Fishing rig

Claim 2

An ice fishing rig comprising: a flat base member sized to cover a hole of predetermined size formed through an ice layer; a frame member secured to said base member; a reel having a central spool disposed between opposing end plates; means for mounting said reel with said spool having an axis rotatable about a horizontal axis; a hole formed through said base member and aligned with a radial edge of said spool; signal means disposed on a pivot rod; means for pivotally supporting said pivot rod at a pivot point on said base member with said rod extending from said point in one direction to said signal means and extending from said point to a free end of said rod in an opposing direction; biasing means for urging said rod to pivot toward a signalling position; and means for releasably securing said rod in a second position comprising hook means carried on said reel and a hook engaging pin secured to said rod and extending therefrom and captured within said hook means when said rod is pivoted to said second position.

Claim 3

An ice fishing rig according to claim 1 wherein said means for mounting said reel includes a pivot rod extending between said reel and said frame with said reel pivotal on said rod; a spacer surrounding said rod between said frame and said reel; spring means extending between said frame and said reel, urging said reel away from said frame; means for drawing said reel toward said frame with said spacer limiting movement of said reel.

Claim 4

An ice fishing rig according to claim 1 wherein said biasing means comprises a weight secured to said free end of said rod and disposed opposing a surface of said frame when said rod is in said signal position.

Claim 5

An ice fishing rig according to claim 1 wherein said reel is provided with movement indicating means.

Claim 6

A maneuverable ice fishing rig comprising: a flat base member sized to cover a hole of predetermined size formed through an ice layer; a frame member secured to said base member; a reel having a central spool disposed between opposing end points; means for mounting said reel to said frame member with said spool havng an axis rotatable about a generally horizontal axis of rotation when said base member is disposed on an ice layer; a hole formed through said base member beneath a radial edge of said spool and sized to provide passage for a fishing line; a rod member pivotally mounted to said frame member to pivot about an axis generally parallel to said spool axis, said rod having a first side extending from said pivot axis to a signal and a second side extending from said pivot axis to a free end; a weight secured to said free end and urging said rod to pivot to a signal position with said signal disposed above said reel; a plurality of readily displaced hooks disposed on said reel and presenting radial openings; and a pin secured to said rod and sized to extend through one of said openings from a side thereof opposite an unwinding direction of rotation of said reel when said rod is in a second position.

Claim 7

A maneuverable ice fishing rig comprising: a flat base member sized to cover a hole of predetermined size formed through an ice layer; a frame member secured to said base member; a reel having a central spool disposed between opposing end points; means for mounting said reel to said frame member with said spool havng an axis rotatable about a generally horizontal axis of rotation when said base member is disposed on an ice layer; a hole formed through said base member beneath a radial edge of said spool and sized to provide passage for a fishing line; a rod member pivotally mounted to said frame member to pivot about an axis generally parallel to said spool axis, said rod having a first side extending from said pivot axis to a signal and a second side extending from said pivot axis to a free end; a weight secured to said free end and urging said rod to pivot to a signal position with said signal disposed above said reel; a plurality of readily displaced hooks disposed on said reel and presenting radial openings; and a pin secured to said rod and sized to extend through one of said openings from a side thereof opposite an unwinding direction of rotation of said reel when said rod is in a second position.

Claim 8

A fishing rig according to claim 5 wherein said frame member is provided with a handle portion disposed to be engaged by a hand of an operator; said frame and said base member being formed of a lightweight material with said rig freely wheelable by an operator engaging said handle portions and; a crank handle secured to said reel and engageable by a free hand of an operator wielding said rig.

Claim 9

A fishing rig according to claim 5 wherein said weight is disposed opposing a surface of said frame with said rod pivoted to said signal position.