Universal System, Components, and Methods for Holding Fishing Rods

Abstract

To provide a better experience for ice fisherman and fisherman generally, the present inventor devised, among other things, apparatus, assemblies, components, and methods for holding a fishing device, such as a fishing rod. One exemplary apparatus includes an adjustable rod holder pivotably mounted or coupled to a base structure. The rod holder, which can be strapped or otherwise attached to one or more types of fishing rods or poles, has an adjustable center of gravity and/or an adjustable pivot point. The adjustable center of gravity and/or pivot point allows users to balance the fishing rod at various tip angles, up or down, and thus to position the rod in a way most suitable for the type of desired fish. The exemplary apparatus is particularly suitable as a replacement for the conventional tip-ups used in ice fishing, because it provides advantages of conventional rod &reel fishing with those of conventional tip-up fishing.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . Apparatus for holding a fishing rod, comprising:
 a support frame having a base supporting first and second generally vertical support members that are spaced apart;   balancing means, pivotably couplable to the support frame and removably attachable to a fishing rod or pole, for adjustably balancing the fishing rod or pole at a selected angle relative to the vertical support members, the adjustable balancing means having a length dimension generally parallel to the length dimension of the fishing rod or pole and including at least one of:   a weight member adjustably movable along the length dimension to at least partially determine the selected angle; and   means for adjusting position of the pivot rod along the length dimension.   
     
     
         2 . A method of ice fishing, comprising:
 fastening a structure to a fishing rod, the structure having an adjustable pivot point along a dimension generally parallel to a length dimension of the fishing rod; and   pivotably mounting the structure to a support structure at a height between 18 inches and 48 inches (such as 30 inches) above the ice fishing hole dependent on the length of the fishing rod.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising: adjusting the center of gravity of the structure to thereby change an angle of incline of the fishing rod relative to a vertical axis defined by the support structure. 
     
     
         4 . Apparatus for a fishing rod having a length dimension, the apparatus comprising:
 a base structure:   an elongated structure having a pivot axis and pivotably mountable to the base structure for pivoting about the pivot axis, with the structure having a length dimension less than that of the fishing rod and the pivot axis generally perpendicular to the length dimension; and   means for adjusting position of the pivot axis and   means for removably attaching the elongated structure to the fishing rod.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a support structure having at least one generally vertical (or upright) support member; and   means for pivotably mounting the elongated structure to the vertical support structure at a predetermined height above a base portion of the support structure'   
     
     
         6 . Apparatus comprising:
 an elongated structure having a pivot point and pivotably mountable to a base structure for pivoting about a pivot axis passing through the pivot point, with the structure having a length dimension less than that of the fishing rod and the pivot axis generally perpendicular to the length dimension; and   means for adjusting position of the pivot axis.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , further comprising means for removably attaching the elongated structure to a fishing rod.