Angled Keel Trolling Spreader Bar for Wider Lure Spread
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fishing lure systems, such as outriggers and planer boards, are limited in their ability to increase the spread width of lures behind a trolling vessel, restricting the number of fish that can see and strike the lures, and are often costly, bulky, or ineffective in rough conditions.
Innovation Solution
A fishing lure system featuring an elongated central body with an adjustable keel and lateral fin, which extends laterally from the central body, allowing for increased spread width by directing the lure assembly laterally outward from the vessel's path, and includes a rotatable base plate for adjusting the keel angle and counterweights for stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If traditional outriggers or planer boards are used to increase spread width, then the number of fish that can see and strike lures increases, but the device becomes costly, bulky, and ineffective in rough conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the spreader bar into multiple modular sections that can be independently adjusted. Each section can be positioned at different angles and depths, allowing the system to achieve wide spread coverage without requiring a single large complex structure. The segmented design enables flexibility in configuring the lure array to match various fishing conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The spreader bar incorporates adjustable and movable components that can be reconfigured based on water conditions and target species. The ability to dynamically adjust the position and angle of individual lure sections allows the system to adapt to rough conditions and maintain effective spread width, eliminating the need for fixed bulky structures.
2Device complexity
If lures are extended straight behind the vessel, then the device complexity is reduced, but the total width of water covered by lures is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from a one-dimensional linear arrangement of lures directly behind the vessel to a two-dimensional or three-dimensional array. By extending lures laterally at various angles from the vessel path, the system covers a broader area of water without significantly increasing device complexity. This dimensional expansion allows multiple lures to operate in different zones simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The trolling system is divided into multiple independent lure sections that can be positioned at different lateral distances from the vessel. This segmentation enables the system to cover a wider water area by distributing lures across multiple positions rather than concentrating them in a single line, achieving expanded coverage with manageable complexity.
3Productivity
If the number of lures is increased to cover more water, then more fish may see and strike lures, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spreader bar design incorporates universal mounting mechanisms and standardized connection points that allow multiple lures to be attached using the same basic hardware. This multi-functionality enables the system to accommodate varying numbers of lures without requiring different complex structures for each configuration, maintaining simplicity while increasing productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses modular lure sections that can be independently attached and adjusted on the spreader bar. This segmentation allows anglers to configure the optimal number of lures based on fishing conditions without needing to change the entire device structure, thereby increasing productivity while controlling device complexity through standardized modular components.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively increases the spread width of lures, exposing them to more fish and improving the chances of strikes, while providing stability and self-righting capabilities in various water conditions, thus enhancing fishing efficiency and reducing the need for expensive outriggers.
Implementation Method 1
a keel that extends from a ventral surface of the elongated central body at an angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the central body, such that the central body is guided laterally outwardly from the direction of travel of the trolling spreader bar while trolling
Implementation Method 2
a keel that extends from a ventral surface of the elongated central body at an angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the central body, such that the central body is guided laterally outwardly from the direction of travel of the trolling spreader bar while trolling
Implementation Method 3
counterweights for stability
Implementation Method 4
lateral fin, which extends laterally from the central body
Data Source
AI summary
A trolling spreader bar is configured with a central body and a plurality of fishing lures as an assembly to mimic a small school of fish, wherein each lure can have a keel. The keel is angled to urge the lure assembly continually to one side or the other from what would be the normal straight line of travel of a trolling vessel. By attaching an angled keel directly to the lure/spreader bar one is able to easily set lines behind the vessel at varying angles and distances which greatly increase the width of the full trolling lure spread. The spreader bar can further be configured to have a counterweight directly attached to it to provide increased stability to the bar during trolling.