Abstract: A bail assembly is provided for a spinning reel of the type having a spool mounted for reciprocal and rotational movement with respect to a body, a drag system, a rotor with a line pickup generally surrounding the spool, and a handle drive mechanism for reciprocating the spool and rotating the rotor thereabout to wind line onto the spool. The bail assembly has a bail wire formed of spring tempered stainless steel wire stock and is bent in an arc with first and second ends respectively attached to the rotor by generally diametrically opposed first and second end mounts. The arcuate bail wire exerts spring tension and the end mounts are cooperatively configured so that the bail wire is manipulable in spring toggle motion from an open position permitting line to play freely off the spool to a closed position directing line to the line pickup for collecting line on the spool.

Abstract: A bail assembly is provided for a spinning reel of the type having a spool mounted for reciprocal and rotational movement with respect to a body, a drag system, a rotor with a line pickup generally surrounding the spool, and a handle drive mechanism for reciprocating the spool and rotating the rotor thereabout to wind line onto the spool. The bail assembly has a bail wire formed of spring tempered stainless steel wire stock and is bent in an arc with first and second ends respectively attached to the rotor by generally diametrically opposed first and second end mounts. The arcuate bail wire exerts spring tension and the end mounts are cooperatively configured so that the bail wire is manipulable in spring toggle motion from an open position permitting line to play freely off the spool to a closed position directing line to the line pickup for collecting line on the spool.

Abstract: A fishing knife has a handle defining a blade slot and a blade pivotally mounted between open and closed positions on a pivot pin extending through the handle. The blade has a tip, a sharp edge and back. A line cutter including a recess is defined in the blade back and a line cutting edge extends across the recess. The recess is disposed away from the tip of the blade. The line cutter is a replaceable cutter insert received in a matingly configured slot defined by the blade. The handle defines a recess cooperatively that exposes the line cutting edge when the blade is closed. The blade defines an arcuate pivot slot having enlarged lock openings at each end. A spring biased blade lock plunger extends through the pivot slot, and has a lock portion that fits in the lock openings to secure the blade in closed and open positions. The plunger is axially shiftable to position a release portion in the pivot slot, permitting the blade to pivot.