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: An anti-reverse apparatus for a fishing reel comprising: (a) a ratchet member mounted on a main operating shaft of the fishing reel and (b) an engaging structure incorporated in a crankshaft assembly of the fishing reel. The engaging structure is operable for directly engaging the ratchet member to thereby prevent reverse rotation of the main operating shaft and of the crankshaft assembly. The engaging structure is preferably received in a recess provided in a crankshaft drive gear. The inventive apparatus preferably also comprises a boss projecting from the reel frame for retaining the engaging structure in the recess. The engaging structure preferably comprises: a plate having a first side and an aperture extending through the plate; a first arm extending from the first side for engaging the ratchet gear; and a second arm extending from the first side for contacting the frame boss in order to limit the axial and rotational movement of the engaging structure.

Abstract: A structure for retaining the line spool and elements of a line spool drag mechanism, if employed, upon the hub of a spin cast type fishing reel, wherein the hub has a plurality of axial grooves and radial slots in the surface and the retainer comprises a flange adjacent the line spool, a first cylindrical member extending axially of the flange for disposition over the hub between the hub and the line spool. The first cylindrical member having a plurality of lugs extending radially inwardly thereof into engagement with the axial grooves and radial slots in the hub, whereby the retainer is locked on the hub with the flange adjacent to the outer face of the line spool. A second cylindrical member coaxial with the first extends from the other side of the flange and comprises a cam surface for actuating the line retrieving mechanism and a bearing surface for supporting the line retrieving mechanism in the line retrieving position.

Abstract: A fishing reel having a frame, a line carrying spool, and first structure for mounting the line carrying spool to the frame for reciprocating movement in a first predetermined path. The first structure includes a shaft that moves reciprocatively in a second predetermined path as an incident of which the line carrying spool moves in the first predetermined path. Second suture is provided on the frame for directing line onto the line carrying spool, with there being third structure cooperating between the first and second structures for causing reciprocating movement of the shaft in the second predetermined path as an incident of the second structure being operated. The first structure includes a rolling element cooperating between the shaft and the frame for guiding movement of the shaft in the second predetermined path.

Abstract: A method for producing fishing reel frames and a fishing reel frame employs a starting piece comprising: a longitudinal first side wall; a longitudinal second side wall having a spaced relationship with the first side wall such that the second side wall is spaced apart from the first side wall; and at least one longitudinal cross-structure holding the first and second side walls in the spaced relationship. The starting piece is preferably an extruded structure. The method comprises the step of machining the starting piece to produce a plurality of individual frames.

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: An apparatus for removably securing a cover on a fishing reel frame. The inventive apparatus comprises a locking member having a locking pin. The inventive apparatus also comprises an opening, provided by the frame, for receiving the locking pin to thereby secure the cover on the frame. The locking member is retained in the cover for reciprocating movement along a line of reciprocation. The apparatus further comprises an actuator, operable from outside of the cover, for moving the locking member along its line of reciprocation to thereby remove the locking pin from the frame opening.

Abstract: A fishing reel having a frame, a line carrying spool, first structure for mounting the line carrying spool to the frame for rotation about a first axis, and a reel operating mechanism that is placeable selectively in a) a cast state and b) a retrieve state. The reel operating mechanism includes a crank handle with a crank shaft and second structure responsive to operation of the crank handle for a) rotating the line carrying spool around the first axis to retrieve line onto the spool with the reel operating mechanism in a retrieve state and b) changing the reel operating mechanism from the cast state into the retrieve state. The second structure includes a slider that is movable relative to the frame between a first position with the reel operating mechanism in the retrieve state and a second position with the reel operating mechanism in the cast state.

Abstract: A centrifugally actuated braking system on an end flange of the line spool of a bait cast reel. A series of raised lands or stops on the end flange cooperates with projections on the brake pads mounted on radiating brake arms to limit radial movement of the centrifugally actuated brake pads. Orthogonal brake arms are joined by an arcuate section which rides in an annular groove in the spool shaft. Additional weights for increasing braking power may be slidingly mounted on the brake arms behind the brake pads. A retainer ring sliding onto the spool shaft holds the brake arms in place. An inner lip on the retainer ring rides in a second annular groove in the spool shaft to hold the retainer ring in its locking position on the shaft.

Abstract: A fishing reel is disclosed having a frame including a housing, and an operating mechanism on the frame that is placeable selectively in a retrieve mode and a cast mode, wherein the operating mechanism includes a line carrying spool, a first structure for retrieving line onto the spool with the fishing reel in the retrieve mode, an actuator operably connected to the frame for guided sliding translatory movement between a first position and a second position, and a second structure cooperating between the first structure and actuator for changing the fishing reel from the retrieve mode to the cast mode as an incident of the actuator moving from its first position into its second position. The first structure including a shaft with an axis, the shaft being operably connected to the spool and repositionable by the second structure as an incident of the actuator moving from its first position into its second position.

Abstract: A fishing reel having a line carrying spool and an operating mechanism for directing line onto the spool. The operating mechanism includes a first shaft that is rotatable about a first axis and a second shaft that is rotatable about a second axis that is transverse to the first axis. The first and second shafts are each rotatable in forward and reverse directions around the first and second axes.

Abstract: A fishing reel having a front and rear, a top and bottom, and laterally spaced sides. The fishing reel has a deck plate with a forwardly facing surface and an opening extending in a fore and aft direction. A reel operating mechanism is provided, with there being first structure for mounting at least a portion of the reel operating mechanism to the deck plate. A housing encases at least a portion of the reel operating mechanism and has laterally oppositely facing side walls and a rear wall. Second structure is provided for mounting the housing with the operating mechanism thereon to a fishing rod. A one-piece subassembly defines at least a part of each of a) the deck plate, b) one of the side walls, and c) the rear wall, with there being a rearwardly facing, undercut surface in the deck plate part on the subassembly extending around the deck plate opening.

Abstract: A fishing reel having a frame and an operating mechanism on the frame including a line carrying spool, a first element for directing line onto the line carrying spool, first structure cooperating between the first element and frame for mounting the first element for rotation relative to the frame in a first direction about a first axis as an incident of which line is wrapped around the line carrying spool, and second structure selectively preventing the first element from rotating oppositely to the first direction around the first axis.

Abstract: A rotor assembly that is operable to wrap fishing line around a spool. The rotor assembly has a body with a circumference and a central axis about which the rotor assembly rotates in operation, a first bail ear and a second bail ear on the body, a bail assembly including first and second bail arms and a bail wire, first structure for mounting the first bail arm to the first bail ear for pivoting movement of the first bail arm relative to the first bail ear about a first axis, and second structure for mounting the second bail arm to the second bail ear for pivoting movement of the second bail arm relative to the second bail ear about a second axis. The first and second bail ears have first and second circumferential center lines extending axially of the body. The first center line makes a first acute angle with a first plane containing both a line parallel to the first axis and the central axis of the body.

Abstract: A fishing having a frame, with a reel operating mechanism on the flame. The reel operating mechanism includes a line carrying spool, first structure for directing line onto the line carrying spool, and a settable drag mechanism for allowing line to be drawn off of the spool with a variable predetermined force applied to fishing line on the line carrying spool. The drag mechanism includes a first member, with there being second structure cooperating between the first member and frame for guiding the first member in rotation relative to the frame around a first axis as an incident of which the predetermined force at which line is allowed to be drawn off of the spool is changed. The fishing reel further includes a clicker element, with there being third structure cooperating between the clicker element and one of the frame and operating mechanism for maintaining the clicker element in an operative position on the fishing reel.

Abstract: A fishing reel having a body, a line carrying spool, first structure for mounting the line carrying spool to the body, a rotor, second structure for mounting the rotor to the body for movement relative to the body around an axis as an incident of which line is wrapped by the rotor around the line carrying spool, a line control member, and third structure cooperating between the line control member and at least one of the reel body, rotor and spool for a) maintaining the line control member in an operative position on the fishing reel and b) guiding movement of the line control member relative to both the rotor and the line carrying spool as the fishing reel is operated with the line control member in the operative position. The line control member limits movement of line on the line carrying spool axially relative to the spool between the spool and the rotor.

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