Abstract: A lure and bait harness for securing bait to a lure or hook which allows for quick and efficient attachment. The lure and bait harness comprise a retainer secured to an overcenter spring. The spring includes a first arm and second arm which are secured to one another in a manner which allows the spring to be biased in an open position away from the retainer which allows for placement of the bait in the harness and biased in a closed position retaining a piece of bait between the retainer and the spring. By providing the retainer or spring with a spur the bait is securely held against unintentional dislodgment. Where desire the lure and bait harness is provided with a first fin and a second fin pitched in a similar manner to provide the lure or harness with rotation as the lure or harness is pulled through the water.

Abstract: A bait harness adapted to hold a bait in the form of a fish or fillet includes a fixed jaw and a juxtaposed jaw movable into and out of engagement therewith. A lever pivotally secured to the fixed jaw acts to forcibly move the movable jaw towards the fixed and to hold the jaws in clamping engagement with a bait, and to release the jaws from such engagement. Hooks are provided on the jaws for impalement of any bait fish therebetween.

Abstract: A bait harness for holding a bait in the form of a fish or fillet for casting, trolling or jigging is designed to be virtually weedless in use. The harness includes a clamp of highly resilient spring material bent so that integral opposed sides converge to an abutting normally closed position for gripping the jaws of a bait fish and include a movable arms means for selectively opening the sides. In one embodiment, the clamp is secured to a buoyant artificial fishing plug provided with a removable fastening means for securing the tail portion of the fish bait to the shank of the hook. In a second embodiment, the clamp carries a pair of multi-barbed hooks connected respectively to the clamp sides for disposition at opposite sides of the bait.

Abstract: A bait harness adapted to hold a bait in the form of a fish or fillet is provided for casting, trolling or jigging. The harness includes a clamp of highly resilient spring material bent to define a closed end with integral opposed sides converging to free ends biased to an abutting closed position for gripping the bait. In one embodiment, the clamp is provided with a pair of elongated arms, each fitted with a prong, pivotally mounted respectively at one end to respective free ends of the clamp to open the same when pressed into engagement with opposed sides thereof. This embodiment is used with an elongated skewer impaled lengthwise through the bait fish or fillet so as to extend from the extremities thereof and the bait is secured by mounting the clamp to the leading end of the skewer so that the free ends of the clamp when closed tightly grip the bait and when the arms are closed, the prongs penetrate the bait for additional gripping.

Abstract: A fishing device useful for casting and trolling includes an elongated buoyant plug type artificial fishing lure mounted to a bait harness adapted to hold a fish bait, filet or strip of fish bait. The harness is mounted longitudinally to the underside of the lure and includes opposed jaw members pivotally connected at one end under spring tension and provided with opposed spaced prongs at the opposite end. The jaws are normally closed with the prongs in overlapping position. An elongated flexible bar disposed in longitudinal alignment to the underside of the lure has a free end extending intermediate the closed prongs and is pivotally secured at the opposite end intermediate the jaws. When the jaws are opened, the rod is swingable on its pivot point to be perpendicular to the lure to facilitate its being impaled or skewered lengthwise through the fish bait from the head to protrude from the tail thereof.