GB2566698A

GB2566698A - Hook retaining device for fishing lures

Info

Publication number: GB2566698A
Application number: GB1715192.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Allan David
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-09-20
Filing date: 2017-09-20
Publication date: 2019-03-27
Also published as: GB201715192D0

Abstract

A hook retaining device 10 comprising a body 11 having a channel 18 for receiving a shank of a fishing hook, and a resilient retaining element to retain the shank in the channel, the resilient element configured such that the fishing hook is released upon application of pressure from a predetermined direction, such as by a fish bite. The channel extends into a cavity 17 at a rear end 13 of the body, the cavity being configured to receive a bend of the fishing hook. The channel may widen towards a front end 12 of the body. The retaining element may comprise first 15 and second 14 portions separated by a gap 16. The device may be secured to a fishing lure. When a fish bites and applies pressure to the resilient retaining element, the hook may be freed and form a straight line to the rod. This configuration may cause less damage or injury to fish or anglers than using multiple hooks on a lure.

Description

HOOK RETAINING DEVICE FOR FISHING LURES

The present invention relates to fishing lures. In particular, the present invention relates to a device for retaining and releasing a fishing hook for use with a fishing lure.

BACKGROUND TO THE PRESENT INVENTION

Catch and release angling has become more popular recently with salt water anglers in response to issues of sustainability.

There are three main types of fishing lure commonly used by salt water anglers, including: small sinking lure, metal “tins” (US), or “spinners” (UK) designed to imitate small baitfish, which are usually equipped with a treble or single hook; soft-bodied lures moulded to imitate fish, eels, or worms, usually equipped with a single hook; and hard-bodied lures such as “plugs”, or “hard baits” (“needlefish”, “swimmers”, “darters” and “pencil poppers”) designed to imitate larger prey fish.

The design of hard-bodied lures has not changed significantly since they were invented in the 1930’s. Hard-bodied lures are generally made from wood or plastic, and are usually equipped with two or three treble barbed hooks arranged along the body and tail of a lure. An array of two or three treble hooks for each lure is often excessive and dangerous to the fish, especially in the context of “catch and release” angling. For example, a fish attacking such a lure may be hooked cleanly in the mouth on one of the treble hooks, and as it struggles for freedom, one or more of the remaining treble hooks maim the fish by “foul hooking” onto the outside of the fish around the head, gills, throat or eyes. Such a hardbodied lure with multiple hook points may also cause serious or fatal injuries to predatory fish when the lure is swallowed and cannot be unhooked safely.

Providing more than one set of treble hooks on a lure may also inconvenience, even endanger, the angler. When unhooking a fish, the large number of loose hook points may injure the angler. Anglers who fish from the shore may stand in the sea wearing waterproof chest waders, and the large number of loose hook points on a caught fish may puncture the waders.

It is therefore desirable to provide an improved fishing lure.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

An aspect of the present invention provides a hook retaining device for a fishing lure. The device comprises a body having a channel for receiving a shank of a fishing hook, and a resilient retaining element extending over the channel for retaining the shank of the fishing hook in the channel. The retaining element is configured such that the fishing hook is released upon application of pressure from a predetermined direction. The channel extends into a cavity at a rear end of the body, the cavity being configured to receive a bend of the fishing hook

According to preferred embodiments, a channel is formed in the body of the hook retaining device to accommodate at least a part of a fishing hook, such as the shank, which is placed in the channel substantially in alignment with the (longitudinal) axis of the channel. The body may therefore be formed in any shape or size as desired without affecting the alignment of the hook. A retaining element is provided over the channel and is made of a resilient material that enables the retaining element to retain the shank of the fishing hook within the channel. A cavity is provided at a rear end of the body into which the channel extends, such that the bend of the hook which extends from the shank resides in the cavity when the shank is being retained in the channel. The cavity thus provides support for the bend of the hook which further enable the hook retaining device to retain the hook. The retaining element is configured such that the fishing hook is released when pressure is applied to the fishing hook from a predetermined direction, e.g. from the front or the side of the hook. Thus, the retaining element is configured such that the hook is not released from the device when pressure is applied from e.g. below the hook as the lure hits the water after being cast, and as the lure swims through the water.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a fishing lure that comprises the hook retaining device and means for securing the fishing hook to the fishing lure, such as a plastic or metal loop provided on the fishing lure to which a fishing line attached to the fishing hook may be secured.

Circle hooks have been developed for bait fishing, and are designed to hook a fish in the lip or scissors of the mouth to prevent deep hooking of the fish. This means the fish has a better chance of survival when it is returned to the water. Conventionally, anglers who use hard lures do not use circle hooks as a circle hook is less likely to hook a fish compared to either a single “J” hook or a treble hook. However, a fish may sustain considerable physical trauma when it takes a hard lure that is equipped with two or more treble hooks in a conventional arrangement, as the fish attempts to use the lure to lever the hooks from its mouth. Amongst the array of hooks attached to the hard lure, the treble hook on the tail of the lure may occasionally be replaced with a single hook. However, the hook on the stomach of the lure is generally a treble hook, which can maim the fish.

According to the preferred embodiments, a fishing hook is released from the hook retaining device when pressure is applied from a predetermined direction. Once the hook is disengaged from the device, which is attached to a lure, the lure hangs free such that the hook forms a straight line to the rod. In other words, when a fish bites a lure that uses the device to retain a hook, the fish cannot use the lure as leverage to release the hook. Thus, the use of the hook retaining device according to the preferred embodiments enables the use of a single “J” hook, semi-circle hook or circle hook with a hard lure, instead of two or three sets of treble hooks as in a conventional arrangement. For this reason, it is also possible to use a barbless hook in conjunction with a hook retaining device in accordance with the preferred embodiments. Preferred embodiments of the present invention therefore enable anglers who fish with hard lures to safely release a fish back into the water once caught.

In an embodiment of the hook retaining device, the channel widens towards a front end of the body. The widening (flaring) of the channel allows some freedom of lateral and rotational movement of the fishing hook shank while it is retained in the channel by the retaining element, and facilitates the release of the hook into the fish’s mouth when the fish bites the lure.

In an embodiment of the hook retaining device, the cavity is a substantially concave depression formed in the body and defined by a rim. According to the embodiment, the substantially bowl-shaped cavity guides the movement of the bend, such that the hook slides towards the front end of and away from the body upon application of pressure on the bend of the hook from the predetermined direction, e.g. the front or side of the bend.

In an embodiment of the hook retaining device, the height of the rim that defines the cavity generally increases progressively towards the rear end of the body with respect to the base of the body. The increased height of the rim at the rear end of the body improves the ability of the cavity to retain the bend of the hook.

In an embodiment of the hook retaining device, a groove or notch is formed in the rim that defines the cavity at the rear end of the body. According to the embodiment, the notch may receive or support a part of the bend of the hook, so as to limit lateral or rotational movement of the bend within the cavity when the bottom of the bend pushes against the rear end of the body.

According to the preferred embodiments, the channel widens at the front end of the body, which, in conjunction with the substantially concave or bowl-shaped cavity at the rear end of the body, enables the hook retaining device to accommodate a circle hook. The widened or flared opening of the channel allows the curved shank of the circle hook to swivel and/or rotate about its central axis while being retained in the channel, and the curved side of the cavity allows some degree of lateral or rotational movement of the bend as the hook swivels or rotates. The ability for the hook to swivel and/or rotate while being retained by the device enables the hook point to turn into the mouth of a fish when the fish strikes the lure, thus tightening a connecting line between the hook and the lure, causing the hook to be released from the device. The exposed hook point may then be pulled into the edge of the mouth of the fish through the pulling action of the angler.

In an embodiment of the hook retaining device, the retaining element comprises a first portion that extends over the channel from a first side of the channel, and a corresponding second portion that extends from a second opposite side of the channel. Preferably, at least a part of the first portion extends across more than half of the width of the channel.

According to the preferred embodiment, a first portion of the retaining element extends from one side of the channel over at least half, preferably more than half, of the width of the channel towards an opposite side of the channel. A second portion of the retaining element extends from the opposite side of the channel. The second portion may extend over less than half of the width of the channel, half of the width of the channel, or more than half of the width of the channel, as desired. The first portion and the second portion together retain the shank of a fishing hook in the channel.

In a preferred embodiment, the first and second portions are separated by a gap that is oriented at an angle to the axis of the channel. Preferably, at least the first portion of the retaining element is sufficiently flexible such that, upon application of pressure from the predetermined direction, the first portion deforms to enable the fishing hook to be released.

According to the preferred embodiment, an edge of the first portion and an opposing edge of the second portion forms a gap that enables the shank to be released from the hold of the retaining element. The gap is formed such that it is not aligned with the axis of the channel, but is instead oriented at an angle, e.g. above ΰ and less than 90°, to the axis of the channel so as to reduce the probability of unintentional release of the hook when the lure is cast in water. In the preferred embodiments, at least the first portion of the retaining element is configured to be sufficiently flexible, e.g. formed of a flexible material and/or shaped to afford some degree of flexibility (e.g. narrowing from a base towards a tip), such that at least the first portion can be deformed or bent by the fishing hook upon application of pressure on the hook from the predetermined direction (e.g. from the side or the bottom of the bend) to allow the hook to be released from the device.

In a preferred embodiment of the hook retaining device, the gap is configured to be narrower than the diameter of the fishing hook, such that the fishing hook is only released with sufficient pressure applied to the hook. In other words, the hook is less likely to be unintentionally released. As will be understood by a person skilled in the art, the threshold amount of pressure may be dependent on the flexibility of the first (and, in some embodiment, second) portion, the width of the gap between the first and second portion, the orientation (angle) of the gap, the diameter of the shank, and/or the size of the hook.

In an embodiment of the hook retaining device, an edge of the first portion and an edge of the second portion together form a V-shape that opens towards a front end of the body. This, together with the widening of the channel at the front end of the body allows lateral or rotational freedom of movement of the shank.

The retaining element may be provided to the hook retaining device in any suitable manner as desired. In an embodiment of the hook retaining device, the retaining element is integrally formed in the body. For example, the device may be formed by injection moulding in which the mould comprises all the features of the device including the retaining element. In another embodiment, the retaining element may be detachably coupled to the body. For example, the retaining element may be formed separately from the body and the device may be assembled by attaching the retaining element to the body using a suitable means, e.g. adhesive, screws, hinges, etc.

In an embodiment, the hook retaining device further comprises means to couple the device to a fishing lure. For example, the device may be attached to a bottom surface of the lure using adhesive, screws or other suitable means.

These and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent in light of the drawings and detailed description provided below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a hook retaining device viewed from the top;

Fig. 2 shows the hook retaining device of Fig. 1 viewed from the front end;

Fig. 3 shows with a fishing hook (J hook) inserted in the hook retaining device of

Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 shows the fishing hook of Fig. 3 rotated to its side;

Fig. 5 shows a fishing lure having a hook retaining device attached thereto, retaining a J hook, in accordance with an embodiment;

Fig. 6A illustrates the action of a fishing hook (circle hook) when pressure is applied from a predetermined direction;

Fig. 6B shows the cross-section of the hook retaining device of Fig. 6A; and

Fig. 7 illustrates the circle hook of Fig. 6A released from the hook retaining device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Embodiments of the present invention relates to a hook retaining device for a fishing lure.

In preferred embodiments, the device comprises a body with a channel for receiving a shank of a fishing hook. The channel is formed in the body of the hook retention device to accommodate at least a part of a fishing hook, such as the shank, which is placed in the channel substantially in alignment with the (longitudinal) axis of the channel. A retaining element is provided over the channel and is made of a resilient material that enables the retaining element to retain the shank of the fishing hook within the channel. A cavity is provided at a rear end of the body into which the channel extends, such that the bend of the hook which extends from the shank resides in the cavity when the shank is being retained in the channel. The cavity thus provides support for the hook at the bend to retain the hook in the device. The retaining element is configured such that the fishing hook is released when pressure is applied to the fishing hook from a predetermined direction, e.g. from the front or the side of the hook. It is therefore possible to prevent the hook from being released from the hook retaining device when pressure is not applied from the predetermined direction, e.g. from the bottom of the bend as the lure hits the water after being cast.

An embodiment of the hook retaining device is shown in Fig. 1. The hook retaining device 10 comprises a body 11 with a front end 12 and rear end 13. A retaining element comprising a first portion 15 and a second portion 14 is provided to the body 11. The first portion 15 of the retaining element extends over a channel 18, formed along part of the length of the body 11, from one side of the body 11 (or one side of the channel 18), and the second portion 14 extends over the channel from the opposite side of the body 11.

In the embodiment, each of the first and second portions 15, 14 of the retaining element has a wide base and extends across the width of the body over the channel 18 towards a rounded tip. An edge of the first portion 15 and an edge of the second portion 14 forms a narrow gap 16 that is oriented at an angle with the axis of the channel 18. According to the embodiment, the first and second portions may be formed in any desirable shape and size, where a gap that is not aligned with the axis of the channel 18 is formed between the first and second portion. In the embodiment, the first portion 15 extends over the channel across more than half the width of the channel 18 (or the body 11). Thus, an edge of the first portion acts as a barrier to prevent a fishing hook from sliding out of the device 10.

The channel 18 extends into a cavity 17 at the rear end of the body 11. In the embodiment, the cavity is a substantially concave, or bowl-shaped, depression formed in the body 11. The substantially concave cavity 17 is configured to receive the bend of a fishing hook, which extends from the shank of the hook, when the hook is being retained in the hook retaining device 10. Thus, movement in the direction towards the rear end of the device 10 is limited while the hook is being retained.

The gap 16 between the first and second portions 15, 14 of the retaining element opens towards the front end 12 of the body 11 such that the first and second portions 15, 14 forms a V-shape, and the channel 18 widens and flares out. The configuration provides room for (limited) lateral movement of the shank of a hook and thus allows the shank to swivel and rotate while the hook is being retained. This is particularly relevant in the case of a circle hook which has a curved shank.

Fig. 2 shows a view from the front end 12 of the hook retaining device 10. As can be seen, each of the first and second portions 15, 14 of the retaining element extends over the channel 18 from opposite side of the channel. In the embodiment, the section of the channel 18 that is enclosed by the retaining element has a substantially circular crosssection. However, the channel cross-section may be of any suitable shape, such as triangular, rectangular, etc. with minimal or no detrimental effect to the overall function of the hook retaining device.

The cavity (not shown) at the rear end of the hook retaining device is defined by a rim. The height of the rim progressively increases from the retaining element 14, 15 and is highest towards the rear end, where a groove or notch 13 is formed at the centre of the rear end. The notch 13 may be formed as a result of the two sides of the rim meeting at the centre during production, e.g. by injection moulding. By increasing the height of the rim towards the rear end, it is possible to improve the effectiveness of the retaining function of the cavity. Moreover, the notch 13 at the rear end limits the amount of lateral and rotational movement of the bend of a hook being retained when the bottom of the bend is pushing against the rear end of the cavity.

Figs. 3 and 4 show a fishing hook 20 being retained in the hook retaining device 10.

Fig. 3 shows the hook 20 being retained by the retaining element in an upright position, supported by the substantially concave cavity and rear groove or notch.

Fig. 4 shows the hook 20 swivelled to one side and rotated around the axis of the hook shank. The hook 20 comprises a circular loop 21 for receiving a section of a fishing line to be secured, for example, to a fishing lure, a shank portion 22 and a bend portion 23. The substantially concave shape of the cavity allows the bend 23 to rotate substantially freely, and the widening (flaring) of the gap between the first and second portion of the retaining element and the channel towards the front end of the hook retaining device allows lateral movement of the shank 22, thus enabling the hook to rotate to one side.

Fig. 5 shows a hook retaining device 10, with a J hook retained therein, coupled to a fishing lure 40 according to an embodiment.

In the embodiment, the hook retaining device 10 is attached to the tail end of the fishing lure 40. The device 10 may be attached to the lure 40 by any suitable means, for example, using adhesive, using screws, or the device 10 may be configured to snap on to a corresponding part of the lure 40. The device 10 may be attached to another part of the fishing lure 40, such as the head or front end or the middle, as desired. As shown in the middle figure, the front end of the device 10 points towards the head of the lure 40, while the rear end of the device 10 points towards the tail of the lure 40.

The lure 40 comprises loops 41,42 and 43 for receiving a section of a fishing line. The lure 40 may further comprise a diving vane or bill 44 as shown in the bottom figure. The top figure shows a fishing hook 20 being retained in the device 10, and secured to the lure 40 by a length of fishing line 30 that is secured to the loop 41 at the head of the lure 40.

The hook 20 may alternatively be secured, by the length of fishing line 30, to the loop 42 on the stomach of the lure 40, as shown in the bottom figure.

Fig. 6A illustrates the motion of a circle hook 20 that is being retained by a hook retaining device 10 when pressure is applied from a predetermined direction, according to an embodiment.

In the embodiment, the hook 20 is retained by the hook retaining device 10, and secured to a lure 40 by a length of fishing line 30 secured to a loop 41. When pressure is applied from a predetermined direction, for example, from the front of the bend of the hook (or from above the hook as seen in Fig. 6A) when a fish strikes the lure 40 and bites down on the hook 20, the bend of the hook 20 slides upwards and towards the front end of the device 10, as shown by the arrows.

As shown in Fig. 6B, the movement of the circle hook 20 is further aided by the substantially concave shape of the cavity 17 at the rear end of the device 10. The hollow between the bottom of the cavity 17 and the hook 20 allows different shapes and sizes hooks to be accommodated.

Circle hooks are conventionally less suitable for use with a hard lure compared to a J hook, as the point of a circle hook points towards the shank of the hook. Compared to a J hook, the width of the bend of a circle hook is considerably larger than the gape. The larger size of the bend of a circle hook, labelled as A in Fig. 6B, compared to the size of the gape provides leverage for the shank of the circle hook 20 to push upwards against the retaining element of the device 10 as the bend slides over the cavity and towards the front end of the device 10, thus urging the hook point to catch in the lip of the fish and releasing the hook 20 from the device 10. The present embodiment thus enables circle hooks to be used with hard lures by making use of the larger size of the bend of a circle hook as leverage. Moreover, the larger size of the bend of a circle hook increases the target size for the mouth of an attacking fish to push the hook round to engage the hook point.

Fig. 7 shows the hook 20 released from the hook retaining device 10. According to the embodiment, once released, the hook 20 can be pulled by the angler, via the section of the fishing line 30 secured to the lure 40, towards and into the edge of mouth of the fish.

According to the preferred embodiments, the fishing hook is released from the hook retaining device only when pressure is applied from a predetermined direction. Once the hook is disengaged from the device, which is attached to the lure, the lure hangs free such that the hook forms a straight line to the rod. Thus, the fish cannot use the lure as leverage to release the hook. The use of the hook retaining device according to the preferred embodiments described above enables the use of a single “J” hook, semi-circle hook or circle hook with a hard lure. For this reason, it is also possible to use a barbless hook with a hook retaining device in accordance with the preferred embodiments. Preferred embodiments of the present invention therefore enable anglers who fish with hard lures to safely release a fish back into the water once caught.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A hook retaining device for a fishing lure comprising a body having a channel for receiving a shank of a fishing hook, and a resilient retaining element extending over the channel for retaining the shank of the fishing hook in the channel, wherein the retaining element is configured such that the fishing hook is released upon application of pressure from a predetermined direction, and the channel extends into a cavity at a rear end of the body, the cavity being configured to receive a bend of the fishing hook.

2. The hook retaining device according to claim 1, wherein the channel widens towards a front end of the body.

3. The hook retaining device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cavity is a substantially concave depression formed in the body and defined by a rim.

4. The hook retaining device according to claim 3, wherein the height of the rim increases generally from the retaining element towards the rear end of the body.

5. The hook retaining device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein a notch is formed in the rim at the rear end of the body.

6. The hook retaining device according to any preceding claim, wherein the retaining element comprises a first portion extending over the channel from a first side of the channel and a corresponding second portion extending from a second opposite side of the channel, the first and second portions being separated by a gap oriented at an angle to the axis of the channel.

7. The hook retaining device according to claim 6, wherein at least a part of the first portion extends across more than half of the width of the channel.

8. The hook retaining device according to claim 6 or 7, wherein at least the first portion of the retaining element is sufficiently flexible such that, upon application of pressure from the predetermined direction, the first portion deforms to enable the fishing hook to be released.

9. The hook retaining device according to any one of claim 6 to 8, wherein an edge of the first portion and an edge of the second portion together form a V-shape that opens towards a front end of the body.

10. The hook retaining device according to any one of claim 6 to 9, wherein the gap is configured to be narrower than the diameter of the fishing hook.

11. The hook retaining device according to any preceding claim, wherein the retaining 5 element is integrally formed in the body.

12. The hook retaining device according to any one of claim 1 to 10, wherein the retaining element is detachably coupled to the body.

10

13. The hook retaining device according to any preceding claim, further comprising means to couple the device to a fishing lure.

14. A fishing lure comprising a hook retaining device according to any preceding claim and means for securing the fishing hook to the fishing lure.