Fishing pole casting air golf game

Abstract

An apparatus and method wherein differently configured targets and corresponding flags, preferably with numbers corresponding to the hole numbers of a conventional golf course, are arranged relative to a target area representative of a golf course like setting, either indoors or outside, and players use fishing poles with selected weighted castable plugs and attempt to aim and successively cast the weighted plug into each of the openings of the targets.

1 . An apparatus for improving the casting ability of a fisherman in a target area, in the context of a golf-like game setting, comprises 
 a set of casting targets, each said target being substantially flat and having a central opening, the central openings in the casting targets being of a different size from one another and the targets being placeable in spaced apart relation from one another and about the target area, and    a fishing rod, said fishing rod including a fishing line having a first end attached to the fishing rod and a second end distal to said first end, and a bait replica attached to the second end of said fly line,    wherein the fisherman aims and casts the fishing rod towards a selected one of the casting targets and the central opening thereof, in succession, and causes the second end portion of the fishing line and bait replica thereon to be propelled towards the target opening and in a manner that the bait replica thereon will be received in the central opening of the casting target aimed at.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the target area is generally flat and the casting targets are flat, annular, and include a central opening that is circular.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the casting targets are of a lightweight plastic material, and differently colored, and the central openings in the targets vary in size from 24 inches diameter to 40 inches in diameter.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the smallest central opening is less than 24 inches diameter.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the casting targets are disposed at predetermined locations of the target area consistent with prevailing environmental features and to optimize the casting skills required to locate the bait replica inside the central openings of the targets.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the target area is located outside, such as a yard or park, and the casting targets are placed at predetermined locations in proximity to trees, ponds, and in association with prevailing surface contours.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the target area is located inside to enable casting practice during inclement weather, such as being in a gymnasium, warehouse or like structure.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the bait replica may be formed into the shape of a fishing lure, or a shaped weight, each being elongated and having an end portion attached to the second end of the fishing line.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the shaped weight is in the range of about ⅜ ounce (10.36 gram) to about 1 ounce (28.349 gram).  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the fishing pole and line thereof may be that of a fishing rod, for fly casting, or a fishing rod, for spin casting.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising an instruction book setting out a set of predefined rules for casting, including how the targets are placed relative to a target area and representative of golf holes, defining what constitutes par for a given target and the points assigned to a player when completing a hole, scoring, and defining how a player wins the game according to the rules of the game.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus includes four fishing poles, one for each of four respective players, nine annular casting targets, such as to represent the nine holes of a golf course, each of a different color, and the castable plug is in the shape of a fishing lure.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus according to  claim 12  wherein the casting targets are of a bright and highly visible color.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein the apparatus includes a set of plastic flags, one for each respective casting target and each preferably provided with a respective number to correspond to a respective of the holes found on a golf course, and a scorecard for each respective player.  
   
   
       15 . A game apparatus, in the form of a kit for use in improving the casting ability of a user when casting a fishing pole, the kit comprising: 
 at least one castable plug,    a set of castable targets and corresponding golf hole flags therefor, the number of targets and flags depending on the golf course and number of holes thereon being simulated,    scorecards,    an official set marker, to keep score, and    an instruction book setting out the rules of the game and including helpful information, such as knot tying, casting techniques, and line replacement information.    
   
   
       16 . The kit according to  claim 15 , wherein the flags with numbers on the flag thereon are representative of a hole of the golf course.  
   
   
       17 . The kit according to  claim 16 , wherein certain of the flags are provided with the numbers one through nine.  
   
   
       18 . A method for improving the fly casting technique of a fly fisherman, comprising the steps of: 
 (1) obtaining a fly rod with a fly line attached thereto;    (2) attaching a fly replica to an end of the fly line, the fly replica being of a predetermined weight and shape;    (3) arranging a plurality of annular casting targets about a target area, the casting target having a generally planar lower surface placed upon the ground of the target area and each having a central opening which defines a target area that is intended to receive the fly replica cast thereto by the fisherman; and    (4) casting the fly replica at the target so as to permit the fly replica to fall within the center opening of the target.