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-down fishing.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . Apparatus for holding a fishing rod, comprising:
 a support frame; and   balancing means, pivotably couplable at a pivot point 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 support frame, the adjustable balancing means having a length dimension generally parallel to the length dimension of the fishing rod or pole when attached thereto, and including at least one of:
 a weight component adjustably movable along the length dimension to at least partially determine the selected angle; and 
 means for adjusting position of the pivot point along the length dimension. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the weight member includes a shaft oriented generally parallel to the length dimension and a weight movably mounted to the shaft. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the means for adjusting position of the pivot point includes a slot in a structure, a pivot rod extending through the slot and movable along a length dimension of the slot, and means for securing the pivot rod at a position along the length dimension, the position being the pivot point. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claims 1 , wherein the support frame includes:
 first and second generally vertical support members which are pivotably coupled to the balancing means;   first and second generally horizontal base members pivotably mounted to the vertical support members; and   means for securing relative position of the vertical support members and the horizontal base members.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the support frame is configured to allow folding the vertical support members and horizontal base members together for storage. 
     
     
         6 . A method of ice fishing, comprising:
 fastening a component to a fishing rod, the component having an adjustable pivot point along a dimension generally parallel to a length dimension of the fishing rod; and   pivotably mounting the component after fastening to the fishing rod to a support structure so that the component and the fishing rod may pivot about the pivot point.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising placing the support structure on a frozen body of water prior to pivotably mounting the component to the support structure. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the support structure is configured to support the component and the rod a height between 18 inches and 48 inches above a supporting ice substrate. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising: adjusting the center of gravity of the component to thereby change an angle of incline of the fishing rod relative to a vertical axis defined by the support structure. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising unfolding the support structure from a flat-folded configuration to an unfolded configuration. 
     
     
         11 . Apparatus for a fishing rod having a length dimension, the apparatus comprising:
 foldable support means;   an elongated structure having a pivot point and being pivotably couplable to the foldable support means so that the elongated structure pivots relative to the folded support means, with the structure having a dimension;   means for adjusting position of the pivot point along the dimension; and   means for removably attaching the elongated structure to a fishing rod.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the dimension is a length dimension of the elongated structure. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the means for adjusting position of the pivot point along the dimension includes an elongated opening in the elongated structure, a pivot rod extending through the opening and movable along a length dimension of the elongated opening, and means for securing the pivot rod at a position along the length dimension of the opening, the position being the pivot point. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the means for removably attaching the elongated structure to the fishing hold includes at least one strap. 
     
     
         15 . Apparatus comprising:
 an elongated component including a body having a length dimension and a pivot rod extending through the body at a first position along the length dimension; and   means for changing position of the pivot rod from the first position to a second position along the length dimension; and   means for removably securing the elongated component to a fishing rod.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the elongated component has a nominal weight and a corresponding center of gravity, and wherein the component further comprises means changing the center of gravity of the component without changing its nominal weight. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the means for removably attaching the elongated structure to the fishing hold includes at least one strap. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of claim of  17  further comprising foldable support means for pivotably supporting the component when removably secured to the fishing rod. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the foldable support frame includes:
 first and second generally vertical support members which are pivotably couplable to the component;   first and second generally horizontal base members pivotably mounted to the vertical support members; and   means for securing relative position of the vertical support members and the horizontal base members.