Abstract: A fishing line strike indicator and improved hook setter. This device utilizing a body having a hole there through for allowing a fishing line to be inserted and affixed thereto. A water deflector extends from this body and faces the attached lure. When a fish strikes the lure attached to the fishing line attached to the strike indicator, the strike indicator, as it is pulled through the water by the fish pulling the line attached to the lure or by the current of the water, offers resistance in the water thereby increasing the chances that hook will be automatically set in the fish's mouth.

Abstract: A counterweighted weedless fishing float suitable for suspending at least part of an attractant, such as live bait or an insect replica, above the surface of water in which the float is borne, and kits for assembling a variety of attractants, are provided. The float is counterweighted, and may comprise a plurality of air-trapping channels arranged within it to trap an amount of air sufficient to support the float and a connected attractant. In other embodiments, the float may comprise one or more sealed chambers to provide buoyancy. The float may be disguised as a water plant, fallen tree leaf, twig or other floating detritus or water creature. The attractant may replicate an insect such as a dragonfly, an insect larva such as a hellgrammite, or any other natural or artificial fish bait or prey.

Abstract: A terminal tackle for securing a fishing lure to a fishing line and wherein the terminal tackle includes a slidable/rotatable ring that is trapped to a swivel portion of the terminal tackle and whereby a bearing is trapped to the ring but is slidable on and rotatable about the ring and wherein the bearing receives the fishing line therein. The fishing line is then crimped to secure the fishing line within the bearing.

Abstract: A splice system and method for linear connection of fishing lines include a female connector and a male connector. Each connector has first and second opposite ends and a longitudinal axis, about which the connector is symmetric. The first end of the female connector is connected to a first fishing line section and the second end has a first opening; the connector has an interior feature with a radial extent. The second end of the male connector is connected to a second fishing line section and the first end has a projection configured for coaxial insertion into the first opening of the female connector. The projection has a radial extent greater than the radial extent of the interior feature of the female connector. At least one of the connectors is resilient so that the projection compresses or the interior feature expands.

Abstract: A fishing line sinker assemblage including a streamlined weighted body that is provided with a longitudinally extending, central bore; and a fishing line securement member that is telescopically received within the central bore of the weighted body for telescopic movement between a first extended position and a second retracted position. The fishing line securement member is constructed from a length of yieldably deformable stainless steel wire and includes a line eyelet that securely grips the fishing line upon movement of the securement member from the first extended position to the second retracted position. The assemblage is fishing line sinker of a configuration such that when it is in use nothing protrudes from the sinker, such as an eyelet or swivel as found in some prior art devices, that can become tangled with weeds, grass or other debris.

Abstract: A body of material having a high specific gravity to enable use as a weight for fishing with the body of material having an external casing or skin covering that conforms to the exterior surface of the body of material to inhibit fracturing or prevent loss of the sinker parts should the body of material fracture. In addition, the covering can incorporate a visual indicator to assist a user in identifying the type of sinker as well as providing other information to the user.

Abstract: An adjustable bobber system for allowing adjustment of the buoyancy and for attaching to a fishing line without the use of a bead. The inventive device includes a hook member connected to a buoyant member and a first weight member slidably positioned about the buoyant member. The hook member includes a body with an open end that receives a second weight member and the buoyant member, a jaw extending from the body with a slot within, and a slit extending into the jaw to the slot for receiving the fishing line below a stop knot. The buoyant member is preferably constructed of an elongated buoyant material, such as plastic foam, that is easily severed in any position by a cutting device.

Abstract: A cylindrical or ball shaped roller weight rotatably mounted on a cross piece of a U-shaped portion of a wire frame with the free ends of the opposed arms of the U-shaped portion terminating in two arm extensions intersecting at an apex in an angle of approximately 90 degrees. At the intersection of the two arm extensions, an optional swivel may be included between the intersecting arm extensions and include an eyelet for connection to a fishing line. The optional swivel facilitates twisting and turning motion of the roller weight as it encounters an uneven terrain along the bottom surface of the body of water.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of providing a barrier coating over the surfaces of a plurality of sinkers (10), each having a line passageway (21) therethrough, and to sinkers (10) having a barrier coating (25, 27) over the exposed surfaces thereof including the line passageway (21). According to the invention, sinker bodies (11) are pressed from metal iron powder and immersed to paint the line passageway (21). The external surface of the body (11) is then cleaned so that the sinker may be handled leaving the passage coating (26) intact. The body is conveyed through successive spray stations at which opposite sides are painted and rolled over between painting stations for this purpose. Different barrier coatings such as epoxy coatings may be applied to the line passageway and the exterior surface.

Abstract: An adjustable bobber system for allowing adjustment of the buoyancy and for attaching to a fishing line without the use of a bead. The inventive device includes a hook member connected to a buoyant member and a first weight member slidably positioned about the buoyant member. The hook member includes a body with an open end that receives a second weight member and the buoyant member, a jaw extending from the body with a slot within, and a slit extending into the jaw to the slot for receiving the fishing line below a stop knot. The buoyant member is preferably constructed of an elongated buoyant material, such as plastic foam, that is easily severed in any position by a cutting device.

Abstract: A fishing sinker device for maintaining the fishing line and attached fishing lure at the desired water level regardless of the terrain. The inventive device includes a buoyant member having a first end and a second end, a first engaging member attached to the first end of the buoyant member for engaging a fishing line, and a second engaging member attached to the second end of the buoyant member for engaging a weight. The buoyant member is preferably an elongate structure and is constructed of a buoyant material such as a foam rubber material or the like. The first engaging member includes a first slot for receiving the fishing line and the second engaging member includes a second slot for receiving a loop from the weight. The buoyant member maintains the fishing line at the desired height above the surface of the body of water during fishing regardless of the obstacles encountered during usage of the present invention.

Abstract: The invention is a fishing float and method of using the same that permits a positive attachment to a fishing line and that provides secure, easy and rapid attachment of the fishing line to the float and that allows the weight of the float to be readily changed thereby controlling the casting and float characteristics of the float.

Abstract: A fishing apparatus is provided which overcomes a number of disadvantages with the conventional “jug line” used in jug fishing. The fishing apparatus includes an elongated cylindrical float of a pliable, resilient, and buoyant material. The float has a longitudinal axis and longitudinally spaced first and second ends. An eye is fixedly secured to the first end of the float, and a fishing line has an end attached to the eye. At least one hook is attached to the fishing line at a position spaced from the end of the fishing line. A counterweight is embedded in the second end of the float to assist in maintaining the float in a horizontal position before a fish strikes. The float assumes a vertical position when a fish is caught.

Abstract: A fishing device for fishing without the need for a fishing pole and fishing reel. The fishing device includes a housing, which is elongate and has a first end, a second end and a peripheral wall extending therebetween. The housing is generally hollow. The second end is open. A covering member covers the second end of the housing. An arm for holding a fishing line has a distal portion and proximal portion. The distal portion is inserted through a bore formed in the covering member. The proximal portion forms a ring.

Abstract: A device for finding the depth of a lake, river, or pond. The device has been made so the angler can attach the depth finder to the line while the hook is already submerged. The depth finder can be attached to any cross section of the line. The depth finder consists of a weight and a torsion bar clip. The new invention utilizes the torsion bar clip function to make a slip connection to the fishing line, where the depth finder can slide vertically upon an angler's line.

Abstract: A triangular float for “Jug Fishing”. The float is formed as an equilateral triangle having three sides and three apices. A fishing line is connected to one apex and carries a weight on its opposite end. Fish hooks are secured to the line with bait on the hooks. When a fish strikes, the downward pull on the line tips the float so that the leg opposite the attachment apex is slightly elevated above the surface of the water to provide a clear indication that a strike has occurred. This same leg serves as a handle for lifting the float and, hence, the fish out of the water.

Abstract: An improved bottom bouncer system for easily attaching to a fishing line and for reducing accumulation of debris upon the bottom bouncer. The inventive device includes a weight, an elongated upper member secured to the weight, an elongated lower member secured to the weight opposite of the upper member, a clip secured to the distal end of the upper member for securing to the fishing line, and an elongated sleeve secured about the upper member. The clip has a first jaw and a second jaw which are surrounded by a first sleeve and a second sleeve respectively. At least one tension band is positionable about the first jaw and the second jaw for allowing adjustment of the gripping force of the clip about the fishing line. The elongated sleeve provides a reduced resistant and broader surface that directs debris over the weight thereby preventing the debris from accumulating.

Abstract: A weedless fishing lure is provided, comprising a float, a connector and an attractant, such as live bait or an insect replica, suspended above the surface of water in which the lure is borne. The float may be disguised as a water plant, fallen tree leaf, twig or other floating detritus or water creature. The attractant may replicate an insect such as a dragonfly, an insect larva such as a hellgrammite, or any other natural or artificial fish bait or prey. The lure is adjustable so that the relative position of the attractant or bait with respect to the float and the water surface may be changed depending on the particular fish sought or the conditions present. In one form, the specific gravity of the invention may be adjusted by adding counterweights to vary its floating and casting properties. In another form of the invention, a snag-free platform is provided comprising a float and a connector suitable for suspending above a body of water a hook or an attractant chosen for specific fish or conditions.

Abstract: The weight has a sound chamber and a tail section. The sound chamber embodies a plunger stem, a plunger seat, a flexible reed or spring biased balls and a compression spring. The tail section embodies a tail canal and an amplifier which forms a venture having a vortex and a vertex intersecting the tail canal. The sound is made when the plunger stem is pulled, the flexible reed or spring biased balls mounted in the plunger seat deflects the sound chamber grooves of the sound chamber. The plunger stem reaches it's maximum travel when the plunger seat reaches the spring seat. The compression spring retracts the plunger stem when the pull is released. The spring's retraction allows the flexible reed or spring biased balls on the plunger set to deflect the sound grooves in the opposite direction until the plunger seats meets the tail seat. The sound induced in the sound chamber is transferred to the tail canal where it is amplified through the vortex and vertex making an amplifier.

Abstract: A terminal tackle for minimizing the twisting of fishing lines, lures and weights, particularly the twisting and tangling of a weight or weight line with lure leader line or the primary fishing line. The terminal tackle comprises a y-shaped tube having a top arm and one abbreviated arm. A line swivel is positioned within the top arm for connecting fishing tackle such as weights and lures, to the primary fishing line. A lure leader swivel having a leader end and a connector end is threaded through the y-shaped tube so that the leader end extends out and away from the abbreviated arm and the connector end is positioned within the y-shaped tube. A weight connector is positioned within the elongated arm and is adapted to connect weight to the fishing tackle and a connector or snap for connecting the leader swivel the line swivel and the weight connector is positioned within the y-shaped tube.

Abstract: A buoyant body (10, 10′) is connected to a fishing line (FL). The buoyant body (10, 10′) includes an inner chamber (12) having a closed top (14) and a closed bottom (16). An elongated member (18) extends vertically through the inner chamber (18). Fish line receiving eyes (68, 70) are formed by the elongated member (18) at the upper and lower ends of the bobber (B). A movable mass (M) is provided within the inner chamber (12). During fishing, movement of the bobber (B) imparts movement to the mass (M) and movement of the mass (M) induces fish attracting vibrations into the fishing line (FL).