DK181668B1

DK181668B1 - An apparatus and a method for managing the line of a handline fishing device on board a fishing vessel and a fishing vessel comprising the apparatus

Info

Publication number: DK181668B1
Application number: DKPA202170568A
Authority: DK
Inventors: Skjaldarson Tryggvi
Original assignee: Skjaldarson Tryggvi
Priority date: 2019-05-14
Filing date: 2021-11-17
Publication date: 2024-09-17
Also published as: EP3968768A1; DK202170568A1; WO2020230172A1

Abstract

The invention provides an apparatus and a method for managing a jigging line or handline during pulling in and paying out the trailing section. The device and method of the present invention provide a solution, where the fisherman does not have to handle the trailing section on the deck of the boat. The apparatus comprising: - a handline reel (1), said handline reel storing a handline with a trailing section, said trailing section further comprising one or more hooks to place bait on and a sinker below said trailing section to sink the trailing section, - a gallows (3), said gallows comprising at least two vertical portions (3a) extending upwards from opposite gunwales and at least one lateral portion (3b) linking the two vertical portions (3a), - a number of rollers (4), said rollers (4) being positioned at different positions on the gallows, to guide the line along the gallows from one gunwale to the other during hauling and paying out the handline, – a stopper (5) for preventing a hooked fish to be pulled beyond the position of the stopper, and for stopping hauling in motion of the handline reel.

Description

DK 181668 B1 1

AN APPARATUS AND A METHOD FOR MANAGING THE LINE OF A

HANDLINE FISHING DEVICE ON BOARD A FISHING VESSEL AND A

FISHING VESSEL COMPRISING THE APPARATUS

Field of the invention

The invention provides a method and an apparatus for managing the trailing section of a jigging line or handline during pulling in and paying out of the handline from a fishing boat, and a fishing vessel.

Background

Handline fishing or handlining, is widely used today and is one of the oldest fishing techniques still used today. Handlining is based on a single fishing line, where one or more fishing lures or baited hooks are attached to the line and the line is jigged and jerked to mimic a living marine lifeform. At the end of the jigging line there is a sinker and above the sinker is a trailing section with a one or plurality of baited hooks.

Although handlining was done purely by hand before, the modern jigging technique uses a computer-controlled mechanic reel for jigging and reeling the trailing section in and out of the boat. The modern handlining reels are computerized and automatic as indicated above, with paying out and puling the line in and where the device senses when the sinker hits the bottom of the ocean. The fisherman can customize the jigging motion by setting the speed and frequency of the jigging motion as well as depth of fishing.

The trailing section, having a plurality of baited hooks is pulled on board the fishing boat when at least one fish has taken a bait on the line. As the hooked fish reaches the gunwale it is grabbed or hooked by the fisherman and unhooked from the bait and into a container next to the gunwale. The management of the trailing section once on board the boat is demanding and time consuming as the fisherman is not only dealing with the unhooking the fish, but also minding the baited trailing section being pulled in and paying the line out again. In GB 2045591 an apparatus is disclosed for managing the line of an angling machine where the reel is placed on gallows on board the fishing boat and a roller placed on an outwardly extending chute for guiding/managing the fishing line.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention provides an apparatus and a method for managing a jigging line or handline during pulling in and paying out the trailing section. Furthermore, the device and method of the present invention provide a solution, where the fisherman does not have to handle the trailing section on board the boat. The device of the present invention

DK 181668 B1 2 comprises a computer-controlled handline reel and gallows or a frame linking the starboard and the port gunwale of the boat. The gallows have two vertical members extending upwards from each gunwale and a lateral member linking the two vertical members. The gallows further contain a number of rollers for leading the trailing section along the gallows. The device further comprises a stopper for stopping the reel as a fish has been pulled over the gunwale. By positioning the rollers on each upper corner of the gallows, by the stopper and the handline reel, the trailing section is led through the stopper, over the gallows and towards the reel, thereby keeping the trailing section untangled and free from handling and off the deck.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art and to provide an improved and/or alternative and/or additional method or device for handling the trailing section of a handline or jigging fishing device on board the boat. It is one preferred object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for handling the trailing section of a handline or jigging fishing device on board the boat during hauling in and paying out a handline from a reel using a gallows structure over the deck of the boat to hold and store the trailing section of the handline without the need of human management.

The advantage of the apparatus and the method of the present invention is that the device can facilitate the management of the trailing section of a handline from paying out to hauling in without the need of a fisher man to “man” handle the trailing section. This is obtained by a gallows structure and a handline reel, where the reel is positioned on the opposite gunwale to where the line is entering the ocean. Between the two opposite gunwale, a gallows structure is formed leading the handline and at last the trailing section up and over above the deck and down towards the reel. The gallows has a stopper on the hauling side so that when a hooked fish is hauled out of the ocean it is not dragged along the gallows, but as it hits the stopper the reel stops hauling in until the fish has been taken of the hook. Then the reel continues to haul in the line until it is fully hauled in. thereafter the reel lowers the line again into the ocean unless the hooks need to be attended to. This means that the trailing section is never placed on the deck and will therefore not get tangled there or to be moved or handled in any way by the fisher man.

The object(s) underlying the present invention is (are) particularly solved by the features defined in the independent claims. The dependent claims relate to preferred embodiments of the present invention. Further additional and/or alternative aspects are discussed below.

DK 181668 B1 3

Thus, at least one of the preferred aspect of the present invention is solved by an apparatus for managing the line of a handline fishing device on board a fishing vessel.

The apparatus comprises i) a handline reel for storing a handline with a trailing section, where the trailing section further comprising one or more baited hooks and a sinker below said trailing section to sink the tailing section, ii) gallows, where the gallows comprise at least two vertical portions extending upwards from opposite gunwales and at least one lateral portion linking the two vertical portions, iii) a number of rollers being positioned at different positions on the gallows, to guide the line along the gallows from one gunwale to the other gunwale during hauling and paying out the handline, and iv) a stopper for preventing a hooked fish to be pulled beyond the position of the stopper and for stopping hauling in motion of the handline reel.

Another aspect of the present invention is solved by method for managing the line of a handline fishing device on board a fishing vessel. The method comprises the steps of: a) positioning a handline reel on or near a gunwale of a fishing boat, said handline reel storing a handline with a trailing section, said trailing section further comprising one or more baited hooks and a sinker below said trailing section to sink the tailing section, b) hauling in and paying out the handline over gallows, said gallows comprising at least, two vertical members extending upwards from opposite gunwales and at least one lateral member linking the two vertical members, wherein the handline reel is positioned on an opposite side to where the handline is lowered into the ocean, ¢) advancing the trailing section of the handline over the gallows by use of a plurality of rollers being positioned at different positions on the gallows, to guide the line along the gallows from one gunwale to the other during hauling and paying out the handline, and d) using a stopper for preventing a hooked fish to be pulled beyond the position of the stopper and for stopping hauling in motion of the handline reel until the fish has been released from the hook.

Another aspect of the present invention is solved by a fishing vessel for managing the line of a handline fishing device on board a fishing vessel. The fishing vessel comprises: i) two or more gallows between opposite gunwales and over a deck of a fishing vessel with a plurality of rollers to guide a handline line along the gallows from one gunwale to the other during hauling and paying out the handline, ii) a handline reel for storing the handline with a trailing section and a sinker, where the tailing section has one or more hooks for placing bait, iii) a stopper for the gallows for preventing a hooked fish to be

DK 181668 B1 4 pulled beyond the position of the stopper and for stopping hauling in motion of the handline reel. The two or more gallows comprise two parallel two vertical portions and at least one lateral portion linking the two vertical portions, wherein the position of each roller on said gallows is arranged to be positioned between the comprise two parallel two vertical portions. The vessel further comprises computer monitored sensors associated with the handline reel for detecting for instance if a fish is hooked on the handline and or when the sinker hits the bottom of the lake or ocean where a remote control for each of the handline reels allows a fisherman to pay out and haul the handline from each handline reel remotely from a housing on the fishing vessel. This is efficient when the fisherman is searching for fish and scanning an area of water.

Description of the invention

The following definitions and embodiments relate to the method, the apparatus, and the fishing vessel of the invention.

In the present context the terms “handline” or “jigging line” relate to a fishing method

In the present context the terms “ocean” or “lake” relate to where one or more fishing lures or baited hooks are attached to the line and the line is jigged and jerked to mimic a living marine lifeform. At the end of the jigging line there is a sinker and above the sinker is a trailing section with a one or plurality of baited hooks.

In the present context the term “trailing section” refers to the fishing and sinking portion of the handline. A sinker is placed at the end of the trailing section and above the sinker one or more hooks are attached where the hooks are covered or hidden with a bait, organic or artificial.

In the present context the term “gallows” or “frame” refers to a structure placed over the deck of the boat/vessel to form a high raised “bridge” to hold and guide the trailing section in a single line over the deck without getting tangled. The gallows are made from at least bars or poles extending upwards from the gunwale or deck on each side of the boat and bars or poles connecting the at least two bars or poles to form a continuous guiding structure for the trailing section as it is pulled up from the ocean and over the deck.

In the present context the terms “reel”, "handline reel” or "means for storing and hauling in and paying out a handline fishing line” refers to a mechanical and/or computer

DK 181668 B1 controlled reel for hauling in and paying out a handline, such as, but not limited to DNG type of handline reels.

In an embodiment of the present invention the apparatus further comprises a guiding member or for keeping the handline away from the gunwale of the boat during hauling in 5 and paying out the trailing section.

In an embodiment of the present invention the apparatus is mounted on the opposite gunwales of the boat and wherein the handline reel is mounted on the gunwale opposite the side where the handline is lowered into the ocean.

In an embodiment of the present invention the gallows comprise two parallel vertical portions and at least one lateral portion linking the two vertical portions, and wherein the position of each roller on said gallows is arranged to be positioned between the comprise two parallel two vertical portions.

In an embodiment of the present invention the apparatus further comprises a collecting box below the stopper to collect fish being unhooked from the baited hooks.

In an embodiment of the present invention the gallows link the starboard and the port gunwale of the fishing vessel.

In an embodiment of the present invention two or more gallows are arranged in parallel and spaced apart on the fishing vessel.

In an embodiment of the present invention the two or more parallel arranged gallows are connected by a at least one longitudinal portion in the uppermost part of the vertical portions.

In an embodiment of the present invention the lateral portions are arranged at the front and the aft end of the longitudinal portion along each gunwale of the fishing vessel forming a frame between the or more gallows.

In an embodiment of the present invention the number of gallows is three or more, space is defined between two gallows for allowing vertical lifting of tubs on and off the deck.

In an embodiment of the present invention the apparatus further comprises sensors associated with the handline reel for detecting one or more of i) if a fish is hooked on the handling, ii) when the sinker hits the bottom of the lake or ocean.

In an embodiment of the present invention the apparatus further comprises a computer for monitoring sensors.

DK 181668 B1 6

In an embodiment of the present invention the apparatus further comprises a remote control connection for each of the handline reels.

In an embodiment of the present invention paying out and hauling handline from each handline reel can be remotely controlled from a housing on the fishing vessel.

In an embodiment of the present invention the trailing section of the handline is guided through the stopper, along the gallows and towards the reel. This prevents the handline and the trailing section to become tangled on the deck after hauling.

Description of Drawings

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinafter and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus:

FIG. 1 is a schematic rear view drawing of a boat and devices and an apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view drawing of devices and an apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an apparatus with a plurality of connected gallows on a boat.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view, different from Fig. 3, of a fishing vessel with a plurality of connected gallows.

Figure 1 shows the apparatus of the present invention. The figure is a drawing showing a rear view of a fishing boat and the apparatus mounted on the boat. The apparatus shown in Fig. 1 handles the trailing section of a handline fishing device where a computer controlled handline reel 1 is mounted on the gunwale opposite where the handline 2 is lowered into the ocean. Gallows or a frame 3, linking the starboard and the port gunwale of the boat, such that the gallows are made from two vertical members 3a extending upwards from each gunwale and a lateral member 3b linking the two vertical members 3a. A number of rollers 4 are positioned at the corner of the gallows and behind the stopper 5 in order to lead the trailing section along the gallows, keeping it straight and off the deck. A guiding roller 6 or bumper is used to keep the handline away from the gunwale of the boat 7.

DK 181668 B1 7

In Fig.2 a side view of a boat is shown with 3 gallows arranged along the deck of the boat to handle three handline devices. Each gallows have two vertical members 3a extending upwards from each gunwale and rollers 4 are positioned between the two vertical members 3a by fastening means.

In Fig.3 an apparatus is shown where three gallows are arranged in parallel and spaced apart on the fishing vessel and the gallows are connected by a one longitudinal portion 3c over each gunwale in the uppermost part of the vertical portions 3a. The lateral portions 3b are arranged at the front and the aft end of the longitudinal portion 3c along each gunwale of the fishing vessel forming a frame between the or more gallows. This drawing also shows how a space 11 is defined between two gallows for allowing vertical lifting of tubs on and off the deck.

In Fig. 4 the guiding member 6 or for keeping the handline away from the gunwale 10 of the boat 7 during hauling in and paying out the trailing section.

Claims

DK 181668 B1 8 PATENT CLAIM

1. Apparatus for controlling the line of a handline fishing device on board a fishing vessel, wherein the apparatus comprises: - a handline reel (1), wherein said handline reel stores a handline with a rear section, wherein said rear section further comprises one or more hooks to placing bait on and a sinker under the rear section to lower the rear section, - the stopper (5) to prevent a hooked fish from being pulled beyond the position of the stopper and to stop the catch by movement of the hand line wheel, characterized in that the apparatus further comprises a gallows (3), wherein said gallows comprises at least two vertical parts (3a) extending upwards from opposite rails, and at least one lateral part (3b) connecting the two vertical parts (3a), and where the apparatus further comprises a number of rollers (4), where said rollers (4) are placed in different places on the gallows to guide the line along the gallows from one rail to the other during pulling in and releasing the handline.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus further comprises a guiding element (6) to keep the hand line away from the boat's (7) rail (10) during hauling in and lowering of the rear section.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, where the gallows comprises of two parallel vertical parts (3a) and at least one lateral part (3b) connecting the two vertical parts (3a), and where the location of each roller (4) on the gallows is arranged so that it is located between the two parallel vertical parts (3a).

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rollers are attached to the gallows by fastening means (8) on an axis (9), the fastening means (8) being arranged to guide the handline away from the vertical part of the gallows on the handline wheel side and over the highest point on the lateral part.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, where the apparatus further comprises a collection box under the stopper for collecting fish that are unhooked from the bait hooks.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, where two or more gallows are placed parallel and separated on the fishing vessel.

DK 181668 B1 9

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, where the two or more parallel-arranged gallows are connected by at least one longitudinal part (3c) in the upper part of the vertical parts (3a).

8. The apparatus according to claims 6 and 7, where the lateral parts (3b) are placed at the front and on the aft end of the longitudinal part (3c) along each rail of the fishing vessel and form a frame between one/or more gallows.

9. The apparatus according to claims 1-8, wherein the number of hangers is three or more, wherein distance is defined between two hangers to allow vertical lifting of vessels on and off the deck.

10. The device according to claims 1-9, where the device further comprises sensors associated with the hand line wheel for detecting one or more of i) if a fish is hooked on the hand line, ii) when the sinker hits the bottom of the lake or the sea.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the apparatus further comprises a computer for monitoring sensors.

12. The apparatus according to claims 1-11, wherein the apparatus further comprises a remote control connection to each of the handline wheels.

13. Method for controlling the line of a handline fishing device on board a fishing vessel, the method comprising the following steps: - placing a handline wheel on or near a rail of a fishing vessel, said handline wheel storing a handline with a rear section, where said rear section further comprises of one or more bait hooks and a sinker below the rear section to lower the rear section, - hauling in and releasing the handline over the gallows, said gallows comprising at least two vertical members extending upwards from opposite rails and at least one lateral member connecting the two vertical members, where the handline wheel is located on an opposite side of where the handline is lowered into the sea, - advancing the rear section of the handline over the gallows by means of a plurality of rollers arranged at various points on the gallows to guide the line along the gallows from one rail to the other during hauling and releasing of the hand line, and - use of a stop to prevent a hooked fish from being pulled beyond the position of the stop and to stop hauling in motion of the handline reel until the fish is released from the hook.

DK 181668 B1

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the rear section of the handline is guided through the stopper, along the gallows and towards the wheel.

15. The method according to claim 13, where releasing and retrieving handline from each handline reel can be remotely controlled from a house on the fishing vessel.

16. Fishing vessel consisting of a device according to claim 1, where the device is mounted on the opposite rails of the fishing vessel, and where the handline wheel is mounted on the rail opposite the side where the handline (2) is lowered into the sea.

17. The fishing vessel according to claim 16, where the gallows connects the starboard and port rails of the fishing vessel.