Abstract: A fishing reel end plate may comprise a unitary disk having a generally central opening between a frame facing side and an exterior side thereof, a bridge proximate the frame facing side thereof and a wall joining a fundus and the exterior side thereof defining a first cavity open at the exterior side. The bridge may have a hole spaced apart from a generally central opening for receiving a stud. The unitary disk may have a second cavity open at the frame facing side and separated from the first cavity by a common portion of the wall, and the common wall portion may have an opening between the first and second cavities. The end plate may be mounted to the frame of a fishing reel.

Abstract: A fishing reel has high speed and low speed gears that are indexed to one another. They are free to rotate relative to one another on a gear shaft, but cannot move axially relative to one another. This gear set can be translated along the gear shaft, into engagement with two separate drive means; one for the low speed gear and one for the high-speed gear.

Abstract: A swivel base for a downrigger which can be easily unlocked, rotated to a new angle and relocked. The base comprises a swivel plate rotatably mounted over a fixed plate. The plates have toothed locking rings which are engaged or disengaged by the cam action of an adjusting ring.

Abstract: A fishing reel having a side frame plate and a removable side plate ring which facilitates access to the worm gear assembly.

Abstract: An improvement in a fishing reel having a first plurality of gears concentrically disposed on a rotatable shaft wherein respective teeth of said gears can intermesh between respective teeth of any of a second plurality of gears, with said pluralities shiftable and ratioed between each other for speed and power action on a fishing line. The improvement comprises a gear alignment adjustment means comprising a limitedly rotatable disc selectively so rotatable and fixable at any position so rotated. This disc is in slidable communication with a drive plate fixedly engaged with the rotatable shaft and having a plurality of stop means which permit continuous drive plate rotation in one direction only. Reverse rotation of the drive plate engages the stop means at sites which approximate intermeshing of the gear pluralities. Slight rotation of the disc accomplishes precise intermeshing which is maintained when said so-rotated disc is fixed in the so-rotated position.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for fishing reels is disclosed which includes a spool supported on bearings and a shaft, carried in spaced side plates of a reel frame. The reel includes a cam operated brake mechanism which includes a plurality of stops, with an axially slidable spool shaft. One of the bearings carries a shaft supporting a bearing and drive mechanism which includes a handle, positioning pin and gears slidably mounted on shafts, which upon selective manipulation will engage one of two sets of gears, thereby determining the drive ratio available to the handle for varying the speed of spool rotation as desired. The gear ratios are selected to provide that upon backward or counterclockwise handle rotation against the stops, the teeth of the gears of the lower ratio will always be angularly aligned with the internal teeth of the ring gear to provide for gear shifting.

Abstract: A fishing line retention device is disclosed for use with a trolling apparatus which detachably retains the line to the weight carried by the trolling apparatus, but permits quick detachment therefrom upon a fish strike. The device includes a body portion attached to an arm extending from a weight with a pivotably mounted body portion attached to the first body portion having a spool detachably retaining the line.

Abstract: Trolling apparatus is disclosed for controlled depth trolling which includes a spring urged pin which can be turned to an "on" position where it is retained so that the pin can be successively engaged by members on the spool to provide an audible sound when the line is being drawn out by a fish on the line or which can be turned to an "off" position so that the pin is moved to a position out of engagement with the members on the spool.

Abstract: Trolling apparatus with controlled reel rotation is described which includes a large diameter reel rotatably mounted on a base with a drag assembly in contact therewith, and a handle for rotation mounted directly to the perimeter of the reel, with line from the reel passing over a pulley and through a bracket for bait attachment. The controlled rotation of the reel for winding and unwinding of the line is attained by direct manual manipulation, and by engaging and disengaging a dog assembly which may be manually or automatically actuated and which provides a drag on the reels' rotation.

Abstract: Cable hardware is disclosed for use with trolling apparatus for fishing carried by a boat, which cable hardware is carried on the line from a boom which extends from the apparatus and includes a line guide sleeve stop through which the line passes and which is prevented from passing through a bushing by the sleeve stop. The bushing is mounted in a bracket carried by the boom and the line preferably extends to a reel carried by the apparatus. Strain placed on the sleeve by winding of the line on the reel, does not place any undue strain on the hardware and transmits the strain evenly to the bushing. The line carried by the sleeve stop is prevented from kinking at the bushing and subsequent entanglement or breakage.

Abstract: A line guiding tip for trolling apparatus used with a boat is shown which line guiding tip is carried by a boom extending from the apparatus and includes a mounting plug rotatably carried by the boom and a sleeve support attached thereto which carries a pulley over which passes line from a reel carried on the apparatus, over the boom through a guide over the pulley and out through a readily removable bushing carried by a bracket also mounted to the sleeve support. The bracket is rotatable in response to changes in direction of the line. Movement of the bracket to a position approximately parallel to the boom is obtained improving access to and reducing damage to the line when the end of the line is pulled aboard the boat.

Abstract: A fishing reel is disclosed having a spool supported on a shaft between spaced housings. One of the housings carries a shaft supporting bearing and a slidably mounted click. The other of the housings carries an operating handle and encloses a pressure plate for adjustable and controlled engagement with a friction drag washer on the spool. A knob for preset adjustment, and a brake control lever with frictionally controlled limited movement, for rapid control of the engagement and disengagement of the pressure plate and drag washer are provided, accessible on the outside of the other of the housings for free spooling or for placing a braking action on the spool.

Abstract: A fishing reel is disclosed having a spool supported on a shaft between spaced housings. One of the housings has a shaft supporting bearing and a slidably mounted click. The other of the housings which carries the operating handle encloses a pressure plate for adjustable and controlled engagement with a friction drag washer on the spool. A knob for preset adjustment and a brake control lever with limited movement for rapid control of the engagement and disengagement of the pressure plate and drag washer are provided accessible on the other of said housings for free spooling or a braking action on the spool.

Abstract: A trolling apparatus for fishing which includes a large diameter reel mounted on a frame with a supply of line thereon which line extends to a pulley mounted on a boom connected to the frame and which may extend from the boat for fishing. The frame is mounted by a plate to a swivel base which permits the frame and boom to be swung about to desired positions without any locking or unlocking action, trolling positions being fixed by the relative motion of the boat with respect to the water and which permits the frame and boom to be locked in out-of-the-way positions when the unit is not in use, and with positive stops to prevent the base from rotation in excess of 180.degree.. The swivel base is fastened to the deck or transom of the boat and may be mounted on either side of the boat without modification.

Abstract: A fishing line retention device for use with a trolling apparatus which detachably retains the line to the weight carried by the trolling apparatus but permits quick detachment therefrom upon a fish strike. The device includes a body attached to an arm extending from a weight with the body detachably retaining a light-weight tongue in a slot, the tongue and the fishing line being in slidable relation.

Abstract: Anti-reverse mechanism for fishing reels is provided which includes a notched wheel having a pair of dogs resiliently urged into engagement therewith, one dog having an anti-torque spring to produce silent operation and the other dog as it is urged into engagement with the wheel producing an audible sound.The silent dog is engaged by a cam which urges it out of wheel engagement and which through an arm urges the audible dog out of engagement for reverse wheel movement. The audible dog can also be urged out of engagement by a cam thereby permitting selective silent or audible anti-reverse action as desired.The foregoing abstract is not to be taken as limiting the scope of my invention and in order to understand the full nature and extent of the technical disclosure of this patent reference must be made to the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description.

Abstract: A line from a reel passes over a pulley and through a bracket mounted on a boom which extends outwardly from a base, the bracket carrying a bushing which can engage a stop piece on the line. The pulley is mounted on a sleeve support carried by a plug member on the boom, the support being rotatable with respect to the boom. The bracket can swivel on the pulley support and the pulley and its support can turn with respect to the boom in response to change of direction of the line.