GB2611591A - Fishing rig - Google Patents

Abstract

A fishing rig with a support line, a hook, and an arm. The support line is attachable to a fishing line at one end and bait 20 at the other. Hook 10 has an eye 44 that engages the support line (optionally hook link 24) allowing hook 10 to rotate around the axis of the line. Arm 40 has an eye which engages the support line, allowing hook 10 to rotate around the axis of the line. Arm 40 has a second end secured to the shank of hook 10. The angle between arm 40 and hook 10 is fixed. Optionally, arm 40 has a rubber sleeve. The hook and arm may be integrally formed. Ring 39 and bead 38 may constrain the movement of hook 10. The aperture of eye 44 may be elongate allowing the hook to pivot relative to the support line.

Description

Fishing Rig The present specification relates to a fishing rig, and particularly the arrangement of the fish hook on the fishing rig.

Referring to figure 1, angling typically refers to an angler deploying a fishing rig 15 suspended on a fishing line 26, supported by a fishing rod 28. When an angler attempts to catch a fish, a common method is to entice a fish to bite a hook 10 included in the fishing rig 15, whereupon the angler can reel in the fishing line 26, while the hook 10 prevents the fish from swimming away and escaping.

Many fish are very wary, and the angler must remain undetected by the fish, so the fishing rig 15 which holds the hook 10 and other parts must be cast by the angler using the fishing rod 28 and fishing line 26 so as to be some distance from the angler. The hook 10 and fishing rig 15 often sink to the lake bed 30 out of sight of the angler.

Bait 20 may be included either on or spaced from the hook 10. This bait entices a fish to feed. The angling then hopes that while eating the bait, the fish will then 'mouth' (that is, take the hook into its mouth) the bait. The fish will then try to expel the hook 10 from its mouth; however, if the point or one of the barbs (if included) of the hook have lodged or snagged in the mouth or lip of the fish, the angler, on believing the fish has mouthed the hook, can reel in the fishing line 26 to draw the fish towards them.

The success of hooking the fish depends on the position of the hook. Therefore, many systems strive to position the hook in an ideal position to lodge or snag the fish's mouth or lip if the fish mouths the hook. An ideal position is where the point of the hook 10 is directed substantially vertically downwards.

Referring also to figure 2, a known way of achieving this is to use a buoyant bait 20, and a counter weight 22, and possibly an additional weight 25, the counter weight 22 being attached to the weight 25 by a flexible line hooklink 24. The weight 25 and counter weight 22 rest on the lake bed 30, while the bait 20 floats above the counter weight 22 to position the hook 10 with its point facing downwards. The hook 10 is also more likely to be lifted clear of weeds and debris on the lake bed 30.

Referring to figures 3 and 4, another way to hook a fish is to use a non-buoyant bait 20', so that the bait 20 and hook 10 lie on the lake bed 30. A fish may then raise the bait 20 by suction as indicated by arrow a, so that the hook 10 is also lifted up from the lake bed 30 and brought into the correct position with the point of the hook 10 pointing down so that the fish may mouth the hook and be caught.

In both these described methods, the hook 10is attached to the hooklink 24 by the use of a knot. This means the hook 10 and hooklink 24 are effectively combined and torsionally linked, so that the rotation of one element results in a similar rotation of the other element, and any difference in rotation will depend on the degree of stiffness or suppleness of the particular hook line or fishing line. Strong and stiff hooklinks will limit the amount of rotation the hook 10 can undergo.

This means that the hook 10 is not generally in the most desirable position as a feeding fish 17 approaches the hook 10. The fish 17 may approach the hook from the shank side as shown in Figure 5, so that as the fish sucks the bait 20 and hook 10 as indicated by arrow b and the ghosted images of the fishing rig 15 the hook 10 remains incorrectly oriented.

Equally, the fish may approach from the lateral side of the hook (i.e. the fish travelling into or out off the page in figure 5). The angler does not know the orientation of the hook 10, has no control over which side of the hook 10 the fish approaches, and the hook 10 may not become optimally oriented when the bait 20 is being sucked towards the fish, particularly if the hooklink 24 is stiff.

Many configurations have been produced to try to overcome this problem. Referring to figure 6, one type of known design employs a stiff curved hooklink 24 which maintains a permanent curved form, which is intended to rotate so that the point and gape of the hook are facing the fish when the fish approaches the hook from the shank side or laterally.

Referring to figures 7 and 8, other approaches use more supple hooklink 24, where the eye 32 of the hook 10 forms an angle with the hook shank (shown in figure 7) to create a curve, or using a hook 10 that is curved along the shank and eye 32 (shown in figure 8).

Further known designs provide some means of rotating the hook 10. Referring to figure 9, a further known design features two interlinked metal rings 33, one ring being tied to the fishing line 26 and the other ring being tied to the hooklink 24. The two metal rings 33 both act as a counterweight and permits some amount of rotation of the hooklink 24, hook 10 and bait 20. However, the interlinked rings still constrain the rotation of the hooklink 24, hook 10 and bait 20.

Referring to figures 10 and 11, a further known design features a swivel formed from a barrel-shaped member 34 having two metal loops 35, one loop 35 extending from each end of the barrel-shaped member 34. Each loop 35 is constrained in the barrel-shaped member 34, but is free to rotate about the barrel-shaped member's axis. As for the design described in figure 9, the metal loops and barrel-shaped member act as a counterweight and permits some amount of rotation of the hooklink 24, hook 10 and bait 20. However, water pressure on a lake bed may interfere with the rotation.

The object of the present invention is to provide a fishing rig, or parts needed to assemble such a fishing rig, where the hook orients more desirably for catching fish.

According to the present invention, there is provided a fishing rig according to claim 1.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an arm as herein defined. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hook and arm as herein defined.

The term support line used herein means the component which supports the hook 10 and arm. It will generally be fishing line, such as a hook line, but could be a rigid component.

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the drawings, of which Figure 1 shows a side view of a known fishing rig configuration; Figure 2 shows a more detailed side view of the known fishing rig configuration; Figure 3 shows a plan view of another known fishing rig configuration; Figure 4 shows a side view of the known fishing rig configuration of figure 3; Figure 5 shows a side view of the known fishing rig configuration of figure 3 and 4 in use; Figures 6 to 9 show a side views of further known fishing rig configurations; Figure 10 shows a side view of a further known fishing rig configuration; Figure 11 shows a more detailed partly sectional side view of the further known fishing rig configuration shown in figure 10; Figure 12 shows a side view of an embodiment of the fishing rig configuration; Figure 13 shows a more detailed side view of an embodiment of the fishing rig configuration shown in figure 12; Figure 14 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the arm of the fishing rig configuration; Figure 15 shows a side view of the arm of figure 14; Figure 16 shows a plan view of the arm of figure 14; Figures 17a, 17b and 17c show a perspective views of an embodiment of the arm being attached to the hook; Figure 18 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the arm and hook being attached to the hooklink; Figure 19 shows a more detailed perspective view of the arm and hook of figure 18; Figures 20a, and 20b show a side views of the arm and hook of figure 18 in different positions; Figure 21 shows a side view of the arm and hook of figure 18 in more detail; Figures 22 and 23 show a side view of another known fishing rig configuration; Figures 24 and 25 show detailed side views of the fishing rig configuration in use; Figures 26a to 26e show side views of different embodiments of the stop means of the fishing rig; Figures 27a and 27b show a detailed side view part of a known fishing rig in use; Figure 28 shows a side view of a further embodiment of the hooklink; Figures 29a and 29b show side views of further embodiments of the hooklink; Figures 30a and 30b show side views of further embodiments of the hooklink in use; Figure 31 shows a side view of a known bait spike which may be used with the present system; Figure 32 shows a side view of a further detail of the arm; Figure 33 shows a side view of the arm of figure 32 in use; Figures 34 and 35 show side views of further embodiments of the arm; Figure 36 shows a side view of the arm of figure 34 in use; Figure 37 shows a side view of another embodiment of the arm; Figure 38 shows a side view of another embodiment of the arm; Figure 39 shows a side view of the arm of figure 38 in use; Figures 40 to 43 show perspective views of further embodiments of the arm; Figure 44 shows a perspective view of the arm of figure 43 being attached to a hook; Figures 45 to 47 show perspective views of further embodiments of the arm; Figure 48 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the arm together with a bead; Figures 49 to 51 show side views of further embodiments of the fishing rig; Figure 52 shows a side view of one of the fishing rigs shown in figures 49 or SO in use; and Figure 53 shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of the arm together with a bait spike.

Referring to figure 12, a fishing rig 15 according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a hook 10 which is attached to a hooklink 24 by an eye 44, an arm 40 which further attached the hook 10 to the hooklink 24, a ring 39, and a rubber bead 38. The hooklink 24 terminates in a hooklink loop 46, which may include a bait stop 43, and a bait is formed around the hooklink loop 46.

The eye 44 of the hook 10 is out-turned, that is, the plane in which the eye lies is inclined to the shaft axis with the distal end of the eye spaced away from the gape of the hook. The arm 40 has a sleeve at one end which attaches to and constrained the shaft of the hook 10 while allowing the shaft to rotate freely with respect to the sleeve. The other end of the arm features an eye through which the hooklink 24 passes. The sleeve is inclined with respect to the main shaft of the arm, so that the hook 10 is held at an inclination to the hooklink 24 as shown. The arm 40 may be formed from rubber, or a polymer having similar properties.

The eye of the arm 40 and the hook eye 32 can freely rotate around the hooklink 24, so that the hook 10 is free to complete rotate around the axis of the hooklink 24. The shaft of the hook 10 can also rotate in the sleeve of the arm 40, so that the bend, front and point of the hook can orient by the rotation of the hook shaft in the sleeve of the arm 40. The hook is therefore free to rotate with respect to the hooklink 24, and about the axis of the shaft of the hook 10, without being constrained by a knot. The shaft of the hook 10 can also pivot with respect to the hooklink 24; this mode of movement will be described below.

Preferably a rubber bead 38 is attached to the hooklink 24 beneath the hook 10, for example by the hooklink 24 being threaded through a bore in the bead 38. This bead 38 limits the downward position of the hook 10. Preferably, a metal ring 39 through which the hooklink 24 passes is located between the bead 38 and the eye of the hook 10, to reduce any friction on the eye of the hook 10 which might resist the free rotation of the hook 10. Referring also to figure 13, the angler can slide the bead 38 to the desired position along the hooklink 24 as indicated by arrow c, whereupon it will stay at that location when the fishing rig 15 is cast.

Other components or methods could be used to stop the hook from sliding down the hooklink 24, such as a knot made in the hooklink 24, a lead shot, or glue.

Depending on the friction between the hooklink 24, arm 40 and eye 32 of the hook 10, the bead 38 or other position limiting means may be unnecessary.

Referring to figure 14, as previously noted, the arm 40 comprises an elongate main body 48, with a sleeve 47 on one end of the main body 48, and an eye 49 on the other end of the main body 48. The eye 49 is elongate, the elongation extending substantially coaxially with the elongation of the main body. The sleeve 47 is substantially barrel shaped, with a bore running through it.

Referring to figures 15 and 16, Typical dimensions for the arm 40 are a total length of 10mm, the eye having a internal length of 4mm and a external width of 4mm, and a thickness of 1-3 mm., and a length from the distal internal edge of the eye to the centre of the sleeve of about 7mm. However, the dimensions may be varied as required, dependant on factors such as the width of the hooklink 24, the size and shape of the hook 10, and the amount of freedom of pivoting of the hook 10 with respect to the hooklink 24 that is desired.

The representation of the device in figures 14 to 16 is not shown to exact scale, and the length of the elongation is somewhat exaggerated; nevertheless, the eye 19 is longer in the direction parallel to the arm 48 than the eye's width (perpendicular to the arm 48) with the internal width being about 2mm compared to an internal length of about 4mm. In general, the internal dimensions of the eye will have a length to width ratio of at least 1:0.7, and more ideally a ratio of at least 1:0.6, going up to perhaps 1:0.5 or more. Further the width of the elongated eye may vary -it will be seen that the width could narrow towards the end of the elongated eye proximal to the hook. This constrains the side to side motion of the arm on the hooklink, but allows the angle of the hook to vary, such as when a fish is pulling on an embedded hook. The length of the arm 48 may be varied, and the elongated eye may even attach directly to the sleeve 47.

S

It is important to note that the elongated eye 49 and the bore of the bead 47 are essentially aligned, so that the plane of the opening of the elongated eye is perpendicular to the shaft of the hook when the bead 47 is on the hook shaft.

Referring to figures 17a to 17c, to attach the arm 40 to the hook 10, the point of the hook 10 is introduced to the bore of the sleeve 47 of the arm 40, and the sleeve 47 is then pulled along the hook round the bend and along the shaft until it is at the desired position on the shank of the hook 10 as indicated by arrows e, f and g. The precise position of the sleeve 47 can be adjusted by the angler along by sliding the sleeve 47 in the direction of arrows d in Figure 14. As the arm 40 is made from a deformable rubber material, it deforms to permit the passage of the hook through the bore of the sleeve 47, but the sleeve grips the shank of the hook 10 to remain in position. The deformation of the rubber material therefore assists the catching process once the fish has become hooked by not impeding the eye of the hook reaching the fixed end knot.

Referring to figure 18, once the arm 40 has been secured to the hook 10, the assembled hook 10 and arm 40 can be attached to the hooklink 24. To achieve this, the hooklink 24 is threaded through the eye 49 of the arm 40 indicated by arrow h, before being threaded through the eye 32 of the hook 10 (equally, the hooklink 24 could be threaded in the other direction).

Referring to figure 19, the eye 49 of the arm 40 is large enough to permit the arm to slide on the hooklink 24, particularly along the elongate length of the eye as indicated by arrows i. The eye 49 is sufficiently wide to ensure that the hooklink 24 is not constricted, and the hooklink 24 can move or rotate with respect to the eye 49.

The arm 40 is arranged on the hook 10 so that the axis of the main body 48 of the arm 40 lies in the same plane which the point, bend and shank of the hook 10 lie in; that is, the arm extends from the shank of the hook 10 in the opposite direction to the bend of the hook 10.

Referring to figures 20a and 20b, the position on the sleeve 47 on the shank of the hook 10 may be varied, and by adjusting this position, the angle the shank of the hook 10 makes with the hooklink 24 can be varied; thus, when the sleeve 47 is located proximal to the eye 44 of the hook 10, a larger angle a is created between the shank of the hook 10 and the hooklink 24 than when the sleeve 47 is spaced further from the eye 44 of the hook 10 to create a smaller angle p. The bore of the sleeve through which the shank of the hook passes is sized (in conjunction with the amount of grip of the material of the sleeve) to allow the position of the sleeve to move up and down the shank of the hook relatively easily -in particular, in response to the movement of a fish when the hook is in the fish's mouth. This allows the angle between the shank of the hook 10 and the hooklink 24 to vary to accommodate the fish's struggle with the hook without the hook disengaging.

There are many varieties of hooks, including hooks with a straight shank or hooks where the shank is formed in a curve; further, the eye may be out-turned, in-turned, or formed in line with the shank. Ideally for this device, the eye 32 of the hook 10 should be oriented to that its plane is perpendicular to the hooklink 24, so that the hooklink 24 is not constricted by the eye being inclined with respect to the hooklink 24. Referring to figure 21, the angle that the eye 32 makes with the hook 10 should be complimentary to the desired angle between the shank of the hook 10 and the hooklink 24, that is, the angle y that the eye 49 is turned-out from the hook shank should be 900 -the angle 6 (i.e. y + 6 = 90°); to achieve an angle y between the hook shank and the hooklink of 35-40° as shown, the angle 6 that the eye 49 is turned-out at is an angle of 50-55°.

A total arm length of 10mm appears to work well; this length may be varied for particular hooks and circumstance, provided a useful angel between the hooklink 24 and shank of the hook 10 is formed.

Once the fish has been snared by the hook, in the initial few seconds fish appear to be able to the work the hook free before it the point of barbs of the hook 10 penetrate the fish's mouth. It is believed that fish can do this because of a rigidity between the hook 10 and hooklink 24 and the rigid join formed between them by a knot or lashing. The degree of play between the hooklink 24 and the eye 49 (indicated in figure 19 by arrow 1) allows the hook 10 to move towards and away from the hooklink 24, thwarting the fish's attempts to discard the hook.

Referring to figure 22, in known fishing rigs, the hook 10 is typically attached to the hooklink 24 by a knot or lashing 41 so as to leave a length of hooklink 24 referred to as a hair 23. Bait 20 can then be attached to this hair 23, for example by embedding the hair 23 in a ball of bait 20 and tying a bait stop 43 to the end of the hair using a granny knot 51 or other knot which retains the eye of the hook, to secure the bait 20 above the hook 10 as shown in figure 23. The loop formed by the knot 51 and the bait stop 43 prevent the bait 20 from flying off the hooklink 24 when the fishing rig 15 is cast.

If buoyant bait is used, the bait 20 floats above debris on the lake bed, with the hook 10 beneath. The aim is for the fish to take the bait 20, and simultaneously or subsequently takes the hook 10 in its mouth. The hook 10 is conventionally secured to the hooklink 24 by the knot or lashing 41.

Referring back to figure 12, in the present device however, the eye 32 of the hook 10 and the eye 49 replace the knot or lashing. The bait 20 is attached by a loop 44 formed in the hair of the hooklink 24, and a bait stop 43 may also be secured in the loop 44. When a fish takes the bait, the hook 10 is free to move along the hooklink 24. Referring to figure 24, when the fish takes the hook 10 in its mouth, or when the fish sucks the hook 10 upwards, it will try to pull away, pulling the bait 20 and hook 10 in the direction of arrows], while fishing line 26 and hooklink 24 exert an opposing force in the direction of arrows k.

Referring to figure 25, the eye 49 of the arm 40, as previously described is around 4mm in width internally; the knot 42 for the loop 35 will typically pass through this eye 49. The eye 32 of the hook 10 will then engage the knot 42. This preferred 4mm width, along with the use of deformable material for the ideal composition of the arm, avoids hindrance in the knot reaching the eye of the hook which otherwise may result in an inferior configuration.

Once the fish has taken the hook 10 in its mouth and the hook 10 is secured in the fish's mouth, the angler can start to pull the fish in on the fishing line 26, with the hook 10 secured to the hooklink 24 by the knot 42 and eye 32. It is therefore important that the knot 42 is sufficiently wide and strong so that the eye 32 cannot inadvertently pass over it, which would cause the hook 10 to come free of the hooklink 24 and the fish to be lost.

The material of the hook 10 should be resilient enough to catch on the knot 42 without the eye 32 deforming and coming loose. If necessary, when assembling the fishing rig 15, the knot 42 can be increased in size, diameter and/or strength, a supplementary knot can be added. Referring to figures 26a to 26e, an additional stop means 53 can be included on the knot 42 of the hooklink 24 to prevent the hook 10 from coming free of the hooklink 24; equally, it could be included below the knot 42. The stop means 53 could be formed from metal or hard plastic.

Referring to figures 27a and 27b, when securing the bait to the hooklink 24 in a conventional system, the angler will form a bait 20 around the hooklink 24, tie a knot 42 in the hooklink 24 to form a hooklink loop 46, locate a bait stop 43 in the loop 35, and then push the bait 20 in the direction of arrow/so that the bait is reasonably secured to the hooklink 24.

As previously described for the fishing rig 15 described herein, the hook 10 will move up the hooklink 24, and be retained by the hooklink 24 as the fish attempts to pull away from the hook 10. Therefore the securement of the hook 10 can be strengthened to increase reliability. Referring to figure 28, the hooklink 24 may instead terminate with a metal hook stop ring 52 secured by a knot 42 in the hooklink 24, and then a separate line is tied to the hook stop ring 52 with a knot 53 to form a loop 35 which secured the bait stop 43. When the hook 10 becomes embedded in the fish's mouth, the hook 10 is secured on the hooklink 24 by the hook stop ring 52.

Referring to figures 29a and 29b, the hook stop ring 52 may also serve to secure the bait, thus dispensing with the requirement of the loop 35 shown in Figure 28. Further, referring to figures 30a and 30b, the hook stop ring 52 may be sufficient to secure the bait 20, allowing the bait stop 43 itself to be dispensed with.

Referring to figure 31, the hooklink 24 could be terminated with a bait spike 54; a bait spike conventionally comprises a shaft extending from an eye, the shaft having one or more barbs which secure the bait 20. The bait spike 54 may be secured to the hooklink 24 using a knot 42 such as a knot. The eye of the bait spike 54, if sufficiently wide, can serve to secure the hook 10 when it reaches the end of the hooklink 24 after the fish has taken the hook 10 in its mouth.

Referring to figure 32, the arm 40 will typically be arranged so that the axis of the bore of the sleeve 47 is perpendicular to the axis of the main body 48, thus the angle E will be 90°.

Referring also to figure 33, the angle of the shank of the hook 10 to the hooklink 24 will depend on the relative length of the arm 40 and the point it is joined to the shank of the hook 10 as previously mentioned, but the angle Lisa factor in the inclination of the hook 10. It is also possible to vary the angle of the main body 48 of the arm; referring to figure 34, here the main body 48 and eye 49 is shown inclined at an angle ( to the axis of the bore of the sleeve 47 of the arm 40 (here at an angle of approximately 75°). An alternative shape that achieves an inclination of the main body 48 and eye 49 is shown in figure 35. Referring to figure to figure 36, this results in the hook 10 being further inclined away from the hooklink 24, and also the point of the hook 10 being spaced further the bait 20.

Referring to figure 37, the arm 40 could be bent in the opposite direction, so that main body 48 of the arm 40 is inclined towards the shank of the hook 10, so that the bend and point of the hook 10 can be brought closer to the bait 20.

Referring to figures 38 and 39, the main body 48 of the arm 40 could be curved as shown, which causes the shank of the hook 10 to be inclined away from the hooklink 24, in a similar manner to the arm 40 described in relation to figure 36.

The central principle of the fishing rig 15 herein described is that the hook 10 is permitted to freely rotate around the hooklink 24; rather than using an arm 40 as described above, this can be achieved with other configurations. Referring to figure 40, the arm 40 could be formed from a piece of flat material. Referring to figure 41, the arm could have a deeper form, for example cut from an extruded shape. Referring to figure 42, the main body 48 could be dispensed with, by attaching the eye 49 directly to the sleeve 47.

Referring to figure 43, the arm 40 could be formed with the sleeve 47 and eye 49 both encompassing the hook 10 and hooklink 24 respectively, and possibly attached together with a web 56 of material. Referring to figure to figure 44, this type of arm could be formed with the sleeve 47 being a shaped continuation of the web 56, with two halves of the sleeve 47 being formed with a fold line, so that the arm 40 can be attached to the shank of the hook 10 by folding one half of the sleeve 47 against the other half to secure the hook 10 to the arm 40. Alternatively, the sleeve could be formed around the hook by crimping or welding. The embodiments shown in figures 43 and 44 cold for example be formed from malleable metal foil, or a resilient deformable hard plastic.

These embodiments all allow the hook 10 and arm 40 to rotate about the hooklink 24; the angle that the shank of the hook 10 makes with the hooklink 24, and degree of freedom about with the hook 10 can pivot and incline to the hooklink 24, depend on the precise dimensions and angles of the arm 40, and the amount of play provided by the eye 49.

Various material can be used to form the arm 40, however rubber or a similar polymer is ideal as this will grip the shank of the hook 10 in the sleeve 47.

A similar functionality can be provided by providing an arm with two rings and the joining member between the rings, so that one ring is located around the shank of the hook 10 and the other ring around the hooklink 24, with the joining member holding the two rings either holding the rings at a constant spacing or a maximum spacing. Referring to figure 45, a metal hook ring 58 and hook link ring 59 could have a joining member 60 formed from flexible line material (such as is used for the hooklink) tied to each ring. Referring to figure 46, the hook ring 58, hook link ring 59, and joining member 60 could all be formed from a metal material. Referring to figure 47, the hook ring 58, hook link ring 59 and joining member 60 could be all be formed from a flexible line material.

These embodiments function similarly to the arm 40 of the fishing rigs previously described, however the shank of the hook 10 could move relative to the hook ring 58 unless the hook ring 58 is of a material that can grip or otherwise resist movement of the shank of the hook 10 through it. Referring to figure 48, to constrain the movement of the hook 10 so the hook 10 maintains the desired orientation, a hook bead 62 or other stop means could be placed on the shank of the hook 10 below where the hook ring 58 is placed.

Referring to figures 49 and 50, the hook 10 and arm 40 could be integrally formed, with the arm 40 permanently secured to the shank of the hook 10 by means of welding or a similar fabrication technique. When formed as an integral design, the arm 40 no longer requires a sleeve 47. Referring to figure 51, more than one arm 40, each arm having an eye 49, could be joined to the shank of a hook 10 in this manner; the length of the arm will vary according to the geometry and desired angle between the shank of the hook 10 and the hooklink 24.

Referring to figure 52, with such an integral system, the eye 49 may be designed to catch on the knot 42 at the end of the hooklink 24. However, this alters the orientation of the hook as the fish pulls on the hook 10, which may be undesirable. The strain on the hook 10 is now applied at the eye 49 of the arm 40, so the arm 40 and the join with the hook 10 should be sufficiently strong to stop the join breaking or the arm 40 deforming when under strain. It could also be more difficult to attach the hook 10 to the hooklink 24 and form the loop 35.

The fishing rig 15 could also be formed with a hook 10, arm 40 and hooklink 24 pre-formed or pre-assembled. Referring to figure 53, a bait spike 54 supports a hook 10 joined by the eye 32 of the hook 10, and also supports the arm 40 at eye 49. The arm 40 and hook 10 are also assembled as previously described. The hook 10 and arm 40 are constrained from moving up the bait spike 54 by a weld point 64 on the bait spike 54. The hook 10 and arm 40 could also be constrained from moving down the bait spike 54 by a bead 65 located on the bait spike 54 above the bait spike eye 55. The whole assembly can then be simply tied to a hooklink 24 using the bait spike eye 55.

In this specification an apparatus/method/product "comprising" certain features is intended to be interpreted as meaning that it includes those features, but that it does not exclude the presence of other features.

Many variations are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims (10)

1. Claims 1. A fishing rig comprising a support line which is attachable to a fishing line at one end, and a bait at the other a hook having an eye that engages the support line and allows the hook to rotate around the axis of the support line an arm having an eye or ring at a first end which engages the support line and allows the hook to rotate around the axis of the support line the arm having a second end which is secured to the shank of the hook, the angle between the arm and the shank of the hook being substantially fixed.
2. 2. A fishing rig according to claim 1 wherein the arm includes a sleeve made of resilient material through which the shank of the hook passes to secure the arm to the hook.
3. 3. A fishing rig according to either previous claim wherein the arm is made from a rubber material or similar polymer.
4. 4. A fishing rig according to any previous claim wherein the support line includes a ring at the free end to constrain the movement of the hook.
5. 5. A fishing rig according to any previous claim wherein the eye of the arm comprises an aperture which is elongated in the direction of the main axis of the arm to permit the hook pivot relative to the support line and alter the inclination of the hook.
6. 6. A fishing rig according to any previous claim wherein the eye of the arm comprises an aperture whose width perpendicular to the direction of the main axis of the arm is greater than the width of the eye of the hook.
7. 7. A fishing rig according to any previous claim wherein the support line is a hook line made of flexible fishing line.
8. 8. A fishing rig according to any previous claim wherein a bead or other stop member is located on the support line with the eye of the hook located between the bead of other stop member and the free end of the support line to constrain the movement of the hook.
9. 9. An arm adapted for use in any previous claim.
10. 10.4 hook and arm according to any previous claim which are integrally formed.