GB2435603A

GB2435603A - Floating groundbait device

Info

Publication number: GB2435603A
Application number: GB0604105A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alan Callcut
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-03-01
Filing date: 2006-03-01
Publication date: 2007-09-05
Also published as: GB0604105D0

Abstract

The device comprises a buoyant body 4; means for attaching the device to a fishing line; and means 20 for securing bait to the exterior surface of the device. The means for securing the bait may be integral with the buoyant body or separate therefrom. The means for securing the bait may be spikes or the like extending radially from the buoyant body.

Description

FISHING DEVICE

The present invention is directed to a fishing device, in particular a fishing device for use in coarse fishing or angling.

When fishing, it is a well known and long standing practice to attract fish to a hook or similar device using bait. In a simple arrangement, the bait is applied directly to the hook or similar device, such that the hook is taken into the mouth of the fish as it takes the bait. It is also well known in the art of fishing to provide a floatation device or float attached to the line and hook or similar device. The float provides a number of functions. First, the float may be arranged to keep the hook and bait at the optimum depth for catching the specific species of fish being targeted. Second, the float may act as an indicator to the angler when the bait is being taken by a fish, thus alerting the angler to the moment to strike, that is jerk the line to embed the hook in the mouth of the fish.

One technique often employed when fishing is to spread bait across an area of the water, in order to attract fish to the vicinity of the angler and the hook.

This is known as chumming'. It is also known to provide a container or cage that may be filled with bait and submerged at the location being fished, again to attract fish to the vicinity of the angler.

While such techniques of attracting fish to a given location and the vicinity of an angler are well known, they are by no means ensured to increase the chances of catching a fish. Accordingly, there is a need for an improved device for attracting fish to the vicinity of an angler and to improve the chances of the angler catching a fish. * *1.

* * , * I. I * I I *S * I P * I * I. * I I * * S S S $ * S I * St. * Techniques for surface fishing are well known in the art of coarse fishing. In this practice, the angler attempts to keep the bait and hook at or close to the surface of the water. Fish attracted to the bait at the surface of the water are caused to take the hook and are thus caught. Several different techniques for surface fishing are known, and include using a suspender rig, a floating leger and a long-tail paternoster. However, these techniques are often complex to set up and difficult to control. In addition, it appears that the techniques suffer the disadvantage that the line is visible to the fish, in particular when lying on the surface of the water. Further, these techniques are not suitable for use in stretches of water with significant amounts of plants and weeds.

Accordingly, there is a need for an improved device for surface fishing, that is simple to set up and operate.

According to the present invention there is provided a fishing device for surface fishing, the device comprising a buoyant body; means for attaching the device to a fishing line; and means for securing bait to the exterior surface of the device.

In use, bait, such as bread or ground bait, is applied to the exterior surface of the device, where it is retained. Preferably, sufficient bait is applied to cover most or all of the exterior surface of the device. The device is then used in conjunction with a conventional line and hook in the usual manner. Any suitable bait may be applied to the device.

The hook may be attached at any suitable position relative to the device.

However, it has advantageously been found that the best performance is obtained with the hook and its bait are attached close to or adjacent the underside of the device, that is the side that is downmost in the water when in use. * iv. a a

S S * a S Si 4 5 5 1 5 I I. : * a It has been found that a device according to the present invention attracts fish to the vicinity of the angler in such a manner that they more readily and frequently take the bait on a hook, thereby increasing significantly the number of fish caught in a particular location, compared with conventional known devices, It is believed that this results from the fact the device may be deployed and used without the line extending from the device, in particular the bait secured to the device, being in touch with the surrounding water. This provides a further advantage of the device, in that the number of false or rtificial' bites detected by the angler as a result of fish swimming into the line is significantly reduced, compared with the known techniques mentioned above.

The device of the present invention is buoyant, such that in use it resides at or near to the surface of the water. The device is thus to be compared with known feeding devices that are submerged or provide food to fish at the bed of the body or water.

The buoyant body may be integral with the means for securing bait. For example, the buoyant body and bait securing means may be moulded as a single component, most conveniently from a suitable plastic. Alternatively, the buoyant body may be separate from the means for securing bait, the said means being secured to the exterior of the buoyant body. Again, both components may be moulded from a suitable plastic using known moulding techniques, such as injection moulding.

The device may be arranged to be attached to a fishing line in a conventional manner. For example, the device may comprise a conventional means at one end for attaching to the end of a fishing line extending from a reel, with a similar conventional means at the other end of the device for attaching a length of fishing line with a hook. *1

4. * : : : I I 111 * *

-S S S

However, in one preferred embodiment, the means for attaching the device to a fishing line allow the device to slide along the line. In one particular embodiment, the means for attaching the device to a fishing line allow the device to slide along the line only upon application of a threshold force by a fish to a hook attached to the line. In this arrangement, once a fish takes the bait on the hook attached to the line with sufficient force, the device slides along the line, thus allowing the fish to swallow the hook without interference from the buoyant device. In one convenient arrangement, the means for attaching the device to a fishing line comprises a conduit extending through the buoyant body, a fishing line being threaded through the conduit in order to secure the device to the line.

In a preferred embodiment, the device of the present invention further comprises means to bias the device to an upright position when in use. This biasing may be achieved using known means, such as conventional weights attached to one end of the device that will be the lower end when in use. In order to avoid the need for such additional weights, it is preferred that the means for securing bait to the exterior surface of the buoyant body extend beyond one end of the buoyant body, thereby in use biasing the device to an upright position. In this way, the weight of the bait applied to the device operates to keep the device upright.

The means for securing the bait to the device may be any suitable means for the bait in question. In one embodiment, the means for securing bait to the exterior surface of the buoyant body comprise one or more protusions extending laterally from the buoyant body. The one or more protusions are preferably spiked or barbed in form. One preferred arrangement comprises a plurality of substantially radial spikes extending from the buoyant body.

The device may be supplied with different bait securing means, depending upon the particular bait to be employed. In this respect, the embodiment in S. * I * S I. * * . S S SI * I I I S S * S S * * S S I * * . S * *

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which the bait securing means are separate from the buoyant body allow a single body to be used with a variety of different baits.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, having reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1A is a cross-sectional view of a device according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure lB is a plan view of the device of Figure 1A along the line A-A; Figure 2A is a cross-sectional view of a device according to a second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2B is a plan view of the device of Figure 2A along the line B-B; and Figure 3 is a representation of the device according to the present invention in use.

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a first embodiment of a fishing device, generally indicated as 2. The device 2 comprises a generally cylindrical buoyant body 4 defining a cylindrical cavity 6. The body 4 is comprised of a tubular side wall 8, a circular top 10 and a circular base 12. The side wall 8 extends beyond the base 12 to form a skirt 14.

An open-ended tube 16 extends through the body 4, through which a fishing line may be threaded, allowing the device to be secured to a fishing line as hereinafter described. The tube 16 may project from the buoyant body 4 as shown in Figure 1A or be flush with the ends of the body.

* * "S I S I. S S * S I I. * S S * I S * S * . S * * S S * S * S * * 5 The buoyant body 4 may be formed from any suitable material, with a plastic material being preferred for ease of manufacture. The body 4 may conveniently be formed by injection or blow moulding techniques known in the art. The central cavity 6 of the buoyant body may be empty. Alternatively, the cavity may be filled with a suitably buoyant material, such as cork or the like.

The device 2 further comprises a plurality of spikes 20 extending substantially radially from the outer surface of the side wall 8, as shown in Figure 1 B. The spikes act to retain bait that is applied to the outside surface of the device 2.

As will be seen in Figure 1A, both the side wall 8 and the skirt 14 are provided with spikes 20. In this way, the centre of gravity of the device when loaded with bait is displaced longitudinally from the centre of the buoyant body 4 in the direction of the skirt 14. In use, this causes the device to be biased to the position shown in Figure 1A. Additional weight may be applied to the skirt 14 or other part of the device to further bias the device, as required.

The spikes 20 shown in Figures 1A and 1 B are in the form of elongate cylindrical members. As shown in Figure 1 B, the spikes 20 extend substantially radially from the side wall 8. However, the spikes 20 are arranged to extend parallel to one another. This is a preferred arrangement when the device is being manufactured by moulding, as it allows the device to be easily removed from the moulds. It will be appreciated that different manufacturing techniques will allow the spikes 20 to extend at different angles, including precisely radially, from the side wall 8.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 1A and 1B, the means for retaining the bait, namely the spikes 20, are formed integrally with the buoyant body, for example using the same injection or blow moulding techniques.

The number and arrangement of the spikes 20 may be selected according to the particular bait to be applied to the outer surface of the device. In addition, S. *5.

* S * I I S I. S S * S * ** * S S * S * * * * S S * * . S * S * S * S the form and shape of the spikes may be varied, for example to include barbs or hooks, again depending upon the particular bait to be employed with the device.

Referring to Figures 2A and 2B, there is shown a second embodiment of the device of the present invention. The device, generally indicated as 102, comprises a generally cylindrical buoyant body 104. As shown in Figure 2A, the buoyant body 104 is formed as a solid body from a suitably buoyant material, such as cork or the like. An alternative arrangement is to have the buoyant body formed as a hollow member, for example by conventional moulding techniques.

An open-ended tube 114 extends longitudinally through the body 104 and provides a means for threading the device onto a fishing line. The tube 114 may project from the buoyant body 104 as shown in Figure 2A or be flush with the ends of the body.

The buoyant body 104 may be formed from any suitable material, with cork or like material being preferred for ease of manufacture. The body 104 may conveniently be formed as a hollows body, as noted above, by injection or blow moulding techniques known in the art. In such a case, the central cavity of the buoyant body may be empty. Alternatively, the cavity may be filled with a suitably buoyant material, such as cork, foam or the like.

The device 102 of Figure 2A further comprises a generally tubular bait retainer 116 disposed around the buoyant body 104. The retainer 116 as shown in Figure 2A is formed with a lattice structure, comprising a plurality of lattice members 117 defining a plurality of rectangular openings. The lattice structure assists to retain the bait to the outer surface of the retainer, It will be understood that alternative designs for the retainer 116 may also be employed. I.

* * * * * I. * * S * S S * * S S * * S S * * S S S S * *5 5 S S The retainer 116 is conveniently sized to be an interference fit around the side wall of the buoyant body, thus holding the body 104 and the retainer 116 together This also allows the retainer 116 to be removed from the body 104, as required and discussed further below. Alternatively, the retainer 116 may be permanently fastened to the buoyant body 104 by suitable means, such as an adhesive.

The retainer 116 is provided along its entire length with a plurality of radially extending spikes 120, as shown in Figure 2A and Figure 2B. As can be seen in Figure 2A, the retainer 116 extends longitudinally beyond the lower end of the buoyant body 104, in order to provide the biasing of the device to the upright position shown in Figure 2A, as described above with respect to Figure 1.

The retainer 116 may be formed from any suitable material, with a mouldable plastic being particularly preferred.

As shown in Figure 2B, the spikes 120 are angled as described with reference to Figure 1 B, in order to facilitate the moulding process.

The number and arrangement of the spikes 120 may be selected according to the particular bait to be applied to the outer surface of the device. In addition, the form and shape of the spikes may be varied, for example to include barbs or hooks, again depending upon the particular bait to be employed with the device. In this respect, it is an advantage of the embodiment of Figures 2A and 2B that the body 104 may be used with a removable retainer 116, allowing the retainer 116 and the bait retaining means 120 to be changed to suit the particular bait and other fishing circumstances. it* *

* . S S * * I. * * S * * ** * S S * S S S S * S S * * S S S S * S * S S *SS S The use of the device of the present invention is illustrated in Figure 3. As shown, the device 2 or 102 is threaded onto a fishing line 200 extending from a fishing pole or a conventional rod and reel. A conventional hook 202 is attached to the free end of the line 200 in known manner. Rubber stops 204 are secured to the line above and below the device 2, 102, as shown in Figure 3 The rubber stop 204 is of known construction and grips the line to restrain the device under normal conditions. However, the rubber stop 204 will slide along the line 200 under the action of a sufficient force, such as when a fish takes the hook 202.

The device 2, 102 is further biased to the upright position shown in the figures by a conventional drilled shot 210 secured to the portion of the tube 16, 114 extending below the buoyant body, as shown in Figure 3.

Bait 206, such as ground bait, bread or the like, is packing around the device and is held in place by the spikes 20, 120. Bait is also preferably applied to the hook 202, in conventional manner.

The complete assembly as shown in Figure 3 is cast into the water in conventional manner and assumes the position shown in Figure 3 at the surface 210 of the water. Fish are attracted to the bait 206 to feed, bringing them into the vicinity of the hook 202.

It has been found that the device of the present invention acts to attract fish in large numbers to the vicinity of the hook, such that the rate at which fish are caused to take the hook is significantly increased compared with a conventionally baited hook and conventional chumming techniques. In addition, the device of the present invention is simple to assembly and use, being secured to a fishing line by simply threading the line through the central hollow tube. In addition, as will be noted in Figure 3, although the bait and hook are held at or very near the surface of the water, the line 200 extending * S * I S. S S I I IS * I * * * S * S * S U * * I S S * * U * S S.. * to the rod or pole from the top of the device is not required to come into contact with the water. It is believed that this contributes to the attraction of the device to fish. a. 1(1

Claims

* * . a * * a. * * . * a * a a * S S * S S * * I I I S * S * . S uS

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CLAIMS

1. A device for surface fishing, the device comprising: a buoyant body; means for attaching the device to a fishing line; and means for securing bait to the exterior surface of the device.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the buoyant body is integral with the means for securing bait.

3 The device according to claim 1, wherein the buoyant body is separate from the means for securing bait, the said means being mounted on the exterior of the buoyant body.

4. The device according to any preceding claim, wherein the means for attaching the device to a fishing line allow the device to slide along the line.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein the means for attaching the device to a fishing line allow the device to slide along the line only upon application of a threshold force by a fish to a hook attached to the line.

6. The device according to either of claims 4 or 5, wherein the means for attaching the device to a fishing line comprises a conduit extending through the buoyant body, a fishing line being threaded through the conduit in order to secure the device to the line.

7. The device according to any preceding claim, further comprising means to bias the device to an upright position when in use.

* * * I * * ** I S * * I I * S I I * * S S * * I S * S * S S us * 8. The device according to claim 7, wherein the means for securing bait to the exterior surface of the buoyant body extend beyond one end of the buoyant body, thereby in use biasing the device to an upright position.

9. The device according to any preceding claim, wherein the means for securing bait to the exterior surface of the buoyant body comprise one or more protusions extending laterally from the buoyant body The device according to claim 9, wherein the one or more protusions are spiked or barbed in form.

11. The device according to either of claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the means for securing bait comprise a plurality of substantially radial spikes extending from the buoyant body.

12. A fishing device substantially as hereinbefore described having reference to any one of the accompanying drawings.

I

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A device for surface fishing, the device comprising: a buoyant body; means for attaching the device to a fishing line; and means for securing bait to the exterior surface of the device; whereby, when in use, the bait is supported at the surface of the water.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the buoyant body is integral with the means for securing bait.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the buoyant body is separate S...

from the means for securing bait, the said means being mounted on the exterior of the buoyant body. .:

S S..

4. The device according to any preceding claim, wherein the means for attaching the device to a fishing line allow the device to slide along the line. *.:.. *.SS

S S...

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein the means for attaching the device to a fishing line allow the device to slide along the line only upon application of a threshold force by a fish to a hook attached to the line.

6. The device according to either of claims 4 or 5, wherein the means for attaching the device to a fishing line comprises a conduit extending through the buoyant body, a fishing line being threaded through the conduit in order to secure the device to the line.

7. The device according to any preceding claim, further comprising means to bias the device to an upright position when in use. lii-

CLAIMS

1. A device for surface fishing, the device comprising: a buoyant body; means for attaching the device to a fishing line; and means for securing bait to the exterior surface of the device; whereby, when in use, the bait is supported at the surface of the water.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the buoyant body is integral with the means for securing bait.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the buoyant body is separate from the means for securing bait, the said means being mounted on the exterior of the buoyant body.

S

4. The device according to any preceding claim, wherein the means for attaching the device to a fishing line allow the device to slide along the line. I..

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein the means for attaching the device to a fishing line allow the device to slide along the line only upon application of a threshold force by a fish to a hook attached to the line.

6. The device according to either of claims 4 or 5, wherein the means for attaching the device to a fishing line comprises a conduit extending through the buoyant body, a fishing line being threaded through the conduit in order to secure the device to the line.

7. The device according to any preceding claim, further comprising means to bias the device to an upright position when in use.