An adjustable-depth crankbait
fishing lure for use in catching fish at user-selectable depths. The crankbait
fishing lure is made of a buoyant yet hard body having the shape and
general appearance of a bait fish. Attached to the body are at least one
fish hook and a means to attach the body to a
fishing line. Pivotable lateral fins are located at each side of the body and are user adjustable for either water surface operation or operation at varying depths. A means is provided, substantially enclosed within the body, for allowing both the user to select the desired fin
pitch corresponding to a specific
water depth, and in some embodiments, for automatically returning the fins to the original
pitch setting if the
pitch setting is disturbed due to
underwater snags or fish strikes. In addition, the
fishing lure is designed so that the means for changing the fin pitch is protected against inadvertent changes due to fish strikes, snags, or other
underwater menaces. Furthermore, one embodiment includes a new
system for rotating a shaft through part of a rotation when another parallel shaft rotates through part of a rotation in the same direction; this
system has applications beyond fishing lures.