Abstract: A fishing reel that may be used in connection with bowfishing is disclosed having a housing with a generally cylindrical first portion with an aperture disposed about a center top portion of the cylindrical first portion. The housing has a generally cylindrical second portion disposed about a bottom of the first portion. The second portion of the housing has an outer perimeter that is less than an outer perimeter of the first portion of the housing. A crank arm is disposed about a side of the housing, said crank arm having a mount that is disposed perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the housing. A handle is disposed about a bottom of the second portion, said handle having a post disposed coaxial with a center of the aperture and a grip coupled to the post and disposed perpendicular to the post.

Abstract: A fishing reel, such as a spincast reel, that includes a body having a frame that defines a thumb button attachment member on a rear side of the frame. A spool and spinner head are rotatably mounted forward of a front side of the frame. A front cover is secured to a front side of the frame to enclose components. A thumb button is pivotally secured to the thumb button attachment member. The thumb button has an actuating post that extends forwardly for applying force to a rearward end of a center shaft when the thumb button is depressed. A back cover is affixed to the rear side of the frame. The back cover defines a thumb button orifice for allowing a user to access the thumb button when the back cover is secured to the frame.

Abstract: In a first embodiment of the present invention, a fishing line latching member can be returned from the fishing line releasable state (clutch OFF) to the fishing line windable state (clutch ON) simply by operating a return operation member, without rotatably operating the handle as in a conventional manner. This enables the user to respond promptly even when he/she gets a bite immediately after casting the fishing line. Furthermore, it also allows the user to use a finger of his/her hand holding the fishing rod to perform an operation for removing slack of the fishing line by using the return operation member.

Abstract: A fishing reel cover is connectable to a fishing reel to define a compartment in which reel components are located. The cover comprises an inner cone element nested and securely fixed within an outer sheath element. A rearward end of the inner cone element includes a first interlocking connection feature such as internal threads adapted to engage a second interlocking connection feature such as external threads located on the fishing reel. The forward ends of the inner cone and outer sheath elements preferably define aligned guide holes through which an eyelet may be inserted. Preferably, the inner cone element will be formed of plastic with the outer sheath element being formed of metal.

Abstract: A spincast fishing reel has a reel frame to which front and rear covers are attached. The rear cover includes a pivotable thumb button which is depressed by a user when fishing line is to be cast. The front cover closes the face of the reel, but defines a forward opening through which the fishing line extends. A normally nonrotatable line spool is located inside of the front cover on a spool hub of the reel frame. Fishing line is wound onto the line spool by a rotatable pickup head located forward of the line spool. An improved drag arrangement includes a drag nut mounted on a threaded portion of the spool hub. A gear train arrangement is provided to operatively connect a suitable thumb wheel with the drag nut. Rotation of the thumb wheel by a user causes rotation 6f the drag nut, which varies the drag force imposed on the line spool.

Abstract: A fishing reel cover comprising: (a) a first cover piece having an exterior and (b) a second cover piece having a second piece wall. The second piece wall includes at least one aperture provided therethrough. The second cover piece is positionable over the first piece such that the exterior of the first cover piece is visible through the second piece aperture. The second cover piece preferably includes a plurality of apertures through which the exterior of the first cover piece is visible. Most preferably, the second cover piece includes a plurality of such apertures arranged to form a gripping structure.

Abstract: A fishing reel eliminates line twist as the fishing line is taken on or off of the spool by utilizing a non-rotating nose member and line pick-up member in combination with a rotational spool and a line-engaging control mechanism which at the beginning of the cast retracts the nose member against a forward end of the housing to capture the fishing line therebetween and, toward the end of the cast, a separate release mechanism manually releases the nose member to permit the fishing line to play freely off of the spool. The release mechanism may be a manual or automatic casting control mechanism which is mounted just forwardly of the handle portion of a fishing rod and is operable to return the nose member to an open position in response to a forward casting motion of the rod and reel.

Abstract: A casting actuator having a slip-resistant contacting surface which flexes to accommodate the user's thumb. The casting actuator preferably comprises: an actuating lever; a support structure; a living hinge pivotably connecting the actuating lever to the support structure; and a flexible cover extending from the support collar over at least a portion of the lever. The flexible cover provides a flexible, slip-resistant contacting surface on the lever. The inventive actuator is preferably formed by an inventive method comprising the steps of: (a) placing a first material in a mold to form a unitary, molded structure and (b) while the first material is present in mold, placing a second material in the mold to form the flexible cover. The unitary, molded structure formed from the first material comprises: the actuating lever; the support collar; and the resilient hinge. The inventive casting actuator preferably includes a convex engaging surface for operably contacting a main shaft of the fishing reel.

Abstract: A thumb pad for a fishing reel cushions the thumb of a user during repeated use. The fishing reel has a front cover, a back cover, a spool, and a spool engaging rod. The thumb pad includes a generally rectangular shell pivotally mounted within an opening in the back cover where the shell is formed from material having a first predetermined hardness. The shell has a generally sloping face portion and side portions depending from the face portion. The face portion of the shell includes a receiving portion for receiving a cushioning formation where the cushioning formation has a contour configured to receive the thumb of the user. The cushioning formation is integrally formed with the shell from material having a second predetermined hardness where the second predetermined hardness is substantially less hard than the first predetermined hardness to provide a soft surface against which the thumb of the user is placed.

Abstract: A casting control mechanism for fishing reels includes a weighted member slidably mounted within the handle portion of the fishing rod and which in response to forward casting of the rod and reel will advance into engagement with a trip arm extending from the rod into the reel to release one or more line pick-up members utilized to control the advancement of a fishing line from the reel; and the weighted member is adjustably positioned within the handle portion by the fisherman to control the point of release of the fishing line in response to casting of the line.

Abstract: An extended cover (11), in the shape of a deep bowl, is disconnectably mounted on a reel casing (1) such that an axial distance (A) from a rotor (4) to a fishing line guide hole (10) is greater than the axial dimension (B) of the rotor (4). Consequently, a fishing line (20) moving between an outer periphery of the rotor (4) and the fishing line guide hole (10) makes smaller bends. This increases the flying range and simultaneously reduces wear on the fishing line (20.

Abstract: A fishing reel of the spin-cast type, having a body supporting a line-carrying spool, a line wind/release rotor and mounting foot for attachment to a fishing rod. An accessorial convertible front-shield having a part A and a part B which allows the rapid and convenient change of the casting characteristics of a reel, without alteration of the reel mechanism; without the requirement to un-thread and re-thread the fishing line on the rod; and without cutting or otherwise parting the line or removing the lure.

Abstract: A unitized thrust bearing for reducing axial frictional forces resulting from axial loads on first and second abutting parts rotated relative to one another in a fishing reel. The thrust bearing has an annular outer race having a forward wall with a rearwardly facing surface and a forwardly facing surface and a bore for axially receiving the first abutting part. The outer race further includes a peripheral sidewall. The outer race is configured to be axially received in a seat in one of the first and second abutting parts. The thrust bearing further includes an annular inner race having a center shaft receiving bore, a rearwardly facing surface defining a support surface for the other of the one of the first and second abutting parts having the seat and a forwardly facing surface defining an axial ball contacting surface. The inner and outer races are axially received one within the other.

Abstract: A closed face fishing reel assembly having a body, which is attachable to a fishing rod, a spool supported to the body, a winding drum rotatably supported at the forward end of the spool which may be rotated for winding line onto the spool and which may be axially advanced, a cone supported to the body forwardly of the spool, and a winding drum having a passageway therethrough, the internal shape of which defines a line confining envelope, the cone is either the outer housing or in one embodiment a separate housing is secured to the body and encompasses the spool, winding drum and cone, and a fishing line received through a the cone passageway andat least partially wound on the spool, the configuration of the body being independent of the line confining envelope provided by the cone, the cone or the housing includes a replaceable line choke for controlling casting distance and/or velocity.

Abstract: An electronic bait alert for incorporation into prior art fishing reels having a spool for storing a supply of line and a drive train to direct the line onto the spool. The spool is rotatable to collect or to payout line and the drive train has a retrieve position A sensor produces an electric signal upon the payout of line with the drive train in the retrieve position An alarm produces a sensory indication of line payout in response to the electric signal. The alarm can be either an electric lamp, an electric buzzer or both. A switch can be included for turning off the electric bait alert.

Abstract: A closed face fishing reel having a body providing means for attachment to a fishing rod, a spool supported to the body, a winding drum rotatably supported at the forward end of the spool which may be rotated for winding line onto the spool and which may be axially advanced, a speed cone supported to the body forwardly of the spool, and a winding drum having a passageway therethrough, the internal shape of which defines a line confining envelope, a separate housing secured to the body and encompassing the spool, winding drum and speed cone, and a fishing line received through the speed cone passageway and at least partially wound on the spool, the configuration of the body being independent of the line confining envelope provided by the speed cone.