GB2310349A

GB2310349A - Fishing bait capsule

Info

Publication number: GB2310349A
Application number: GB9603540A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Julian Woolnough
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1996-02-20
Filing date: 1996-02-20
Publication date: 1997-08-27
Also published as: GB9603540D0

Abstract

A fishing bait capsule for attracting fish comprises a shell 3 which disintegrates in water; a fish attractant; and a tag 1 in connection with the shell having means for attaching the capsule to a fishing hook. Once the capsule comes into contact with water it slowly breaks down to allow dispersion of fish-attractants, thereby acting as groundbait.

Description

FISHING BAIT CAPSULE 10613 The present invention relates to an improved fishing bait capsule and its use in chumming.

It is well-known to use ground bait when fishing to attract or lure fish to an area of water - whether salt or fresh - to be fished. Such a method is often called 'chumming' when ground bait is dropped into the water.

Ground bait originally comprised ground up fish, but other attractants can also be used, as will be described hereinafter.

Variations on this 'chumming' theme have been proposed. For example, French patent specification no.

2613 908 describes jellified bait containing a hook or fibres to trap the fish. And US patents specifications nos. 4 930 245 and 3 987 575 disclose lures or spoon-baits which comprise containers for fish attractants to act as ground bait. The former patent specification describes particularly a two-part container which has apertures in it for discharging the attractant. The latter patent specification specifies that the lure must have a chamber which holds a capsule containing liquid attractant. The capsule may be of soft gelatin and the lure is provided with elaborate means for puncturing the capsule to enable the contents to dribble out. All these devices are necessarily complex, and would involve the fisher in the expense of having to purchase them. They are also not very convenient to use.Furthermore, such devices can easily lose their attraction to fish and be difficult for a fish to find. This could be caused by the bait being washed out or the attractant being watered down by strong tides and currents.

On the other hand, the present invention aims to overcome these disadvantages so that the fisher's existing tackle can be used in conjunction with the bait according to the present invention. Also, the attractant is unlikely to become quickly dispersed nor is the container for it likely to drift away.

The present invention therefore provides a fishing bait capsule for attracting fish comprising a shell which disintegrates in water; a fish attractant; and a tag in connection with the shell having means for attaching the capsule to a fishing hook. Preferably, the capsule shell and tag comprise gelatin.

Preferably, the tag has an aperture therein through which a fishing hook can be threaded.

Preferably, the capsule shell and tag comprise gelatin.

Conveniently, the tag is made of solid gelatin and the aperture has a fine film of gelatin covering it.

The capsules, which are readily available, are filled with additives such as extracts derived from crustaceans, shellfish and any other marine animals. Freshwater fishing sometimes involves using sweet attractants (e.g.

strawberry, tutti frutti and honey); these flavours are mainly used for carp fishing.

Preferably, fish oils are used which include oils from whale, cod, tuna, shark, halibut and striped bass, but especially cod liver oil.

Fishing bait capsules according to the invention can be made in various sizes to cater for various fish species and various fish sizes.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with the reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 Is a plan view of a capsule according to this invention; and Figure 2 Is a plan view of the capsule of Figure 1 on a fishing hook.

Referring to Figure 1, a fishing bait capsule comprises an elliptical gelatin shell (3). Sealed inside (2) the gelatin shell are fish-attracting additives and oils (not shown). There is a tag (1) at one end of the shell (3) which is thicker gelatin than the shell (3). In the centre of the tag (1) there is an aperture (4) which is covered with a fine film of gelatin.

Referring now to Figure 2: in order for the capsule (3) to stay in position in use, a fishing hook (5) pierces the tag (1) through its aperture (4) without interfering with the additives or oils (2). The capsule shell gradually breaks down in the water before the tag (1) does.

The additives or oils (2) are thereby released.

Claims

1. A fishing bait capsule for attracting fish, which capsule comprises a shell which disintegrates in water; a fish attractant; and a tag in connection with the shell having means for attaching the capsule to a fishing hook.

2. A capsule according to claim 1 wherein the tag has an aperture therein through which a fishing hook can be threaded.

3. A capsule according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the capsule shell comprises gelatin.

4. A capsule according to claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the tag is made of gelatin and the aperture has a film of gelatin covering it.

5. A capsule according to any preceding claim containing a feed comprising extracts derived from crustaceans, shellfish or any other marine animal, or a mixture thereof.

6. A capsule according to any preceding claim containing a sweet attractant selected from strawberry, tutti frutti, honey and any other sweet-tasting foodstuff, and mixtures thereof.

7. A capsule according to any preceding claim comprising fish oil selected from whale, cod, tuna, shark, halibut and striped bass oils and any other fish oil, and mixtures thereof.

8. A capsule according to any preceding claim containing cod liver oil.

9. A capsule according to any preceding claim substantially as described herein with particular reference to the example and figures.

10. A method of attracting fish comprising the steps of: (a) with a fishing hook, piercing a tag associated with a capsule as described in any preceding claim; (b) bringing the fishing hook having the capsule attached into contact with an area of water to be fished; and (c) leaving the capsule in contact with the water until the shell associated therewith disintegrates, thereby releasing the fish attractant contained therein.