A flexible swivel has a flexible toroid described by an internal major diameter, a fore ring, a body, and an aft ring. The flexible toroid is attached to the fore ring. The fore ring is attached with a rotatable fore joint to the front of the body. The aft ring is attached to the back of the body.

The present invention comprises a novel fishing tackle rig generally consisting of an open-eye formed by double U bends on the shaft of a hook or other tackle, a hook-shield which threads onto a fishing line with a hollow rear section to slide over the open-eye, a solid front section to provide structure, and a pin extending perpendicular to secure the hook-shield to the bait, and a cone shaped bait protecting device where the narrow end threads onto the fishing line and the wide end fits over the bait and other components of fishing tackle holding everything together. In an alternative embodiment, the hook-shield is replaced by integrating onto the shaft of the hook or other tackle a closing mechanism that slides along the shaft from an open position to a closed position that completes the open-eye. In preferred embodiments there is a grooved indention around the outside circumference of the wide end of the cone which may accept an O-ring, rubber band, or some other means of attaching a skirt or other attractant. Also in preferred embodiments the bait protecting device features a bait holder attached to the narrow end of the cone via a hinging mechanism that allows the free end of the bait holder to penetrate through the bait protecting device and into the bait at the wide end of the cone, and thereby secure the bait protecting device to the bait.

The present invention comprises a novel fishing tackle rig generally consisting of an open-eye formed by double U bends on the shaft of a hook or other tackle, a hook-shield which threads onto a fishing line with a hollow rear section to slide over the open-eye, a solid front section to provide structure, and a pin extending perpendicular to secure the hook-shield to the bait, and a cone shaped bait protecting device where the narrow end threads onto the fishing line and the wide end fits over the bait and other components of fishing tackle holding everything together. In an alternative embodiment, the hook-shield is replaced by integrating onto the shaft of the hook or other tackle a closing mechanism that slides along the shaft from an open position to a closed position that completes the open-eye. In preferred embodiments there is a grooved indention around the outside circumference of the wide end of the cone which may accept an O-ring, rubber band, or some other means of attaching a skirt or other attractant. Also in preferred embodiments the bait protecting device features a bait holder attached to the narrow end of the cone via a hinging mechanism that allows the free end of the bait holder to penetrate through the bait protecting device and into the bait at the wide end of the cone, and thereby secure the bait protecting device to the bait.

A gated fishing hook includes a shaft portion a first terminal end having a line eye. A hook portion extends from the shaft portion and includes a second terminal end having a point. A notch is defined on an inner surface of the hook portion below the second terminal end. A gate includes a looped wire having a first end coupled to a connection point disposed in between the shaft portion and the hook portion. The gate extends towards the notch and includes a bend spring biased within the notch. The gate is configured to pivot downward against the spring bias when a fish bites the hook, capturing a portion of a fish's lip in between the hook portion and the gate.

A gated fishing hook includes a shaft portion a first terminal end having a line eye. A hook portion extends from the shaft portion and includes a second terminal end having a point. A notch is defined on an inner surface of the hook portion below the second terminal end. A gate includes a looped wire having a first end coupled to a connection point disposed in between the shaft portion and the hook portion. The gate extends towards the notch and includes a bend spring biased within the notch. The gate is configured to pivot downward against the spring bias when a fish bites the hook, capturing a portion of a fish's lip in between the hook portion and the gate.

A fishing lure device and method of use are disclosed. The device may be a jig. The jig may include a head, a hook, a weed guard, and an optional skirt. The weed guard may include a skirt collar or other feature or component which may include a shoulder and may optionally allow for flexion of the skirt collar or of the weed guard. The weed guard may include an elongated element, such as a plastic or metal filament. The weed guard may include a bait retention feature, such as a hook, a barb, or a helix. The weed guard may resist flexion or rotation into an area defined by the hook, such that the combination of the weed guard and bait placed upon it may obstruct weeds from getting caught on the hook, while allowing a predator with sufficient force to become caught on the hook.

A fishing lure device and method of use are disclosed. The device may be a jig. The jig may include a head, a hook, a weed guard, and an optional skirt. The weed guard may include a skirt collar or other feature or component which may include a shoulder and may optionally allow for flexion of the skirt collar or of the weed guard. The weed guard may include an elongated element, such as a plastic or metal filament. The weed guard may include a bait retention feature, such as a hook, a barb, or a helix. The weed guard may resist flexion or rotation into an area defined by the hook, such that the combination of the weed guard and bait placed upon it may obstruct weeds from getting caught on the hook, while allowing a predator with sufficient force to become caught on the hook.

A fishing lure device and method of use are disclosed. The device may be a jig. The jig may include a head, a hook, a weed guard, and an optional skirt. The weed guard may include a skirt collar or other feature or component which may include a shoulder and may optionally allow for flexion of the skirt collar or of the weed guard. The weed guard may include an elongated element, such as a plastic or metal filament. The weed guard may include a bait retention feature, such as a hook, a barb, or a helix. The weed guard may resist flexion or rotation into an area defined by the hook, such that the combination of the weed guard and bait placed upon it may obstruct weeds from getting caught on the hook, while allowing a predator with sufficient force to become caught on the hook.

A fishing lure device and method of use are disclosed. The device may be a jig. The jig may include a head, a hook, a weed guard, and an optional skirt. The weed guard may include a skirt collar or other feature or component which may include a shoulder and may optionally allow for flexion of the skirt collar or of the weed guard. The weed guard may include an elongated element, such as a plastic or metal filament. The weed guard may include a bait retention feature, such as a hook, a barb, or a helix. The weed guard may resist flexion or rotation into an area defined by the hook, such that the combination of the weed guard and bait placed upon it may obstruct weeds from getting caught on the hook, while allowing a predator with sufficient force to become caught on the hook.

A fish hook apparatus including a head member, a shank, a bend section, a point element, and securing elements and a method for producing a controllable action in a bait are provided. The head member is defined by a top nose element, opposing side walls, and a bottom end. The head member includes a channel with openings at the top nose element and an opposing side wall for passing a fishing line. A securing element, coupled to the bottom end of the head member, secures a head of the bait. Another securing element, coupled to any location of the bait, secures one end of the fishing line exiting from the head member to the bait. Controllably tugging the fishing line curls the secured bait backwards towards the head member and springs the secured bait forwards to produce a controllable action, for example, a worm-like action in the bait.