Ice fishing apparatus with eccentric release feature

An ice fishing trap comprising:

• a rotatable spool having an eccentric rim:
• a main body supporting the rotatable spool for containing a desired length of fishing line;
• the main body supporting an indicator, and the indicator having both a set position and a triggered position;
• a release rod having a second end cooperating with the eccentric rim of the rotatable spool and, at least when the indicator is in its set position, also having a first end cooperating with both a keeper and the indicator, the release rod having a first position in which the release rod, along with the keeper, captively retain the indicator in its set position and engages with the eccentric rim of the spool, the release rod having a second position, axially spaced from the first position, in which the release rod releases the indicator to permit the indicator to move to its triggered position;
• wherein rotation of the eccentric rim of the spool axially moves the release rod from its first position to its second position and actuates the indicator into its triggered position.

A method of actuating an ice fishing trap comprising a rotatable spool having an eccentric rim;

• a main body supporting the rotatable spool containing a desired length of fishing line;
• the main body supporting an indicator, and the indicator having both a set position and a triggered position;
• and a release rod cooperating with the eccentric rim of the rotatable spool and, when the indicator is in its set position, also cooperating with the indicator, the release rod having a first position in which the release rod captively retains the indicator in its set position and engages with the eccentric rim of the spool, the release rod having a second position, axially spaced from the first position, in which the release rod releases the indicator to permit the indicator to move to its triggered position, and rotation of the spool axially moves the release rod from its first position to its second position and actuates the indicator into its triggered position;
• the method comprising the steps of:
• securing bait to a free end of the fishing line;
• moving the release rod to its first position and captively engaging the indicator;
• and
• as the bait is being taken by a fish, rotating the eccentric rim of the spool to move the release rod axially from its first position to its second position.