Abstract: A trolling motor system comprises a trolling motor having a propeller rotatably driven thereby. The motor is connected to a rotating tube or column mounted to the boat. A control head is mounted at the upper end of the column. A steering motor in the control head controls rotational position of the trolling motor. The control head houses a control circuit for controlling speed of the trolling motor as well as position of the steering motor to steer the boat. A foot pedal is positioned in the boat in proximity to the control head. The foot pedal includes a plurality of user actuable switches for commanding operation of the steering motor and trolling motor. The commands are transmitted via radio frequency to a receiver in the control head. The receiver decodes the commands and transfers the command to the control circuit.

Abstract: An oscillation assembly for a fishing reel comprising: an elongate member; a transmission body having a side face; and a reciprocating assembly for imparting reciprocating movement to the transmission body. The transmission body includes a groove formed in the side face for receiving the elongate member. The elongate member can be placed in the groove by delivering the elongate member laterally into the side of the fishing reel.

Abstract: A trolling motor system comprises a trolling motor having a propeller rotatably driven thereby. The motor is connected to a rotating tube or column mounted to the boat. A control head is mounted at the upper end of the column. A steering motor in the control head controls rotational position of the trolling motor. The control head houses a control circuit for controlling speed of the trolling motor as well as position of the steering motor to steer the boat. A foot pedal is positioned in the boat in proximity to the control head. The foot pedal includes a plurality of user actuable switches for commanding operation of the steering motor and trolling motor. The commands are transmitted via radio frequency to a receiver in the control head. The receiver decodes the commands and transfers the command to the control circuit.

Abstract: A rotatable line spool for a fishing reel, the spool including a line-receiving surface defining an axis of rotation for the spool. The surface extends radially outwardly to define an axial boundary for line received on the spool and terminates in the radial direction at a radially outer rim spaced from the axis by a radial distance R. The outer rim extends outward from the line-receiving surface and terminates at a first annular surface spaced axially outward from the line-receiving surface. A flywheel mass extends radially inward from the outer rim and terminates at a radius R2 from the axis in the range of 55% to 85% of R. The mass extends axially outward from the line-receiving surface and terminates at a second annular surface that is spaced axially inward from the first annular surface by an axial distance X in the range of 0%-5% of the radial distance R.

Abstract: A fishing reel is provided having a frame with first and second laterally spaced parts between which a line storage space is defined, a spool upon which a supply of line can be wrapped, first structure cooperating between the spool and frame to allow the spool to be moved laterally through one of the first and second frame parts selectively between a) an operative position wherein the spool is supported for rotation about a first laterally extending axis and b) a separated position, a side cover assembly, and second structure cooperating between the side cover assembly and frame for mounting the side cover assembly to the frame for movement relative to the frame between a) a first position and b) a second position. The side cover assembly in a first position maintains the spool in an operative position and the second position allows the spool to be moved from the operative position to the separated position.

Abstract: A fishing reel is provided having a frame, a rotor mounted to the frame for rotation about a first axis, a line storage spool, a structure for rotating the spool, a bail assembly on the rotor having first and second bail arms mounted to the rotor for pivoting movement between a first position wherein the bail assembly is in (a) a retrieve position so that the bail directs line onto the line storage spool as the rotor is rotated and (b) a second position wherein the bail assembly is in a cast position, a trip link mounted to the rotor for movement relative to the rotor between third and fourth positions, cooperating structure on the bail assembly and trip link for moving the trip link from its third position into its fourth position as an incident of the bail assembly moving from its first position into its second position, and a trip link actuator on the reel frame and defining a shoulder that intercepts the trip link with the trip link in its fourth position and the rotor rotating in a first rotational direc

Abstract: A fishing reel having a frame, a rotor mounted to the frame for rotation about an axis, a line storage spool, structure for rotating the rotor, structure on the rotor for directing line onto the line storage spool as an incident of the rotor being rotated about its axis and including a bail assembly having first and second bail arms mounted to the rotor for pivotable movement between (a) a first position wherein the bail assembly is in a retrieve position and (b) a second position wherein the bail assembly is in a cast position, a bail actuator connected to at least one of the frame and rotor for movement between (a) a first position wherein the bail assembly is in a retrieve position and (b) a second position wherein the bail assembly is in a cast position, a bail actuator connected to at least one of the frame and rotor for movement between rest and operating positions, cooperating structure between the bail actuator and bail assembly for movement of the bail assembly from its retrieve position into its cas

Abstract: A fishing reel having a frame, a rotor rotatable relative to the frame about a first axis, a line storage spool, a structure for rotating the rotor to thereby direct line onto the line storage spool and including a bail assembly having first and second bail arms pivotably mounted to the rotor for movement between (a) first position wherein the bail assembly is in a retrieve position and (b) a second position wherein the bail assembly is in a cast position, a bail actuator, and structure responsive to operation of the bail actuator for exerting a force on both of the bail arms to pivot the bail arms from their first position towards their second position.

Abstract: A fishing reel having a frame with a front and rear, a rotor having a body with an annular wall bounding an internal space and a first wall within the internal space and having axially oppositely facing surfaces, with the rotor being mounted to the frame for rotation about a first axis, a line storage spool, a bail assembly mounted to the rotor for pivoting movement between a first retrieve position and a second cast position, a bail actuator, and a structure responsive to operation of the bail actuator for exerting a force on the bail assembly to pivot the bail assembly from its retrieve position into its cast position. The force exerting structure has a plate assembly with an annular actuation plate having an axis substantially aligned with the rotor axis and first and second posts connected to and projecting axially from the annular plate.

Abstract: A stowage device is provided which allows a trolling motor to be longitudinally raised and held in place. The stowage device has a collar, such as a U-bolt, which fits around the trolling motor shaft. The closed end of the collar is rigidly attached to a supporting structure, such as a boat hull or an attachment to the hull. A cam is rotatably attached to the collar so that it can engage the trolling motor shaft. A handle attached to the cam allows the fisherman to control the rotational position of the cam. The trolling motor shaft is inserted between the closed end of the collar and the cam. With the cam in the unlocked position, the trolling motor shaft is free to move and the trolling motor may be positioned anywhere between its two end positions. In its first end position, the trolling motor propeller is in the water, and in its second end position, the trolling motor propeller is out of the water. For normal trolling use, the trolling motor propeller will be in the water.

Abstract: A casting type fishing reel is disclosed and includes a spool having a transverse spool shaft and a frame about the area of the spool. The frame includes a plurality of spacer posts joining a pair of side frame plates and interengaged to maintain the frame plates in conjoint alignment and to provide easy separation and assembly of the frame plates. A clutch mechanism is provided for selective actuation to move a spool pinion gear out of engagement with the spool shaft, and automatically re-engages the pinion gear in response to rotation of the reel handle. A magnetic drag mechanism is provided and recessed within a side cover of the reel. The reel handle, the main gear train of the reel and an anti-reverse ratchet-pawl mechanism all are mounted as a unitary assembly on a side cover for the reel whereby the cover can be removed from the reel for access to the gear train and other interior reel components without removing the handle.

Abstract: An antireverse mechanism in a fishing reel of the type having a housing with a rear wall. The reel also includes a line carrying spool, a crank shaft that is rotatable about a first axis and a structure for directing line onto the spool as an incident of the crank shaft rotating about the first axis in a first direction. The antireverse mechanism is selectably placeable in a) an "on" position for preventing rotation of the crank shaft about the first axis opposite to the first direction and b) an "off" position for allowing the crank shaft to rotate about the first axis opposite the first direction. An actuator switch for placing the antireverse mechanism selectively in its "on" and "off" positions is provided. A mounting structure mounts the actuator switch to the rear housing wall for movement between first and second positions corresponding to the "on" and "off" positions of the antireverse mechanism.

Abstract: A fishing reel having a frame including a housing defining a receptacle for an operating mechanism and having a front and rear and opposite side walls, a rotor mounted to the reel frame for rotation about a fore and aft axis, a line carrying spool, a bail assembly mounted to the rotor for movement selectively between a cast position and a retrieve position, and structure for moving the line carrying spool in a reciprocating path in a fore and aft direction to cause the bail assembly to evenly direct line onto the line carrying spool as the rotor is operated with the bail assembly in its retrieve position. The frame housing has first and second housing parts. One of the first and second housing parts defines a rear wall to support a portion of the spool moving structure. The other of the first and second parts has a first section defining at least a portion of one of the side walls. There is a second section formed integrally with the first section to cover at least a part of the rear wall.

Abstract: A drag system for a spin-cast fishing reel having a line spool mounted upon a spindle extending axially of the reel deck, a drag plate for supplying axial drag pressure upon opposite sides of said spool, and a thumbwheel screw assembly for moving said drag plate. The drag plate straddles the spindle and has feet positioned on diametrically opposite sides of the line spool along a diameter of the same. The drag plate pivots about a fulcrum located between the thumbwheel screw assembly and the feet. The resulting balanced drag substantially eliminates force moments about the spool and associated spindle.

Abstract: A multi-disc clutch star drag for a fishing reel in which drag clutch elements frictionally engage the faces of the drive gear, wherein an additional set of clutch washers is incorporated, both riding on an extended body of the drive gear, one of said washers having peripheral fingers which extend axially into sliding engagement with a friction flange attached to the crank handle drive shaft of the reel.