# US 8,739,458 B1 · Float fishing apparatus and method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,739,458 B1 - Document ID: US8739458B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 13/221,989 - Filed: 2011-08-31 - Granted: 2014-06-03 - Earliest claimed: 2011-08-31 - Applicants: Steven S. Michael - Inventors: Steven S. Michael - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8739458B1 ## CPC - A01K 97/12: Signalling devices, e.g. tip-up devices (A01K91/06 takes precedence {; for floats A01K93/02; for ice-fishing A01K97/01; for supports A01K97/10}) - A01K 89/08: Pole-less fishing apparatus, i.e. hand-held reels - A01K: ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS ## Abstract A float fishing apparatus and method of use are described primarily for fishing in lakes and ponds. The apparatus includes a cylindrical weight inside an elongated hollow shaft which will readily slide to upright the fishing apparatus from a horizontal position to a vertical position when a successful struck by a fish is made. An LED light casts a broad light pattern on the water when the apparatus is in an upright position to easily identify the state of the fishing apparatus. A rotatable reel with attached fishing line allows the line to be adjusted to a desired length and can then be secured with a reel catch to secure the reel in a non-rotatable position. ## Claims ### Claim 1 Float fishing apparatus comprising: a hollow shaft, a weight, said weight slidably contained within said shaft, a light assembly, said light assembly mounted proximate one end of said shaft, a reel, said reel rotatably attached to said shaft, a fishing line, said fishing line affixed to said reel, a hook, said hook attached to said fishing line, whereby a fish striking said hook will cause said weight to slide within said shaft and said shaft to upright from a horizontal posture to a vertical posture in the water. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The float fishing apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a reflector, said reflector positioned within said light assembly to reflect light therefrom. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The float fishing apparatus of claim 1 wherein said light assembly comprises a resilient housing. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The float fishing apparatus of claim 3 wherein said resilient housing is transparent. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The float fishing apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a reel catch, said reel catch attached to said reel. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The float fishing apparatus of claim 5 wherein said reel catch is pivotable. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The float fishing apparatus of claim 1 wherein said weight is cylindrically shaped. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The float fishing apparatus of claim 1 wherein said light assembly is battery operated. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The float fishing apparatus of claim 1 wherein said light assembly comprises a switch, an LED, said LED connected to said switch whereby depressing said switch will active said LED. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The float fishing apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a floatation collar, said floatation collar attached to said shaft, a reflective member, said reflective member attached to said floatation collar. ### Claim 11 Float fishing apparatus comprising: a shaft, a light assembly, said light assembly mounted on one end of said shaft, a rotatable reel, said reel positioned on said shaft, a handle, said handle attached to said reel, a fishing line, said fishing line attached to said reel, an eyelet, said eyelet attached to said shaft in opposing relation to said light assembly for receiving said fishing line, a hook, said hook attached to said fishing line, said apparatus further comprising a weight, said weight slidably contained within said shaft. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The float fishing apparatus of claim 11 wherein said light assembly comprises a resilient housing, a penlight, said penlight comprising a barrel, an LED and a switch, said LED connected to said switch, said switch mounted on one end of said barrel in opposing relation to said LED, said penlight contained within said housing. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The float fishing apparatus of claim 12 further comprising a spacer, said spacer affixed to said barrel. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The float fishing apparatus of claim 12 further comprising a reflector, said reflector contained within said resilient housing. ### Claim 15 A method of float fishing comprising the steps of: a) providing a float fishing apparatus having a hollow shaft with a slideable weight therein and a floatation collar attached to the shaft, the shaft having a light assembly mounted on one end, a rotatable reel having a handle mounted on the shaft containing a fishing line and a hook; b) unwinding the fishing line from the reel; c) placing the float fishing apparatus horizontally in the water with bait attached to the hook and the light assembly activated; d) allowing a fish to strike the bait to cause the weight to slide within the shaft; and e) pivoting the float fishing apparatus to a vertical posture. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15 further comprising the step of removing the float fishing apparatus from the water. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15 further comprising the step of rotating the handle to wind the fishing line on the reel. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15 further comprising the step of removing a fish from the hook into a container. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15 wherein providing a float fishing apparatus comprises the steps of providing a float fishing apparatus having a resilient light housing, and squeezing the resilient light housing to activate the light assembly.