Fishing lures

Abstract

A lure is disclosed. The lure comprises a head, a tail, a first channel extending inside the head to the tail, and a pair of hind legs extending from the tail, the pair including a first leg having a first foot and a second leg having a second foot, the first foot being connected to the second leg and forming a foot body having a second channel. The lure has a line having a first end and a second end, the second end being provided through the first channel and the second channel. The second end is connected to the foot body. The lure can resemble a frog, an insect, or an amphibian.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates generally to fishing, and more particularly to fishing lures. [Background technology]

[0002] Fishing has been an important part of human culture since hunter-gatherer times and is one of the few food-producing activities that has existed from prehistoric times to the present day. In addition to being harvested for food, fishing is a popular recreational pastime. Many fishing techniques and tactics exist for catching fish. Recreational and commercial anglers may use similar fishing techniques and equipment.

[0003] Fishing tackle is the equipment used by anglers when fishing and can include items such as hooks, lines, sinkers, floats, rods, reels, bait, lures, spears, nets, gaffs, traps, waders, and tackle boxes. Fishing lures are a wide variety of fishing tackle in the form of artificial fishing bait designed to imitate prey and attract fish's attention. Lures can use many features to attract fish, such as appearance, movement, vibration, bright reflections, and flashy colors, to appeal to the fish's predatory instincts and entice them to pounce on the bait. Lures are designed to deceive predatory fish and elicit an aggressive pounce, the force of which alerts the angler to pull hard on the line to secure the hookset inside the fish's mouth. The reason why fish bite baited hooks or lures involves several factors related to the fish's sensory physiology, behavior, feeding ecology, and biology, as well as the environment and characteristics of the bait, hook, or lure.

[0004] Lures are attached to the end of fishing line and most are equipped with one or more hooks that come in a variety of styles, such as single, double, or treble hooks. Lures can be made from plastic or rubber designed to look like fish, crabs, squid, worms, lizards, frogs, leeches, and other creatures.

[0005] Frog lures are designed to mimic the color and behavior of real frogs. Many different types of frog lures (e.g., topwater frog lures) are available on the market for fishing. Most frog lures generally have two upward-curving hooks around a soft body with two dangling legs. Frog lures are typically pulled from the frog's head. Frog lures can have either tufts or realistic legs, allowing them to slide over the surface of the water, lily pads, or weeds without getting bogged down when pulled by a line from the head of the frog lure. Frog lures can be buoyant and hollow to aid in sliding over the water. Using a frog lure creates turbulence and stillness on the water's surface, giving it a natural appearance and attracting fish (e.g., lurking bass that prey on frogs).

[0006] Others have attempted to design frog-shaped fishing lures. For example, U.S. Patent No. 8,156,682 discloses a frog lure device. The lure has a diving "collar" disposed around the upper region of the lure body, which causes the lure body to dive. When a single tug is applied, followed by a rest, the frog lure responds by diving from the surface region of the water to a depth below the surface region, and water resistance causes the lure's legs to straighten as the lure moves forward. When pulled, the lure is pulled from the head of the frog lure device.

[0007] It can therefore be seen that a need exists for a fishing lure that floats and more accurately mimics the movement of a real frog, enticing fish to bite, become hooked, and ultimately be captured. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 8,156,682 Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a lure is disclosed. The lure includes a head, a tail, a first channel extending inside the head to the tail, and a pair of hind legs extending from the tail, the pair of hind legs including a first leg having a first foot and a second leg having a second foot, the first foot being connected to the second foot and forming a leg body having a second channel. The lure includes a line having a first end and a second end, the second end being provided through the first channel and the second channel, and the second end being connected to the leg body.

[0010] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a lines lure is disclosed, the lines lure including a head, a tail, a hook, a first channel extending inside the head to the tail, and a pair of rear legs extending from the tail, the pair of rear legs including a first leg having a first foot and a second leg having a second foot, the first foot connected to the second foot and forming a foot body portion having the second channel.

[0011] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method of catching fish is disclosed, the method including the steps of providing a lure resembling a wildlife creature, the lure having a body portion with a pair of rear legs extending from the body portion and connected at their ends to form a foot body portion, extending a first end of a line through the body portion, through the pair of rear legs, and to the foot body portion, attaching a hook to the lure, casting the lure so that it floats in a body of water expected to contain fish, tug on the line, causing a distal end of the lure to bend the pair of rear legs and move the foot body portion toward the body portion, and untug on the line, causing the pair of rear legs to exert a force against the body of water, thereby pushing the lure forward.

[0012] These and other aspects and features of the present disclosure will be better understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a line-through fishing lure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a top view of a fishing lure with extended legs according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a side view of the lure of FIG. 2 with the legs extended in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a side view of the lure of FIG. 2, but illustrated to show the fishing lure when the lure line is pulled and the legs are retracted, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a top view of the lure of FIG. 4 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] 6 is a cross-sectional view of the fishing lure of FIG. 2 taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 3 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] 7 is a cross-sectional view of the fishing lure of FIG. 2 taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 2 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] 8 is a cross-sectional view of the fishing lure of FIG. 2 taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 4 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] 9 is a cross-sectional view of the fishing lure of FIG. 2 taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 5 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a line-through fishing lure with the body and legs partially disassembled according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the fishing lure of FIG. 2 with the legs moving but the lure remaining in place using a tug & release pull technique on the lure line, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 12] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the fishing lure of FIG. 2 moving across the water after a tug & hold pull technique of the lure line, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 13] 1 is a flowchart of a method of using a fishing lure to imitate a frog or insect according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a top view of a line-slue lure resembling a grasshopper according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The figures depict one embodiment of the invention for illustrative purposes only. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following discussion that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein can be used without departing from the principles described herein.

[0015] Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1 , a fishing lure constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure is generally referred to by the reference numeral 100. It will be appreciated that the lure 100 can also be shaped as an insect, amphibian, or other bait with hind legs. The lure 100 includes a body portion 102 having a head portion 104 and a tail portion 106. The tail portion 106 is connected to a pair of legs 108 extending therefrom. The pair of legs 108 can resemble a pair of hind legs as commonly found in the anatomy of a frog, grasshopper, insect, or other amphibian, and are used to resemble the fish bait.

[0016] As best shown in FIG. 2 , the pair of legs 108 includes a first leg 109 and a second leg 110. The first leg 109 has a first thigh 111, a first knee 113, a first shin 115, and a first foot 117. The second leg 110 has a second thigh 112, a second knee 114, a second shin 116, and a second foot 118. The first leg 109 is bent at the first knee 113, and the second leg 110 is bent in the opposite direction to the first leg 109 at the second knee 114. The first foot 117 is connected to the second foot 118, which reconnects the first leg 109 to the second leg 110 to form a foot body 120. The first leg 109 and the second leg 110 form a space 121 between the first knee 113 and the second knee 114 .

[0017] In contrast to known frog lures, the line 122 extends through the head 104 of the body portion 102, through the tail 106, and between the pair of legs 108. More specifically, the line 122 also extends through the space 121 between the first knee 113 and the second knee 114, through the foot body portion 120, and ultimately connects to the hook 124. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments, the line 122 can ultimately be connected to the foot body portion 120.

[0018] The line 122 can be made of metal wire, titanium wire, polyethylene (PE) line, fluorocarbon line, monofilament line, PE assist line, PE assist hollow line, or PE line with metal wire fully or partially integrated, or the like. Assist lines, as commonly known in fishing, are cords used to attach to assist hooks for popping and jigging to create assist rigs. Assist cords are ultra-strong cords with high abrasion resistance, designed for big game fishing (e.g., trevally and tuna) and for sharp-toothed fish. Assist cords provide moderate elasticity and tension, reducing line trouble and providing sufficient stiffness for improved hookups. Assist cords can be made of materials such as nylon, copolymer nylon, Kevlar, or plastic fiber.

[0019] The hook 124 can be any type of known fishing hook, such as a j-hook, single hook, double hook, treble hook, or assist hook, made from metal or other materials commonly known in the fishing arts. The hook 124 can be directly connected to the line 122 via an additional PE assist line, rope, or the like. A metal wire (e.g., titanium wire, etc.) or the like can be threaded through the line 122 along with the PE assist line. The metal wire can span the entire length of the PE assist line or extend only partially along the length of the PE assist line. Providing a partial metal wire allows only a portion of the line 122 to be stiff while still helping to prevent tangles. Having a partially stiff line allows additional movement of the line 122 for an increased chance of hooking a fish during a bite. An assist hook is a j-hook equipped with a strong utility cord, fiber cord, Dyneema®, Kevlar® cord, or the like, secured to the hook and providing a loop for easy attachment to a lure or ring. Some assist hooks are made of wire or cable. The fish cannot use leverage to cast out the assist hook, as is possible with a treble hook attached to the lure. The flexible assist cord eliminates this possibility, and the j-hook provides a strong, reliable hook set. For a more secure connection between the hook 124 and the line 122, shrink wrap can be used around the shank portion 126 of the hook 124, which is connected to the line 122. The shrink wrap can be heated and melted around the line 122 and the shank portion 126 of the hook 124. The shrink wrap is easily removable and replaceable when a new hook is needed. This, along with the ability to replace the connection between the hook 124 and the line 122, allows the lure 100 to have a longer usable life.

[0020] The main body 102 can be made of plastic or other buoyant material, and the pair of legs 108 can be made of plastic, rubber, plastisol, shape memory polymer, resin, thermoplastic elastomer, or other buoyant material commonly known in the art that can float on water. The main body 102 can be hollow and can be shaped to resemble various types of fish bait (e.g., frogs, insects, or amphibians with hind legs). The pair of legs 108 can be made of plastic or rubber that returns to its original shape when bent.

[0021] Referring now to FIG. 3 , a side view of the lure 100 is depicted with the pair of legs 108 fully extended. The line 122 is shown provided within a first channel 200 extending inside the body 102. The body 102 may further include a belly hook 202 on its underside. The belly hook 202 may be a single hook, a double hook, or a treble hook, similar to the hook 124 described above and as commonly known in fishing. There may be more than one belly hook 202 connected to the body 102. The belly hook 202 may be connected to the body 102 via a cord 204. The cord 204 may be made of fiber, nylon, utility cord, assist line, or PE assist line. The PE assist line helps provide rigidity to avoid tangles, yet is flexible enough to accommodate movement when a fish is hooked. The belly hook 202 may be connected directly to the cord 204 via an additional PE assist line, rope, or the like. A metal wire (e.g., titanium wire, etc.) or the like can be threaded through the cord 204 along with the PE assist line. The metal wire can span the entire length of the PE assist line or can extend only partially along the length of the PE assist line. Providing the metal wire partially allows only a portion of the cord 204 to be stiff, preventing tangles when two or more belly hooks 202 and cords 204 are provided on the lure 100. Having a partially stiff line allows additional movement of the cord 204 for increased likelihood of hooking a fish during a bite. Additionally, shrink wrap can be used around the b-shank portion 206 of the belly hook 202 and heated to melt around the cord 204 and the b-shank portion 206 of the belly hook 202. The shrink wrap is easily removable and replaceable when a new belly hook needs to be replaced on the underside of the body portion 102.This, along with the ability to replace the connection between the belly hook 202 and the cord 204 and body portion 102, allows the lure 100 to have a longer useful life.

[0022] 4-5, lure 100 is shown with line 122 pulled, causing the pair of legs 108 to bend at first knee 113 and second knee 114. When line 122 is pulled, hook 124 is pulled into foot body 120, which is thereby pulled toward tail 106. Hook 124 causes foot body 120 to move toward tail 106 when line 122 is pulled. When line 122 is released, foot body 120 moves away from tail 106 because the pair of legs 108 return to their original extended position due to being made from plastic, rubber, plastisol, shape memory polymer, resin, thermoplastic elastomer, or other shape memory material commonly known in the art.

[0023] 6-9, a cross section of lure 100 is shown showing a first channel 200 in body portion 102 extending from head 104 to tail 106 and connecting to a pair of legs 108. A second channel 300 extends into and can extend from foot body portion 120. A line 122 extends through first channel 200 and second channel 300 throughout lure 100. Lure 100 is capable of floating on the surface of water because lure 100 is hollow and / or made from a buoyant material.

[0024] The first channel 200 and the second channel 300 can be hollow tubes made of plastic, metal, or other material that allow the line 122 to travel therethrough. The line 122 is routed first through the first channel 200 in the body portion 102, then through the second channel 300 in the foot body portion 120, and finally connected to the hook 124. The first channel 200 and the second channel 300 help provide free back and forth movement of the line 122 as it is pulled, tugged, and released. As the lure 100 moves, it creates turbulence and stillness on the surface of the water, similar to a real frog on the surface of water, weeds, and / or a lily pad. The natural movements and jumps attract fish (e.g., lurking bass that prey on frogs) to bite the lure 100 and become caught on the hook 124 or belly hook 202. The lure 100 can float on the water surface. This is because the lure 100 is hollow and / or made from a buoyant material.

[0025] The hook 124 is configured to fit into the second channel 300, allowing the hook 124 to be hidden in place and to be released when a fish is hooked. The lure 100 allows the hook 124 to be separated from the lure 100 when a fish is hooked, giving the angler an improved chance of catching the fish and reducing the chance of the fish being released from the hook. The lure 100 can slide over the line 122 and away from the hook 124. The second channel 300 acts as a hiding spot for the hook 124 to be stowed by partially or fully entering the second channel 300. As shown in FIG. 6 , when the line 122 is released, the hook 124 is released from the foot body 120 and can be lowered away from the foot body 120 into the water.

[0026] 8 and 9 , when the line 122 is pulled or tugged, the foot body 120 moves toward the tail 106 and the hook 124 is tucked into the foot body 120. The line 122 is connected to the hook 124, allowing the hook 124 to enter the second channel 300 and pull the foot body 120 forward. A portion of the hook 124 wraps around the outside of the foot body 120 when pulled by the line 122, thereby pulling the foot body 120 forward. The second channel 300 extends from the foot body 120 to provide clearance between the hook 124 and the foot body 120, preventing a sharp portion of the hook 124 from getting caught or snagged on the foot body 120.

[0027] The pair of legs 108 are made of a malleable material (e.g., plastic, rubber, or shape-memory polymer) such that the first leg 109 and the second leg 110 return to or maintain their original positions. The pair of legs 108 can be formed by injection molding or other methods commonly known in the art for creating plastic, resin, or rubber bodies. When the line 122 is pulled or tugged, the pair of legs 108 can change state from a "loaded" state and an "unloaded" state to help mimic the movement of a fish's bait. When the line 122 is pulled, the pair of legs 108 enters a loaded state and bends similarly to the rear legs, as shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 7, and 9. When the line 122 is released or slackened, it causes the pair of legs 108 to return to their extended position (unloaded state). When the line 122 is released, the pair of legs 108 will return to their unloaded state (original, extended position) as shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, 6, and 8. When the pair of legs 108 enters a loaded state, the bent pair of legs 108 has the potential for energy to cause the lure 100 to move forward. A shape memory material or the like can provide elastic energy to the pair of legs 108 in the loaded state, facilitating the movement of the lure 100. The lure 100 generally does not have the energy to move while in the unloaded state.

[0028] To further mimic bait, the line 122 can include a tongue 208, which can be a portion of the line 122 adjacent the head 104 that is colored red or another color that is attractive to fish, as shown in Figures 7-8. The tongue 208 mimics the tongue of a frog or bait moving in and out of its mouth as the line 122 is pulled and released from a loaded and unloaded state. The tongue 208 can further entice fish to bite and become hooked on the lure 100.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 10 , the body portion 102 and the pair of legs 108 can be mated as male and female counterparts, as commonly known in the art. The pair of legs 108 can be further secured to the body portion 102 at the tail portion 106 by a bait keeper (e.g., a barbed wire, a spring bait keeper, a toothpick, a male and female connector, or the like), as commonly known in the art. A bait keeper, a screw, a toothpick, a male and female part, a nut and bolt, or the like can be used to connect the body portion 102 and the pair of legs 108 within the set of connecting slots 400. Adhesive can also be used to secure the body portion 102 and the pair of legs 108. When the lure 100 is assembled, a portion of the first channel 200 can extend inside the pair of legs 108. Since the lure 100 is hollow, the lure 100 is able to float on the water surface.

[0030] 11-12, two fishing techniques for the lure 100 are illustrated that use the lure 100 to mimic the movement of a frog on the water's surface. FIG. 11 illustrates a tag-and-release (TR) fishing technique in one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 12 illustrates a tag-and-hold (TH) fishing technique in another embodiment of the present disclosure. Both the TR and TH fishing techniques create natural movements that entice fish to bite and become hooked on the lure 100. The lure 100 can utilize the TR&TH fishing technique to create turbulence and stillness on the water's surface that resembles the natural movement of a real frog.

[0031] 11 illustrates one embodiment of luer 100 that uses TR techniques to move pair of legs 108 while maintaining luer retention within area 500 when line 122 is loaded and unloaded. In FIGS. 11a and 11b, luer 100 is provided in a first TR position 502, where pair of legs 108 are fully extended in an unloaded state. In a second TR position 504, shown in FIGS. 11c and 11d, line 122 is pulled tight, causing foot body portion 120 to move toward tail portion 106, thereby bending pair of legs 108. The pair of legs 108 are placed in a loaded state so that when the line 122 is released or slackened, the pair of legs 108 will return to an unloaded position with the first leg 109 and the second leg 110 in an extended state and the lure 100 will remain within the area 500 in the third TR position 506 as shown in Figures 11e and 11f. The pair of legs 108 can be repeatedly placed in a loaded and unloaded state while keeping the lure 100 floating in the area 500, floating in the water, or submerged. When the lure 100 is used with TR fishing techniques, the pair of legs 108 mimics the movement of a baitlet, enticing fish to bite the lure 100 and become caught on the hook 124 or belly hook 202 while it is floating, suspended in the water, or submerged in the same general area of ​​the fishing reef. This allows the angler to maintain the lure 100 within the area 500 without having to continually recast the lure 100 onto the water.

[0032] FIG. 12 illustrates another embodiment of a lure 100 using TH fishing techniques, simultaneously illustrating top and side views of the lure 100 as it moves across the water with the line 122 loaded and unloaded. In FIGS. 12a and 12b, the lure 100 is presented in a first TH position 600, in which the pair of legs 108 are fully extended in an unloaded state. In a second TH position 602, shown in FIGS. 12c and 12d, the line 122 is pulled or tugged into a loaded state, causing the foot body 120 to move toward the tail 106, thereby bending the pair of legs 108. When in a loaded state, the pair of legs 108 pull on the line 122, creating tension and primarily promoting the movement of the lure 100. When the line 122 is released or slackened, the pair of legs 108 will return to an unloaded state with the first leg 109 and the second leg 110 extended in their neutral original positions, as shown in Figures 12e and 12f. As the pair of legs 108 pull against the line 122, it causes the lure 100 to jump across the water and move away from the area 500, as shown in the third TH position 604 in Figures 12e and 12f.

[0033] As a secondary movement, the pair of legs 108 may also exert a force against the water, further causing the lure 100 to move or jump across the water and away from the area 500 to a third position 604 as a secondary movement. As the lure 100 moves across the water, it mimics bait and entices fish to bite the lure 100 and become caught on the hook 124 or belly hook 202.

[0034] Lure 100 uses elastic energy to move across a predetermined distance after line 122 is pulled, as shown moving from second TH position 602, depicted by FIGS. 12c and 12d, to third TH position 604, depicted by FIGS. 12e and 12f. The pair of legs 108 uses elastic energy to pull against line 122 and against the water in area 500, moving lure 100 the predetermined distance across the water and out of area 500. The elastic energy released when line 122 is released can cause lure 100 to jump like a frog and reach third TH position 604. The pair of legs 108 can be composed of a shape memory polymer capable of returning from a loaded state to an unloaded state, such as when the pair of legs 108 are bent as foot body portion 120 moves toward tail portion 106. The shape memory polymer can enable the generation and release of elastic energy to move the lure 100 forward when the line 122 is pulled and released and the pair of legs 108 is repeatedly bent and stretched from a loaded and unloaded state.

[0035] As a secondary cause of movement, the pair of legs 108 exert a force against the body of water as it transitions from a loaded to an unloaded state, causing the lure 100 to move or jump across the water, mimicking the movement of a frog, insect, amphibian, or other bait.

[0036] It can be appreciated that the TH fishing technique is the full range of movement of the lure 100, and the TR fishing technique is the minimum range of movement of the lure 100. It can also be appreciated that because different types of fish may be differently tempted by the amount of mimicking movement of the lure 100, a user of the lure 100 can utilize a fishing technique for the lure 100 that falls between the ranges of the TR and TH fishing techniques due to the movement desired by the user.

[0037] It can be appreciated that a spring or other biasing member can be placed on line 122 between the pair of legs 108 or in space 121 to facilitate and / or assist the movement of lure 100 from a loaded state to an unloaded state.

[0038] When the line 122 is tugged or pulled, the lure 100 mimics the movement of the hind legs of the bait, which can trick certain types of fish into believing that the lure 100 is a frog, insect, amphibian, or other bait for the fish to feed on. The lure 100 will attract fish to bite the lure 100 on either the leg body portion 120 or the body portion 102 as the lure 100 mimics the bait moving across the water, thereby hooking the fish on the hook 124 or belly hook 202.

[0039] The lure 100 can be considered a "line-through" lure in that the body 102 can move along the line 122. In other words, the body 102 and the pair of legs 108, which resemble a frog or other bait, can slide across the line 122. This can provide easier access for an angler to remove the hook 124 from the mouth of a fish that has been hooked on the lure 100. An additional portion of the line 122 can be provided through the lure 100 to move the hook 124 away from the body 102 and the pair of legs 108. It is recognized that the line 122 can be any length as needed.

[0040] Lure 100 can further be connected to a fishing rod (not shown) as commonly known in the art. The free end of line 122 is adjacent head 104 and can be connected to a fishing line (not shown) of a fishing rod as commonly known in the art. Line 122 can be tugged or pulled by the fishing rod to imitate a frog, grasshopper, insect, amphibian, or other bait with hind legs that moves across the water.

[0041] 14, a line-slave lure resembling a grasshopper, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, is shown as a grasshopper lure 800. The grasshopper lure 800 includes a grasshopper body 802 having a grasshopper head 804 and a grasshopper tail 806. The grasshopper tail 806 is connected to a pair of grasshopper legs 808, which extend adjacent to the grasshopper tail 806. The pair of grasshopper legs 808 may resemble a pair of hind legs, as commonly found in the anatomy of grasshoppers, insects, or other amphibians, and are used to resemble fish bait.

[0042] The pair of grasshopper legs 808 includes a first leg 809 and a second leg 810. The first leg 809 has a first grasshopper thigh 811, a first grasshopper knee 813, a first grasshopper shin 815, and a first grasshopper foot 817. The second leg 810 has a second grasshopper thigh 812, a second grasshopper knee 814, a second grasshopper shin 816, and a second grasshopper foot 818. The first grasshopper leg 809 is bent at the first grasshopper knee 813. Additionally, the second grasshopper leg 810 is bent in the opposite direction to the first grasshopper leg 809 at the second grasshopper knee 814. The first grasshopper leg 817 is connected to the second grasshopper leg 818, which reconnects the first grasshopper leg 809 to the second grasshopper leg 810, forming a grasshopper leg body 820. The first grasshopper leg 809 and the second grasshopper leg 810 form a grasshopper space 821 between the first grasshopper knee 813 and the second grasshopper knee 814. In contrast to known grasshopper lures, the line 122 extends through the grasshopper head 804 of the grasshopper body 802, through the grasshopper tail 806, and between the pair of grasshopper legs 808. More specifically, the line 122 also extends through the grasshopper space 821 between the first grasshopper knee 813 and the second grasshopper knee 814, through the grasshopper leg body 820, and finally connects to the hook 124. The butterfish lure 800 may also have a belly hook 202 on the underside of the grasshopper body 802. The butterfish lure 800 may also implement the TR and TH techniques as described above.

[0043] Industrial Applicability In operation, the present disclosure may find applicability in many industries, including, but not limited to, the fishing and hunting industries. Specifically, the technology of the present disclosure may be used to catch fish using a line-swivel lure resembling a frog, but is not limited to fishing lures resembling frogs, insects, and the like. While the foregoing detailed description is made with particular reference to a frog lure bait for fishing, it should be understood that the teachings therein may also be applied to other baits for fishing and hunting (e.g., insects, amphibians, and the like).

[0044] Referring now to FIG. 13 , a method 700 for catching fish using a line-slinging lure 100 of the present disclosure is depicted. First, in step 702, a lure 100 resembling wildlife or fish bait (e.g., a frog, insect, or amphibian) is provided. The lure 100 includes a body 102, from which a pair of legs 108 extend and are connected at their ends to form a foot body 120. The lure 100 is made from a material configured with varying degrees of buoyancy that allows the lure 100 to float, float in water, or sink in a body of water. The pair of legs 108 are made from a shape-memory material configured to return the pair of legs 108 to an original or extended position.

[0045] In step 704, line 122 is extended through body portion 102, through a pair of legs 108, and to foot body portion 120. Line 122 passes completely through luer 100. Line 122 is provided through body portion 102 to foot body portion 120 such that the pull point of luer 100 is located at foot body portion 120 when initially tugged or pulled.

[0046] In step 706, the hook 124 or belly hook 202 is connected to the lure 100. The hook 124 may be connected to the line 122 at an end that extends through the foot body portion 120. The belly hook 202 may be provided on the underside of the body portion 102. The hook 124 and belly hook 202 may be connected to a location on the lure 100 that corresponds to a portion of the wildlife anatomy that will be enticed to attract a fish (e.g., the leg or abdomen of a frog, amphibian, or insect, etc.).

[0047] The hook 124 is connected to the line 122 by a wire, an assist line, a PE assist line, a fluorocarbon line, a monofilament line, or directly as is commonly known in the art. The hook 124 is also configured to fit into the second channel 300, which allows the hook 124 to hide in and come out of the second channel 300 when the line 122 is tugged and released. The lure 100 allows the hook 124 to separate from the lure 100 when a fish is hooked, reducing the chance of the fish coming off the hook.

[0048] The belly hook 202 can be connected to the main body 102 by fluorocarbon fishing line, monofilament line, braided line, wire, metal wire, assist line, PE assist line, or directly as commonly known in the art. PE assist line maintains sufficient rigidity within the line to avoid tangles, yet is flexible enough to accommodate movement when a fish is hooked. Assist lines are typically used for hooking in fishing to help prevent tangles. Assist cords are typically composed of fibers that prevent the line 122 from loosening its strength even when exposed to ultraviolet light. PE assist lines can be hollow, allowing users to splice loops when using the hook. The line 122 can also be various colors (e.g., blue) to reduce its visibility to fish. Titanium or metal wire can be threaded through the PE assist line. The metal wire can be provided entirely or partially along the entire length of the PE assist line. The line 122 passing through the pair of legs 108 and within the space 121 helps prevent tangling because thinner or less stiff line can create excess slack, which increases the likelihood of undesirable tangling of the line 122. Providing a metal wire in a portion of the line 122 allows only a portion of the line 122 to be stiff, preventing tangling. Having a partially stiff line allows sufficient movement of the line 122 for an increased chance of hooking a fish during a bite. Also, the line 122 provided between the pair of legs 108 is advantageous for skip casting because it is better prevented from tangling. Skip casting generally requires the lure to be able to slide well across a surface. The lure 100 allows the user to prevent unnecessary tangling while sliding across a surface, avoiding any delays and lost opportunities to catch a fish.

[0049] In step 708, the lure 100 is cast onto a body of water for catching fish. The lure 100 can be cast onto a body of water using, for example, a fishing rod or the like, as is commonly known in the fishing arts. The lure 100 can be in a first TR position 502 or a first TH position 600, as shown in FIGS. 11a, 12a, 11b, and 12b. The lure 100 is made from materials configured with varying degrees of buoyancy that allow the lure 100 to perform TR and TH techniques while floating, levitating in the water, or submerged.

[0050] In step 710, the line 122 is pulled or loaded, thereby pulling the foot body portion 120 toward the tail portion 106 and bending the pair of legs 108 into a loaded state. Pulling the line 122 causes the distal end of the lure 100 to bend the pair of legs 108 into a loaded state and move the foot body portion 120 toward the body portion 102, as shown in second TR position 504 or second TH position 602 in Figures 11c, 12c, 11d, and 12d. When the line 122 is pulled in step 710, the hook 124 contacts the foot body portion 120, thereby causing the foot body portion 120 to move toward the tail portion 106.

[0051] In step 712, the line 122 is released or unloaded, thereby unloading the pair of legs 108 using the TR technique. While the pair of legs 108 is unloaded, the lure 100 remains within the area 500 at the third TR position 506, as shown in FIGS. 11d and 11e. Alternatively, in step 714, the angler can use the TH technique to hold the line 122 and increase the load on the pair of legs 108, and then release the line 122, causing the lure 100 to move forward. The release of the load causes the pair of legs 108 to pull against the line 122, which also causes a force to be exerted against the body of water within the area 500. This causes the lure 100 to move or jump across the water away from the area 500 at the third TH position 604, as shown in Figures 12d and 12e, mimicking wildlife movement (such as a frog jumping across water). When the line 122 is released in the TH technique, the pair of legs 108 extend and return to an unloaded state as the hook 124 and foot body portion 120 release the pair of legs 108, thereby pushing the body portion 102 forward and out of the area 500.

[0052] The angler can repeatedly tug and slacken, pull and release, or load and unload the line 122, causing the lure 100 to mimic a bait that entices the fish to bite. The angler can use TH and TR techniques, or a range between TH and TR techniques, causing the lure 100 to mimic a bait that entices the fish to bite. The lure 100 can resemble a frog, insect, reptile, or other amphibian, which entices the fish to bite as the lure 100 mimics, moves, and / or jumps across the water like a frog, insect, or amphibian with hind legs. When a fish bites the lure 100 after being lured by the movement of the foot body 120, the fish becomes caught on the hook 124 or belly hook 202.

[0053] From the foregoing, it can be seen that the technology disclosed herein has industrial applicability in a variety of environments, such as, but not limited to, the fishing and hunting industries that utilize bait such as frogs, insects, amphibians, or other bait resembling animals with hind legs. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 100 lures 102 Main body 104 Head 106 Tail 108 Pair of Legs 109 Left leg 110 Right leg 111 Left thigh 112 Right thigh 113 Left knee 114 Right knee 115 Left shin 116 Right shin 117 left foot 118 Right Foot 120 Foot body 121 spaces 122 lines 124 Hook 126 Shank part 200 First Channel 202 Belly Hook 204 Code 206 b-shank part 208 Tongue 300 Second Channel 400 connection slots 500 Area 502 First TR position 504 Second TR Position 506 Third TR Position 600 1st TH position 602 Second TH position 604 3rd TH position 700 methods 702 steps 704 steps 706 steps 708 steps 710 steps

Claims

1. a head, a tail, a first channel extending inside the head to the tail, and a pair of rear legs extending from the tail and including a first leg having a first foot and a second leg having a second foot, the first foot being connected to the second leg and forming a foot body portion having a second channel; a line having a first end and a second end, the second end being provided through the first channel and the second channel, the second end being connected to the foot body; A lure that is equipped with

2. 10. The lure of claim 1, wherein the second end is connected to a hook, the hook configured to enter the second channel when the line is pulled.

3. 3. The lure of claim 2, wherein the lure is provided to resemble a bait selected from the group consisting of a frog, an insect, a grasshopper, a bird, a mammal, a reptile, and an amphibian, and the portion of the line resembles a tongue of the bait.

4. 4. The lure of claim 3, wherein the line is made from a material selected from the group consisting of nylon rope, PE assist line, assist line, monofilament line, fluorocarbon line, and PE assist line integrated with a metal wire.

5. 4. The lure of claim 3, wherein the lure has varying degrees of buoyancy.

6. 4. The lure of claim 3, wherein the lure is made from a material selected from the group consisting of a shape memory polymer, a thermoplastic elastomer, a plastic, a plastisol, a resin, and a rubber.

7. 4. The lure of claim 3, wherein the first channel and the second channel are tubes made from a material selected from the group consisting of metal, aluminum, and plastic.

8. 4. The lure of claim 3, wherein the lure includes at least one second hook attached between the head and the tail, the at least one second hook being connected to the lure by a cord made from a material selected from the group consisting of nylon rope, PE assist line, assist line, monofilament line, fluorocarbon line, and PE assist line integrated with a metal wire.

9. 9. The lure of claim 8, wherein the hook and the at least one second hook are each selected from the group consisting of a j-hook, a single hook, a double hook, a treble hook, and an assist hook, the hook being further secured to the lure by a shrink wrap applied around a first shank portion of the hook and the line, and the at least one second hook being further secured to the lure by a shrink wrap applied around a second shank portion of the at least one second hook and the cord.

10. a head, a tail, a hook, a first channel inside the head extending to the tail, a pair of rear legs extending from the tail including a first leg having a first foot and a second leg having a second foot, the first foot being connected to the second leg to form a foot body portion having a second channel; A line-swiping lure equipped with

11. 11. The line-sling lure of claim 10, wherein the line-sling lure resembles a bait selected from the group consisting of a frog, a grasshopper, a mammal, a bird, an insect, a reptile, and an amphibian, and a portion of the line adjacent to the head resembles a bait tongue that is movable into and out of the head.

12. 11. The lineslure of claim 10, wherein the lineslure is made from a material selected from the group consisting of an elastic polymer, rubber, plastisol, resin, and shape memory polymer, and the lineslure has varying degrees of buoyancy.

13. 11. The line-slew lure of claim 10, wherein the first channel and the second channel are tubes made from a material selected from the group consisting of metal, aluminum, and plastic.

14. 12. The lineslure of claim 11, wherein the lineslure includes at least one hook attached between the head and the tail via a cord, wherein shrink wrap further secures the at least one hook to the cord, and wherein the at least one hook is selected from the group consisting of a j-hook, a single hook, a double hook, a treble hook, and an assist hook.

15. 1. A method of catching fish, comprising: providing a wildlife-resembling lure having a body portion with a pair of rear legs extending from the body portion and connected at their ends to form a foot body portion; extending a first end of a line through the body portion, through the pair of rear legs, and to the foot body portion; connecting a hook to the lure; Casting the lure into a body of water where fish are expected to be present; pulling on the line to cause the distal end of the lure to load the pair of rear legs; releasing the line, causing the pair of rear legs to become unloaded while the lure remains substantially in place; A method comprising:

16. The method comprises: holding the line to increase the load on the pair of rear legs; Releasing the line to cause the lure to move forward; 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

17. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the first end of the line extends through the foot body and is connected to the hook, the method further comprising hiding a shank portion of the hook within the foot body when the line is pulled.

18. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the lure is made from a material having varying degrees of buoyancy, the material being selected from the group consisting of a shape memory polymer, a thermoplastic elastomer, a plastic, a plastisol, a resin, and a rubber, the method further comprising the step of enabling the lure to mimic bait while floating on top of, floating through, or submerged in the body of water.

19. 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising alternating between a tag-and-hold technique and a tag-and-release technique of pulling and releasing the line until the fish is hooked.

20. The method comprises: connecting a plurality of second hooks to the lure between the head and the tail, the plurality of second hooks being connected to the lure by a cord made of a material selected from the group consisting of nylon rope, PE assist line, assist line, monofilament line, fluorocarbon line, and PE assist line integrated with metal wire, the hook and the plurality of second hooks being each selected from the group consisting of j-hooks, single hooks, double hooks, treble hooks, and assist hooks; securing the hook to the lure with shrink wrap applied around a first shank portion of the hook and the line; securing the at least one second hook to the lure with a shrink wrap applied around a second shank portion of the at least one second hook and the cord; 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

21. a main body; Multiple hooks and a plurality of cords connecting the plurality of hooks to the main body, the plurality of cords including a PE assist line integrated with a metal wire; A lure that is equipped with

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