Abstract: A trotline storage and dispensing device is disclosed. The device includes a base wall, first and second pairs of side walls extending upwardly from the base wall, and a divider wall extending substantially parallel to each of the first pair of side walls and between each wall of the second pair of side walls. A pair of storage compartments, each bounded by the base wall, one of the first pair of side walls, the divider wall and the second pair of side walls is thus formed. Hook storage and dispensing tubes are disposed at the top of and extend along each of the first pair of side walls. Each of the storage compartments receives a trotline, while the hook storage and dispensing tubes receive and retain hooks connected by leaders to the trotline so that as the storage and dispensing device is moved away from an anchored end of each trotline, the trotline, leaders and hooks are pulled over one of the second pair of side walls and out of the storage and dispensing device.

Abstract: A fishing line release which includes a pair of opposed pincer members each having a tail, a body, a neck and a jaw. The pincer members are interconnected at their tails for movement between a position in which the jaws are open and a position in which the jaws are closed. The necks are of a reduced transverse dimension and are juxtaposed to one another such that each jaw extends transversely across both necks. A portion of the jaw of each pincer member closely overlies the neck of the opposed pincer member for movement thereacross, such that a gap is defined therebetween. A guard flange projects rearwardly from each jaw, along the side of the neck of the opposed pincer member, to thereby obviate the risk of the fishing line becoming entangled within the gaps formed between the jaws and necks of the opposed pincer members.

Abstract: The invention comprises a trapping apparatus having a pair of jaws pivotally connected together at their ends. The apparatus has a strap mounted to the trap and has a magnet mounted to the strap. The magnet magnetically engages a metal culvert intermediate its height of the culvert with the magnet being sufficient to magnetically support the magnet, strap, and trap to the culvert intermediate the height of the culvert. The culvert is of a type installation wherein there is a waterway therethrough with the surface of the water in the culvert just below the magnetically secured location of the trap whereby animals will swim through the waterway in the culvert near the surface of the water therein and are likely to engage and trigger the trap and be trapped by the trap.

Abstract: A no spray live skunk trapping apparatus (10) including a telescoping housing unit (11) which can be retracted to force the skunk into the covered housing section (15) of the trapping apparatus (10); such that the skunk will be prevented from spraying a trapper while the skunk is held captive within the confines of the trapping apparatus.

Abstract: A method to exterminate insects, for example termites, in situ, whose situs is embodied within an urban structure. Gases that undergo no phase changes in the temperature range between ambient and lethal temperatures are directed on the structure to heat the structure itself to a temperature that is lethal to the insects, and maintaining that temperature long enough to kill the insects.

Abstract: A hollow tube capable of passing one or more turns of fishing line through its bore is encased by a spheroidal bubble member, creating an airtight chamber between the tube and the bubble member. Within this airtight chamber a predetermined amount of high density lead metal shot allows predetermination of the aggregate weight and density of the casting bubble. The weight is important during casting and the density is important for controlled flotation during lure retrieval. The shifting high density material changes the center of gravity of the weighted casting bubble between those times when the bubble is cast and during its retrieval. During retrieval the weighted casting bubble resists angular rotation.

Abstract: A fish lure with an elongated relatively stiff yet flexible carrier member having opposed end portions, a hook member attached to one end portion of the carrier member and a fishing device such as a spinner, blade or like member attached to the opposite end portion thereof. A line attachment member is mounted for rotational movement on the carrier member and an intermediate location therealong between the opposed end portions thereof, and a stop member attached to the carrier member adjacent to the line attachment member to prevent movement of the line attachment member along the carrier member. The carrier member is able to flex away from its normal unstressed condition when any portion thereof is subjected to a lateral force, the carrier member returning to its normal unstressed condition when such lateral force is removed. Use of a relatively stiff yet flexible carrier member enables the present device to move in a more realistic and attractive manner as it is being pulled through the water.

Abstract: Apparatus for destroying fire ants includes a rotatable ant bed destruction member and apparatus for rotating such destruction member into an ant bed; a fluid delivery assembly is provided for delivering water, ambient or at extremely hot temperatures; or other fluid, to the rotatable destruction member to drown and otherwise kill the ants while the rotatable destruction member destroys the ant bed. The method of this invention is practiced by simultaneously moving the ant bed destruction member into the bed and delivering a stream of fluid into the ant bed sufficient to co-act with the destruction member to destroy the ant bed.

Abstract: The invention provides a device to capture living insects and other debris when combing an animal's coat. It consists of a comb with a sheath attached whereby the coat is combed between the sheath and the comb's teeth. On the inside of the sheath is a dimpled structure containing an adhesive within each dimple. As the animal's coat is combed living insects tend to escape the coat and get caught on the adhesive inside one of the dimples. The dimpled structure may be easily removed when filled with insects and replaced with a fresh one.

Abstract: This is a fishing lure or crankbait container that has a substantially increased storage capacity. This container has the capability of storing very large as well as smaller lures. The transparent case has two compartments, an upper and a lower compartment. In each compartment is a single or double circle of transparent tubes. Each tube has an upper open end that forms the exit port for a lure. Planar caps are located on each end of the transparent container. Each cap has apertures which can be aligned with each tube for removing or inserting lures into the apertures.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for audibly alerting a fisherman of a bite on a fishing line associated with one or more unattended rod and reel assemblies. The apparatus utilizes an elongated horizontal member having several notches in its uppermost edge. The horizontal member is attached to the resilient contact arm of an on-off switch attached to the upper extremity of an upright support member. The fishing lines are disposed in the notches in the horizontal member in perpendicular disposition thereto. When a fish bites, the horizontal member is pulled forward, causing the switch to go to the on position which activates an alarm device.

Abstract: A fishing jigger has a main body with two vertical panels mounted on a pair of relatively long, transverse supports, a rod holder extending along the top of the two main panels is pivoted to the panels at one end. An electric operating system for the rod holder includes a crank, a rod mounted on the crank and extending upwardly between two pivoting guides to a cam at the top end of the rod. A cam follower on the bottom of the rod holder is engaged by the cam. When the crank is rotated by an electric motor, the drive linkage produces a slow upward movement of the rod holder and a quick descent. The jigger may be operated by a remote control unit, using power from an automobile battery. The jigger may also include a hook setting feature which is an electrical bypass of the motor speed control to produce a fast upwards movement of the rod holder to set a hook when a nibble or bite is detected.

Abstract: A fishing line release device includes a body adapted to be attached to a downrigger line and having a first guide adjacent one end of the body and a second guide axially disposed relative to the one end of the body for receiving the fishing line therethrough. Projections are disposed adjacent the one body end and about which the fishing line can be wound. A first magnetic member is positioned along the body and defines a path extending toward and away from the projections and a release lever assembly is pivotly mounted on the body adjacent the one end and is constructed and arranged such that when the lever assembly is in an unpivoted position a lever arm extends in a direction parallel to the path. A hook is formed on the lever arm adjacent the projections to hold the fishing line thereon and whereby a force on the fishing line tends to pivot the lever arm to move the hook to a release position thereby releasing said fishing line.

Abstract: A fishing-rod holder having dual actuation whereby the pivoting of the fishing-rod holder due to the pull of a fish or due to the release of a fishing line from a weight will actuate an alarm. The fishing-rod holder includes a holster portion for receiving and holding a rod, a first mount member supportably attached to the holster portion, and a second mount member for engaging a fixed support such as the railing of a fishing boat. The first mount member includes a housing for pivotally receiving the second mount member, a tension-adjustment spring for the pivoting of the first mount member on the second mount member, and jacks mounted in the housing and including switches actuated by the pivoting of the first member on the second member. An external alarm device can be provided in the captain's cabin for indicating which of a plurality of fishing-rod holders has indicated the strike of a fish.

Abstract: An insect electrocution apparatus and method of operation utilizing a series connected, dual coil primary of a ballast/step-up transformer to provide increased impedance only during the starting of the insect attracting fluorescent tube. The fluorescent tube is connected between the two primary coils with the fluorescent tube starter and one of the primary coils connected in series with the fluorescent tube filaments. Upon starting, both coils are energized and provide the desired amount of impedance. Once the fluorescent tube ignites, the starter and the second primary coil are operationally removed from the circuit leaving only the first primary coil to provide ballast for the fluorescent tube.

Abstract: An archery arrow is disclosed herein for use in shooting and catching fish which includes an elongated shaft having a notch on one end and pointed penetration member on the other end. The pointed member includes a multiple sided, tapered point detachably connected to a hook element carried on the end of the shaft. A pair of barbs forming the hook are pivotally carried on the hook element and terminate in a pointed flair. The hook element further includes a bendable portion useful in maintaining a caught fish hooked, and an arrow removal sleeve is provided for effecting release of a caught fish from the barbs of the hook.

Abstract: A method of exterminating harmful insects under the floor of a house or building comprises spraying insecticide into the enclosed area under the floor of the house or building. The insecticide used, is in the form of a fine powder which is loaded into an airtight dispenser. The dispenser has an opening for the insecticide to pass through. The opening is initially blocked by insecticide while pressure inside the dispenser is increased. Subsequently, insecticide is forced out the dispenser opening and delivered to a nozzle which sprays the insecticide under the building floor at a high exit velocity. The insecticide forced from the dispenser is delivered to the nozzle at a high flow rate through a hose with at least an inner surface of synthetic resin with a high electrical resistance. Insecticide is charged with static electricity through friction with the synthetic resin inner surface of the hose.

Abstract: A sorting device (42) for a bottom trawl (10) to enable capturing preselected marine life and harmlessly separating nonselected marine life. The sorting device (42) comprises a top wall (44) and a bottom wall (46) assembled together to form a body (48) that defines an inlet (50) and tapers to a small outlet (52). The sorting device (42) assumes a funnel configuration as the bottom trawl (10) is towed through the water. Water flowing through the funnel-shaped body (48) moves slower than the surrounding water, forcing water approaching the sorting device (42) to flow around and past the sorting device (42). This creates a water disturbance (94) adjacent and ahead of the sorting device (42) that frightens finfish (96) to swim around the sorting device (42). Shellfish (98) are unable to swim around the sorting device (42) and they pass through the inlet (50) and out the outlet (52) to harmlessly exit the bottom trawl (10 ).

Abstract: A molded plastic mouse or rat trap uses three separate molded pieces, namely a base, a striker and an actuator, which are releasably connected, in combination with metal springs for biasing the striker to a closed position. The components cooperate to provide a trap which is easier to operate. According to one embodiment, an extension spring is used to bias the trap to a closed position and in the set position, the spring force is primarily carried by the striker and base. Such an arrangement increases the sensitivity of the actuator, as only a small load is carried by the surfaces of the actuator and striker, maintaining the striker in the set position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for fishing. The apparatus is adapted for use with a fishing line and includes a one-piece compact floatable fishing device forming a first longitudinal axis. The fishing device has a fixed spool coaxially aligned with the first longitudinal axis of the fishing device. A handle is disposed at the first end of the fishing device and the spool is disposed adjacent the handle to operably allow releasing and locking of the fishing line on the spool. The fishing device is independent of moving parts. The fishing device is adapted for use with a tube having an inner surface and a blocking shoulder corresponding with the outer surface and blocking shoulder of the second end of the fishing device to provide unattended use of the fishing device. A method for fishing comprises the above apparatus which allows right-hand use or, alternatively, left-hand use of the fishing device.