GATED FISHING HOOK

Abstract

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.

Claims

1. A gated fishing hook comprising: a shaft portion comprising a first terminal end comprising a line eye; a hook portion extending from the shaft portion and comprising a second terminal end comprising a point, wherein a notch is defined on an inner surface of the hook portion below the second terminal end; and a gate comprising a looped wire having a first end coupled to a connection point disposed in between the shaft portion and the hook portion, wherein the gate extends towards the notch and comprises a bend spring biased within the notch, wherein 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.

2. The gated fishing hook of claim 1, wherein the gate comprises a second end coupled to the connection point.

3. The gated fishing hook of claim 2, wherein the connection point comprises a first opening on a first side and a second opening on a second side opposite the first side, wherein the first end of the gate is disposed within the first opening and the second end of the gate is disposed within the second opening.

4. The gated fishing hook of claim 1, wherein the looped wire of the gate comprises a first bend in a first direction downward running from the connection point and a second bend angled towards the notch.

5. A gated fishing hook comprising: a shaft portion comprising a first terminal end comprising a line eye; a hook portion extending from the shaft portion and comprising a second terminal end comprising a point, wherein a notch is defined on an inner surface of the hook portion below the second terminal end; and a gate comprising a looped wire having a first end coupled to a connection point disposed in between the shaft portion and the hook portion, wherein the looped wire comprises a first bend in a first direction downward running from the connection point and a second bend angled towards the notch, wherein the looped wire comprises a bend spring biased within the notch, wherein 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.

6. The gated fishing hook of claim 5, wherein the gate comprises a second end coupled to the connection point.

7. The gated fishing hook of claim 6, wherein the connection point comprises a first opening on a first side and a second opening on a second side opposite the first side, wherein the first end of the gate is disposed within the first opening and the second end of the gate is disposed within the second opening.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0011] FIG. 2 is a bottom front perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0012] FIG. 3 is a top front perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0013] FIG. 4 is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0014] FIG. 5 is a side view of an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

[0016] The present invention includes a fishing hook that utilizes a gate to safely catch fish. The fishing hook of the present invention does not allow the hook to travel to the fish's vital organs. Instead the hook clips around the lip locking the hook into place. The present invention creates less of a puncture wound in the fish's mouth, allowing for true catch and release creating a scenario that saves the fish lives.

[0017] Referring to FIGS. 1 through 5, the present invention includes a gated fishing hook 10. The gated fishing hook 10 includes a shaft portion 10a with a first terminal end having a line eye 14. A hook portion 10b extends from the shaft portion 10b and includes a second terminal end having a point 20. A notch 18 is defined on an inner surface of the hook portion 10b below the second terminal end. A gate 16 includes a looped wire having a first end coupled to a connection point 12 disposed in between the shaft portion 10a and the hook portion 10b. The gate 16 extends towards the notch 18 and includes a bend spring biased within the notch 18. The gate 16 is configured to pivot downward against the spring bias when a fish bites the hook 10, capturing a portion of a fish's lip in between the hook portion 10b and the gate 16.

[0018] As mentioned above, the gate 16 is made of a looped wire. The looped wire may be an endless looped wire in which the gate 16 has a second end coupled to the connection point 12. In certain embodiments, the connection point 12 includes a first opening on a first side and a second opening on a second side opposite the first side. The first end of the gate 10 is disposed within the first opening and the second end of the gate 10 is disposed within the second opening. The looped wire of the gate 16 may further include a first bend in a first direction downward running from the connection point 12 and a second bend angled towards the notch 18. The bends may provide for the spring bias.

[0019] A method of using the present invention may include the following. The fisherman ties the fishing line onto the line eye 14 of the hook 10. The fisherman casts the hook 10 into the water. When a fish takes the bait, the fisherman sets the hook 10. Upon the setting of the hook 10, the gate 16 opens and allow the fish's lip to slide onto the pointed tip 20 and down the hook portion 10b allowing the gate 16 to firmly set behind the fish's lip.

[0020] It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.