Abstract: A fishing lure apparatus includes a housing which includes an interior channel located along a longitudinal axis. A rear portion of the housing has an outer width and includes a predetermined number of slots. A shaft assembly, extending through and supported by the interior channel, is adapted for being located in the interior channel in either a locked position or an unlocked position. A hook assembly includes a predetermined number of hooks, and the predetermined number of hooks is equal to the predetermined number of slots. The hook assembly has an outer width which is less than the width of the rear portion of the housing, whereby the hook assembly is protected by the rear portion of the housing when the hook assembly is in a protected mode in which tip portions the hooks are nestled in or retained within the slots. A spring assembly, supported by the housing, is in contact with a spring-contacting portion of the shaft assembly.

Abstract: A pair of mutually confronting fish hooks are spring-coupled at the shank ends thereof to define thereof a shielding loop which circumscribes the barbed and pointed ends of the hooks. Accordingly, the coupled hooks can be drawn through submerged obstructions without getting snagged on such. The so-coupled hooks are replacements for the barbed hooks of crankbaits, for example, and upon a fish striking the so modified crankbaits, the spring yields and exposes the barbed, pointed ends externally of the shielding loop. In an alternate embodiment, the spring-coupled or calipered hooks are confined within a sheathing, frog-simulating body, and in another embodiment, the hooks are sheathed in an expandable tube. Fish strikes, again, diminish the loop and dispose the barbed, pointed ends of the hooks at-the-ready for piercing the thin sheathing and lodging in the mouth of the fish.

Abstract: A spring loaded fishing lure (10) includes a fishhook assembly comprised of a plurality of fishhooks (A) having resilient legs (13a) converging in a single juncture at ends opposite respective barbed ends. The juncture together with adjacent portions (13b) of the resilient legs forms a spring (B) urging the barbed ends radially outwardly apart from each other. The fishhook assembly resides in an elongated bore (11) of a fishing lure body (C) and is held therein by a retainer (D), such that a wall (14) of the elongated bore holds the fishhooks in compressed relation. When a fish strikes, the fishhook assembly slides toward the retainer, permitting the barbed ends to spread apart radially outwardly within the mouth of the fish. Additionally, since the resilient legs (13a) move easily responsive to the open-and-shut motion of the fish's mouth, the fish cannot disengage it from the barbs. Accordingly, enhanced fish-catching characteristics are provided.

Abstract: A new and improved fishing lure and hook apparatus includes a housing assembly which has a longitudinal axis and includes a housing assembly which includes a guide aperture located at one end of the housing assembly along the longitudinal axis. The housing assembly includes first and second slots located in the housing assembly along lines that are coplanar with the longitudinal axis. A retractable hook assembly is supported by the housing assembly. The retractable hook assembly includes a first extendible hook and a second extendible hook. Respective pivots pivotally support the respective first and second extendible hooks. Respective first and second hook springs are connected between the housing assembly and the respective first and second extendible hooks. The respective hook springs urge the respective extendible hooks into retracted positions.

Abstract: An active fishing lure that impales a fish in response to an initial fish strike. The disclosed tackle comprises an elongated, durable stainless steel or resilient plastic casing that may be externally disguised as bait. The casing houses a trigger, a compression spring and a torsion spring. The casing also partially houses the secondary hook when it is cocked. The secondary hook rotates between a cocked position and a triggered position. The primary hook is attached to the trigger. The trigger temporarily secures the secondary hook in the cocked position with a projecting tang. The secondary hook is released by a fish strike upon the primary hook. When the trailing primary hook is attacked by a fish the trigger is displaced linearly within the casing to unleash the active or secondary hook. The torsion spring forcefully rotates the secondary hook toward a triggered position where it impales the fish. In this position, the disclosed device prevents the escape of the fish.

Abstract: A device (10) for catching fish is disclosed in its most preferred form including first and second housing halves (14) of identical construction which are secured together. Troughs (26,28) are formed in the abutment surface (22) of each of the housing halves (14) for longitudinal slideable receipt of a leader (36). Intersecting ports (30,32) extend in a plane perpendicular to the abutment surface (22) of each housing half (14) radially spaced from the longitudinal center axis of the housing (12). Hooks (46) are pivotably and slideably mounted on a head (40) of the leader (36). The leader (36) is longitudinally movable from a bait/stowed condition with the hooks (46) extending at an acute angle to the leader (36) generally within the port (30) and within the outer surface of the housing (12) and a retention condition with the hooks (46) extending at an acute angle to the leader (36) and extending from the port (30) beyond the outer surface of the housing (12).

Abstract: A fishing lure includes first and second body parts movable between adjacent and spaced positions. The second body part has a slot, and a hook supported on the first body part is movable within the slot between two positions in which the point on the hook is respectively retracted and exposed. A retaining member on the second body part engages the hook as the body parts move apart in order to prevent relative movement of the body parts beyond the spaced position. An elongate member has an end coupled to the hook and extends through an opening in the second body part and an opening in a bead disposed against the second body part, the bead frictionally engaging the elongate member to yieldably resist relative sliding movement therebetween and yieldably resist movement of the body parts away from each other.

Abstract: A snagless fishing lure for attachment to a fishing line. The fishing lure includes a decoy body with an attached base. A fish hook having first and second hook members and means for urging the hook members away from one another is attached to the base. A depressible trip lever is also pivotally attached to the base. The trip lever has an elongated lever arm with a first end movable relative to the base member and a second end opposed to the first end. A hook contacting member is contiguously attached to the second end of the elongated lever arm. The hook contacting member has a central longitudinal junction and a pair of flanges depending therefrom. When the fishing lure is cocked for operation, the first and second hook members are retained behind hook retaining flanges perpendicular to the base. The hook contacting member is interposed between the base and the retained hooks.

Abstract: A pivot system used in a weedless fishing lure enables the barbed point to be exposed only when a fish strikes the lure. The hook eye is restrained by a resilient band, such as an elastic band, on the outside of the lure. Alternatively, the hook is contained within the lure body. The barbed point is concealed within a slot in the lure until a fish strikes the lure, at which time tension is put on the line and the fish hook is rotated so that the barbed point is revealed. The fishing line is attached to a portion of the fish hook, extending from the shank, positioned in the slot through the lure. A fish hook used with the lure has an arm extending from the shank to which the line is attached.

Abstract: An artificial fishing lure such as a surface plug of streamline form has a lure body with a front and rear end and mounts at least one hook for movement longitudinally by its shank in an elongated slot between a forward position relative to the front of the body and a rearward position thereof. A fishing line is attached directly to the at least one hook and a coil spring or rubber band biases the hook in the retracted position. When the fish strikes the lure body, the hook automatically moves forwardly against the biasing means to hook the fish while the fish has the lure body grasped in its mouth. A wire support member mounted within the slot and fixed to the body slidably supports a wire hook carrier for movement longitudinally parallel to the wire support member. The wire support member may comprise a cylinder in line with the longitudinal axis of the lure body with a compression coil spring carried within the cylinder.

Abstract: AN artificial fishing lure having hidden hooks recessed within the body thereof to prevent snagging on weeds, rocks or the like when the lure is moved through the water. A trigger is provided and is attached at one end to a fishing line, and at a second end to a spring hook assembly. The spring hook assembly is formed from a single wire member, and has a medially positioned bite portion engaging said trigger assembly, and opposed ends respectively terminating in hook arms and hook ends. Snapping the fishing line activates the trigger assembly, which in turn activates the spring hook assembly, causing the hook arms to extend outwardly from the body of the fishing lure through longitudinal slits therein.

Abstract: A self-setting fish hook is disclosed that is automatically set in the fish by contact with the fish, the setting of the hook requiring no action from the fisherman. The hook comprises a latch assembly that latches the fish hook into a first bent position. The bending of the fish hook into this first position causes a stress in a spring member that tends to bias the fish hook back towards its unbent position. The latch is easily releasable so that upon a slight mouthing by the fish the hook will become unlatched, and the spring bias will cause the hook to set in the fish.

Abstract: A snagless fishing lure, wherein dual levers that engage a piston carrying a hook are pivotally connected on upper and lower sides of what may be a fish-shaped housing with the housing suitably constructed to conceal the hook when the piston is engaged with the forward end of the levers and the housing and piston are of suitable length and construction so that when both levers are depressed simultaneously a rubber band hooked between the piston and rear of the housing may propel the piston rearward to cause the hook to be ejected to catch the fish.

Abstract: A lure plug for fishing including a plug body made of wood or plastics and having a slot extending in a longitudinal direction of the plug body, a hook rotatably secured to the plug body between a position within the slot and a position exposed out of the plug body, a resilient body provided in the slot such that the hook is biased into the position within the slot, and an operating member movably provided in the slot. When a fish bites the lure plug, the operating member pushes the hook out of the plug body against a resilient biasing force of the resilient body. When the fish discharges the lure plug, the hook is automatically returned into the position within the plug body, so that the lure plug is effectively prevented from being picked up by obstcles.

Abstract: A fishing lure includes a body support for connection to a line. A first hook is connected to the body support and adapted to be engaged by an object. A second hook is connected to the body support for engaging the object and has an open cocked position and a closed position engaging the object. The second hook pivotally rotates relative to the first hook. A first biasing mechanism biases the second hook toward the first hook. A trip mechanism is connected to the line and engages the second hook for supporting the second hook in the open cocked position and for releasing the second hook to allow the second hook to move toward the closed position in response to engagement by the object with the first hook. A second biasing mechanism adjustably provides a predetermined amount of force on the trip mechanism to release the second hook from the open cocked position for movement toward the closed position to engage the object.

Abstract: A weedless fishing lure having at least one hook with an integral cam and a spring within a lure body movable between a retracted and an extended position. The lure body generally is formed of a pair of upper and lower halves, having a separation plate located therein, and which positions the cam of this invention into its operative condition, wherein the securement of a spring therewith normally sustains the cam and its hooks rearwardly and concealed within the lure body, while a linkage connecting with the same cam, and when subjected to tensioning pressure, exceeding that of the spring, forces the cam means forwardly, for pivoting of its hooks upwardly, and their exposure externally of the lower body for impaling of any fish biting thereon.

Abstract: A fish lure simulating a bait fish is equipped with mechanically activated dull prongs which expand in the mouth of the attacking fish effectively holding it for recovery by the fisherman. Upon retrival the fish is released unharmed by simply releasing the tension on the fish line.

Abstract: A hollow body preferably simulating prey for game fish is slotted on its dorsal and ventral surfaces. At one slot a lever in the form of a body part of the prey is pivotally secured with a portion extending inwardly and a portion exposed. At the other slot a fish hook is pivotally mounted. A spring within the hollow body extends between and engages the fishhook and the lever. When the fishhook is depressed to a concealed position within the hollow body, the spring is compressed; a catch on the hook engages a keeper on the lever to retain the hook within the body. If a game fish strikes the lure and depresses the exposed portion of the lever, the lever pivots to a position which releases the catch from the keeper and permits the spring to eject the hook to an external position where it can hook the game fish.

Abstract: An artificial fishing lure which includes a pair of hooks normally disposed within a retracted position within the lure's body and movable therefrom to a position outwardly of the lure's body in response to a predetermined amount of tension being applied to a fishing line leading from the lure. For actuating said hooks, the present lure provides a flexible molded plastic bow assembly set within said lure's body and operatively interconnected between said fishing line and said hooks.

Abstract: A plug having hooks in its interior, mounted for swinging movements between a collapsed or inactive position in the interior and an extended or active position on the exterior. The hooks are normally held in collapsed position by a spring, and when a fish bites and pulls the line produces a reaction on the hooks and forces them outwardly to active position. The hooks are nearly hidden, or effectively hidden, when in a collapsed position, and the plug appears generally smooth, but is provided with flexible fins.

Abstract: A fishing lure is provided which is snag-free and equipped with pivotted hooks retracted elastically within the body of the lure and movable outside the lure by action of a fish biting and pulling thereon. The lure comprises a body portion having a plurality (preferably four) hooks pivotally mounted therein and movable between a retracted position within and an extended position outside said body. The hooks are normally held in the retracted position by suitable elastic means, such as a rubber band, and moved to an extended position outside the body portion of the lure by longitudinally movable actuating means secured and guided in the body portion and actuated by a fish biting and pulling thereon. The fishing lure is particularly characterized by the fact that the hooks are always biased elastically toward the retracted position and at no point are spring-loaded outward and further in the particular features of construction that permit simultaneous actuation of four fishing hooks.

Abstract: An artificial fishing lure which may be fished within aquatic weeds without the lure hooks tangling themselves in the weeds is disclosed. The lure features a lure body having a hollow portion into which an automatically actuated hooking mechanism is housed. The hooking mechanism has a pair of hooks which are mounted at their shanks to a pivot rigidly mounted in the hollow portion. The hooks are originally within the housing and are arcuately movable about the pivot so that the hook points are outside the hollow portion and facing forward. To achieve this arcuate motion, an elongated V-shaped spring is slidably carried within the hollow portion and is attached at its leg ends to the hook ends. These points of connection will assume a position rearward of the pivot when the hooks are in the retracted position and within the hollow portion. When the points of connection are moved forward of the pivot, the spring action causes the hooks to move arcuately outward in the outside position and facing forward.

Abstract: A bait-fish-like lure body molded in two halves glued together to meet face to face in the vertical longitudinal axial plane of said body except where said half bodies are recessed to one side or the other or in both lateral directions from said plane to provide internal chambers in said body for accommodating a hook pivot pin, a hook having a hub pivoted on said pin, said hub having a radial wire arm, a hook extending and retracting bar apertured to slideably receive said hub arm and notched on opposite sides to trap a coiled expansion spring thereon, and notched on one side near its front end to form a cocking shoulder, and bent at said front end to form a cocking handle, a trigger pivot pin near said cocking shoulder and a trigger lever pivoting on said pin and swingable upwardly into opposition to said cocking shoulder when said handle is pulled forwardly to cock said hook with this retracted into said lure, while also swinging the main rear portion of said trigger lever outwardly where it will be likely

Abstract: A fish lure having a body with a longitudinally extending plunger reciprocably mounted therein and having provision for connection to a fishing line at its forward end, a hook being mounted on the body. A coil spring is interposed between the rear end of the plunger and the front end of the body for biasing the body into a forwardly telescoped position on the plunger. A latch on the body latches the same in a rearwardly extended position on the plunger accompanied by stressing of the spring. The latch mechanism has a triggering member so arranged that when a fish bites down on the lure the triggering member is actuated freeing the spring to snap the body and hook forwardly on the plunger for setting the hook in the mouth of the fish. In the illustrated embodiment a guard is provided for normally shielding the point of the hook, the guard being coupled to the triggering member so that when the guard is depressed the hook is exposed followed by actuation of the triggering member for setting the hook.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an articifical fishing lure having a hook and hook actuating mechanism incorporated therein that is adapted to normally bias the hooks thereof to where they assume a position completely interiorly of the body of the fishing lure, and wherein by exerting a predetermined amount of tension on a fishing line leading from the lure and/or a fish grasping the lure the hook actuating mechanism is adapted to move the fishing hooks retracted therein from the normally retracted position through openings formed in the body of the lure to an exposed position exteriorly of the lure's body. Once the fishing hooks have assumed the exposed position, they are then in a position to hook and retain the fish about the artificial lure or bait.

Abstract: An artificial fishing bait having a body on which a jaw engaging hook is pivotally mounted for movement through substantially a 180 degree angle between a position adjacent the body and a position extending beyond a bait hook attached to the body. A latching mechanism, releasable by a pulling force exerted on the bait hook, normally retains the jaw engaging hook adjacent the body of the device against the bias of a torsion spring associated with the jaw engaging hook.