GB2532022A - Fishing floats - Google Patents

Abstract

A fishing float comprises a hollow substantially spherical body 10 having separable parts 20, 30. The first separable part has buoyancy means 130 to provide buoyancy to the float, and the second separable part has an opening 32 and retention and release means 100, 110 for retaining and, responsive to water contact, releasing a predetermined length of hooked and baited fishing line through the opening. The spherical shape of the float enables it to be bounced across water in the manner of pebble skimming to accurately land adjacent a feature such as a river bank or pier support where fish are most likely to be found. An auxiliary float 90 and a bite indicator 92 slidably located in the auxiliary flat may also be incorporated.

Description

Fishing Floats The present invention relates to fishing apparatus and in particular to such apparatus for use in submerged-bait fishing in waters close to a feature such as a river bank, lake island, pontoon or pier support commonly found in both salt and fresh water fishing venues throughout the globe.

In known methods of submerged-bait fishing, a bait attractive to fish is attached to a hook at one end of a weighted length of fishing line the other end of which is attached to a float. The bait is then cast with a spinning or drum reel, rod and line, or suspended from a fishing pole to, or at, a point on a stretch of water where it is submerged beneath the float to tempt feeding fish of either fresh or salt water species A typical bait suitable for a fresh water venue is a boilie (a boilie is in essence a round shaped pellet either soft or hard, usually of high concentrated flavours and smells. Many types of boilie are widely available from fishing retailers). Alternatively, bread, bread crusts, or pellets or live baits such as maggots and worms may be used as bait.

A typical bait suitable for a salt water venue may be a rag or lob worm or a piece of either, various pieces of small freshly caught diced fish, or any of numerous shell fish (shelled), mussels, limpets, clams which emit flavours and smells Floats used in submerged-bait fishing are conventionally brightly coloured hollow bodies having an elongate portion to which a main fishing line is attached. After casting by an angler, the float floats on the surface of the water with the elongate portion substantially upright and visible to the angler. When a fish takes the bait and is hooked the float is taken down or disturbed providing a visual indication to the angler of a catch.

Anglers are also known to deploy submerged baits using fishing poles, which are gaining in popularity. A typical fishing pole may be up to twenty metres in length and in use have a float and a short length of hooked and baited elastic-type line attached to one end. The elasticity of the line, which may be selected from a range of available grades, enables the pole angler to play the fish without breaking the line as it stretches.

There is no reel and no running line on a fishing pole. Fishing poles are often made of carbon fibre, which is very strong and lightweight. Poles usually come in discrete inter-lockable sections to facilitate storage and transportation. In order to fish at a desired distance off-shore, an angler selects sufficient pole sections for that purpose, attaches a float with its attached baited hook, line and weights by a short length of line at the end of one section, then connects all the sections together sequentially, supporting the pole as he does so on a series of rests stuck firmly into the ground near the water's edge, to support the increasingly heavy on-shore end of the pole. The angler then feeds the complete pole horizontally out towards the target area on the water. The rests are provided with rollers on which the pole sits and thereby enable the angler to readily move the pole backwards or forwards. When a fish takes the submerged bait, the movement of the float alerts the angler who rapidly rolls the pole shore wards and retrieves the fish into a keep net.

It is a well known and documented fact that both fresh water and salt water fish are mostly to be found close to features such as a river bank or a pier support during the hours of daylight. A common mistake made by pier anglers is to cast their baited lines well away from the pier side in the belief that most fish and the largest specimens lay further out in deep water. However fish are located where adequate shelter and the bulk of their food are also sheltering. The normal tide action found near piers is a lateral one, that is it comes from side to side. This lateral action scours a gutter or trench around the pier supports that usually runs the full length of the pier. Inevitably mussels, limpets and seaweeds become attached to the supports towards which fish naturally gravitate. If a baited hook can be cast tight against such features numerous catches will be made.

In practice it is very difficult accurately to cast a float with a rod and reel with its baited hook, line and weights to a stretch of water closely adjacent to a feature to take advantage of the above facts.

With a pole an angler can place a baited hook precisely where he desires, within the length of the pole. However, the distance from an angler to a feature may be too great to allow a fishing pole to be used. The longest pole made measures some 22metres in length; however the average pole used in competitions is nominally16 metres. From a practical view point a pole of a length above II metres is difficult to use in pleasure fishing. Moreover such poles are in general very expensive to purchase being typically in the region of £2000 -£3000.

It is an object of the present invention to pmvide a fishing float which addresses the problem of the need to fish as close as possible to features where the majority of fresh water and salt water feeding fish are most likely to shelter during the hours of daylight.

According to the present invention a fishing float includes but is not limited to a hollow substantially spherical body having separable parts; a first separable part having buoyancy means to pmvide buoyancy to the float, and a second separable part having an opening; and, retention and release means for retaining and, responsive to water contact, releasing a predetermined length of hooked and baited fishing line through said opening.

The buoyancy means may comprise a sealed air-tight volume, or a volume of material less dense than water such as felt.

The retention and release means may comprise a supporting platform secured within the second separable part adjacent said opening having a bore there through for the passage of a fishing line and an array of studs supported by the supporting platform and round which in use a predetermined length of fishing line with a baited hook may be releasably wound. Instead of an array of studs a pulley wheel fixed to the supporting platform adjacent the opening may serve the same purpose.

The opening in the second separable part may be provided with a hinged door adapted to open in response to contact with water.

According to the present invention in a further aspect thereof there is provided a fishing float including but not limited to a substantially spherical body having buoyancy means and having a first opening communicating with the interior of a hollow elongate member located within the body, an auxiliary float within and with movement limited by the hollow elongate member, and a bite indicator slideably located within the auxiliary float and adapted to be attached to a predetermined length of fishing line arranged to be deployed through a second opening in the body.

The spherical shape of the floats according to the invention enables such floats to be used in a unique method of casting comprising the steps of:- 1. attaching the float to a fishing line of a conventional fishing rod and reel; 2. casting the float with a sideways movement of the rod as opposed to a conventional overhead cast so that the float bounces or skips across the surface of a stretch of water to be fished in the manner of pebble skimming; and, 3. ensuring by careful control of such a method of casting that the float comes to rest on the surface of the water closely adjacent a bank, pier support or other feature.

The invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings of which:-Figure 1 shows an exploded side elevation view of a fishing float suitable for salt water fishing before assembly; Figure 2 is a side elevation view of the float of Figure 1 after assembly and before its deployment for fishing on salt water such as the sea; Figure 3 is a plan view of the underside of part of the assembled float shown in Figure 2 showing how a baited and weighted hook is releasably retained; Figures 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D and 4E are schematic diagrams showing sequential phases in the operation of the float shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3; Figure 5 shows an exploded side elevation view of a fishing float suitable for fresh water fishing before assembly; Figure 6 is a side elevation view of the float of Figure 5 after assembly and before its deployment for fishing on fresh water such as a lake or river; and, Figure 7 is a plan view of the underside of part of the assembled float shown in Figure 6 showing how a baited and weighted hook is releasably retained; Where similar components of the floats as shown in the Figures are meant, they have been given common reference numerals.

In Figure 1 a fishing float 10 suitable for salt water fishing comprises a hollow brightly coloured sphere (I used a 6cm sphere moulded from type P6 plastic) made of two separable substantially hemi-spherical acrylic parts 20 and 30 respectively. Part 20 forms the top of the float whilst part 30 forms its base. For convenience of handling the two parts 20 and 30 are hingedly attached by means of a retaining ring 40 (I used a 10 mm diameter stainless steel key ring) passed through holes (not shown) in their opposing faces. The parts 20 and 30 may be snapped together, as shown in Figure 2 to form a substantially complete sphere by means of co-operating flanges on their opposing circumferential edges 21 and 31 respectively.

The top of the float 20 has three vent holes 22 symmetrically arranged around a circular opening 50 at its apex. A hollow cylinder 70, whose length is longer than the radius of the sphere but less than its diameter, is sealed into the opening 50. (The cylinder 70 1 used is Provista 21019 resin specifically formed into tubing CTR 16.2G x 300 TTHN x 40mm in length). The cylinder 70 has an open top end 71 flush with the surface of the top 20 of the float and extends centrally downwards into the base 30. Into the top end 71 of the cylinder 70 is removeably located a top cap 60 (I used a polypropylene IPP16.2 CRR cap bright red in colour). The top cap 60 is also shown in plan view from which it will be seen that it has an eyelet 61 located in a central bore (I found that a metal enameled sail eyelet number 21to be suitable). A bottom end 72 of the cylinder 70 is also open for communication with the base part 30 and has a wire stop 80 across it in an off-centre non diametrical position (I used 0.08 inches diameter stainless steel wire x 20mm) to act as a stop for a ball 91 described below.

An auxiliary float 90 comprising a cork ball 91 ((I used a 14mm diameter cork ball) and a bite indicator stem or rod 92 is located within the cylinder 70. The bite indicator stem 92 has an eye 93 through it at its lower end (I used a white plastic rod 2mm diameter x 45mm with a 1mm eye hole centrally 5mm from the end) and is slideably located in a central bore (we used a 2mm bore) passing through the ball 91. Covering the eye 93 is a silicone rubber sleeve 94. The stem 92 is dimensioned to slide through the sail eyelet 61 in the top cap 60 and is not obstructed by the wire stop 80. The ball 91has a diameter which allows it to move freely up and down the cylinder 70 limited only by the top cap 60 at the upper end of its movement and by the wire stop 80 at the lower end of its movement.

The bottom end 72 of the cylinder 70 is sealed into a central bore in a disc or base plate 100 (I used a laser cut clear acrylic disc 55mm diameter x3mm with a 16mm hole centrally). The diameter of the disc is slightly less than that of the sphere. Circumferentially secured to the disc 100 are six metal bait release studs 110 (I used metal silver coloured Ball head 5mm screw back button studs).

Two annular felt collars 130, which act as a buoyancy aid, sit around the lower end of the cylinder 70 on top of the disc 100.

The sphere in the example shown may be made by any known injection moulding technique.

To assemble the float 10 ready for use the top cap 60 is removed and the two parts of the sphere 20 and 30 are separated. Note that when separated the two parts 20 and 30 remain connected by the key ring 40 which aids handling. Next the auxiliary float 90 with its cork ball 91 and bite indicator stem 92 are removed from the cylinder 70 in the top part 20. The silicone rubber sleeve 94 is removed from the lower end of the stem 92 exposing eye hole 93.

A main fishing line (500 in Figures 4A to 4E) from a fishing rod and reel (not shown) is then threaded through the sail eyelet 61 in the top cap 60 (this eyelet prevents fraying of the line in use). The line is then passed through the centre hole in the cork ball 91. The bite indicator 92 is then replaced into the cork ball 91 over the line within. The cork ball 9lis then slideably positioned 5mm above the eye hole 93 end of the stem 92. A sufficient length of the main line 500 to ensure the required bait depth is then pulled through the eye hole 93 and threaded through the silicone rubber sleeve 94. The chosen length of main line 500 is then trapped to the stem 92 by replacing the silicone rubber sleeve 94 over the eye hole 93so that the cork ball 91 is touching rubber sleeve 94 being careful to retain enough slack on the line within the cylinder 70 to allow the auxiliary float 90 to move freely up and down its interior. The latter may be checked by gently pulling the main line above the top cap 60.

A baited hook (300 and 400 in Figures 4A to 4E) and weight or sinker (200) are now attached to the end of the line. Keeping the baited hook (300,400) close to the underside of the disc100 the line 500 is wound around the bait release studs 110 and, as shown in the plan view of the disc 100 in Figure 3 a Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) locking band 600 is placed over any three of the studs 110 ensuring the baited hook hangs down but does not protrude from the base 30.

Note: PVA is a water soluble compound which may be made into bags or nets. These bags, which are in common use, may be obtained from most fishing tackle retailers or suppliers such as PVA Bags Limited, or on-line from Anglers Net.co.uk, or The Fishing Bag Limited. The band of PVA 600 used to temporarily retain the bait 400, hook 300 and weight 200 may be cut from one such PVA bag. The PVA band must be kept dry prior to use.

Now the two parts 20 and 30 of the float are snapped together to form a spherical body and the float 10 is ready for casting.

It will be noted that when the float is assembled ready for casting, as shown in Figure 2, all the components necessary for delivery and deployment of a baited hook are held internally. Consequently the float has no significant external protrusions and it has a substantially smooth spherical outer surface. This is an important characteristic of the float and enables it to be deployed very close to features where fish will most likely be found by a unique method of casting and operation as will now be described with reference to Figures 4A to 4E.

A rod and reel (not shown) are used to cast a main line 500 with the baited float 10 in a sideways action rather than the more usual overhead action towards a sea feature such as a structure such as a pier support. The cast is aimed low so that the spherical float bounces over the surface of the sea water in a manner similar to the skimming of a smooth pebble. Using this technique it is possible, by careful control, to hit the feature and bring the float to rest on the surface very close to it where fish will be most populous.

The initial orientation of the float on coming to rest is typically as shown in Figure 4A that is with the bait indicator rod 92 at an angle to the water surface. However, as shown in Figure 4B, because the base 30 and its internal bait retaining and release mechanism 100 and 110 and captive weight 200, hook 300 and bait 400 is heavier than the top part 20, the float immediately self rights and in a few seconds fills with water. The auxiliary float 90 floats to the top of the cylinder 70 and the cork ball 9labuts the underside of the top cap 60. The bait indicator 92 is carried up through the sail eyelet 61 and is clearly visible to the angler. The sphere does not sink but is held afloat just proud of the surface of the water by the buoyancy of the felt collars 130.

Some 20 to 25 seconds, depending upon the water temperature, after the float fills with water, the PVA locking band 600 dissolves and the weighted and baited hook 200, 300, 400 falls through the opening 32 in the base 30 in the direction of the arrow A as shown in Figure 4C.

Next, as shown in Figure 4D, the baited hook 300,400 hangs vertically under the float at the predetermined depth set by the length of line 500 from the silicone sleeve 94; the sleeve preventing further downward movement of the line.

When a fish takes the bait and makes off as shown in Figure 4E, the line 500 goes tight, locked against eye 93 by the silicone sleeve 94. This causes auxiliary float 90 to be drawn to the bottom of the cylinder 70. The bait indicator rod 92 slides through the cork ball 9 land out of the opening 32 as the ball 91 abuts the wire 80 and is trapped in the cylinder 70. This in turn releases the rest of the float, which remains on the surface with the main line 500 running freely though it. The disappearance of the indicator rod 92 from the angler's viewpoint indicates a catch.

Whereas conventional floats impose significant drag resistance to a fish once hooked and trying to escape, which can alarm the fish and make landing it all the more difficult, with float 10 described above the fish will feel little resistance as the rod 92 slides out. This design ensures that should the line break, the captive fish will not be left towing the float. With the use of barbless hooks the captive fish will be released as the tension is removed.

Once the fish has been landed the float can be reassembled with new bait ready for another cast. However, prior to using another PVA locking band 600 and rewinding a newly baited line length over the studs 110, that length of line and the underside of the disc 100 including the studs 110 must be thoroughly dried so that the PVA does not dissolve prematurely.

The components of a fishing float 11 suitable for fresh water fishing is shown in Figures 5, 6 and 7 and is broadly similar to the salt water version shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3. However, it is lighter and smaller, made of mainly transparent parts so as not to frighten fresh water fish such as carp and has the following differences and smaller dimensions: * the sphere is 5cms in diameter * the auxiliary float 90 has a pear shaped balsa wood float 91 * there are only three studs 110 around any two of which may be stretched PVA band 600 * between each pair of studs 110 there is a water filling hole 120 * there is only one buoyancy collar 130 * The key ring 40 is 10mm in diameter * the cylinder 70 is Provista 21019 resin specifically formed into clear tubing CTR 10.7G x 300 TTHN x 40mm in length, and * the disc 100 is a laser cut acrylic transparent disc 46mm in diameter x 2mm thick having a central hole 11mm in diameter Apart from the above constructional differences, the fresh water version of the float 11 is cast in a manner similar to that described above with reference to the salt water version and it also operates in a similar manner to that illustrated by Figures 4A to 4E.

Many modifications and improvements to the float we have described above will now suggest themselves to those skilled in the art.

For example, instead of using the felt collars 130 as a buoyancy aid, a second annular disc can be secured to the cylinder 70 and, at its circumference, to the inner walls of the top part of the sphere above the first disc 100. The air vents 22 are also dispensed with so that, when sealed by the outside of the cylinder 70 to the inside of the top part 20 at point 50, the interior of the top part 20 becomes an air tight buoyancy chamber.

In another example the silicone sleeve 94 is not used. Instead, a split lead shot is secured to the main line at a point before it is passed through the eye 93, whilst ensuring that the length of line from the eye 93 to the baited hook equals the required bait depth. When a fish takes the bait the line goes tight as before, but now the split shot will lock against the eye 93 drawing the auxiliary float to the bottom of cylinder 70. As before the bait indicator rod 92 will be pulled through the cork ball 91, which is stopped from further downward movement by the wire 80.

Instead of a wire stop 80 a washer may be secured to the end 72 of the cylinder 70. The washer's central hole must sufficiently large to allow the passage of the line and bait indicator rod 92 but small enough to prevent downward movement of the ball 9lwhen a fish takes the bait.

Instead of the array of studs 110 a pulley wheel may be adhered to the underside of disc 100. The line from the eye 93 to the baited hook may then be wound around the pulley wheel with a PVA band retaining it until contact is made with the water.

Instead of studs 110 the baited hook may be retained in the base part 30 by means of a trap door releasably sealing the opening 32 and held closed when retained by a PVA band.