Abstract: A fishing lure, generally the size and shape of a bait fish such as a minnow, is equipped with a safety feature, whereby the lure comprises a hook, preferably positioned on the under surface corresponding to the bait fish's belly, and a spring-biased shell, pivotally connected to the body and positioned such that the shell shields the hook completely when the shell is in a first position and the lure is out of the water, and exposes the hook when the shell is in a second position while the lure is in water, thereby permitting the lure to be used for fishing while preventing injuries from mishandling.

Abstract: A fishing lure, generally the size and shape of a bait fish such as a minnow, is equipped with a safety feature, whereby the lure comprises a hook, preferably positioned on the under surface corresponding to the bait fish's belly, and a spring-biased shell, pivotally connected to the body and positioned such that the shell shields the hook completely when the shell is in a first position and the lure is out of the water, and exposes the hook when the shell is in a second position while the lure is in water, thereby permitting the lure to be used for fishing while preventing injuries from mishandling.