GB2161051A - Fishing tackle - Google Patents

Abstract

Fishing tackle and a method of fishing is provided in which a light may be generated at or under the surface of the body of water being fished by means of an optic fibre associated with the fishing tackle used. The fishing tackle may be rod and line or net.

Description

SPECIFICATION Fishing tackle This invention relates to fishing tackle in general and to a method of fishing using such tackle.

The invention may, in general, be applied to all kinds of fishing tackle ranging from a simple rod and line to drag nets or trawls or other nets used whether on a small or large scale for catching fish in either fresh or sea water.

It is known that fish are attracted by or to the light and it is common practice when fishing at night to use a light source for attracting fish so increasing the likelihood of a catch.

What I propose, in accordance with the present invention, is that the fishing tackle should include at least one optic fibre or stand whereby light is transmitted at least to the surface of the body of water and preferably to the region of the net or hook or whatever other implement may be used to trap the fish.

The invention also includes a method of fishing wherein a light is generated at or under the surface of the body of water being fished by means of an optic fibre associated with the fishing tackle used.

When the invention is applied to a simple rod or line, the optic fibre or strand may be used in place of or in addition to the fishing line and may be coiled around the rod in the conventional manner. It may be adapted to generate light at the level of the float, or especially when the optic fibre replaces the line, at the hook.

The optic fibre is conveniently arranged to protrude from the centre of the reel so enabling it to be connected to a light source preferably battery powered, and possibly but not necessarily, mounted on the rod.

At the hook or the float end of the optic fibre, it may, with advantage, be divided to produce a plurality of underwater lights.

Clearly, this would not necessarily apply if a plurality of optic fibres or stands were to be associated with the line.

For larger scale fishing operations one or more optic fibres may be provided to transmit light from a source for example, on a boat at the surface, to the mouth of the trawl, drag net, or other fishing net or trap. In this embodiment also the optic fibre or fibres may divide into separate strands beneath the surface of the water to provide a myriad of lights.

The optic fibres may be sewn into or otherwise attached to the nets or may indeed form part of the structure of the net.

1. Fishing tackle including at least one optic fibre or strand whereby, in use, light may be transmitted at least to the surface of a body of water.

2. Fishing tackle according to claim 1 wherein the fishing tackle is a line for a fishing rod and the line includes or consists of an optic fibre or strand.

3. Fishing tackle according to claim 1 wherein the fishing tackle is a net and includes at least one optic fibre or strand.

4. Fishing tackle according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the or each optic fibre or strand is divided at its end so as, in use, to produce a plurality of underwater lights.

5. A fishing rod comprising a reel, a line including or consisting of an optic fibre or strand, alight source connected to the optic fibre or stand and arranged with the optic fibre or strand to generate light at the level of a float, and means for powering the light source.

6. A method of fishing wherein a light is generated at or under the surface of the body of water being fished by means of an optic fibre associated with the fishing tackle used.

7. Fishing tackle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

8. A method of fishing substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (8)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Fishing tackle This invention relates to fishing tackle in general and to a method of fishing using such tackle. The invention may, in general, be applied to all kinds of fishing tackle ranging from a simple rod and line to drag nets or trawls or other nets used whether on a small or large scale for catching fish in either fresh or sea water. It is known that fish are attracted by or to the light and it is common practice when fishing at night to use a light source for attracting fish so increasing the likelihood of a catch. What I propose, in accordance with the present invention, is that the fishing tackle should include at least one optic fibre or stand whereby light is transmitted at least to the surface of the body of water and preferably to the region of the net or hook or whatever other implement may be used to trap the fish. The invention also includes a method of fishing wherein a light is generated at or under the surface of the body of water being fished by means of an optic fibre associated with the fishing tackle used. When the invention is applied to a simple rod or line, the optic fibre or strand may be used in place of or in addition to the fishing line and may be coiled around the rod in the conventional manner. It may be adapted to generate light at the level of the float, or especially when the optic fibre replaces the line, at the hook. The optic fibre is conveniently arranged to protrude from the centre of the reel so enabling it to be connected to a light source preferably battery powered, and possibly but not necessarily, mounted on the rod. At the hook or the float end of the optic fibre, it may, with advantage, be divided to produce a plurality of underwater lights. Clearly, this would not necessarily apply if a plurality of optic fibres or stands were to be associated with the line. For larger scale fishing operations one or more optic fibres may be provided to transmit light from a source for example, on a boat at the surface, to the mouth of the trawl, drag net, or other fishing net or trap. In this embodiment also the optic fibre or fibres may divide into separate strands beneath the surface of the water to provide a myriad of lights. The optic fibres may be sewn into or otherwise attached to the nets or may indeed form part of the structure of the net. CLAIMS

1. Fishing tackle including at least one optic fibre or strand whereby, in use, light may be transmitted at least to the surface of a body of water.

2. Fishing tackle according to claim 1 wherein the fishing tackle is a line for a fishing rod and the line includes or consists of an optic fibre or strand.

3. Fishing tackle according to claim 1 wherein the fishing tackle is a net and includes at least one optic fibre or strand.

4. Fishing tackle according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the or each optic fibre or strand is divided at its end so as, in use, to produce a plurality of underwater lights.

5. A fishing rod comprising a reel, a line including or consisting of an optic fibre or strand, alight source connected to the optic fibre or stand and arranged with the optic fibre or strand to generate light at the level of a float, and means for powering the light source.

6. A method of fishing wherein a light is generated at or under the surface of the body of water being fished by means of an optic fibre associated with the fishing tackle used.

7. Fishing tackle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

8. A method of fishing substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.