GB2249007A

GB2249007A - Fishing float

Info

Publication number: GB2249007A
Application number: GB9121323A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Partick R Burton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1990-10-10
Filing date: 1991-10-09
Publication date: 1992-04-29
Anticipated expiration: 2011-10-09
Also published as: GB9021993D0; GB2249007B; GB9121323D0

Abstract

Fishing float apparatus comprises two main pans 12, 18, a buoyant float body having a tube within which a bite- indicating float is located. The two are cast together and have a combined weight which makes casting relatively simple. In use, the float body 16 serves to guide the inner bit indicator 12, the latter being relatively light and providing a sensitive indication of fish bites, whereby ease of casting is combined with high bite indication sensitivity. <IMAGE>

Description

FISHING FLOAT APPARATUS AND METHOD OF USING SAME This invention relates to fishing float apparatus and a method of using same.

Prior proposals in relation to fishing floats are legion, ranging from big heavy cork floats such as those used in relation to live bait, and which are relatively easy to cast in view of their significant mass, to very light floats such as quills, which have negligible mass and are correspondingly difficult to cast while nevertheless providing a high degree of sensitivity to light fish bites.

To the best of the applicant's knowledge, no prior proposal provides a very satisfactory compromise between the requirement for adequate weight to assist in casting, and a reasonable degree of sensitivity, and accordingly an object of the present invention is to provide fishing float apparatus, and a method of using same, providing improvements in this respect, or in relation to any one or more other matters discussed herein, or generally.

According to the invention there is provided fishing float apparatus and a method of using same as defined in the accompanying claims.

In an embodiment, said buoyant float body means and said bite indicator means are interconnected in use so that said bite indicator means can indicate bites while said float body means does not need to move with the hook means when a bite occurs. Nevertheless, both elements of the apparatus are cast together, and thus their combined weight facilitates casting.

In the embodiment, the float body means constitutes a guide for the bite indicator means. In one embodiment such guidance is provided by said bite indicator means being a loose fit in a tube provided by the float body means. The bite indicator means may be formed with a taper to reduce surface interaction between the two members in use.

A length of line or the like interconnects the two parts of the float apparatus. The extent of relative movement permitted between the two is sufficient to enable an angler to strike when a bite is observed, and before the limit of the travel causes the float body means to resist further downward movement of the bait and hook.

In the embodiment, adjustable connection means is provided to enable the float apparatus to be attached to the main fishing line at any chosen depth thereby enabling the hook and bait to be fished on the bottom of the waterway, or suspended at any chosen depth by the float means.

In the embodiment, weight means is provided at the lower end of the float body means, for example lead wire, to improve the trajectory of the float body means when it is cast. This weight means also is arranged to cause it to float upright and steady regardless of the bite indicator means and any weights provided on the line connected to it.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which : Fig 1 shows a partial section through fishing float apparatus according to the invention, and an associated fishing line; and Fig 2 shows, on a larger scale, a lower portion of the fishing float apparatus of Fig 1.

As shown in the drawings, fishing float apparatus 10 comprises buoyant bite indicator means 12 for connection to a line 14 having hook means (not shown) to receive bait, also not shown.

Buoyant float body means 16 is associated with the bite indicator means 12 and is connected thereto in use by a length of line or thread 18, for example of dacron. Float body means 16 permits the bite indicator means 12 to move relative thereto to indicator a bite. Both the bite indicator means 12 and the float body means 16 are cast together when the line is cast into the water and, in use, the bite indicator means can indicate a bite without the float body means needing to move with the hook means at all, as will be more fully explained below.

Bite indicator means 12 is in the form of an elongated buoyant member of generally tubular form having at its lower end a wire loop 20 bonded thereto, to enable the thread 18 to be tied to the bite indicator means.

As regards the actual construction of the bite indicator means 12, it can be very similar to, or identical to, a conventional lightweight fishing float, such as a quill, or may be a synthetic construction, for example formed of a plastic tube sealed at both ends. At its upper end there is provided a brightly painted indicator portion 22 which projects through the upper end of float body means 16, as will be explained. Line or thread 18 is secured to the main fishing line 14 at an adjustable position 24 by a collar and plug friction device known as a ledger stop 26. As more clearly shown in Fig 2, a swivel device 28 also interconnects lines 14 and 18.

Turning now to the construction of the buoyant float body means 16, it can be seen from Fig 1 that this comprises upper and lower buoyancy members 30, 32 formed of balsa wood and secured to a longitudinally-extending inner tube 34 which is open at its upper end 36 and at its lower end 38 so that, in use, the tube fills with water, and bite indicator means 12 floats therein.

At the lower end 38 of tube 34 there is provided a balancing weight in the form of a coil of lead wire 40 together with an associated eye 42 through which thread 18 extends.

Fig 2 shows details of the connection of lines 14 and 18, more fully.

In order to limit the extent of movement of bite indicator means 22 relative to float body means 16, there are provided free-running beads 43, 45 which are a loose running fit on thread 18 and which has associated knots, not shown, to limit their movement relative to thread 18. The beads cannot pass through eye 42. Therefore, in association with the knots, they limit movement of the bite indicator means relative to the float body means, and also serve to retain the connection between these two members, so that neither is lost.

In this way, it is avoided that the wire loop 20 is required to resist dynamic forces during casting arising from the entire weight of the fishing float assembly. The loop is not necessarily sufficiently strongly secured for this purpose.

Buoyancy members 30 and 32 are formed of balsa wood, or cork, suitably rendered water resistant for example by painting, and bonded to tube 34. The tube 34 is open at both ends, and is of larger diameter than the bite indicator means 12, so that there is appreciable clearance between the two for an annulus of water therein, and without sufficient surface tension effects to inhibit free movement of the bite indicator means 12 under the action of fish bites.

It will be seen from the general construction of the float body means 16 that it has a centre of gravity towards its lower end as seen in Fig 1. This enhances its casting characteristics, and thus also the casting characteristics of the float assembly.

It will also be seen that the float body means 16 serves as a guide for the bite indicator means 12, the latter being secured only at its lower end, and thus otherwise being inclined to perform as a "waggler", and thus lacking the stable upright floating action which assists interpretation of fish bites by the angler.

Finally, it will also be understood that a further function of the float body means is to visually enhance the visibility of the indicator portion 22 of the bite indicator means, by providing a contrasting background (provided by buoyancy member 30), which renders the top of the bite indicator means more visible than in the normal situation where a small float of this kind is merely set against the reflective surface of the water. For example, buoyancy member 30 may have a suitable contrasting dark colour.

A further function of the upper buoyancy member 30 is to ensure that the float body member 16 readily floats at the required indicated position and depth as shown in Fig 1. The buoyancy member 30 steadies the float at this depth, holding the upper end of tube 34 at the surface 44 of the water, thereby ensuring that the assembly is at the proper depth for correct operation.

Use of the fishing float apparatus will now be described.

The apparatus is assembled in the manner shown in Fig 1, and, using a conventional rod and line and baited hook, the angler casts the line together with the float apparatus and hook and bait towards the required fishing location. The weight of the float assembly and its dynamic qualities assist the casting action, whereby with a relatively unsophisticated rod it is possible to place the tackle fairly readily in any desired location within reasonable reach.

When the apparatus lands on the water, tube 34 fills with water and the float body member floats in a position shown in Fig 1. Bite indicator means 12 floats within tube 34 at the position also shown in Fig 1, determined partly by weights 46 on line 14.

If it is desired to fish with the hook and bait on the bottom, then, usually, it will be necessary to experiment somewhat with the depth of the float apparatus on the main fishing line 14, making suitable adjustments by means of the adjustment device 26. Such adjustments are generally necessary in fishing technique of this kind in order to correctly place the bait at the required depth with respect to the float.

When a bite occurs, the resulting movement of the main fishing line 14 is communicated through thread 18 to bite indicator 12 causing, usually, downward movement of same into tube 34. Before the upper bead 43 engages eye 42, the angler strikes.

It will be understood that bite indicator means 12 is of relatively thin and lightweight construction, and thus provides a relatively sensitive indication of a bite, without requiring any downward movement of the float main body means 16.

It should be noted that in Fig 1 the lower bead 45 is shown somewhat displaced from eye 42, but in the normal in-use position, and before a fish bite, the lower bead will be held in contact with the eye by the buoyancy of the bite indicator means 12.

Claims

CLAIMS :

1 Fishing float apparatus comprising a) buoyant bite indicator means for connection to a line having hook means; characterised by b) buoyant float body means associated with said bite indicator means and connected thereto in use so as to permit said bite indicator means to move relative thereto, to indicate a bite, while both said bite indicator means and said float body means are cast together when the line is cast into the water, and without said float body means needing to move with the hook means when a bite occurs.

2 Fishing float apparatus comprising bite indicator means and float body means, the bite indicator means being movable relative to the float body means to indicate a bite, in use.

3 Fishing float apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 characterised in that said float body means acts as a guide for said bite indicator means.

4 Fishing float apparatus according to claim 3 characterised in that said float body means comprises guide means for said bite indicator means.

5 Fishing float apparatus according to claim 4 characterised in that said guide means comprises a tube.

6 Fishing float apparatus according to claim 5 characterised in that said bite indicator means is a loose fit in said tube.

7 Fishing float apparatus according to claim 5 or claim 6 characterised by said bite indicator means being formed with a taper to increase clearance from said tube, said bite indicator means tapering in the upward direction, in use.

8 Fishing float apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims characterised by said bite indicator means being connected to said float body means by a length of line or the like, said line freely sliding through said float body means.

9 Fishing float apparatus according to claim 8 characterised by stop means on said line connecting said bite indicator means and said float body means, said stop means being engageable with a guide on said float body means.

10 Apparatus according to claim 9-characterised by said stop means and said guide are constituted by a bead or shot or the like as said stop means, and an eye or the like on said float body means and forming said guide.

11 Fishing float apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 10 characterised by said length of line or the like being attachable at its lower end, in use, to the main fishing line which is connected to said hook.

12 Fishing float apparatus according to claim 11 characterised by said length of line attachable to the main fishing line being adjustable with respect thereto for example by a collar and plug friction fit device.

13 Fishing float apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims characterised by said float body means being adapted to float upright on its own without the need for extra weight means to effect same.

14 Fishing float apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims characterised by said float body means being constructed to have a centre of gravity towards the end thereof which floats lowermost in use.

15 Fishing float apparatus according to claim 14 characterised by weight means at said lower end of said float body means.

16 Fishing float apparatus according to claim 15 characterised by a buoyant member located towards said lower end of said float body means.

17 Fishing float apparatus according to claim 15 or claim 16 characterised by a buoyant member at the other end of said float body means.

18 Fishing float apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims but not including said buoyant bite indicator means, the apparatus being adapted for use with a conventional fishing float, such as a quill, to be used as said buoyant bite indicator means.

19 Fishing float apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

20 A method of fishing comprising providing fishing float apparatus according to claim 2, casting said buoyant bite indicator means and said buoyant float body means together, and employing said float body means to act as a guide for said bite indicator means during use.