Weedless Trolling Head With Nested Hook Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional weedless lures suffer from durability issues, complexity in assembly, partial effectiveness in impaling fish, and high manufacturing costs, often resulting in snagging on grass and debris.

Innovation Solution

A device comprising a nose, ribs, and arms that form a tapered shape to mimic a baitfish head, with a conduit for fishing line and a hook guard mechanism to prevent snagging, allowing easy installation on various lures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If hooks are exposed on the exterior of the lure to impale fish effectively, then the ability to impale fish is improved, but the lure snags on grass and debris

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to impale fishVSAvoidsnagging on grass and debris

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The hook is nested within the lure body structure, specifically positioned inside a cavity or compartment formed by the nose and ribs. The hook remains functional for impaling fish while being concealed from external vegetation, resolving the contradiction between hook effectiveness and snagging prevention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The nose and rib structure acts as an intermediary between the hook and the external environment. This structural intermediary shields the hook from grass and debris while still allowing the hook to perform its impaling function when a fish strikes the lure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If hook guards are added to protect hooks from snagging, then snagging is reduced, but the device becomes cumbersome and difficult to install

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesnagging on vegetationVSAvoidcomplexity of hook-guarding mechanisms

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hook protection function is merged with the existing lure body structure (nose and ribs). Instead of adding a separate hook guard component, the structural elements of the lure itself create the protective environment for the hook, simplifying the overall device while maintaining weedless functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The nose and rib structure serves multiple functions: it provides the protective shield for the hook, maintains the tapered baitfish-like shape for natural movement, and creates the internal cavity for housing the hook. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate hook-guarding components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If hidden or retracted hooks are used to achieve weedless lures, then snagging is reduced, but the assembly requires complicated mechanical hook-actuating devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesnagging on vegetationVSAvoidcomplexity of mechanical hook-actuating devices

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lure is segmented into distinct functional zones: the external nose and rib structure that interfaces with water and vegetation, and the internal hook region that remains protected. This segmentation allows the hook to be concealed without requiring complex actuating mechanisms to hide or retract it

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of making the hook movable or retractable to achieve weedless functionality, the approach is inverted: the hook remains stationary and exposed, while the surrounding structure (nose and ribs) is configured to protect it from vegetation. This inversion eliminates the need for complex mechanical actuating devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional weedless lure structures are used, then snagging is reduced, but durability and manufacturing cost are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesnagging on vegetationVSAvoiddurability of lure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The nose and ribs are designed with specific local geometric qualities (tapered shape, specific rib configurations) that provide both structural durability and the protective function for the hook. This localized optimization maintains overall lure strength while achieving weedless functionality without requiring fragile or complex components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS12458005B2Weedless trolling head system and methods of making and using the same

Publication Date: 2025.11.04 HARTLEY MICHAEL

AI summary

The invention is directed to a device that allows trolled lures (e.g., ballyhoo) to be used with decreased or eliminated snagging of the lure on grasses and weeds present in the water. The device includes a hollow, tubular body with a nose operably connected to a series of ribs via upper and/or lower arms. The connection of the ribs and arms create a tapered shape that mimics the head portion of an artificial or dead bait lure. The device further includes an upper channel that spans the length of the device, allowing fishing line to pass therethrough during use. One end of a hook guard (e.g., artificial worm) attaches to a peg positioned on the lower device arm. The second end of the hook guard slips over the point and barb of the fishing hook present on the lure. As a result, the sharp ends of the lure hook are prevented from being caught or hung by sargassum grass and other marine grasses (bay grass, sea grass, turtle grass, etc.).