Abstract: A removable extension for a line release button of a spincast fishing reel includes an attachment end having one or more attachment structures on one side thereof, the attachment structures configured for removable attachment of the attachment end to the line release button; an engagement end configured for application of a force from a user's thumb; and a transition section connecting the attachment end with the engagement end.

Abstract: A bow fishing reel for mounting on a bow. The reel provides an indicator for alerting a shooter when the reel is configured to fire safely. A main shaft in a body of the reel is positionable from a rearward winding position to a forward casting position by depressing a thumb button protruding the reel body. A thumb button structure engages with the main shaft for transitioning the main shaft from the rearward winding position to the forward casting position. A visual indicator displays a first indicator when the main shaft and thumb button are in the casting position. The visual indicator may be located on an indicator portion of the thumb button that is visible through an indicator window on a reel upper surface. The visual indicator may include a negative indicator and a positive indicator. A secondary negative indicator may also be provided on the thumb button.

Abstract: A control device for preventing the shaft of fishing reel from rotating includes a plate pivotally connected to the body of the reel and a hook is defined in an end of the plate. A shaft is connected to a spool portion of the reel and has a groove defined in an outer periphery of the shaft. The hook is disengagably engaged with the groove so as to prevent the shaft from being rotated when the release button is unintentionally touched.

Abstract: A fishing reel includes a casing having an opening defined therein and a button is pivotally engaged with the opening. A fishing line mechanism is received in the casing and located beneath the button. A slot is defined through the casing and a control member is slidably engaged with the slot so that the control member can be slid between the button and the fishing line mechanism to prevent the button from being pushed to activate the fishing line mechanism.

Abstract: A bushing for a fishing reel comprising: a body having an aperture therethrough for receiving a shaft such that the shaft is movable in the aperture; a plurality of chamfers extending from the body for securing the bushing in the fishing reel; an exterior contacting surface provided on the body; and at least one cam lobe provided on the body. The inventive bushing is particularly well-suited for placement on the spool hub of a spincast-type fishing reel such that the bushing operably receives and retains the reel's main operating shaft.

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 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 multi-function-trigger actuated reel for allowing both actuation of the free spool mechanism and adjustment of the drag brake mechanism of a close face spinning reel with a single actuating trigger. The inventive device includes a main body having a reel mechanism mounted thereto. The reel mechanism includes a spool upon which fishing line can be wound, a drag plunger effecting frictional drag on the spool, and a main shaft which can be forwardly biased to cause free-spooling of the reel mechanism. A trigger assembly is mounted relative to the main body and includes a trigger arm which can be pivoted in a plurality of directions to selectively effect movement of the drag plunger and the main shaft through the single trigger arm.

Abstract: A wheel, journalled on supports atop the reel housing has a slot formed therein. Limbs attached to both the wheel, and the reel thumb actuator, cause the wheel to rotate in common with depression of the actuator, and dispose the slot rearwardly. The slot latchingly receives the hook of a lure, with the fishing rod bent into an energy-stored, strained disposition. With release of the thumb actuator, the lure flies outwardly in a substantially flat trajectory. Also, the cone is only slidably coupled to the reel housing, so that line will not be released until the cone, biasingly held to the housing, returns into full engagement with the housing.

Abstract: A double trigger actuated reel for allowing both actuation of the free spool mechanism and adjustment of the drag brake mechanism of a close face spinning reel with a single hand. The inventive device includes a main body having a reel mechanism mounted thereto. The reel mechanism includes a spool upon which fishing line can be wound, a drag plunger effecting frictional drag on the spool, and a main shaft which can be forwardly biased to cause free-spooling of the reel mechanism. A trigger assembly is mounted relative to the main body and includes a first trigger arm which can be pivoted to selectively effect movement of the drag plunger to operate the drag brake mechanism and a second trigger arm which can be pivoted to selectively effect movement of the main shaft to operate the free spool mechanism.

Abstract: An improved spincast fishing reel includes a feathering assembly attached to the fishing reel rotor. The feathering assembly includes a plurality of line engaging members in the form of fibers or bristles angularly extending outwardly from the rotor into the space between the reel housing and the rotor. Each of these bristles present a surface which interferingly contacts the fishing line and are deflected by contact with the fishing line. When the line is cast, the fibers or bristles are moved into this contact with the line by actuation of the pushbutton on the reel. When so contacted, a feathering action is effected on the fishing line which may be selectively controlled by actuation of the thumb button.

Abstract: A fishing reel of the type having a deck plate and a center shaft extending forwardly through the deck plate. The center shaft is rotatable about a first axis. A pinion gear is mounted on the center shaft. A crank shaft is rotatable about a second axis transverse to the first axis. Structure is provided for rotating the center shaft about the first axis as an incident of the crank shaft rotating about the second axis. A washer surrounds the center shaft and resides between the pinion gear and the deck plate, the washer having a peripheral outer edge. Structure is provided on the deck plate radially outside of the center shaft and overlapping at least a part of the washer in a lengthwise direction relative to the center shaft for limiting shifting of the washer transverse to the first axis and thereby preventing interference between the washer and at least one of the center shaft and pinion gear during operation of the reel.

Abstract: A connection between a thumb button and a housing on a fishing reel. A socket is provided on the housing and has a curved seat. A pin is provided on the thumb button for reception in the socket and has a curved surface acting against the curved socket seat to guide pivoting of the pin in the socket and thereby rotation of the thumb button about a first axis. A projection is provided extending radially outwardly from the curved pin surface with respect to the first axis to take up clearance between the curved pin surface and the curved socket seat.

Abstract: A fishing reel consisting of a housing defining a line snubbing surface with structure at least partially within the housing for a) retrieving and storing a supply of fishing line and b) paying line out of the supply. A movable spinner head bears the line against a part of the line snubbing surface on the housing to thereby prevent payout of line from the fishing reel as a rod with the reel thereon is cocked for a cast. The part of the line snubbing surface has integrally formed texturing. The texturing accounts for a relatively high friction surface against which fishing line can be snubbed by the spinner head so that the line can be positively trapped against the surface to facilitate the performance of a cast without potentially damaging pressure being applied to the line.