An expandable fish hook assembly includes a central shaft having one end attached to a fishing line and a plurality of arms or hook members pivotably coupled at or near the other end of the central shaft. The plurality of arms or hooks pivot between a collapsed position, with each arm or hook generally adjacent the central shaft, and a deployed position, with each arm or hook generally angled away from the central shaft. A sliding member engages the central shaft and moves along the central shaft, whereby the sliding member also operatively engages and moves along each of the plurality of arms to support and move the arms between the collapsed and deployed positions.

An expandable fish hook assembly includes a central shaft having one end attached to a fishing line and a plurality of arms or hook members pivotably coupled at or near the other end of the central shaft. The plurality of arms or hooks pivot between a collapsed position, with each arm or hook generally adjacent the central shaft, and a deployed position, with each arm or hook generally angled away from the central shaft. A sliding member engages the central shaft and moves along the central shaft, whereby the sliding member also operatively engages and moves along each of the plurality of arms to support and move the arms between the collapsed and deployed positions.

A spring actuated weedless fishing lure increases the chances of successfully catching a fish without entangling a hook on plant material. A weedless guard system prevents the hook from catching on weeds and compresses a spring to hold the spring and hook in a retracted position. When a fish strikes, the weedless guard system is released allowing the spring to expand and push the hook in a longitudinal direction to an expanded position away from other parts of the lure. This expanded position provides a greater area for the fish's mouth to engage with the hook without interference from other parts of the lure. The expanded position also allows the hooks to embed closer to the front of a fish's mouth and reduces the risk of the fish swallowing the whole lure.

A spring actuated weedless fishing lure increases the chances of successfully catching a fish without entangling a hook on plant material. A weedless guard system prevents the hook from catching on weeds and compresses a spring to hold the spring and hook in a retracted position. When a fish strikes, the weedless guard system is released allowing the spring to expand and push the hook in a longitudinal direction to an expanded position away from other parts of the lure. This expanded position provides a greater area for the fish's mouth to engage with the hook without interference from other parts of the lure. The expanded position also allows the hooks to embed closer to the front of a fish's mouth and reduces the risk of the fish swallowing the whole lure.

A fishing apparatus including a shank, a hook extending from the shank, one or more extendable barbs, and a spring. Each extendable barb has first and second ends and is disposed for angular movement with respect to the hook from the first end, from a first barb position in which the barb second end is proximate the hook to a second barb position in which the second end of the barb extends outwardly from the hook. The spring forcibly urges each extendable barb from first to second barb positions. A band may be included, circumferentially encircling the hook, slidably movable from first to second band positions. When in the first band position, each barb is held in a slot by the band. When in the second band position, each barb is urged by the spring into its second barb position. Fixed barbs may also be included.

A fishing apparatus including a shank, a hook extending from the shank, one or more extendable barbs, and a spring. Each extendable barb has first and second ends and is disposed for angular movement with respect to the hook from the first end, from a first barb position in which the barb second end is proximate the hook to a second barb position in which the second end of the barb extends outwardly from the hook. The spring forcibly urges each extendable barb from first to second barb positions. A band may be included, circumferentially encircling the hook, slidably movable from first to second band positions. When in the first band position, each barb is held in a slot by the band. When in the second band position, each barb is urged by the spring into its second barb position. Fixed barbs may also be included.

An improved apparatus for fishing in the form of a hook with multiple hook points, optional snag guard, auxiliary bait retainer, and an adjustable tension arm employed to provide variable tension between multiple hook points for the purpose of more securely and reliably setting a hook in the mouth of a fish.

A trolling device for a boat includes a trolling motor and a control mechanism. The control mechanism controls at least one of the speed and the direction of the trolling motor. The control mechanism is configured to receive control instructions from an electronic GPS mapping computer to cause the trolling motor to maintain a controlled drift of the fishing boat with respect to an anchor point, water current rate, water current direction, wind, and/or wave action.

A trolling device for a boat includes a trolling motor and a control mechanism. The control mechanism controls at least one of the speed and the direction of the trolling motor. The control mechanism is configured to receive control instructions from an electronic GPS mapping computer to cause the trolling motor to maintain a controlled drift of the fishing boat with respect to an anchor point, water current rate, water current direction, wind, and/or wave action.

A trolling device for a boat includes a trolling motor and a control mechanism. The control mechanism controls at least one of the speed and the direction of the trolling motor. The control mechanism is configured to receive control instructions from an electronic GPS mapping computer to cause the trolling motor to establish an anchor point near a dock to enable entry to the fishing boat or exit from the fishing boat.