Fish assist

Abstract

A fishing rod accessory that attaches to the external structure of a fishing rod between the fishing rod tip and the fishing rod handle that will help stabilize the fishing rod spine and will improve targeted casting, distance, and accuracy.

Claims

1. A method for casting, using a fishing rod configured to cast and reel in a fishing line with a lure or bait, a hook, a weight or a bobber, or a combination thereof attached thereto, wherein said method reduces flexing, wiggling, and vibration of the rod, the method comprising: (i) providing a fishing rod with a butt end, a tip end, and a reel both having a fishing line wound thereon and being attached to the fishing rod adjacent the butt end, the fishing rod and reel configured to cast and reel in the fishing line with a lure or bait, a hook, a weight or a bobber, or a combination thereof attached thereto, the fishing rod having a top half which is opposite the butt end and including a rod tip section having the tip end; (ii) securely attaching a stabilization device to said rod, on the top half of the fishing rod, within ten to twenty-five inches of the tip end of the fishing rod, wherein said stabilization device comprises two substantially identical body sections approximating two halves of a tube cut in half along a length thereof, wherein each of the two body sections is adapted to fit against the top half of the fishing rod within ten to twenty-five inches of the tip end of the fishing rod, and comprises an elongated semi-tubular body section, having a top end and a bottom end, an elongated outer surface, and an elongated inner surface defining a semi-cylindrical void which fits against the top half of the fishing rod, wherein each of the two body sections has a partially flattened face traversing an arc of the elongated outer surface, said partially flattened face is adapted to face toward the fishing line when in use, and wherein the two body sections are flexibly connected via a connection means; (iii) casting the fishing line by swinging the fishing rod backwards, such that at least the rod tip section bends backwards in an opposite direction of the casting direction, and then swinging the rod forwards in the casting direction; whereby said method results in reduction of flexing, wiggling, and vibration of the fishing rod during casting.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein, during casting, the degree to which the rod tip bends backwards in (iii) is greatest across the top half of the fishing rod.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the connection means is selected from the group consisting of a fabric connector, a plastic connector, a shrink-fit tube membrane, and an elastic sheath.

4. The method of claim 1 of wherein the connection means is a snap-fit connector.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the connection means comprises a sheath made of a flexible elastic material.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the body sections are made from the group consisting of aluminum, rubber, steel, plastic, carbon, fiber, graphite, fiberglass, wood and silicone, or any combination thereof.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the body sections are from 4 inches to 12 inches in length.

8. The method of claim 1 further repeating the step of (iii) casting the fishing line by swinging the fishing rod backwards, such that at least the rod tip bends backwards in the opposite direction of the casting direction, and then swinging the rod forwards in the casting direction.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the stabilization device is attached to said rod within ten inches from the tip of the fishing rod.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the stabilization device is attached to said rod within twenty-five inches from the tip of the fishing rod.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 shows schematically the fish assist fishing rod accessory (5) mounted on a rod.

(2) FIG. 2 shows the fish assist fishing rod accessory enlarged and partially cut away to show the end view and reveal a damping element used in the present invention.

(3) FIG. 3 shows a cut-away cross section of the fish assist fishing rod accessory.

(4) FIG. 4 shows the fish assist fishing rod accessory mounted to the external structure of a portion of the fishing rod showing the damping element in greater detail.

(5) FIG. 5 shows various cut-away elements of the fish assist fishing rod accessory including bottom end and split.

(6) FIG. 6 shows the location of the rod tip and eyelets of the rod.

(7) FIG. 7 shows the first elongated tubular section, second elongated tubular section, and connection means.

KEY

(8) #1 fishing rod #2 fishing line #3 fishing rod tip #4 fishing line eyelets #5 fish assist #6 fishing rod handle #7 first elongated tubular section #8 second elongated tubular section #9 elongated outer surface #10 elongated inner surface defining a cylindrical void #11 top end #12 bottom end #13 lengthwise split #14 partially flattened face traversing an arc of the elongated outer surface of both the first and second elongated tubular sections #15 connection means

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(9) Applicants have found that a fish assist fishing rod accessory that attaches to the external structure of a fishing rod between the fishing rod tip and the fishing rod handle will help stabilize the fishing rod spine and will improve targeted casting, distance, and accuracy by decreasing the effects of the fishing rod's excessive flexing, wiggling, and vibration also referred to as “noodling” during the process of casting a fishing rod. Excessive flexing, wiggling, and noodling are a negative effect when casting a fishing rod which results in line friction and loss of stabilization affecting distance and accuracy. Further in accordance with the invention the Fish Assist fishing rod accessory is an anti-fatigue device that imparts less strain and stress on the human body during each casting motion.

(10) Such casting improvement and anti-fatigue for the user during the casting application from the fishing rod can be achieved by attaching the fish assist fishing rod accessory externally to the fishing rod over a selected portion of its length, typically, but not always, to the first ten to twenty-five inches from the fishing rod tip. The accessory material is selected to stabilize the rod during casting by use of an external weight and support counterbalance reducing the excess flex, wiggle, vibration, and “noodling” effect of the fishing rod thereby improving accuracy and distance of the cast while simultaneously reducing stress and strain on the person casting.

(11) Thus, in accordance with the invention, an externally mounted fishing rod accessory is provided having material incorporated into the accessory which is mounted externally to the fishing rod over a portion of its length.

(12) Further in accordance with the invention, a fishing rod stabilization, anti-fatigue device, comprising: two sections of a tube, the first body section having an inside surface, a top end, a bottom end, and a front end; a second body section having an inside surface, a top end, a bottom end, and a front end; and a connector (example: shrink tube membrane) said connector will impart a pressing force to pull the inside facing tubular surfaces of the first and second body sections together, wherein the bottom ends and the front ends of the first and second body sections are configured to receive a fishing rod between the inside facing surfaces of the first and second body sections, wherein the first and second body sections are substantially identical in shape and configuration, with one long side of each section having a flat side, said flat side designed to face toward the fishing line on a fishing rod, and are positioned in a parallel orientation to each other, said connector, example: shrink tube membrane or other connector, being positioned over the exterior of the entire joined sections and extending onto the fishing rod to securely attach the joined sections to the fishing rod.

(13) Further in accordance with the invention, a fishing rod accessory comprising two parts of a round tube cut in half along the long end of the tube with both of the tube halves having a flat portion along the entirety of one side. The two tube sections are placed on each side of the fishing rod at the same location on the fishing rod so that the fishing rod is in the middle of (sandwiched between) both sections of the tube. The flat portion of the tube is attached to the fishing rod facing the fishing line as it lays between the fishing rod eyelets. The flat portion of the tube sections allows for smooth and uninterrupted flow of the fishing line. The two tube halves (sections) are secured to the fishing rod using a connector, example: shrink tube membrane or another connector.

(14) Although certain exemplary methods, apparatuses and articles of manufacture have been described herein, the scope of coverage of this patent is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this patent covers all methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture fairly falling within the scope of the appended claims either literally or under the doctrine of equivalents.

(15) Based on teachings herein, other configurations of tubular and other structures, external attachments and various connectors will be apparent to the skilled person as falling within the scope of the present invention.

(16) Specific embodiments include the following:

Embodiment 1

(17) A device for attachment to a fishing rod, which improves stabilization of the fishing rod while in use, the device comprising:

(18) (i) a first elongated tubular section adapted to fit over the shaft of a fishing rod, having an elongated outer surface, an elongated inner surface defining a cylindrical void, a top end, and a bottom end,

(19) (ii) a second elongated tubular section adapted to fit over the shaft of a fishing rod, having an elongated outer surface, an elongated inner surface defining a cylindrical void, a top end, and a bottom end,

(20) wherein both the first and the second tubular sections are optionally split lengthwise, retaining their tubular shape,

(21) wherein, in use, the first and second elongated tubular sections are fitted onto the shaft of a fishing rod in line with each other along the axis of the rod,

(22) wherein the elongated outer surface of both the first and second elongated tubular sections have a partially flattened face traversing an arc of the elongated outer surface of both the first and second elongated tubular sections, said partially flattened face is adapted to face toward the fishing line when in use, in line with a plurality of fishing line eyelets of a fishing rod to which the device is attached, and

(23) wherein the first and second elongated tubular sections are flexibly connected via a connection means.

(24) The tubular sections may be made from any suitable material such as plastic, metal, fabric, carbon fibre, nanomaterials or composites, polymers and metal composites. The length of the tubular sections may be any suitable length for example from 4 inches to 12 inches in length, with a length to diameter ratio of for example from between 1:100 to 1:5. These dimensions and proportions are not meant to be limiting or exclusive.

Embodiment 2

(25) In various embodiments, the connection means is flexible. It may be a hinge or a snap-fit connector. The connection means may be selected from the group consisting of a fabric connector, a plastic connector, a shrink-fit tube membrane, a foam material, and an elastic sheath. It can be a sheath made of a flexible and/or elastic material fitted over the first and second tubular sections and further extending over at least a portion of the rod. It can be made of any suitable material such as plastic, metal, fabric, carbon fibre, nanomaterials or composites. The connection means can be an integral and contiguous part of the first and the second tubular sections, connected to both to provide an area of enhanced flexibility.

Embodiment 3

(26) In various embodiments, the first and second elongated tubular sections can be made from the group consisting of aluminum, rubber, steel, plastic, carbon, fiber, graphite, fiberglass, wood and silicone, or any combination thereof.

(27) The device is adapted to be mounted on the external structure of a fishing rod.