Abstract: A bait cast reel of the type having a line-carrying spool, a rotatable crank handle with an associated crank shaft for imparting rotation to the spool to wind line thereon, a line guide, and a worm gear operable in response to rotation of the crank shaft for causing reciprocative movement of the line guide across the spool as the spool is rotated to thereby evenly distribute line on the spool, wherein the structure of the guide track (guide) for the line guide, and, in particular, the cross-sectional shape of the guide, matches the cross-sectional shape of an opening in the frame of the reel such that during assembly the guide may be aligned with and inserted through the matching opening. Thereafter, the guide is rotated so that a portion is out of alignment with the opening and an attaching member is passed through the frame and through the out of alignment portion of the guide. The guide is positioned to support the line guide as the line guide is reciprocated to evenly lay the line on the spool.

Abstract: A fishing reel having a line-carrying spool, structure for directing line onto the spool, structure for selectively placing the fishing reel in cast and retrieve modes, line control structure for allowing the line to pay freely off of the spool with the reel in its cast mode and for preventing the line from freely paying off of the spool with the reel in its retrieve mode, structure for maintaining the fishing reel in its cast mode, and structure for selectively 1) preventing the maintaining structure from maintaining the fishing reel in the cast mode with the preventing structure in an "on" position and 2) allowing the maintaining structure to maintain the fishing reel in the cast mode with the preventing structure in an "off" position.

Abstract: The present invention allows fishermen to easily stow the trolling motor and control housing while assuring that damage to the mounting bracket, the trolling motor, and the control housing is minimized. The lower arm of the mounting bracket is secured to the boat. The upper arm of the mounting bracket forms a cantilever that projects from a pivot point. Stress forces will most likely cause metal fatigue to occur on the flange called the "positive stow lock feature" near the pivot point. Shock to the positive stow lock feature is minimized by provision of a rubber-based leg to stabilize the upper arm of the mounting bracket. The suspension of the trolling motor and the control housing limits their downward travel.The bracket member is mounted within the column support bracket on the upper arm of the mounting bracket and is secured in place by an existing pivot pin. A bore on the top surface of the bracket member engages a bore on the top surface of a tubular member with the aid of a roll pin.

Abstract: A unitized thrust bearing for reducing axial frictional forces resulting from axial loads on first and second abutting parts rotated relative to one another in a fishing reel. The thrust bearing has an annular outer race having a forward wall with a rearwardly facing surface and a forwardly facing surface and a bore for axially receiving the first abutting part. The outer race further includes a peripheral sidewall. The outer race is configured to be axially received in a seat in one of the first and second abutting parts. The thrust bearing further includes an annular inner race having a center shaft receiving bore, a rearwardly facing surface defining a support surface for the other of the one of the first and second abutting parts having the seat and a forwardly facing surface defining an axial ball contacting surface. The inner and outer races are axially received one within the other.

Abstract: A thrust washer structure for dissipating axial frictional forces caused by a forward thrust of a pinion gear in a fishing reel having a deck plate with an axial bore through the deck plate and a bushing having a rearwardly facing surface and an axial cylindrical bore therein disposed within the bore deck plate. The reel further includes a center shaft having a pinion gear thereon disposed within the axial cylindrical bore of the bushing, the pinion gear extending rearwardly from the bushing. The thrust washer structure includes at least one thrust washer having two radial surfaces. One radial surface is in contact with a bushing. The coefficient of friction of the radial surface in contact with a bushing is such that when the thrust washer is subjected to a forward thrust and the center shaft is rotated, slippage does not occur between the bushing and the radial surface in contact therewith.

Abstract: A fishing reel of the type having a deck plate and a center shaft extending forwardly through the deck plate. The center shaft is rotatable about a first axis. A pinion gear is mounted on the center shaft. A crank shaft is rotatable about a second axis transverse to the first axis. Structure is provided for rotating the center shaft about the first axis as an incident of the crank shaft rotating about the second axis. A washer surrounds the center shaft and resides between the pinion gear and the deck plate, the washer having a peripheral outer edge. Structure is provided on the deck plate radially outside of the center shaft and overlapping at least a part of the washer in a lengthwise direction relative to the center shaft for limiting shifting of the washer transverse to the first axis and thereby preventing interference between the washer and at least one of the center shaft and pinion gear during operation of the reel.

Abstract: A drag adjustment mechanism in a fishing reel having a housing, a deck plate and a line-carrying spool at least partially within the housing. The drag adjustment mechanism includes a structure for imparting drag forces of varying magnitude upon the line-carrying spool to resist rotation of the line carrying spool. A drag screw is rotatably axially movable to selectively determine the degree of resistance on rotation of the line-carrying spool applied by the drag imparted structure. An axially enlarged portion of the drag screw arrests axial movement of the drag screw by abutting the deck plate. An internally threaded drag adjustment knob threadably receives the drag screw to move the drag screw axially through rotation of the drag knob. The drag adjustment knob has a recess therein coaxial with an axis about which the drag screw is mounted. A spring activated retaining cup extends between the recess in the drag adjustment knob and a recess in the inside surface of the fishing reel housing.

Abstract: A connection between a thumb button and a housing on a fishing reel. A socket is provided on the housing and has a curved seat. A pin is provided on the thumb button for reception in the socket and has a curved surface acting against the curved socket seat to guide pivoting of the pin in the socket and thereby rotation of the thumb button about a first axis. A projection is provided extending radially outwardly from the curved pin surface with respect to the first axis to take up clearance between the curved pin surface and the curved socket seat.

Abstract: A keyed spool bearing for a fishing reel of the type having a reel frame body or deck plate, there being a forwardly projecting cylindrical support or hub with a cylindrical bore therein on the reel frame body. A cylindrical center shaft bushing having an axial center shaft receiving bore is inserted into the bore of the cylindrical hub with a portion of the bushing extending forwardly from the cylindrical hub. The keyed spool bearing is mounted on the extending portion of the bushing. A line spool having a cylindrical bore of a predetermined diameter is mounted on the spool bearing. The keyed spool bearing has an annular body with an axial bore therein for receiving the forwardly protruding portion of the bushing. An integral key or tab extends axially and rearwardly from the annular body, the tab being configured to be received in a slot in the reel frame to secure the spool bearing against rotation relative to the reel frame upon rotation of the line spool.

Abstract: A fishing reel consisting of a housing defining a line snubbing surface with structure at least partially within the housing for a) retrieving and storing a supply of fishing line and b) paying line out of the supply. A movable spinner head bears the line against a part of the line snubbing surface on the housing to thereby prevent payout of line from the fishing reel as a rod with the reel thereon is cocked for a cast. The part of the line snubbing surface has integrally formed texturing. The texturing accounts for a relatively high friction surface against which fishing line can be snubbed by the spinner head so that the line can be positively trapped against the surface to facilitate the performance of a cast without potentially damaging pressure being applied to the line.

Abstract: An electronic bait alert for incorporation into prior art fishing reels having a spool for storing a supply of line and a drive train to direct the line onto the spool. The spool is rotatable to collect or to payout line and the drive train has a retrieve position A sensor produces an electric signal upon the payout of line with the drive train in the retrieve position An alarm produces a sensory indication of line payout in response to the electric signal. The alarm can be either an electric lamp, an electric buzzer or both. A switch can be included for turning off the electric bait alert.

Abstract: A drag producing structure in a fishing reel of the type having: a housing with a deck plate and a spool support sleeve projecting from the deck plate; and a line carrying spool assembly mounted on the support sleeve and having a central axis and an associated flange with an axially facing surface, the spool assembly being rotatable relative to the housing to allow payout of line. The inventive structure consists of: a clutch ring having an axially facing surface; structure for mounting the clutch ring to the deck plate so that the spool assembly flange resides between the deck plate and at least a first part of the clutch ring; and structure for urging the first part of the clutch ring selectively towards and away from the spool assembly flange to selectively increase and decrease a captive force on the spool assembly flange to thereby vary the reel drag.