tied off. An anchor-pulling ring with a buoy attached is placed around the line. The boat is driven in the opposite direction as the current or tide. This causes the pot rope to be pulled up, with the pots. The rope passes through the anchor-pulling ring until the hook passes through the ring. The line can be slacked off and the hook will catch the ring and hold the pots while the remainder of the rope is retrieved. Once the boat reaches the buoy, the pots can easily be pulled up.

Abstract: A fishing assistance apparatus. The fishing assistance apparatus is fabricated from a club that has two ends, a handle end and a distal end. The handle end has a strap for grasping by a hand, while the distal end of the club has a gaff hook, which extends outward to the distal end and then bends backward one-hundred eighty degrees. An individual could grasp the handle end of the fishing assistance apparatus and use both the distal end of the club and the gaff hook in combination with each other to successfully pull a game fish onto a boat, pier, or the like.

Abstract: A fish handling tool which provides an easier and more stable nipping operation for holding a fish. The fish handling tool is structured that a finger hooking position of a finger hooking opening provided in an operating member crosses a center line of a rod-like grip so that the finger hooking position does not become eccentric.

Abstract: A fish lifting device is disclosed for use with fishing pole apparatus comprising a fishing line having a high-test leader at its distal end. The fish lifting device comprises a plate having first and second ends and at least two side portions. A first opening is formed in the plate proximate its first end, and a second opening is formed in the plate between the first opening and the second end of the plate. A first elongated channel is formed in the plate and extends from the second opening toward the second end of the plate, and a second elongated channel is formed in the plate between one of the sides and the second opening. A fish lifting device according to the present invention may further comprise a utility line which is operatively secured to the plate by engaging the first opening.

Abstract: A hand-held fish handling device includes a shaft having one pointed end, useful in entering the mouth of a fish and then retrieving a swallowed hook from the stomach of a fish. The other end of the shaft has a multi-purpose tool fastened thereon; the tool is able to be used as a pithing device, as an external hook remover, and as a gaff. A hand grip enclosing the center of the shaft may be brightly colored and of high buoyancy to aid in retrieving a dropped device. One version of the device employs a wooden shaft and the attached multi-purpose tool is made of a bent metal rod, sharpened at both ends.

Abstract: A method for retrieving a fish that has been caught on a fishing line according to which a rope is secured to a loop, the line is secured to the loop, and the rope is pulled to retrieve the line.

Abstract: A fishing rod/net-lasso(s) apparatus combination used as a single product. An angler can fish, net or lasso a caught fish and lift it from any place for fishing, in the summer, winter, or any other season. It is comprised of: a fishing rod with fishing devices; a net-lasso(s) or other device, every net having attached to it a heavy weight; an extra line that connects, on one side, to a soft net or lasso(s) and on the other side to an extra spinning mechanism or another extra line keeper on a fishing rod; a net-lasso together with its keeper/holder, that has a track inside it, the track is slide-joined to a fishing rod and can slide over and around a fishing rod, a fishing line, a kill-devil, a bobber or other fishing line device to the mouth of a caught fish.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an alternating phase shift mask can be carried out in a short amount of time. A 180° phase shift region is formed using a multi-step etching process, and then a 0° phase region is formed. Forming the phase shift regions in this sequence minimizes the number of rounds of photolithography that have to be carried out in the method.

Abstract: A device for landing, handling and controlling a fish which includes a pair of clamps pivotally attached to a main housing. A handle is provided at one end of the housing. The clamps can be moved from a closed position to a fully opened position by a trigger assembly. The clamps can be retained in their fully opened position without manual assistance. The device can be provided with a built in scale. A locking assembly can also be provided for preventing the main housing from spinning or rotating with respect to the handle.

Abstract: The device includes a handle portion (10) and a spaced hook portion (11) to present a fish retention pocket (12). The hook portion (11) and the handle portion (10) present straight sides (16, 17) diverging from the pocket bottom (14) to provide a wider open space (S) between the handle portion (10) and hook portion (11) at a distal end (15) of the hook portion (11) than the closed space (WB) at the bottom (14) of the pocket (12). The hook portion (11) extends along a hook axis (A) from an arm portion (13) to the distal end (15) and tapers inwardly. The straight side (16) of the handle portion (10) is parallel to the hook axis (A). The hook portion (11) has the cross section of an I beam with parallel upper and lower transverse flanges (18) centrally interconnected by a center web (19) with the flanges (18) and the center web (19) tapering inwardly toward the distal end (15).

Abstract: A portable scale includes a spring member coupling a grip device to a weighing device, to allow the grip device to be moved relative to the weighing device against the spring member to weigh objects. The grip device includes a fixed jaw having a hook member for attaching to the objects, and a pivotal jaw pivotally attached to the fixed jaw and having a hook member movable toward the hook member of the fixed jaw, to grip the objects, and to allow the objects to be solidly attached to the grip device before conducting a weighing operation. A latch may be used to latch the pivotal jaw to the fixed jaw.

Abstract: For an electronic fish scale including a molded housing having upper and lower portions for supported hand grasping and a pair of opposed C-shaped jaws which open when a jaw actuator is manually moved upwardly to receive a lower lip of a fish securely held and unhurt between the jaws when closed for weighing the fish, a jaw tip cover for the lower distal end portion of each jaw half. The jaw tips or GRIP SOCKS are over-molded of resistant plastic material to enhance gripability of fish lips and to reduce harm to the fish when released.

Abstract: A hand held fishing gaff for manually engaging and lifting fish from water having a multi-position fish hook. The handle preferably has a straight main portion and a gripping portion which is arcuately shaped and extends away from a longitudinal axis of the straight portion. A fish hook is connected to the handle and is lockably positionable in a plurality of different rotationally aligned positions about the longitudinal axis. A fish hook detent interconnected between the handle and fish hook shank is selectively self-locking into one of a plurality of positional orientations of the fish hook. The device is preferably buoyant in water and the handle preferably has a uniform oval cross section to enhance gripability.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for crystallizing amorphous silicon, in which a substrate on which an amorphous silicon layer is formed is first prepared, and then a mask is disposed above the substrate. The mask is divided into first and second blocks, the first block having a plurality of first transmission slits and a plurality of interception portions formed between the first transmission slits, the second block having a plurality of second transmission slits alternately arranged with the first transmission slits and a plurality of third transmission slits formed corresponding to middle portions of the first transmission slits. Afterwards, first crystalline regions are formed on the amorphous silicon layer by irradiating a laser beam through the first transmission slits.

Abstract: A combined fish scale and catch-and-release device is disclosed. The catch-and-release device hereof has a unique crank and slider mechanism with a self-locking function independent of external resistance, which mechanism reciprocally drives the opposing C-shaped jaws between an open position and a closed position. The closed position is self-locking. The device is housed in an elongated body having a handle at one end from which the crank is operated. The handle has a spring scale housed therein with a scale stem extending from the handle. The spring scale has a separate handle adjacent the catch-and-release handle enabling the user to move between lip-locking and weighing modes without touching the fish. During weighing the fish and the device are suspended from the scale handle and the spring of the scale is compressed, exposing scale markings indicating the weight.

Abstract: A fish landing net for landing heavy fish from an elevated location includes a flexible retaining hoop having a normal open position. A netting has an open end carried at the hoop periphery and a depending closed end providing an enclosure for securing and carrying the fish. A lifting rigging is attached by three outwardly and downwardly extending rope sections to the hoop for raising and lowering said hoop member at the elevated location. The hoop has an initial prestressing establishing the open position and is locally anneals at the attachment sites for permitting inwardly deforming of the periphery under loading conditions of the fish in the netting thereby resulting in an inward constricting of the hoop opening during landing of the fish.

Abstract: A plastic coated steel cable loop (20) is placed over the snake's head and the loop is tightened around the snake's neck. The loop (20) is on the end of a polyvinyl chloride pipe (24) which is about five feet long. The pipe has a smaller pipe (25) inside, which can be moved in and out controlling the size of the loop (20). The operator has control of the captured snake without entering the striking range of the snake. The snake catcher is made of low cost, weather resistant materials and can be stored outside where it can be quickly accessed when needed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a fixed/flying gaff that is easier to use, safer, and more effective for landing large fish than conventional types of gaffs. The fixed/flying gaff of the invention includes a gaff head that is detachably engaged with an elongated handle.

Abstract: A gaff device used to land sport and commercial fish. The staff portion of the device comprises two separable sections which are releaseably joined by a manual latch device. The sections remain physically connected by a energy dissipating, shock absorbing, extendable/retractable element. A hook element is attached to the distal end of the device. The shock absorbing element dissipates energy from an impaled fish thereby reducing the chance of the hook pulling free and freeing the fish or the device being jerked from the user's hands. As the force generated by the movement of the fish is reduced, the handle section returns to its initial configuration. In addition, when unlatched and extended, the device provides a superior lever for landing a large fish compared with gaffs designed according to prior art. A second, major embodiment describes a gaff with a single staff that retains the shock absorbing capabilities and eliminates the manual releases.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding a fish including fish grasping tongs having jaws at he distal end thereof for placement on the inside and outside of the mouth of a fish, and a hollow case for slidably receiving the fish grasping tongs, the case being adapted to force the tongs to close together as the distal end of the tongs is drawn toward the case.

Abstract: An ice fishing trap is provided to be suspended within an ice fishing hole such that once a fish has been pulled partway through the hole the fish will remain caught even if the fish is freed from the fishing line having initially caught the fish thereon. A collar is suspended within the ice fishing hole by a pair of support arms arranged to rest on a top side of the sheet of ice in which the ice fishing hole is bored. A plurality of gate members are pivotally mounted about a periphery of the collar to extend radially inward therefrom. Each gate member is a wedge shaped member having a blunt end positioned adjacent the center of the opening of the collar in the closed position. The blunt ends of the gate members are arranged to grip a fish therebetween as they are pivoted upward into an open position to grip the fish even if the fish is only pulled partway therethrough.

Abstract: A weighing device includes a tubular housing, a pair of levers pivotally secured the tubular housing and each having a jaw biased to grasp an object to be weighed and a handle for moving the jaws away from each other against a spring. The jaws are movable away from each other to grasp the object when the handles are moved toward each other, such that the handles may actuate the jaws away from each other to grasp the object. Two links have outer ends secured to the levers and inner ends secured together. The spring may bias the links to force the handles away from each other.

Abstract: The invention adds function to standard fishing gaffs of fishing nets to guide the fishing line clear of obstacles using the same gaff or net used to land the fish.

Abstract: A gaff device used to land sport and commercial fish. The staff portion of the device comprises two separable sections which are releaseably joined by a manual latch device. Said sections remain physically connected by a energy dissipating, shock absorbing, extendable/retractable element. A hook element is attached to the distal end of said device. Said shock absorbing element dissipates energy from an impaled fish thereby reducing the chance of said hook pulling free and freeing said fish or said device being jerked from the user's hands. As the force generated by the movement of the fish is reduced, the handle section returns to its initial configuration. In addition, when unlatched and extended, said device provides a superior lever for landing a large fish compared with gaffs designed according to prior art. A second, major embodiment describes a gaff with a single staff that retains the shock absorbing capabilities and eliminates the manual releases.

Abstract: An ice fishing trap is provided to be suspended within an ice fishing hole such that once a fish has been pulled partway through the hole the fish will remain caught even if the fish is freed from the fishing line having initially caught the fish thereon. A collar is suspended within the ice fishing hole by a pair of support arms arranged to rest on a top side of the sheet of ice in which the ice fishing hole is bored. A plurality of gate members are pivotally mounted about a periphery of the collar to extend radially inward therefrom. Each gate member is a wedge shaped member having a blunt end positioned adjacent the centre of the opening of the collar in the closed position. The blunt ends of the gate members are arranged to grip a fish therebetween as they are pivoted upward into an open position to grip the fish even if the fish is only pulled partway therethrough.

Abstract: The invention is of a kit or system useful for guiding and facilitating the taking, tabulation and processing of measurements as pertain to scoring game animal according to established scoring rules. The kit or system includes a flexible cable which is used to record absolute lengths or distances needed for a proper scoring. The cable lacks cumulative length indicia or unit indications, but rather includes equally spaced incremental indicia which are used (by multiplying the number of indicia as rest between measurement endpoints) as part of the ultimate determination of length according to standard measurement units. A reusable score card is also provided which includes spaces for recording measurements and indicia for indicating the proper measurements to be taken as well as the sequence thereof and prescribed calculations to be made therefrom.

Abstract: A leader attachment tool for use securing a wire leader within a fishing rig that includes a bent wire member including a handle portion, a right angle offset portion, an axis portion, a connecting hook with a tapered insertion end, an attachment eyelet, and a plastic sleeve handle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved restraining device for more effectively gripping and handling objects and which is composed of a line or similar limber material which is formed by this device into a slidable loop about that target. The invention is composed of a generally cylindrical elongated tubular shaft and a pair of complementary arcuate jaws at the distal end which form a relatively U-shape in the open position. A releasable rope attached to a swivel snap latch is held at the distal end of the pivotal arcuate jaw. Attached to the distal end of the fixed arcuate jaw is a pair of parallel finger like appendages. In the operation mode the pivotal arcuate jaw with the swivel snap latch sandwiches between the two finger like appendages and physically holds the target. In the closing process the swivel snap latch engages the rope held between the two fingers and forms a slidable loop or a completed circle.

Abstract: A bait loading arrangement including a yoke member in which an extensible loop is drawn tightly over the head end of a bait fish consisting of an eel that is being held in a bait container to enclose the neck of an eel to effectively provide for immobilizing the bait fish, typically by remotely holding the bait by a yoke member to allow the handler to manipulate the eel for loading onto a conventional curved barb fish hook, thereafter to be released, all without manually handling the slimy skin of the eel.

Abstract: A fish gaff provides moveable, opposing gaff fangs which are reliably transitioned between a closed engagement position and an open retracted position. The fish gaff hook provides a hollow handle into which is inserted an actuating shaft. The actuating shaft is pivotally connected to the opposing gaff fangs which extend out of the hollow interior of the gaff handle through openings on the sides of the gaff handle. The side openings provide bearing surfaces for engagement and pivoting of the gaff fangs during both insertion and retraction of the gaff actuating shaft.

Abstract: A gaff for electrically incapacitating fish is disclosed. The gaff includes a handle and a hook. In a flying gaff, the hook is separable from the handle. In two embodiments, the gaff utilizes a piezoelectric sensor which when flexed by the weight of the fish produces a signal which activates a circuit which produces a stunning voltage across electrodes attached to the hook. Mechanical apparatus for activating the electric circuit are disclosed. Electrical circuitry diagrams are described which may be used with the piezoelectric sensor and the mechanical activation.

Abstract: A device for retrieving a fish hooked to a fishing line comprising: a gripping mechanism for gripping the fish, a guide mechanism connected to the gripping mechanism for guiding the device along the line, and a retrieval mechanism operatively connected to the gripping mechanism for retrieving the device and the fish.

Abstract: A fish landing device comprising a generally conical landing device having a rigid frame with a flexible covering supported by the frame with an opening at each end of the covering to facilitate drawing the fish into the covering while the line is still attached and having a slot extending the entire length of the frame to allow drawing the line completely through the landing device, together with straps for securing the covering about the fish to immobilize the fish for safe removal of the hook.

Abstract: A fish gaff apparatus has a hook member and a pole member. The hook member has a nook portion and a cover portion that is biased to assume different positions relative to the hook portion. The cover portion in a first position extends between both ends of the hook portion to prevent injury by the hook end of the latter. The cover portion in a second position holds the hook member on the pole member. Using the pole member, the hook member is inserted into a fish. The pole member is then moved relative to the hook member to disconnect those two members, and the bias between the two portions of the hook member moves the cover portion back toward its first position to press against the fish. The hook member may be constructed from a single length of wire.

Abstract: A device for the safe handling of a fish preferably is formed as a one-piece plastic member having a rectangular body formed by two pairs of spaced parallel frame members defining a central opening. A slender, elongated rod is attached to an extended end of the bottom frame member and extends upwardly outwardly therefrom forming a V-shaped space with a front frame member. The rod terminates in a pointed end beyond a top frame member and is adapted to extend through one of the gills and mouth of a fish. A series of gripping recesses are formed in a back frame member to facilitate grasping of the handle by a user.

Abstract: A gaff and measuring device is a hook connected to a measuring means. The gaff and measuring device also includes a handle and a lever to provide extra stability in maneuvering the hook and measuring means. The lever is also used as a surface against which the fish can be place while being measured.

Abstract: A fish retaining device consisting of an elongate support having a first end and a second end. A transverse brace member is secured to the first end of the elongate support for suspending the elongate support in an opening made through ice for ice fishing such that the second end of the elongate support extends toward a bottom of the ice opening. A frame is secured to the second end of the elongate support. The frame has a central passage and extends substantially perpendicular to the elongate support. The frame substantially fills the ice opening such that there is no room for a fish to pass between the frame and the ice opening. A one-way gate is pivotally mounted to the frame. The gate pivots toward the first end of the elongate support such that clearance is provided for the passage of a fish through the central passage of the frame into the ice opening.