Abstract: A diving fishing weight is for receiving a length of fishing line with a first end connected to a fish catching device and a second end connected to a rod and reel assembly. The fishing weight includes a dive-inducing member constructed to dive through water, and dive-stop structure in communication with the dive-inducing member and the fishing line, and being actuable by a force exerted along the fishing line to stop the fishing weight from diving. The dive-inducing member includes a body that has a front region oriented generally toward the fish catching device, a rear region oriented generally toward the rod and reel assembly, opposed sides and an upper surface. The dive-stop structure includes a passage defined by the body that extends through at least a portion of the body, with the passage having a first end proximate the front region of the body and a second end on the upper surface.

Abstract: A diving fishing weight is for receiving a length of fishing line with a first end connected to a fish catching device and a second end connected to a rod and reel assembly. The fishing weight includes a dive-inducing member constructed to dive through water, and dive-stop structure in communication with the dive-inducing member and the fishing line, and being actuable by a force exerted along the fishing line to stop the fishing weight from diving. The dive-inducing member includes a body that has a front region oriented generally toward the fish catching device, a rear region oriented generally toward the rod and reel assembly, opposed sides and an upper surface. The dive-stop structure includes a passage defined by the body that extends through at least a portion of the body, with the passage having a first end proximate the front region of the body and a second end on the upper surface.

Abstract: A rising fishing device is disclosed that includes a rise-inducing structure that includes an elongate body and a pair of wings extending from the body to define a wing plane that is disposed at an angle with respect to the body to create hydrodynamic lift when drawn through a body of water. The device preferably further includes a hook assembly extending rearward of the body at a defined angle with respect to the wing plane, and a coupling that extends forward of body and is adapted to be joined to a length of fishing line. In another embodiment, the invented rising fishing device is adapted to be what may be referred to as "buzz bait," in that it includes a frame with a first branch that is joined to the rise-inducing structure described above and a second branch spaced-apart from the first branch on which a spinner or propeller structure is rotatably mounted.

Abstract: A diving fishing weight is for receiving a length of fishing line with a first end connected to a fish catching device and a second end connected to a rod and reel assembly. The fishing weight includes a dive-inducing member constructed to dive through water, and dive-stop structure in communication with the dive-inducing member and the fishing line, and being actuable by a force exerted along the fishing line to stop the fishing weight from diving. The dive-inducing member includes a body that has a front region oriented generally toward the fish catching device, a rear region oriented generally toward the rod and reel assembly, opposed sides and an upper surface. The dive-stop structure includes a passage defined by the body that extends through at least a portion of the body, with the passage having a first end proximate the front region of the body and a second end on the upper surface.

Abstract: A curable, polymer-based composite material consists essentially of a first volume of a curable polymeric component such as a styrene butadiene copolymer and a second volume of iron ferrite particles. The composite material may be a sports article formed in a body with a shape that is rollable, generally spherical, with a specific gravity in the range of about 1.5-2.0, and with a size that accommodates use as a puck-like object for playing hockey. The body includes a central substantially uncured section and an outer substantially cured section. The composite material may also be used as a fishing weight or as a lead substitute, and is magnetizable. The composite material may also be used in a sound-dampening system that includes a first layer of less than one inch thick of the composite material, and a second layer of an expanded polymeric material bonded to the first layer. A method of forming said iron ferrite-filled rubber composite material is also disclosed.