Abstract: A weed-guarded hook assembly includes a first weed guard body that is attached to a fishing hook. The first weed guard body defines at least one aperture that is configured to receive a weed guard member. The weed guard member can extend through an eyelet so as to define first and second segments of the weed guard member. The first segment can extend into a first aperture of the first weed guard body, and the second segment can extend into a second aperture of the first weed guard body.

Abstract: The oscillating fishing lure is a fishing lure comprising a jig having a body with a longitudinal axis, an uppermost surface, a rearward surface, at least one hook, said first hook including a shank and a hook end, said shank being surrounded by and protruding rearwardly from said body, and said hook end being spaced rearwardly behind said rearward surface of said body along said longitudinal axis of said body; a blade having an edge proximal said jig body; and a joining mechanism placed between said body and said blade, wherein at least a first portion of the joining mechanism is mechanically affixed to said body and at least one other portion is mechanically coupled to said blade, whereby retrieval of the lure causes the blade to oscillate. The oscillating-blade action imparts a natural swimming motion to the lure, emulating prey species movements.

Abstract: Anti-snag fishing devices suitable for attachment to a fishing hook are disclosed. The fishing hook has a hook eye, a shank, at least one curved hook section and at least one hook point. The anti-snag fishing device includes an elongated body member which when fitted to the fishing hook forms an arc which projects upwardly from at or near the hook eye, reaches its highest point above the plane of the hook point substantially parallel to the shank, then projects downwardly passing by and under the hook point, where it terminates behind the curved section of the fishing hook.

Abstract: A non-snagging fish hook having a shaft with a barb at one end and an opening at another end for receiving a line is attached to a wire loop member. The wire loop member is a continuous length of flexible wire bent back upon itself at a place between its two ends to provide a first end having an open loop, a second end having said two ends, and two substantially parallel wires that extend from the first end to the second end. The second end is attached to the fish hook near the opening for receiving a line. The wire loop member is not in tension and does not engage the barb end of the fish hook. When a pushing force is applied, it resists with a progressively increasing resistance force.

Abstract: A fishing lure comprises a rear end enabled to be attached to a fishing line or leader and a front end having a plurality of outer tines with wires for attaching bait and a plurality of inner tines for retaining a fishing hook. The lure further comprises an attached spring-loaded weed guard. A lure skirt is placed over the tines and hook. The body of the lure is reflective and combines with the bait and lure skirt to catch the attention of nearby fish.

Abstract: A modular hook and lure system. The lure body includes a central passage running parallel to its longitudinal axis. The central passage passes completely through the lure body from its forward end to its aft end. The forward portion of the passage is a leader bore which is made large enough to accommodate the leader but not the hook. The aft portion of the passage opens into a hook bore, which can accommodate the eye and shank portion of a hook. The leader is passed completely through the passage and out the aft end of the lure body. It is then attached to a hook. The eye and shank portion of the hook is then pulled within the hook bore, so that only a portion of the hook extends beyond the lure body. A weed guard is attached to the body, with a free end of the weed guard extending out to the position of a hook tip, so that the free end of the weed guard may be engaged with the hook tip.

Abstract: A fishing lure, generally the size and shape of a bait fish such as a minnow, is equipped with a safety feature, whereby the lure comprises a hook, preferably positioned on the under surface corresponding to the bait fish's belly, and a spring-biased shell, pivotally connected to the body and positioned such that the shell shields the hook completely when the shell is in a first position and the lure is out of the water, and exposes the hook when the shell is in a second position while the lure is in water, thereby permitting the lure to be used for fishing while preventing injuries from mishandling.

Abstract: An artificial bait for fishing with a flexible appendage (28, 28?) which is made of soft plastic or other resilient material and it is either formed or interchangeably fitted on a radial bearing (27, 27?) rotatably mounted on a shaft (25, 25?, 25?, 23?).

Abstract: A fishing lure, comprising a weighted head to which a hook, spinner and weed guard are attached, and three cutouts made of a flexible, absorbent material that are wrapped and tied around a load collar or extension from the head. The cutouts will make the lure resemble a bait fish such as is eaten by the fish that the user wants to catch. The cutouts may be decorated with beads, feathers and paint, to increase the resemblance to bait fish. The wiggling motion of the jig as it is pulled through the water and the rotation of the spinner will attract fish. Scent may be absorbed and released by the cutouts to further attract fish. The head is preferably made from lead, and the cutouts are preferably made from a microfiber fabric. A first preferred embodiment is called the “switch back”, and a second preferred embodiment is called the “pop”.

Abstract: A fishing lure, generally the size and shape of a bait fish such as a minnow, is equipped with a safety feature, whereby the lure comprises a hook, preferably positioned on the under surface corresponding to the bait fish's belly, and a spring-biased shell, pivotally connected to the body and positioned such that the shell shields the hook completely when the shell is in a first position and the lure is out of the water, and exposes the hook when the shell is in a second position while the lure is in water, thereby permitting the lure to be used for fishing while preventing injuries from mishandling.

Abstract: A fishing lure assembly has a first multiple hook device, a second multiple hook device attached to follow behind and articulate relative to the first hook device, and a pliable dressing arranged to cover the points of the hooks of the two hook devices to resist snags. The pliable dressing can be a plurality of narrow pliable members arranged to span from a leading end of the fishing lure assembly across the points of the hooks, or a single member having an integral head portion with a plurality of long narrow bodies protruding from the head portion and spanning across the points of the hooks. A sharpened leading point or barbed head is provided at the leading end of the lure assembly for attaching the pliable dressing at the leading end. Variations in the hook devices, pliable dressings, and barbed heads for holding the dressings are also described.

Abstract: A fishing jig includes a fish hook integral construction with a center axis having a hook curve trailing extremity with a hook point, and a straight hook shank extending forwardly from the hook curve. An eye bend extends forwardly and upwardly at an eye bend radius point at an angle of substantially 20° relative to the axis of the hook shank, and terminating in a line-attachment eye leading extremity. A weighted metal body is connected to and distributed symmetrically along the hook shank and the eye bend. The body has a mass distribution which is greater below the center axis of the hook than above the center axis of the hook by creating a wedge on a lower portion of the body that counterbalances weight of the hook curve and the hook point. A center of gravity is defined above the wedge at substantially the eye bend radius point such that the jig assumes an upright position in which the hook shank is maintained and has a substantially horizontal attitude.

Abstract: A jig and bait fishing system is provided which includes various fanciful and realistic shapes for attracting and capturing fish. The system includes a body connected to a neck and a bait keeper; the neck being adapted for securing skirt material for avoiding underwater obstructions. The bait keeper secures bait and in particular internally reinforced artificial bait at the reinforced area in combination with the reinforcing material. The system also provides for a fishhook for capturing the fish and hooking the bait. The system includes a latch which prevents the fish from spitting-out the hook after capture. A method of manufacturing fishing jigs includes the steps of dipping rods into liquid plastic material and embedding reinforcing yarn filaments therein.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a combination of a bent fishhook and a miniature sports item, the shaft of the fishhook formed by bending back to form a gripping space for gripping a flat object, a section of the barbed point being cut off and the remaining section being bent up at 90°. A miniature sports item being pivotally mounted on the barbed point by inserting the barbed point within a hole formed in the bottom of the sports item. The sports item may be a race car, a golf bag, etc.