AU2019100642A4 - A fishing sinker and rig incorporating a sinker - Google Patents

Abstract

Fishing sinkers are described which have the outer appearance of a mollusc, particularly a pipi. The sinker may include a through hole for receiving fishing line. A fishing rig incorporating a sinker is also described. 1!0 -/g Fig1

Description

A FISHING SINKER AND RIG INCORPORATING A SINKER

Technical Field

The present invention relates to sinkers used in recreational fishing such as angling. It also relates to fishing rigs incorporating sinkers.

Background to the Invention

A fishing sinker is a weight typically used in conjunction with a fishing lure or baited hook to increase its rate of sink. A fishing rig is an arrangement of items used 10 for fishing. It can be assembled of one or more lines, hooks, sinkers, bobbers, swivels, lures, beads, and other fishing tackle.

Recreational anglers have over a long time devised numerous variations of fishing rigs and sinkers tailored to suit varying local conditions and to target particular species of fish. Nevertheless, there remains a desire amongst anglers for improved or 15 alternative choices of items of fishing tackle and rigs to improve their chances of catching fish to thereby increase their catch and to provide increased enjoyment of fishing.

Summary of the Invention

In a first aspect the present invention provides a fishing sinker which has the outer appearance of a mollusc.

The sinker may have the outer appearance of a pipi.

The sinker may include a through hole for receiving a length of fishing line.

The sinker may include a protruding portion which resembles a protruding mollusc tongue.

The sinker may include a hook.

In a second aspect the invention provides a fishing rig including a sinker according to the first aspect of the invention.

In a third aspect the invention provides a method of forming a fishing sinker 30 including the steps of casting two halves of the sinker; wherein the two halves have the outer appearance of mollusc shells; and joining the two halves together.

The method may include the step of positioning a region of resilient material between the two sinker halves before they are joined together so that a portion of the

2019100642 13 Jun 2019 region of resilient material resembles a protruding mollusc tongue.

Brief Description of the Drawings

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a rear view of a fishing sinker according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a side view of the sinker of figure 1;

Figure 3 shows an embodiment of a fishing rig which includes the sinker of figure 1;

Figure 4 is a top view of a second embodiment of a fishing sinker; and

Figure 5 is a front view of the fishing sinker of figure 4.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment

Referring to figures 1 and 2, a fishing sinker 10 is shown which has the outer appearance of a mollusc, which in this embodiment has the outer appearance of a pipi. Sinker 10 is provided with a through hole in the form of passageway 12 which is shown in dotted outline in figure 2. Passageway 12 is approximately 2mm in diameter and 20 extends through the sinker.

The pipi, or Common Pipi (Plebidonax deltoides) is a small, edible saltwater clam or marine bivalve mollusc of the family Donacidae, endemic to Australia. It is most widely known as a “pipi” in the eastern states of its native Australia. In some regions, it is referred to as a “cockle”. They are found in the surf zone, (i.e. intertidal 25 and shallow subtidal waters) along high energy beach coastlines. Embodiments of the invention are based on the surprising realisation that fish may be attracted to pipis and so are attracted to a fishing rig which incorporates a sinker which has the outer appearance of a pipi.

Referring to figure 3, an example of a fishing rig 100 is shown incorporating 30 sinker 10. A swivel 21 is provided at the base of sinker 10. The sinker 10 has a thin end and a wider end. In figure 3 the thin end of the sinker 10 is oriented downwards. The sinker 10 can also be utilised with the thin end oriented upwards. A leader line 30 is passed through passageway 12 and is provided with a hook 24 positioned

2019100642 13 Jun 2019 approximately 300mm below swivel 21. An optional 200mm secondary leader is provided with a hook 23 and is attached by a three-way swivel 22 to help prevent line twitching. In other embodiments one or more additional leaders may be provided.

The hooks 24, 23 are sized according to the particular type and size of fish being targeted. In use, hooks 24, 23 are baited. The rig 100 is attached to a fishing rod and reel in a usual manner and is intended for use in and near the surf zone for beach fishing.

Referring to figures 4 and 5, an alternative embodiment of sinker 50 is shown.

This embodiment differs from the first described embodiment in that the sinker 50 includes a region of elastomeric material 60. A portion of the resilient material 62 protrudes from the two sinker halves to resemble a protruding mollusc tongue.

Sinker 50 is formed by casting the two shell halves of the sinker 51, 53 out of lead or other similar dense material. Then a planar shape 60 is formed from an elastomeric material such as silicone or rubber. A short length of tube 64 is adhered inside shell half 51 to provide an internal passageway for the fishing line to pass through. The two shell halves 51, 53 are then adhered together and to both sides of the planar shape 60 so that a portion 62 of the resilient material gives the appearance of a protruding mollusc tongue. A region of the planar shape 60 remains sandwiched between the shell halves 51, 53 and so is not visible in the figures. The outside of sinker 50 is then painted with a mineral based paint. Paint colours are used to imitate natural pipi colours, which vary greatly.

The sinker 10 of figure 1 and 2 is constructed in the same way as sinker 50, except the planar region 62 is omitted.

In other embodiments the sinker 10, 50 may be provided with a hook. In these embodiments the hook need not be baited.

In the embodiments described above the sinker had the outer appearance of a pipi. In other embodiments the sinker may be fabricated to have the outer appearance of other types of mollusc.

Any reference to prior art contained herein is not to be taken as an admission that the information is common general knowledge, unless otherwise indicated.

Finally, it is to be appreciated that various alterations or additions may be made

2019100642 13 Jun 2019 to the parts previously described without departing from the spirit or ambit of the present invention.

Claims (8)

1. CLAIMS:

   1. A fishing sinker which has the outer appearance of a mollusc.
2. 2. A fishing sinker according to claim 1 which has the outer appearance of a pipi.
3. 3. A fishing sinker according to either of claim 1 or claim 2 which includes a through hole for receiving a length of fishing line.
4. 4. A fishing sinker according to any preceding claim which includes a protruding portion which resembles a protruding mollusc tongue.
5. 5. A fishing sinker according to any preceding claim which includes a hook.
6. 6. A fishing rig including a sinker according to any preceding claim.
7. 7. A method of forming a fishing sinker including the steps of:

   casting two halves of the sinker, wherein the two halves have the outer appearance of mollusc shells; and joining the two halves together.
8. 8. A method according to claim 7 further including the step of positioning a region of elastomeric material between the two sinker halves before they are joined together so that after joining the halves together a portion of the region of elastomeric material resembles a protruding mollusc tongue.