Abstract: An anchored slip sinker characterized by a generally tapered or conical body portion fitted with an internal longitudinal line aperture for receiving a fishing line tied to the eye of a hook, upon which hook a plastic fishing lure is impaled. The base end of the slip sinker is provided with a keeper/retainer wire characterized by a keeper leg, typically embedded in the sinker body, and a keeper bend or bends extending the keeper leg, which keeper bend or bends terminates in variously configured retainer segments. The retainer segment ends of the keeper are designed to extend laterally through or into the flexible fishing lure and the eye of the hook embedded in the flexible plastic lure, to lock the slip sinker against the flexible plastic lure and prevent it from sliding on the fishing line and keep the flexible plastic lure from sliding on the hook. The retainer segments are shaped to prevent the keeper wire from exiting the hook eye when the lure is cast and retrieved.

Abstract: A new and improved spring assembly for a trolling motor bracket which is used to mount an electric trolling motor on the deck of a watercraft or boat. The spring assembly includes a rod mount plate for slidably engaging the bracket arm of the trolling motor between first and second positions, and at least one spring operably engages the rod mount plate and biases the rod mount plate in a first position. The mount collar of the trolling motor is adapted for pivotally engaging the rod mount plate of the spring assembly. Accordingly, the rod mount plate slides on the bracket arm from the first position to the second position against bias imparted by the spring or springs, as the mount collar of the trolling motor pivots from a first configuration to a second configuration on the rod mount plate.

Abstract: Quick disconnect spinner blades for fishing lures and particularly spinner bait fishing lures, which blades are characterized by a transverse or planar connecting mechanism in one end or edge for quickly and easily connecting the spinner blades to respective swivel and rotator elements provided on the wire harness of the fishing lures. In a first preferred embodiment, the connecting device includes an offset or transverse-mounted clasp fitted with a spring and designed to quickly and removably secure the spinner blades to the swivel or rotator. In another preferred embodiment, the connecting mechanism is characterized by an offset or transverse-mounted finger lock, also fitted with a spring, for removably securing the spinner blade to the swivel or rotator. In yet another preferred embodiment, the clasp and finger lock are secured to the swivel or rotator by an attachment ring and are designed to removably engage a conventional spinner blade at the blade opening thereof.

Abstract: A new and improved spring assembly for a trolling motor bracket which is used to mount an electric trolling motor on the deck of a watercraft or boat. The spring assembly includes a rod mount plate for slidably engaging the bracket arm of the trolling motor between first and second positions, and at least one spring operably engages the rod mount plate and biases the rod mount plate in a first position. The mount collar of the trolling motor is adapted for pivotally engaging the rod mount plate of the spring assembly. Accordingly, the rod mount plate slides on the bracket arm from the first position to the second position against bias imparted by the spring or springs, as the mount collar of the trolling motor pivots from a first configuration to a second configuration on the rod mount plate.

Abstract: A device is described for adjusting the position of a trolling motor relative to a boat. The device has an arm, preferably L-shaped, with one end connected to the steering column of the trolling motor. The other end is higher than the first end and rotatably connected to an end of a handle bar, which is adapted, upon application of force thereto, to cause the arm to rotate with the steering column on the axis of the steering column up to and through at least 180.degree., and preferably through 360.degree.. The device enables the position the trolling motor to be readily adjusted simply by pushing the handle bar away from, or pulling the handle bar toward, the operator. The device is less complicated and more durable than previously known devices, and allows for steering through the full range of steering column rotation while the operator remains fully within the perimeter of the boat. Thus, the device provides both a safe and convenient method of steering the boat while propelled by a trolling motor.