AU2017100082B4

AU2017100082B4 - Ezinet - the fish friendly catch net

Info

Publication number: AU2017100082B4
Application number: AU2017100082A
Authority: AU
Inventors: kevin james goodhew
Original assignee: Goodhew Steven James
Current assignee: Goodhew Steven James
Priority date: 2016-04-04
Filing date: 2017-01-23
Publication date: 2020-08-13
Anticipated expiration: 2025-01-23
Also published as: AU2017100082A4

Abstract

A landing net for retrieving fish from fishing lines comprising a "J" shaped frame supporting a mesh and a handle.

Description

Description Previous fish landing nets are of similar design and method of operation, namely a hoop-like frame with a net basket to scoop up the fish. These nets put undue stress on the fish during the catch de-hook and removal processes. They vary in effectiveness and, of particular concern in catch and release fishing, often cause damage to the fish, and sometimes the angler.

The fins of the fish get damaged in the net and the protective slime is removed during handling. For the angler, reaching out to net the fish can cause falls, back and other injuries, and removal of the fish from the net often results in fin spikes.

There is a large vertical load on the, horizontally held, handle during retrieval as the weight is at 900 to the handle causing it to bend, and the angler to reach out.

The EziNet has the following design advantages;

1 *The EziNet design will cradle the fish securely in its natural straight position while still supporting the belly and spine.

2• Ezinet's direct 'vertical lift capture' reduces the risk to the angler, as there is no longer a need to reach out to net the fish. The transfer of load through to the handle is vertical at 180 thus increasing load bearing capabilities and safe lifting techniques considerably.

3•The permanently open net will expose the fish's head for easy hook removal, without any need to handle the fish.

4• With the fish remaining untouched in the EziNet, the vertical handle can be hung on scales for easy weighing.

5• The fish, whilst still in the EziNet, can be lowered back in the water. If the fish requires re oxygenation, it will be supported in the net and the open end design will allow the fish to swim out freely when it is able.

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Claims

Claim 1. The Ezinet is a 'J shaped fish landing net, with the basket section having an open top and sides, and an elongated vertical single pole handle which continues upward on the longer, rear, side of the basket as a continuation of the 'J shape, which has been designed to lift the fish vertically from the water and lower it back into the water for release, the basket section of the Ezinet consists of a small diameter mesh, fitted to the frame to allow minimal sagging, thereby keeping the fish free from entanglement, the top of the front, opposite the handle, section of the basket is angled slightly away from the vertical, to increase the size of the top of the basket and enable easier capture of the fish.
2. The fish landing net as defined in Claim 1 further comprises a fitted hand grip, at the top end of the handle, to eliminate slipping and enable the Ezinet to be deployed single handedly, with the top front frame bar of the basket reduced in width as compared to the remainder of the basket, and having downward slopes to the front, side bars of the basket, to enable easier capture, and the rear section of the basket also has downward slopes, from the base of the handle to the rear side bars of the basket, to provide a slight decrease in resistance when the net is lifted from the water.

S Goodhew July 16, 2020

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