Abstract: An outboard motor mount is provided for a boat having a hull defining an inside area to be occupied by a user. The motor is mounted for movement relative to the boat between an operative position wherein a propeller on the motor is submerged in the water and a storage position wherein the outboard motor resides substantially entirely within the inside area of the hull. It is possible with the inventive structure for the user to pivot the outboard motor in one motion back and further between the operative and storage positions without necessitating assembly/disassembly of the trolling motor. In the storage position, the motor resides conveniently within the inside area defined by the hull. When use of the motor is desired, a simple pivoting action replaces the motor in its operative position.

Abstract: A fishing reel includes a housing rotatably mounting a spool. A clutch is mounted on the housing for generally linear movement to effect free rotation of the spool. An actuator member is mounted on the housing for manual engagement and for linear movement oblique to the linear movement of the clutch. A bell crank is connected by lost motion means between the clutch and the actuator for linearly moving the clutch in response to linear movement of the actuator.

Abstract: A brake system for use in a fishing reel of the type having a housing and a spool mounted for rotation relative to the housing about an axis. The brake system consists of a brake surface on the housing, a brake arm having a brake pad, with a brake surface press fit structure for retaining the brake arm in operative position on the spool for rotation therewith, and structure mounting the brake pad on the brake arm so that the brake surface on the brake pad moves biasably against the housing brake surface under a predetermined centrifugal force developed through rotation of the spool.

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: A line-carrying spool assembly is provided for a fishing reel and consists of a spool having (a) a hub with a central axis and an annular surface around which line can be wound and (b) first and second flanges spaced axially with respect to the hub and extending radially outwardly from the annular hub surface so that the first and second flanges and hub surface cooperatively bound a line storage space, a line depth setting pin mounted to the spool for movement relative to the spool between (a) an operative position wherein the line depth setting pin extends through the line storage space between the first and second flanges radially outwardly of the annular hub surface and (b) a retracted position wherein substantially the entire line depth setting pin resides outside of the spool storage space, and structure for selectively maintaining the line depth setting pin in each of its operative and retracted positions.

Abstract: A spinning reel is disclosed and has a housing with a center shaft upon which a spool is mounted for holding a fishing line. A handle and gear train assembly are provided for rotatably driving a rotor which is coaxially mounted on the shaft. The rotor has bail ears upon which bail arms carrying a bail are mounted with the bail being movable between a closed retrieving position and an open casting position. A unique bail actuating mechanism is provided which rapidly moves the bail from the retrieving position to the casting position. The bail actuating mechanism has an overcenter spring apparatus which operates on one bail arm for holding the bail in the line retrieving position and, when manually moved beyond a certain point, drives the bail rapidly to the open casting position.

Abstract: An improvement in 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 bear 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. The improvement is a drive pulley element that follows rotation of the crank shaft and frictionally engages a shaft carrying the worm gear to impart rotation thereto. Slippage can occur between the drive element and the worm gear shaft when a predetermined resistance to rotation of the worm gear shaft is encountered, i.e. when a user's finger jams the line guide.

Abstract: An improved drag assembly is provided and comprises replaceable cartridge assemblies which can be precalibrated for a range of drag settings. Different cartridge assemblies are provided. The reel has a drag knob assembly which supports a selectively replaceable spring and is latched to the reel housing with the spring bearing on the cartridge assembly. A knob is used to turn the drag knob assembly for advancing or retracting the knob assembly to increase or decrease tension on the spring and to increase or decrease the drag setting for controlling tension on the line. Cartridge assemblies and springs are calibrated and rated and paired with a particular rated test line for use in particular types of fishing. A method of changing cartridge assemblies and springs is included.

Abstract: The invention comprehends an improvement in a spinning style fishing reel of the type having a line-carrying spool, a rotor housing, a crank handle for rotating the rotor housing about an axis, a bail carried on a bail arm, and structure mounting the bail arm for movement relative to the rotor housing selectively between a cast position, wherein line can be paid out of the spool, and a retrieve position, wherein line can be directed onto the spool as the rotor housing is operated by the crank handle. The improvement resides in structure for driving the bail arm into each of the cast and retrieve positions and for keeping the bail arm so positioned. The structure that accomplishes this end according to the invention consists of cooperating structures on the bail arm and rotor housing that are mutually attractive approaching and in each of the cast and retrieve positions.