Abstract: An illuminated striking fish alert device includes a fishing reel affixed to a plate, a power source secured to the plate, and illumination source secured to the power source. Fishing line from the reel is in mechanical communication with motion capturing rods which in turn are in electrical communication with the illumination source and power source. The intensity and rate of illumination of the illumination source is configured to correlate directly with the speed and motion of the fishing line.

Abstract: A reel drag sound producing device is provided for producing sound in conjunction with a drag function of a dual-bearing reel having a reel unit with a main gear. The drag sound producing device includes a rotation member being disposed in the reel unit to be rotated unitarily with the main gear, a pivot shaft being disposed in the reel unit, a hitting member being disposed onto the pivot shaft and to be moved between a silent position and a sound producing position, a drive mechanism being configured to move the hitting member in a first direction between the sound producing position and the silent position in conjunction with rotation of the main gear in a fishing-line winding direction and moved in a radial direction for a predetermined distance, and an urging member being configured to urge the hitting member towards the sound producing position.

Abstract: A fishing reel, such as a spincast reel or a spinning reel, has a clutch assembly mounted on a shaft adjacent to the rotating component, the clutch assembly for frictional engagement with a rotating component. The clutch assembly has a first and a second protuberance. A bite alert contact is located for engagement with the first protuberance. A calibration member is adjacent the clutch assembly for engagement with the second protuberance. The calibration member provides a selectable amount of resistance to rotation of the clutch assembly, thereby regulating an amount of rotational force required to activate the bite alert contact. The fishing reel may further include a sensitivity switch for adjusting the selectable amount of resistance provided by the calibration member, which may adjust the resistance in discrete amounts.

Abstract: A fishing reel that employs a non-contact line sensor to capture images of the backlash zone of a baitcast fishing reel, together with image analysis and feedback to a direct contact spool brake, with the result of gradual to near-instantaneously halting spool rotation, thereby decreasing or preventing backlash under all fishing conditions while maximizing cast distance.

Abstract: A method and a device for computer-aided regulation of rotational speed of a reel spool, when paying out (and reeling in) an on-wound line. According to a main aspect of the invention, the line surface is surveyed by digital imaging and/or electronic distance measuring means; and incidents of line rising from the spool are captured and reported to an on-board computer which, proportionally to such input, orders variable engaging/releasing of braking force to the brake(s) of the reel to avert backlash. Certain other (side-)functions are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention concerns a fishing rod which comprises an accelerometer (4) for measuring the acceleration of the fishing rod. Moreover the invention provides a reel (12, 20) for a fishing rod which comprises a member (28) which is moved at each cast of a fishing line. The reel further comprises a sensor for detecting the movement of the member. Further, the invention discloses a reel for a fishing rod which comprises a member (23, 28) which rotates when a fishing line is retrieved. An electrical sensor (24, 25, 37, 38) detects the rotation of the member. Finally the invention concerns bail arms (28).

Abstract: A fishing reel directly measuring line travel (not velocity or acceleration) past two or more points along the line, with said data being fed back in real time to a comparative control loop which initiates a direct contact spool brake to slow or near-instantaneously halt spool rotation in order to maximize casting distance while eliminating backlash under all casting conditions. During the cast, the line length fed from the spool is prevented from exceeding (to the point of backlash) the line length being pulled out from the spool. During a cast in which the lure is suddenly halted (as in the case of the lure striking a structure or object), the system senses control instability and fully halts the spool rotation so that backlash is prevented.

Abstract: A drag mechanism includes a first drag unit, a second drag unit and a switching mechanism. The first drag unit brakes a spool shaft of a spool. The first drag unit includes a first drag knob that is immovable in a back and forth direction and rotatably mounted on an outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical portion. The second drag unit brakes the spool shaft in a position frontward of the first drag unit. The second drag unit includes a second drag knob that is immovable in a back and forth direction and rotatably mounted on an outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion. The switching mechanism switches the first drag unit between a drag enabling state and a drag disabling state.

Abstract: A fishing reel has a body, a spool, a handle and a warning device. The body has a spool axle rotatably mounted in the body. The spool is rotatably and coaxially mounted around the spool axle of the body. The handle is rotatably mounted on the body and is connected to the spool. The warning device is mounted between the spool and the spool axle and has at least one illuminating element, an annular coil and an annular permanent magnet. Each illuminating element is mounted through the spool. The annular coil is coaxially mounted in the spool and is electrically connected to each illuminating element. The annular permanent magnet is coaxially mounted around the spool axle, corresponds to the coil and is separated from the coil by a gap.

Abstract: Fish strike indicators are disclosed herein. Fish strike indicators can include a fishing reel having a rotatable fishing line spool and housing a power source operably connected to an electrical circuit, wherein the electrical circuit includes means for closing the electrical circuit in operable connection with the rotation of the fishing line spool and means for signaling a fish strike to a user.

Abstract: A clicker mechanism for a fishing reel is described. A typical fishing reel has a spool defining an orifice and a shaft passing through the orifice. A component having an irregular surface, such as a gear-like component with teeth or a ring defining a serrated inner surface engages the shaft. A clicker assembly may be affixed to the spool. The clicker assembly includes a clicker for engaging the clicker gear. The clicker alternately moves from a first position to a second position. The clicker assembly utilizes a magnet that provides a magnetic force to return the clicker to the first position from the second position. Two magnets may be used to exert magnetic force against one another, either with an attracting or a repelling force.

Abstract: A reel for fishing is provided with a measuring apparatus for measuring an actual fishing condition and a display for displaying the measured values obtained from the measuring apparatus. A circuit board for packaging electronic parts constituting the measuring apparatus is disposed separately from the display without superposing the display on the circuit board.

Abstract: A motor operated fishing reel comprising a base frame chassis. A bracket attaches the base frame chassis to a soft cushion rubber grip handle of a fishing rod having a detachable wrist strap. A spool is mounted in a rotatable manner within the base frame chassis. A fishing line is wound upon the spool and extends from a forward end of the base frame chassis. A crank handle assembly is mounted on one side of the base frame chassis for manually rotating the spool. An electric drive unit within the base frame chassis is for electrically rotating the spool. A drag control structure is for providing drag on the fishing line to catch a fish.

Abstract: An apparatus for use with a fishing reel for indicating line travel during line payout from the reel. The apparatus preferrably comprises a light source coupled with the reel, a light sensor optically coupled with the light source, and an indicating means coupled with the light sensor. The light source and the light sensor are oriented appropriately that the optical coupling is interrupted or made as the line pays out from the reel. The light source is an active light source fixedly mounted with respect to the spool, and the light sensor is mounted substantially adjacent the light source.

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.